As is the case with any Disney movie,Moana 2’s box office is a big talking point, begging the question of what the film’s budget was and what it will need to earn to turn a profit.Moana 2’s box officewas expected to be high as soon as news of its record-breaking pre-sales hit outlets in 2024. For Disney, this record is great news after already producing the highest-grossing animated movie in history withInside Out 2in the same year. WithMoana 2’s showtimeslooking packed worldwide, high box office returns are expected.

The film takes audiences back into the world ofMoana’s gods and demigods, as the titular character teams up with Maui to lift a curse that will connect the people of the ocean once more. AlthoughMoana 2was originally planned as a Disney+ show, the film transitioned into a film upon Bob Iger’s return as Disney CEO in 2022. With a wide theatrical release and an abundance of anticipation,Moana 2’s box office is a point of discourse and discussion, with many wondering what the project’s budget was and what it needs to earn to be rendered a success.

Moana 2 Custom Image With Poster Disney Image

Moana 2’s Budget Was Likely Around $150 Million

Moana 2 Likely Matches Its Predecessor’s Cost

As is the case with several Disney animated movies, the financial information concerningMoana 2’s budget is not easy to come by. The actual production cost forMoana 2has not been divulged by the House of Mouse, though its predecessor can allow for educated guesses to be made. The firstMoanawas produced on a budget of $150 million. Given how animation processes do not tend to differ between installments, it is likely thatMoana 2was produced on a similar budget.

Moana 2’s Box Office Needs To Make At Least $300 Million To Be A Success

Stemming from this, it can be estimated how muchMoana 2needs to earn at the box office to be counted as a success. In Hollywood, there is a general rule of thumb that movies must earn double their production cost to begin turning a profit. The reason for this is that marketing and distribution costs are often not accounted for when production budgets are announced. Therefore, ifMoana 2has a $150 million production budget, the film’s marketing and distribution would inflate this figure towards $300 million.

Disney will be hoping it goes beyond this, but $300 million is the benchmark the studio will hope to reach…

Moana from Moana 2 looking at a broken pot in front of money

With that in mind,Moana 2will have to make at least $300 million to be deemed a success. Of course, Disney will be hoping it goes beyond this, but $300 million is the benchmark the studio will hope to reach. It is worth noting thatMoana 2could, and likely will, become a major streaming success when it is inevitably released on Disney+. The $300 million mark is only used to gauge box office success, specifically givenMoana 2’s $150 million budget.

Moana 2

Cast

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.

Moana 2 (2024) official poster