In 2016, Walt Disney Pictures released ‘Moana,’ which ended up being one of the biggest animated surprises released that year. The animated feature garnered fantastic reviews and a healthy box office ($248 million domestic/$643 million worldwide - something the sequel will definitely surpass).
Now, we get to see more magical adventures of Moana in the eagerly awaited follow up to the 2016 film!
The animated musical sequel takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand new crew of unlikely seafarers.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
‘Moana 2’ really delivers with its beautiful animation and emotional story as we set to see the titular character begin another incredible adventure.
Even though this animated sequel may not be as memorable as the 2016 film, it’s still highly enjoyable and a lot of fun. Throughout the film, we see Moana as she deals with leadership challenges and so much more. The moments that Moana has with her youngest sister as she leaves for her next adventure are incredibly heart-warming and bittersweet. A couple of those scenes are simply one of the best in this follow up as it adds to the emotion to the story.
We also see some fan favorite characters come back and have a few new faces as well to join in on the fun. Most of the characters have their own time to shine, and just like the previous film, Moana’s pet rooster (Heihei) steals the show and the scenes featuring this character can still make you laugh. And, of course, Maui (once again voiced by Dwayne Johnson) can be quite humorous as well!
‘Moana 2’ also gives us some incredibly looking visuals that are some of the best I’ve seen in any recent Disney release. The music and songs in this sequel are also really good, yet just not as catchy as some of the songs from the previous movie. This sequel also builds on the first movie’s story in a thought-provoking way and explores deeper themes of leadership, self-discovery and culture.
So, make sure to check this out on the big screen and stick around for a mid credit scene which gives us a look at what the filmmakers have planned for an upcoming potential ‘Moana 3.’
Cast: Auli’i Cravalho (Moana); Dwayne Johnson (Maui); Rose Matadeo (Loto); Hualalai Chung (Moni); David Fane (Kele); Awhinai Fraser (Matangi); Temaura Morrison (Tui); Nicole Scherzinger (Sina); Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda (Simea); Rachel House (Tala); Gerald Ramsey (Teutai Vasa); Alan Tudyk (Heihei).
Writers/directors: Jared Bush (writer) (Encanto; Moana; Zootopa); Dana Ledoux Miller (co-writer;co-director); David Derrick, Jr. (director); Jason Hand (director).
Trivia: The film’s first trailer received 178 million online views within its first 24 hours, the second most of any Disney animated film, after 2019s ‘The Lion King’ (225 million online views). ‘Moana 2’ actually started off as a Disney Plus series. After Disney executives saw the footage of the then-series, they decided to rework it as a traditional sequel and release it theatrically.
Rating: PG for action/peril (running time 100 minutes)
Originally began as a television series in 2020, with plans for the series to air on Disney+. In February 2024, the series was transformed into a theatrical sequel.
Walt Disney Animation Studios' 63rd full-length feature.
The first trailer received 178 million online views within the first 24 hours, the second-most of any Disney animated film, after The Lion King (2019), with 225 million views.
This will be the first Walt Disney Animation Studios sequel since Frozen II (2019).
The series entered development simultaneously with the live-action remake of Moana according to Jared Bush, a writer of the film and screenplay writer of the 2016 animated film.
According to Bush, the director and the writers repeatedly received feedback during development to the effect of: "We love this story. Why is it not going on the biggest screen you can possibly imagine?" In January 2024, Walt Disney Studios president Alan Bergman "informed the team that they needed to shift rapidly from making a five-episode streaming series to a second Moana feature film". This last-minute "story pivot" was possible because nearly all the actual animation work for Disney animated films is not performed until the final year before the release date—everything before that is development.
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