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Maui loses one of his signature trademarks during Moana 2's surprising third act.

Disney's 2024 sequel presented Maui and Moana with their biggest challenge yet: the villainous demigod Nalo and his curse over the island of Motefetu.  

But before the credits rolled, the Wayfinder and Dwayne Johnson's demigod are drastically changed in similar ways.

Read full article on The Direct.

Disney’s Moana has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its stunning animation, heartfelt storytelling, and strong-willed protagonist. With the success of Moana (2016) and the recent release of Moana 2 (2024), fans are eager to know if Moana’s journey will continue in a third installment. The mid-credits scene of Moana 2 hints at more adventures, leaving viewers wondering what’s next for the ocean-loving wayfinder. Will Disney confirm Moana 3? What could the story explore next? This article entails everything we need to know about Moana 3, including potential plot details, expected release dates, and what fans can anticipate.

About Moana 1 and 2:

Disney’s Moana (2016) introduced audiences to a spirited Polynesian teenager who embarks on a daring voyage to save her island, teaming up with the demigod Maui. The film was lauded for its rich storytelling and cultural representation. The sequel, Moana 2 (2024), expanded this universe, introducing new characters like...

In many ways, the ending of Disney's Moana 2 is only the beginning for the Wayfinder thanks to her new tattoos. 

First released on November 27, 2024, and now streaming on Disney+, Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) and demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) in a quest to find the hidden island of Motefetu, break Nalo's curse, and reunite the wayfinding civilizations. 

Why Moana Gets Tattoos in Moana 2 Read full article on The Direct.

Quick Links'Get Lost' Pays Homage to Past Disney VillainsMoana 2's Matangi Subverts Audiences' Expectations'Get Lost' Sets Up Another Major Moana 2 Twist

Moana 2 became quite the hit for Disney when it was released in November 2024. It broke records at the box office, surpassing Frozen II and having the most successful Thanksgiving weekend opening ever. After a triumphant run in theaters, the celebrated sequel has finally arrived on Disney+, reaching even more audience members with its vibrant cast of characters and catchy new songs. One of the most popular tracks from the sequel is "Get Lost," which is sung by Nalo's enforcer and Maui's adversary, Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), but many fans may have missed its deeper meaning.

Like so many Disney movies before it, Moana 2 is full of Easter eggs and references to the studio's other films. This includes "Get Lost," which contains a few different...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Moana 2

It hasn't been long since Moana 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Disney's animated adventure film, hit theaters, but its ending has already set the stage for a potential third installment. Originally created as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 was later converted into a full-length feature film when Disney executives saw early footage and deemed it worthy of a big-screen experience.

Naturally, the decision proved to be a massive success, with the sequel grossing an astonishing $1.05 billion worldwide on a budget of $150 million. With Moana 2 outperforming its predecessor and the main story shifting towards an expanded universe, fans are already speculating about the possibility of Moana 3.

Moana 2 ended on a high note, with Moana making the ultimate sacrifice—only to be resurrected by her ancestors as a demigoddess, so it's safe to assume that the chosen one's story is far from complete,...

Moana 2 co-director David Derrick Jr. explains how the sequel's ending with the new wayfinders could shape future installments. Moana 2 was released in November 2024 as the sequel to Disney's 2016 hit starring Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Directed by Derrick Jr. alongside Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the movie became a box office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. The ending of Moana 2, which saw the titular character become a demigod and unite wayfinders from neighboring islands, opened the door for future sequels and spinoffs.

In an interview with The Wrap, Derrick Jr. commented on a particular Moana 2 scene that has generated a lot of conversation, revealing that the wayfinder sequence will be something that helps to inspire future films. He discussed how the introduction of more wayfinders allows exploration of the ethnosphere and how Pacific Islanders would navigate the surrounding landscape. He welcomed the chance to be...

