‘Moana’ to Surf Past $80 Million at Thanksgiving Box Office
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Disney are already proving to be a winning combination as the animated “Moana” is sizing up to be a Thanksgiving holiday hit that may even have a chance at surpassing 2013’s “Frozen.”
That is more than the $15.2 million opening day for Disney’s “Frozen,” which holds the records for both the biggest three-day and five-day Thanksgiving box office openings.
Other new wide releases in theaters on Thanksgiving are Paramount’s World War II romantic drama “Allied,” starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard; Fox drama “Rules Don’t Apply,” written and directed by Warren Beatty, who also stars as Howard Hughes; and Billy Bob Thornton in the comedy sequel “Bad Santa 2,” out of Broad Green Pictures and Miramax.
“Moana” features the voice of newcomer Auliʻi Cravalho as an adventurous teen who leaves her Pacific island, joined by demigod Maui (Johnson) on a quest to save her people.
The film is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin”) and features music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i.
Moana” moviegoers will also be treated to the animated short “Inner Workings” from Leo Matsuda — who was a story artist on “Big Hero 6” and “Wreck-It Ralph.
“Bad Santa 2” may not bag previous predictions of $20 million — forgiving figures for the comedy sequel that has a 24 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a C+ CinemaScore.
[...] “Rules Don’t Apply,” also starring Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich in addition to Beatty, is now playing in 2,382 theaters.