Movie

The sequel to the 2013 hit animated movie debuts above expectations with an estimated $127 million domestically, marking the third-best start for an animated film.

• Nov 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - "Frozen II" has a fiery debut, six years after the first movie became a global hit. The sequel to "Frozen (2013)" opened to an estimated $127 million in North America, exceeding industry expectations that projected the movie would make $100 million this weekend.

The "Frozen II" opening number sets a November record for an animated movie and secures the third-best start for an animated film behind "Incredibles 2", which made $182 million on its first weekend in June 2018. It also marks the biggest opening weekend ever for Walt Disney Animation (not including Pixar) and ranks as the first animated movie to hit triple digits in its inaugural outing outside of summer.

The "Frozen" sequel's massive opening helped set the November box office on fire, after ticket sales had tumbled 27 percent year-over-year due to disappointing performance of such big movies as "Terminator: Dark Fate" and "Doctor Sleep".

Overseas, the animated adventure has raked in $223 for a worldwide start of $350 million, setting the record for biggest global opening for an animated film ever. With Thanksgiving weekend around the corner, the movie is expected to get a second week bump from the holiday.

"Disney's pitch perfect 2019 strategy once again continues to pay huge dividends," says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. Of the movie's success formula, he says that "Frozen" managed to deliver family-friendly entertainment to "an enthusiastic global audience on an advantageous release date."

Comparing the A- CinemaScore for "Frozen II" to "Frozen" A+, Disney's president of global distribution Cathleen Taff says, "There was certainly a high bar, but the creative team put together a journey that feels really authentic. It's resonating with fans and general audiences alike, so we think it will play right into the holiday weekend."

Leading in the first place at the domestic box office, "Frozen II" leaves far behind runner-up and last week's champion "Ford v Ferrari", which has added approximately $16 million on its second weekend. "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", which stars Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, launches at the third place with an estimated $13.5 million.

Another new release, "21 Bridges" opens at the fourth place with an estimated $9.2 million. "Midway" falls three spots to No. 5 with approximately $4.7 million.

Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for Nov. 22-24:

1. "Frozen II" - $127 million
2. "Ford v Ferrari" - $16 million
3. "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" - $13.5 million
4. "21 Bridges" - $9.3 million
5. "Midway" - $4.7 million
6. "Playing with Fire" - $4.6 million
7. "The Good Liar" - $3.4 million
8. "Charlie's Angels" - $3.2 million
9. "Last Christmas" - $3 million
10. "Joker" - $2.8 million