Business
Animator Sues Disney over Claims Moana Films Copied His Work
January 14, 2025
January 22, 2025
By Evans Momodu
4 minute digest
Disney continues its reign at the box office, with “Moana 2” crossing the coveted $1 billion mark during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.
The sequel achieved a domestic box office gross of $442.8 million and added $567.1 million internationally, cementing its position as one of the most successful films of the year.
“Moana 2” is Disney’s third billion-dollar blockbuster of 2024, following Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool and Wolverine” and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” Notably, Disney remains unmatched in this feat, as no other Hollywood studio achieved a billion-dollar film in 2024.
The film also joins the ranks of other Disney Animation juggernauts such as “Frozen,” “Frozen II,” and “Zootopia,” further solidifying the studio’s unparalleled success in animated storytelling.
The success of “Moana 2” underscores a remarkable comeback for Disney Animation. The studio faced challenges post-pandemic, with a string of animated releases debuting directly on Disney+, conditioning audiences to consume new content at home rather than in theaters.
This year marked a return to form for Disney:
With “Moana 2” surpassing $1 billion, Disney now boasts 32 films that have achieved this milestone — including three acquired during the 2019 Fox merger. This dominance accounts for nearly 60% of the 56 films that have ever crossed the billion-dollar threshold, further solidifying Disney’s box office leadership.
“Moana 2’s” success reaffirms Disney’s status as a global entertainment powerhouse, showcasing the enduring appeal of its animated features. As Disney continues to dominate both domestically and internationally, the studio remains a shining example of resilience, innovation, and storytelling mastery in the entertainment industry.
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