Thanksgiving 2024 marked a historic moment for cinemas in the U.S., with a record-breaking $420 million in box office sales over the holiday weekend. Leading the charge was Moana 2, which set a new five-day record by earning $221 million. The success of Wicked, a Broadway musical adaptation, also contributed to the excitement, becoming the highest-grossing U.S. film in its genre. Stars expressed their joy over the audience's enthusiastic reception. Meanwhile, Gladiator 2, starring Paul Meskel and Denzel Washington, added another $44 million to the weekend's totals. AMC Theatres’ CEO declared the weekend a "national phenomenon ." However, concerns arose as social media was flooded with unauthorized photos and videos of films, prompting debates about proper moviegoing etiquette. Fans and critics alike highlighted this distraction during screenings. The holiday season promises more blockbusters, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothy Chalamet, and Mufasa, featuring Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter. As audiences flock back to theaters, the season already signals a triumphant return of cinematic magic.
Vocabulary :
• thanksgiving (noun): A U.S. holiday celebrated with family gatherings and meals.
• Box office (noun): The total money earned by a movie from ticket sales.
• record - breaking (adj): Surpassing previous achievements or results.
• musical (noun): A film or play featuring songs and dance.
• broadway (noun): A famous area in New York known for theaters and plays.
• sequel (noun): A movie that continues the story of an earlier one.
• phenomenon (noun): An impressive or unusual event or trend.
• unauthorized (adj): Not officially allowed or approved.
• biopic (noun): A movie about a person’s life.
• screening (noun): The act of showing a movie to an audience.
• blockbuster (noun): A movie that is very successful and earns a lot of money.