Will Disney's 'Hexed' Cast a Spell at the Box Office This Thanksgiving?

Disney's upcoming animated feature 'Hexed' is set to premiere on November 25, and industry experts are analyzing its potential success against the backdrop of this year's animated box office leaders. With a captivating story about a teenager named Billie who discovers her magical abilities, 'Hexed' features a star-studded voice cast. However, it faces stiff competition from 'Toy Story 5', which has already grossed over $1.149 billion globally. As the release date approaches, all eyes are on whether 'Hexed' can make a significant impact during the Thanksgiving holiday and challenge the current animation heavyweight.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2026, 10:41 IST

Disney's Upcoming Animated Feature 'Hexed'

Disney is set to unveil its new animated film, 'Hexed', in theaters on November 25. As the release date approaches, analysts are evaluating its potential success against the impressive performance of this year's leading animated films. With two animated features already achieving remarkable global success in 2026, 'Hexed' faces the challenge of making a significant impact at the box office.

The storyline follows a teenager named Billie who uncovers her magical powers and ventures into a mysterious world known as Hexe. The film features an impressive voice cast, including Hailee Steinfeld, Rashida Jones, Jodie Foster, Walton Goggins, Tracey Ullman, Stephen Fry, Henry Winkler, Dan Stevens, Brett Gelman, and Samson Kayo. While there are optimistic expectations for its opening, industry forecasts indicate it may not reach record-breaking figures, although it is expected to perform well during the Thanksgiving holiday, possibly surpassing the opening weekend of 'Encanto'.

Competing with the Animation Heavyweight of 2026

The Challenge of Topping the 2026 Animation Leaderboard

To become the highest-grossing animated film of 2026, 'Hexed' must contend with 'Toy Story 5', which currently leads the animation box office with over $1.149 billion in global earnings. This film has also achieved the status of the third-highest-grossing movie of the year across all genres, a remarkable feat for the beloved franchise.

For 'Hexed' to surpass this impressive benchmark, it would need to exceed the $1.15 billion mark. Early projections for its opening weekend in North America estimate a three-day total between $35 million and $45 million, with a five-day holiday window potentially bringing in between $50 million and $70 million. Given these initial figures, experts suggest that 'Hexed' will need an extraordinary and sustained performance worldwide to compete with the current leader. As the release date draws closer, the industry is keenly observing how the film's narrative—focusing on Billie and her mother, Alice, as they explore the mysteries of a magical realm—will resonate with audiences globally.