Director David Derrick Jr. has teased that Matangi's unsteady allegiance in Moana 2 could mean bigger conflicts are ahead. Disney's sequel sees Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) off on a new journey to restore the lost island of Motufetu and undo the curse placed on the ocean by the storm god Nalo. The duo faces dangerous new villains, including Matangi—a mysterious bat lady who serves Nalo but was crucial in aiding Moana on her quest. While Moana 2 amassed $1.05 billion at the worldwide box office, Disney has yet to announce plans for Moana 3.

In an interview with The Wrap, Derrick Jr. confirms that Matangi could be a potential ally for Moana, but her current allegiance to Nalo complicates her role in the story. Moana 2 ends with Moana successfully restoring the island and even developing new powers as a demigod, but its mid-credits scene confirms that...

Disney’s “Moana 2” certainly made waves.

Originally conceived as a multipart Disney+ original series, it was reconfigured into a theatrical feature by Walt Disney Animation Studios, utilizing both the Burbank studio and a satellite studio in Canada, to make sure that the film looked – and more importantly – felt like a big screen adventure. The gamble paid off and the film, which featured returning stars Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho, took in more than $1 billion worldwide, which was enough to make it the year’s third most successful film (after other Disney heavy-hitters “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine”).

In the sequel, Moana travels back into the ocean to defeat an evil demigod that has been keeping an island obscured for far too long, debilitating trade routes and keeping various Oceanic nations from meeting and interacting with one another in the process. But can she break through and keep...

Moana 2 implies that Moana is now a demigod, much like her friend Maui. However, a key feature of Disney's first Moana was the character's relatability. She used to be a human girl with the will, courage, and strength to change the course of the world. By Moana's conclusion, she stayed grounded as a young woman who helped battle the fearsome Te Kā while restoring the nature goddess Te Fiti.

One would normally expect Moana to be gifted with the powers to do so, as she has the potential within her. If not, the ocean wouldn't have chosen her. But as the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) told her, her true strength came from within. She didn't need anything from the deities above, but this has changed significantly in Moana 2, as the titular heroine has become a demigod as well.

Updated on March 4, 2025, by Andrea Sandoval: Moana 2 will...

It's no secret that Disney had a lot to be thankful for in 2024. Not only were Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine the two highest-grossing films of last year, but Moana 2 was a close third. Premiering on Nov. 27, 2024, the hit sequel managed to take in over $1 billion dollars at the box office, and now, after nearly three months, it's finally been announced that the animated smash featuring the voice talents of Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho will make its streaming premiere on Disney+ on March 12, 2025.

The news of Moana 2's streaming release comes via The Wrap, which astutely points out that the date of March 12 is just in time for spring break in many school districts, meaning families who don't already own a digital copy of the film will be able to turn on Disney+ and sing such songs as "Can I Get a Chee Hoo" over and over again.

At the time of writing, it's been a couple months since Walt Disney Animation Studios released its latest feature-length film, the long-awaited sequel "Moana 2" (read /Film's review). As the film awaits its fate at the Academy Awards, it's managed to rake in more than one billion dollars worldwide, including over $450 million domestically. That should come as no surprise, considering how instantly beloved the original "Moana" was when it hit theaters in 2016.

Where "Moana" told the story of how the titular young woman (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) went on an intense voyage across the ocean to help revive her village's dwindling harvests, "Moana 2" takes Moana and her demigod friend Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a darker adventure that also ropes in a few other members of the village of Motonui. Fans of both films know that Maui is marked as a demigod not only through his massive strength and power,...

In 2016, Moana wondered how far she'd go. That year, it wasn't really that far as she traveled to Te Fiti and saved her island but, in 2024, the Polynesian Disney Princess ventured even further in Moana 2 to find other islanders and achieved tremendous success at the box office.

Moana 2 premiered during the Thanksgiving weekend and had a lot of competition, as previous entries included Ridley Scott's Gladiator II and Wicked. Eventually, the animated sequel to the 2016 hit surpassed both of them and, on her quest to break the Nalo's curse and find the legendary island of Motofetu to reconnect the people of the ocean, she achieved a new feat. Per The Numbers, Moana 2 is officially the third highest-grossing film of 2024, a huge feat for Disney.

