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Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most lucrative times in the movie industry. As families gather together to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season, many flock to theaters to catch the latest cinematic offerings.
The holiday weekend, spanning from Thursday to Sunday, often leads to some of the most significant box office numbers of the year. These films not only perform well in terms of earnings but also become part of the cultural fabric of the holiday season.
Over the years, a few films have capitalized on the Thanksgiving holiday, setting remarkable records. In this article, we will explore the top 5 Thanksgiving weekendbox officehits, examining their earnings, cultural impact, and what makes them so successful during this time of year.
1. Frozen II (2019)
When it comes to Thanksgiving box office hits, Frozen II stands tall at the top. The Disney animated sequel to the 2013 hit Frozen made an unprecedented mark during its opening weekend in 2019.
The film earned a staggering $130.26 million over its five-day Thanksgiving debut. The immense popularity of the first film played a significant role in ensuring the sequel’s success, butFrozen IIalso managed to expand the story and characters in a way that kept audiences coming back for more.
The Story Behind Frozen II’s Success
Frozen II’s magic lies in its characters’ emotional depthand the captivating visuals. The movie follows sisters Elsa and Anna as they embark on a dangerous journey to the Enchanted Forest to uncover the secrets of Elsa’s magical powers.
Additionally,Frozen IIbenefited from a massive global fanbase. Fans of all ages, from young children to adults who grew up with the first movie, eagerly anticipated the film’s release. The Thanksgiving weekend timing made it the perfect film for families to enjoy together, contributing to its box officesuccess.
Key Box Office Takeaways
Opening Weekend (5-day): $130.26 million
Total Domestic Box Office (as of 2024): $477.4 million
Worldwide Gross: $1.45 billion
Why It Worked for Thanksgiving
Frozen II made its mark by capitalizing on both nostalgia and new storytelling. The film’s themes of self-discovery and family resonated with audiences, making it the perfect holiday film.
Its release around Thanksgiving helped it dominate the box office, as families took the opportunity to watch the beloved sequel together.
2. Frozen (2013)
When Frozen was released in 2013, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and its success was not confined to just the box office. Thefilmbecame one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, and its Thanksgiving debut played a key role in its eventual success.
The Impact of Frozen
The first Frozen movie, with its iconic characters and unforgettable songs likeLet It Go, resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
The film’s Thanksgiving opening weekend earned $93.59 million, a remarkable number for an animated film at the time.
Key Box Office Takeaways
Opening Weekend (5-day): $93.59 million
Total Domestic Box Office (as of 2024): $400.7 million
Worldwide Gross: $1.29 billion
Why It Worked for Thanksgiving
Frozen’s Thanksgiving success was a result of strong word-of-mouth, a loyal fanbase, and an emotional connection with families.
The holiday season allowed Disney to target children and adults who would bring the entire family to theaters. The movie’s themes of love, courage, and self-empowerment made it the ideal family-friendly film for Thanksgiving.
3. Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
In 2018, Disney followed up Wreck-It Ralph (2012) with the highly anticipated sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet. The film, which explores the world of the internet through the eyes of video game characters Ralph and Vanellope, grossed $84.7 million over its five-day Thanksgiving weekend debut.
While not quite as successful asFrozenin terms of overall box office earnings,Ralph Breaks the Internetstill made a notable mark on the Thanksgiving box office charts.
The Appeal of Ralph Breaks the Internet
Ralph Breaks the Internet was a unique blend of humor, adventure, and social commentary. The film explored internet culture in a clever and accessible way, with Easter eggs and references to everything from social media platforms to pop culture phenomena.
The film’s Thanksgiving opening saw an impressive number of families heading to theaters to see the film, thanks in large part to its humorous and heartwarming story.
Key Box Office Takeaways
Opening Weekend (5-day): $84.7 million
Total Domestic Box Office (as of 2024): $192.7 million
Worldwide Gross: $529.3 million
Why It Worked for Thanksgiving
Ralph Breaks the Internet benefitted from the growing influence of Internet culture, which is increasingly a part of daily life.
