Disney's Streaming Platform Witnesses Record-Breaking Success with "Moana" as Its Top Movie
The initial rendition of Moana was generally well-received in 2016, and given Disney's reputation, it wasn't surprising when they decided to extend it into a franchise with a sequel and live-action adaptation. However, if you believed it was simply a run-of-the-mill good Disney film with various merchandise appearances and cameos in other films, you'd be slightly mistaken. In reality, it's been doing exceptionally well on streaming platforms for quite some time, as data demonstrates.
According to a recent Bloomberg report, since its release alongside Disney+ in November 2019 and with an additional boost due to the early pandemic period, Moana has become Disney's most-streamed movie of all time. In numerical terms, viewers have watched a staggering 80 billion minutes of it, equating to approximately 748 million viewings. Furthermore, Nielsen data shows that it has been among the four most-watched films on any streaming service annually for the past five years, and it has consistently ranked in the streaming Top 10 for 2024 to date. Furthermore, its $687.2 million box office revenue during its theatrical run indicates that a significant number of people adore this film.
These statistics have significant implications for the upcoming Moana 2. Analysts predict that it will have an extremely successful theatrical run within the next few weeks. It is anticipated that it will open to $135 million in North America during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, with Fandango reporting that it holds the largest initial ticket sales for any animated film in 2024, even surpassing the $1.697 billion-grossing sequel to Inside Out. AMC CEO Adam Aron further fueled these expectations during a recent investor call, hinting at rumors that it will "exceed and surpass even the success of Inside Out 2."
Several of Disney's most successful animated films have been released during Thanksgiving weekend, including Moana. Despite the presence of other blockbuster films such as Wicked and Gladiator II, Moana 2 is poised to make waves when it hits theaters on November 27.
If you're interested in more io9 news, check out the latest release dates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, as well as updates on the future of the DC universe on film and TV. Additionally, everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who is available.
The success of Moana on streaming platforms has sparked interest in the use of technology in movie distribution, with analysts predicting that future Disney releases, such as Moana 2, could see similar streaming success. Io9 has reported on how advancements in technology are shaping the future of movie-watching, including the potential for virtual reality experiences and increased accessibility to films through various platforms.
As Moana 2 prepares to hit theaters, Disney is also exploring new adaptations of its popular movies, such as converting Aladdin into a live-action musical for a possible future release. This shift towards modern technology and interactive storytelling reflects the changing landscape of entertainment, as technology continues to revolutionize the way we consume and engage with media.