Related Animator Sues Disney Over Alleged Moana 2 Copyright Infringement

Animator Buck Woodall claims Disney copied his work without permission.

In over...

Moana 2 left future movies of the franchise in the perfect position to dive deeper into Polynesian gods. While the first Moana movie certainly implied a variety of deities, Maui and Te Fiti were the only two in the spotlight. Moana 2 took this further, introducing new gods (good and bad) to play a role in Moana's story. The film's ending saw the Hero of Motunui go through a significant change, throwing the door wide open for the future. If Moana 3 becomes a reality, audiences will surely be introduced to a league of new Polynesian-god characters.

The story in Moana takes inspiration from the ancient stories, mythologies, and religions of the Pacific Islands and their various cultures. Maui himself comes straight from age-old Oceanian stories. He is a trickster folk hero and demigod, just as in Moana and Moana 2. Figures within the Moana movies like Te Fiti and...

The success of Moana 2 has set the stage for Disney's eventual approach to the franchise's third animated installment, Moana 3. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead the ensemble cast of Moana 2, which also features voice performances by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 earned a five-day Thanksgiving gross of $221 million domestically, which surpassed the record set by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. for the best five-day weekend of all time.

Moana 2's box office was one of the largest of 2024, earning just under $962 million worldwide and becoming the fourth highest-grossing movie of the year. Moana 2's box office surpassed the original's box office of $643.3 million, showing massive growth for the franchise. Initially, Disney had planned for Moana 2 to be a streaming series on its streaming platform Disney+. Fortunately, Disney changed the plan and got a nearly $1 billion hit,...

Moana 3 gets a new update from Moana 2 co-director Dana Ledoux Miller, who expresses optimism regarding the franchise's future. After the 2016 original movie became a major hit on Disney+, it was confirmed that the in-development Moana TV show would be retooled into a feature film. The sequel hit theaters in November, becoming a major box office success, raising questions about the possibility of a Moana 3, which Disney has not yet officially announced.

During a recent interview with Screen Rant while attending the 2025 Golden Globes, Miller, who co-directs the sequel alongside David G. Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand, shares an update regarding Moana's future. While he doesn't explicitly confirm that a third animated movie will happen, he recognizes that the franchise is clearly striking a chord with viewers, which bodes well for the live-action remake coming in 2026 and beyond. Check out his comment below:

I think that the fact that...

Disney is telling fans “you’re welcome” with their recently released Moana 2. Even though the sequel just came out, audiences are already asking about the possibility of a third Moana film.

While Disney has yet to share official plans for a third Moana film, it seems very likely that fans will see the Polynesian Princess back on the big screen.

Keep reading to find out all the details you need to know about Moana 3.

A screenshot from the trailer for Moana 2. ((Disney/YouTube))

When Does ‘Moana 3’ Come Out?

A third Moana film has not yet been announced, and it’s unclear when it will be released. The first film in the franchise came out in 2016. Moana 2 hit theaters eight years later, in 2024.

If a third sequel keeps with that pattern, Moana 3 may not arrive until 2032, but it could always be more or less time in between.

Why...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Moana 2.

Many of the new characters in Moana 2 add fun and exciting elements to the 2016 original film. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead the ensemble cast of Moana 2, which also features voice performances by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 earned a five-day Thanksgiving gross of $221 million domestically, which surpassed the record set by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. for the best five-day weekend of all time.

Throughout Moana 2, Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. She leaves her home island of Motunui and sets out to find other people on the ocean with the hope of uniting them once again. It's revealed that Nalo, a wicked and powerful storm god, had sunk a crucial connecting island called Motufetu deep...

Moana 2's ending not only shocked audiences but set up a new path for the Wayfinder that may already be in the works.