The timing of its release also ensured that it had minimal competition from other big-budget films, helping it dominate the holiday box office. If you want to explore more details aboutRalph Breaks the Internet, you can visit itsIMDbpage.
4. Moana (2016)
Released during the Thanksgiving weekend of 2016,Moanabrought something fresh to the Disney animated landscape with its Polynesian-inspired story, vibrant visuals, and memorable songs.
The film earned $82.08 million over its five-day debut weekend, a solid number that set the stage for its eventual success at the box office.
The Heart of Moana
At the center of Moana is a young Polynesian girl who sets out on a daring journey to save her island and discover her true purpose.
The film’s themes of courage, perseverance, and cultural pride resonated deeply with audiences, especially in its stunning musical sequences, such as the Oscar-nominatedHow Far I’ll Go.
Although it didn’t hit the same box office heights asFrozen,Moanawas still a massive success. The film’s Thanksgiving release made it an ideal holiday watch for families seeking an adventurous and inspiring story.
Key Box Office Takeaways
Opening Weekend (5-day): $82.08 million
Total Domestic Box Office (as of 2024): $248.7 million
Worldwide Gross: $643.3 million
Why It Worked for Thanksgiving
Moana provided an exotic and thrilling adventure that stood out from the traditional Disney princess narratives. Families were drawn to the film not only for its stunning visuals and songs but also for its empowering message.
The Thanksgiving holiday proved to be the perfect time to introduce audiences to a new heroine and world.
5. Toy Story 2 (1999)
While not as recent as the others on this list, Toy Story 2 still holds a significant place in Thanksgiving box office history.
The film, which continues the beloved saga of Woody, Buzz, and the gang, earned $80.1 million during its five-day Thanksgiving weekend debut, making it one of the biggest animated movie openings at the time.
Toy Story 2’s Cultural Legacy
Toy Story 2 expanded on the themes of friendship, loyalty, and identity explored in the first film. The animation was groundbreaking for its time, and the characters were beloved by audiences of all ages.
Watch the Official Trailer ofToy Story 2 (1999).
The film’s Thanksgiving release helped it maintain strong box office numbers throughout the holiday season, continuing the success of its predecessor.
Key Box Office Takeaways
Opening Weekend (5-day): $80.1 million
Total Domestic Box Office (as of 2024): $245.9 million
Worldwide Gross: $497.4 million
Why It Worked for Thanksgiving
Toy Story 2 benefited from the built-in fanbase of the first Toy Story film and the appeal of the characters. The movie’s Thanksgiving release allowed it to tap into the holiday crowd looking for a heartwarming family movie.
Its universal themes and strong emotional core made it a perfect choice for families spending time together over the long weekend. For further box office insights, you can visit this Redditthread.
Career and Box Office Comparison
Here’s a comparison of the career box office earnings for the top 5 Thanksgiving weekend hits:
Movie
Thanksgiving Weekend Opening
Total Domestic Box Office
Worldwide Gross
Frozen II
$130.26 million
$477.4 million
$1.45 billion
Frozen
$93.59 million
$400.7 million
$1.29 billion
Ralph Breaks the Internet
$84.7 million
$192.7 million
$529.3 million
Moana
$82.08 million
$248.7 million
$643.3 million
Toy Story 2
$80.1 million
$245.9 million
$497.4 million
Comparison of Top 5 Thanksgiving Weekend Box Office Hits.
Conclusion
Frozen IIholds the record for the biggest Thanksgiving weekend opening, with$130.26 million.
The originalFrozenfollows closely behind with$93.59 millionin its debut.
Ralph Breaks the Internetearned$84.7 millionover its Thanksgiving weekend.
Moanamade$82.08 millionin its 5-day opening weekend.
Toy Story 2rounds out the top 5, earning$80.1 millionduring its Thanksgiving debut.
Last Updated: November 20, 2024
