Theater counts: Moana repeats as widest release amidst a swarm of newcomers

December 5, 2024

The Thanksgiving holiday proved once again to be a successful one at the domestic box office with Moana 2 debuting to an impressive five-day total of $225 million, including $140 million from the usual three-day weekend. Despite an array of new films hitting theaters this weekend, none are poised to overtake the current champ. However, with Wicked still fresh in theaters, it poses a formidable challenge as it vies to reclaim the top spot.

Starting out in 2,108 locations this weekend is the turn of the millennium comedy, Y2K. Set on the last night of 1999, the film follows two high school juniors who crash a New Year’s Eve party, only to find themselves fighting for their lives. The disaster comedy stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, and Julian Dennison in the lead roles.

Making its cinematic debut is the Frank Grillo-starring horror feature, Werewolves. Available in 1,351 movie houses, the film is set in the aftermath of a recent supermoon, which awakens a dormant gene in humans, transforming everyone exposed to the moonlight into a bloodthirsty werewolf. Co-starring with Grillo are veteran actors Lou Diamond Phillips and Katrina Law.

Making its way into 854 theaters this weekend is the anime feature, Solo Leveling -ReAwakening-. Based on the best-selling Korean web novel, the film serves as a recap of the series’ first season and a prelude to the highly anticipated season two, premiering next month.

Taking off in 629 locations this weekend is newcomer The Return. The film follows King Odysseus, who, after two decades away, washes up on shore, haggard and unrecognizable, only to discover his kingdom transformed and his rule under threat. To reclaim all he has lost, he must rediscover his strength and resolve. Directed by Uberto Pasolini, the film stars Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus.

Rounding out the top five this weekend is our aforementioned current box office winner, and still the widest release as Moana 2 retains its opening count of 4,200 theaters. Only dropping three locations this weekend is the second widest release as Wicked seeks to add to its $281 million domestic total. Also entering its third weekend is Gladiator II, dropping 140 venues this time around for a total of 3,440 theaters. Lastly, still showing in a respectable 3,150 locations, Red One fills out the spot as the fourth widest release.

Looking ahead to next weekend, there are two wide releases. Projected to open in approximately 3,000 theaters, Kraven the Hunter will look to knock the current front-runners from their perch atop the box office. Also opening in wide release is the animated Lord of the Rings feature, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, which is expected to debut in approximately 2,500 cinemas.

Filed under: Theater Counts, Gladiator, Moana, Ralph Fiennes, Frank Grillo, Lou Diamond Phillips, Uberto Pasolini, Julian Dennison, Rachel Zegler, Jaeden Martell