First released on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 reunited Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) with the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on a voyage to find the hidden island Motefetu, cursed by the demigod villain, Nalo.

In explaining Moana 2's emotional ending, a Walt Disney Animation Studios head hinted that the sequel's twist may be further explored in a Moana 3.  

Read full article on The Direct.

A fanmade concept trailer imagines what a new Moana movie might look like. At the time of writing, amid the ongoing Moana 2 release, Moana 3 has not been officially announced. The new movie continues the adventures of the title character (Auli'i Cravalho) and her companion, the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who were both introduced in the original 2016 Disney animated musical. However, the only future movie in the franchise that has already been confirmed is the live-action remake of the original movie, which stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as the title character opposite Dwayne Johnson reprising the role of Maui.

On YouTube, user Sluurp posted a concept trailer for Moana 3, which they have subtitled The Tides of Destiny. In the video, which utilizes audio and video from the previous movies in the franchise, as well as what appears to be AI-generated or augmented imagery, Moana develops godlike powers as the celestial realms declare war.

At the end of Moana 2, the titular character transforms into a demigod, which makes for an exciting and unexpected twist, but also creates a major issue for Disney's live-action adaptation plans. Eight years after the release of Moana, Disney recently brought back the beloved franchise via Moana 2, which was first announced as a TV series, but was later developed into a feature film. In the movie, Moana is given another dangerous mission by her ancestors to face off with the god, Nalo, and reinstate the forgotten island of Motofetu to reconnect with the island people.

Moana 2's ending is just as heartwrenching as the first movie. Moana and her crew are struggling to fight back against Nalo, when Moana decides to take matters into her own hands by diving to Motufetu herself. She succeeds in defeating Nalo, but she loses her life in the process. In a particularly touching scene,...

Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series spotlighting the scripts behind awards season’s most talked-about movies continues with Moana 2, Disney’s wave-making sequel that arrived the day before Thanksgiving at the box office and hasn’t dropped anchor since.

Opening up a week after Wicked and Gladiator II were released, the animated sequel adventure has now totaled $717 million at the worldwide box office, split $337.5M domestically and $379.5M internationally. It also just picked up a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Move.

The film, written by Jared Bush and co-director Dana Ledoux Miller, was originally set to be a Disney TV series. The story takes place three years after the events of the first Moana, which made a successful splash in 2016, scoring Oscar nominations in Animated Feature and Original Song for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “How Far I’ll Go.”

The original film followed the young heroine (voiced by Auli‘I Cravalho...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Moana 2!

Moana gets a special tattoo at the end of Moana 2, and here is what the tattoo is of and what it means, explained. Although the epic journey of the original Moana concluded at the end of the first film, this was far from the end of Moana's adventures, with Moana 2 seeing the titular protagonist set out on an all-new quest with an all-new crew. The consequences of Moana's journey in Moana 2 are even bigger than the ones that were seen in the original film, with it all culminating in the addition of a new tattoo.

The sequel to the 2016 classic Moana has finally been released in theaters, with Moana 2's box office performance making it one of the biggest films of 2024. Moana 2 has been a massive hit with audiences, with the cast of Moana 2 bringing back characters like...

Disney's Moana 2 brought Dwayne Johnson back as Maui, a role that he has a deep connection with through his family. The long-anticipated sequel to 2016's Moana saw the titular character embarking on a new adventure across the ocean with a new crew, to unite the islands; she eventually reunites with Maui, and they battle together against the storm god, Nalo, and raise the island of Motufetu. While the sequel didn't quite reach the same level as the original critically, Moana 2 has broken box office milestones and is regarded as one of Disney's best sequels.

The character of Maui is one of the best of Dwayne Johnson's career, thanks to his voice-acting skills, comedy and singing talents, with his song "You're Welcome" regarded as one of the best Moana songs. He has spoken positively about his experiences voicing the character and being able to promote Polynesian mythology. Johnson is...

