Expect ‘biggest Thanksgiving box office in over a decade’: expert

AMC (AMC) shares rose after “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” grossed a combined $170 million in the film’s opening weekend in theaters. Box Office Guru founder and editor Gitesh Pandya joins Catalysts hosts Seana Smith and Madison Mills to discuss the success of the films, what they mean for related businesses, and upcoming releases.

“This is what the box office needed this year. The film industry has experienced two major disruptions in recent years. The pandemic closed all cinemas and then when things get back to normal, there are double strikes,” says Pandya, adding, “This year, in 2024, we have had many months with hardly any big blockbuster films “But now as we enter the fourth quarter and into 2025, the outlook is very good.” Two major films opened last weekend and will continue through the rest of the month.”

Although not quite as successful as “Barenheimer,” says Pandya, “‘Wicked’ was fantastic. ‘Gladiator II’ did really well. The reviews are good, the viewing figures are fantastic and people are coming out and spending money and that’s leading to. “For the rest of the holiday season, people are seeing trailers, posters and all the theatrical product that will hopefully come back for the rest of the year to see that “To end 2024 with a bang.”

With Disney’s (DIS) highly anticipated “Moana 2” coming out this week, Pandya notes that the sequel, which he says is a “guaranteed hit,” combined with the second weekends of Gladiator II and Wicked, “we probably “Consider the biggest Thanksgiving box office success in over a decade.”

For more expert insights and analysis on the latest market activity, click here.

This post was written by Naomi Buchanan.