‘Moana 2’ Breaks 3 Million Viewers in South Korea, Surpassing Its Predecessor’s Success

Disney’s animated sequel Moana 2 has officially surpassed the 3 million viewer mark in South Korea. Following a trend set by last year’s animated blockbusters like The First Slam Dunk and Elemental, 2024 is shaping to be another standout year for animated films at the domestic box office.

According to the Korean Film Council’s ticket sales system, Moana 2 reached a total of 3,001,505 admissions as of Sunday, cementing its place among the select few films to break the 3 million milestone in South Korea.

This achievement outpaces its predecessor’s 2.3 million viewers and makes Moana 2 the seventh film released in 2024 to cross the 3 million barrier in South Korea.

Continuing the adventures of its iconic heroine, Moana 2 follows Moana as she answers an unexpected call from her ancestors. Joined by the legendary demigod Maui and a new crew, Moana embarks on a dangerous mission to break an ancient curse threatening her people. Since its release on November 27, the film has gained steady popularity, consistently attracting audiences to theaters.

Much like last year, when Japanese and American animations like The First Slam Dunk, Elemental, and Suzume led the box office, 2024 has seen animated films continue dominating South Korea. Earlier this year, Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out 2 set a high bar, attracting 8 million viewers and claiming the summer box office crown.

Other popular animated franchises, such as Kung Fu Panda 4 and Despicable Me 4, have also had significant box office impacts, bolstering this ongoing success.

However, the outlook for Korean cinema is less optimistic. Despite strong performances from films like Exhume and The Roundup: Punishment, both of which surpassed 10 million viewers, the domestic film industry is struggling to break new ground.

Only Pilot and I, the Executioner, crossed the 3 million viewer threshold among Korean releases in 2024, along with Exhume and The Roundup: Punishment.

In a sign of the industry’s ongoing challenges, Firefighters, which debuted on December 4, has garnered just 2.5 million viewers yet still ranks among the top five highest-grossing Korean films of the year so far. This highlights the difficulties the local film industry faces in drawing larger audiences.