Disney is poised to make a splash at the box office with its live-action adaptation of the 2016 animated hit, Moana. Directed by Thomas Kail, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as demigod Maui and Catherine Laga’aia taking on the title role. The movie’s success is expected to be fueled by its wide release in over 3,900 theaters, with a significant portion of them offering Imax, PLFs, 3D, and 4DX experiences.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether the live-action Moana can recapture the magic of its animated predecessor, which raked in $82 million in its opening weekend during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday period. The live-action adaptation has a high bar to clear, especially considering that the original Moana has remained one of Disney’s most popular films, with over 1.5 billion hours watched on Disney+ since its launch in 2019.
Tracking suggests that Moana is on track to open with a domestic total of $60 million, while advance ticket sales indicate a potential $75 million opening in North America. The film’s global start is projected to reach $130 million, with a significant portion of its revenue coming from international markets.
The live-action Moana is expected to perform well in several key markets, including Latin America, Australia/NZ, France, Germany, and the UK. However, Pacific Asia is expected to be a challenging territory, with Japan being one of the few markets where the film will not be released until the end of July.
Universal’s Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sébastien Vanicek, is expected to open in 3,000 theaters domestically, with a projected opening in the teens. The film follows a family haunted by curses and the undead, with Wednesday’s Hunter Doohan starring in the lead role.
Another contender in the box office this weekend is Sony Pictures Classics’ comedy, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, which is set to open in 1,200 theaters. The film, directed by John Slattery, follows a small-town hairdresser who comes to Hollywood to even the score with her fiancé, who has already bedded a celebrity sex pass.
Additionally, A24’s Olivia Wilde-directed Annapurna production, The Invite, is expanding to 1,600 sites in its third weekend, with both Gail Daughtry and The Invite expected to earn less than $5 million apiece for the weekend.
The domestic box office is expected to pass the $5 billion mark, 13% ahead of 2025, while summer (first weekend of May through July 5) stands at $2.3 billion, 12% ahead of the same frame a year ago.
