‘Moana 2’ Earns N106.4 Million in Nigerian Box Office Debut
Walt Disney Co.’s Moana 2 has made a spectacular entrance into the Nigerian box office, generating an impressive N106.4 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend. The film’s success has placed it among the top three highest-grossing weekend releases of the year in the region, according to data released by the Nigerian Box Office on December 2, 2024.
The highly anticipated sequel kicked off with N12.4 million in advanced screenings across 37 cinemas in Nigeria, setting a solid foundation for its opening performance. Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 was reimagined as a theatrical release after Disney CEO Bob Iger decides to expand its reach. This strategic move appears to have paid off, as the film is set to dominate the holiday season box office, with Mufasa: The Lion King scheduled for release in December.
The original Moana movie, which was released in 2016, gained immense popularity during the pandemic lockdowns, particularly due to its memorable songs and vibrant island setting, which resonated with families. Since the launch of Disney+, the film has continued to rank as one of the most-watched titles on streaming platforms. The sequel’s success has been attributed to its wide appeal across multicultural audiences, with Disney focusing its marketing on families, women, and diverse demographic groups.
The launch of Moana 2 was supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign, which included merchandise, character appearances at Disney parks, and a major premiere in Hawaii. Both the original Moana film and a promotional video for the sequel were among the most-watched programs on Disney+ leading up to the release.
Moana 2 was produced on an estimated budget of $150 million and continues the story three years after the events of the first film. This time, Moana sets out on a new journey to navigate uncharted waters in Oceania, accompanied by an unexpected crew of seafarers. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprise their roles as Moana and Maui, bringing continuity to the sequel. The film also features a musical score from Grammy winners Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, and Mark Mancina, along with Grammy-nominated Opetaia Foa’i.
Globally, Moana 2 achieved a record-breaking $28 million in sales during Thanksgiving, nearly doubling the holiday performance of Frozen 2 in 2019. By the end of its first two days, the sequel had already surpassed the five-day earnings of the original Moana film. Disney’s ability to adapt and pivot its content strategy has proven to be effective, and Moana 2‘s success is expected to continue throughout the holiday season, further cementing its position as a major box office success.
