Families returning to cinemas during the long Thanksgiving frame created a rare surge of theatrical energy, turning an otherwise uncertain fall season into a moment of genuine revival. After weeks of subdued turnout and a string of underperforming releases, the holiday weekend finally delivered the kind of cinematic momentum exhibitors had been waiting for. The atmosphere felt reminiscent of the pre-pandemic era—crowded lobbies, packed family shows, and the unmistakable excitement that arrives only when two major crowd-pleasers land at the same time. That spirit defined the weekend as Zootopia 2 and Wicked: For Good emerged as the clear forces powering a much-needed box office resurgence.
The momentum began building on Tuesday night, when preview screenings for the animated sequel brought in an impressive $10.2 million, setting the stage for what would become one of the largest Thanksgiving launches in recent years. By Wednesday, the film delivered a massive $39.5 million, marking one of the strongest Thanksgiving-eve openings on record and securing the second-highest Wednesday showing before the holiday. With this start, Zootopia 2 positioned itself among the top openings for a Disney Animation title, supported by a wave of positivity from both critics and audiences. It earned an “A” CinemaScore and a 95% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with early reactions praising its visual scale, character humor, and emotional clarity. Reviewers highlighted how the film blends clever world-building with heartfelt storytelling, while the return of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde anchored the familiarity fans sought. A new antagonist—an enigmatic snake voiced by the Oscar-winning charm of Ke Huy Quan—added to the excitement, bringing freshness to a world audiences already adore.
International markets amplified that energy on an even larger scale. The early overseas haul reached $41.6 million, lifting the worldwide total to $81.1 million by Wednesday alone. The biggest shock came from China, where the film opened above $34 million on its first day—marking the highest opening day ever for an animated film in the market and the strongest debut for a Hollywood title in China since May 2021. In a theatrical space that has famously favored local titles in recent years, this breakout became a notable milestone, signaling remarkable global appeal. Strong starts in markets like France, Germany, South Korea, and Italy reinforced projections that the film could end the weekend with a staggering $135–$145 million overseas tally, demonstrating the undeniable pull of well-crafted family entertainment.
Running parallel to this animated wave, Wicked: For Good continued building on its powerful start from the previous weekend. The fantasy musical added a robust $17.2 million on Wednesday, pushing its domestic cume to $194.6 million and setting it firmly on track to cross the $200 million mark on Thanksgiving Day—just seven days into its run. The film, led by the combined star power of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and directed by the visually ambitious Jon M. Chu, had already broken records with the biggest opening for a Broadway musical adaptation. Enthusiastic word of mouth, strong presales, and the appeal of its world-building ensured that its second weekend would remain formidable. With a projected $93 million Thanksgiving five-day and a likely Sunday total near $268.5 million, the film proved it was far more than a one-weekend wonder.
Amid these two heavyweights, the wider industry context tells an even clearer story. The fall season had struggled to deliver sustained hits, and several mid-budget and tentpole releases landed with softer-than-expected results. Thanksgiving historically belongs to family-centric blockbusters—patterns established by films like Frozen II and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire—and 2024 reminded the industry of what that formula can still achieve. The dual success of an animated sequel and a lavish musical reassured studios, exhibitors, and analysts that the right blend of familiarity, spectacle, and emotional storytelling can still draw massive holiday crowds. At a moment when streaming and shifting release strategies continue to influence audience behavior, the weekend became a reminder of why theatrical windows remain valuable.
For completeness, the specialty market also saw activity, with smaller titles stepping into the holiday corridor. A24’s romantic afterlife drama Eternity opened with $1.4 million across 1,348 screens, supported by strong praise for the performances of Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller. Focus Features’ Hamnet added $330,000 from 160 screens, continuing its quiet Oscar-season rise with interest surrounding director Chloé Zhao and leads Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
As the weekend moves forward, the familiar Thanksgiving pattern is expected to play out: a soft dip on the holiday itself, followed by a strong Black Friday surge and a healthy weekend climb. Early projections suggest that Zootopia 2 will continue to dominate both domestic and global markets, while Wicked: For Good remains a major theatrical force heading into December.
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