Update: Analysts now have FROZEN 2 earning an estimated $130M-$140M after a $49.5M gross that includes Thursday's preview screenings. Should these numbers prevail, FROZEN 2 stands to have the best opening for an animated feature in November.
Original Article:
Disney's FROZEN 2 kept the box office warm on Thursday with $8.5 million earned in preview screenings at North American theaters.
The sequel to Disney's 2013 animated smash is expected to chill comfortably while at the top of the box office charts this weekend with analysts predicting a $100 million take from a total of 4,400 domestic cinemas. For those of you playing at home, FROZEN 2 had the largest Thursday number since the debut of Todd Phillips' JOKER, which had earned $13.3 million during preview night screenings.
Box office aficionados will want to pay close attention to FROZEN 2, as the first film in the franchise went on to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time with $400 million in domestic ticket sales and $1.28 billion earned for its worldwide total.
Here's the official synopsis for FROZEN 2:
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she'll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In Frozen, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In Frozen 2, she must hope they are enough.
FROZEN 2 sees Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff returning to the beloved Disney franchise for more fun and adventure. Joining the aforementioned cast members for the enchanted sequel are Sterling K. Brown (THIS IS US) as Lieutenant Matthias and Evan Rachel Wood (WESTWORLD) as Queen Iduna. The new film will feature music composed by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Lee and Allison Schroeder wrote the screenplay, which has Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck returning as directors for the new film.