This year is shaping up to be a remarkable one for Disney at the box office, with Moana 2 poised to take center stage during the holiday period, while Wicked is also expected to perform strongly. The anticipation surrounding these films is palpable, as both are set to attract a diverse audience looking for family-friendly entertainment.

Disney’s exceptional year continues to break records, as Deadline reports that Moana 2 achieved an astonishing $57.5 million on its opening Wednesday, which includes impressive previews from Tuesday. This remarkable figure sets a new record for a single day for any Walt Disney Animation film, coming close to the heights achieved by Pixar’s champions like Incredibles 2 ($71.2 million) and Inside Out 2 ($63.5 million). Despite the overwhelming success, early forecasts suggest that Moana 2 may not reach the coveted $200 million mark over the holiday weekend. However, the film’s word-of-mouth reception stands at a solid A-minus, according to CinemaScore, indicating positive audience feedback. This transition from a Disney Plus animated series to a major theatrical release has proven to be a smart move for the studio, demonstrating their ability to adapt and thrive.

On the other hand, the buzz around the “Glicked” phenomenon is still gaining momentum. The musical Wicked is generating impressive box office returns, raking in over $20 million just yesterday. Projections suggest that it will conclude the holiday weekend with approximately $95 million, a stunning figure that could lead to a total domestic gross between $400 million and $500 million. As audiences flock to theatres, it’s important to remember to leave the green makeup at home to fully enjoy the experience!

Meanwhile, Ridley Scott’s much-discussed sequel, Gladiator II, is still drawing crowds despite mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Current expectations indicate that it may see a 50% drop in its second week, which translates to around $27 million for the weekend and approximately $40 million for the holiday. This would bring its domestic total to over $100 million, although reaching the $200 million benchmark may be a challenging feat as the weeks progress.

In addition to these major titles, Red One and Best Christmas Pageant Ever are likely to round out the top five, with both films anticipated to maintain their audience appeal during this family-oriented holiday period. Red One is expected to generate around $12 million, while Best Christmas Pageant Ever is projected to reach about $4.5 million, catering to families looking for festive entertainment.

Here are our exciting box office predictions for this holiday weekend:

1. Moana 2: $110 million
2. Wicked: $65 million
3. Gladiator 2: $27 million
4. Red One: $12 million
5. Best Christmas Pageant Ever: $4.5 million

What films are you planning to see this holiday weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!