Disney moves Moana 2 from Disney+ to Thanksgiving theaters
Disney announced that "Moana 2," initially planned as a Disney+ streaming series, will now be released theatrically. This decision reflects CEO Bob Iger's strategy to move content previously slated for streaming to cinemas, aiming to leverage the full revenue lifecycle of theatrical releases and capitalize on familiar intellectual property. The shift also follows similar moves by other studios and is intended to boost Disney's stock price and restore its standing in the animated film market.
Key Takeaways
- “Moana 2” was originally announced in 2020 as a Disney+ streaming series under Bob Chapek.
- Disney will release the film in theaters on Thanksgiving 2024, replacing a possible slot for “Zootopia 2.”
- Disney said the original 2016 “Moana” crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+ and was the most-streamed movie of 2023 in the U.S.
- The pivot follows similar streaming-to-theatrical moves by Paramount, Warner Bros. and New Line, including “Mean Girls,” “Smile” and “Evil Dead Rise.”
- Disney stock has risen 13% since the company’s recent earnings call and strategy update.
Why It Matters
Disney’s move gives “Moana 2” a full theatrical window instead of a Disney+ launch, which means the title can contribute box office, home entertainment, merchandise and park interest. It also shows Bob Iger pushing the company back toward familiar franchises after weaker results from originals like “Strange World” and “Wish,” while rivals have already made similar streaming-to-theatrical reversals. The next signal to watch is whether “Moana 2” can anchor Disney’s Thanksgiving 2024 release and whether “Zootopia 2” is ready for Thanksgiving 2025.
Read full article at thewrap.com
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