Disney has used Moana 2's story to set it up as the perfect replacement for a different, massively successful franchise. The 2025 film has performed well at the box office and with critics, ensuring that the House of Mouse will continue diving deeper into this tale. What's more, Moana 2's success couldn't have come at a better time for Disney since the animation studio had been hit or miss with its recent releases. It's been tough for anything to stack up to the kind of profit and social impact resulting from the Frozen franchise, but it certainly seems that Moana 2 is on its way.

Very few Disney Princess (or adjacent) movies get theatrical sequels, and Moana was initially meant only to get a Disney+ spinoff series rather than a feature film continuation. However, the House of Mouse changed gears at the last second, and the TV show project...

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theatersMoana 2's potential cinematic follow-up has to avoid a potential major pitfall that could have been set up by Moana 2's credits scene. Moana 2 was an entertaining (if somewhat flawed) return for the title character, who has become one of Disney's most iconic characters of the 21st century. The film focused on Moana, Maui, and their allies charting a mission across the ocean to undo a curse set off by the fearsome deity Nalo. Moana 2's ending saw them succeed and re-open the full scope of the ocean, with Moana even getting a massive power boost for her troubles.

The massive success of Moana 2 makes it incredibly likely that Disney will want to move forward with a third film in the series. There's plenty of room to go forward, with the credits scene of Moana 2...

Disney’s Moana 2 might be the number one movie in the country right now, but had it actually been released in its original form, things might look a lot different. Before becoming a feature film, the hit sequel was first developed as a TV series for Disney+, and now, composer Mark Mancina is dishing on how the sudden shift to the big screen completely changed the story for Moana, Maui, Heihei, and everyone else on the island of Motunui.

Sitting down with Screen Rant to discuss Moana 2, in which the titular character travels to Motufetu to break the curse placed upon it by Nalo, Mancina said that wasn’t always the plan for her hero's journey this time around. Though he didn’t get into specifics, he did reveal that once everything changed and Disney president Alan Bergman informed everyone in January that they had to pivot to a feature film,...

One of Moana 2's new key characters was actually quietly featured in the 2016 Moana movie first. The 2024 sequel introduced several new figures in Moana's life, which was part of the appeal of the new film. Rather than the hero traveling across the ocean with only Maui, Moana had a whole crew working with her. Additionally, her family at home grew with the introduction of a new sister. Then, the history of Moana's family became more detailed, with names and more apparent roles assigned to her mysterious ancestors in Moana 2.

Moana's mission in the Moana sequel was to unite the people of the ocean who had been divided for centuries by Nalo's curse. Her ancestor, Tautai Vasa, gave Moana a vision in Moana 2, explaining that if she failed in this, the people of Motunui would eventually die out. Vasa had been one of the last Tautai on Moana's island,...

Warning: Some Spoilers for Moana 2.Moana 2 found its way to big-screen box-office success after a winding journey that began with its initial conception as a television series. The movie takes place a few years after the events of Moana, and sees its titular protagonist older, more mature, and on a quest to find and unite people from across the ocean. Auli’I Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return to their respective roles as Moana and the demigod Maui in the sequel and are joined by a cast full of new and returning players.

Another key returning contributor from Moana is composer Mark Mancina, who once again created a score rich in texture and emotional depth. Mancina is a composer with a resume full of classic films like Twister, Speed, and Tarzan, who also co-wrote the songs of Mufasa: The Lion King with Lin-Manuel Miranda. For Moana 2, Mancina aimed to one-up his...

With Moana 2 still shredding the box office weeks after its release, speculation has already begun regarding what's next for Moana and her demigod pal, Maui, voiced by megastar Dwayne Johnson. The Disney sequel has broken multiple box office records despite middling reviews, and another chapter in the Moana saga seems all but inevitable. Another movie seems even more certain given where Moana 2's post-credits scene left the overarching narrative, and naturally, that movie will continue to follow Moana's journey with her newfound powers.

Moana 2 actually started out as a Disney+ series when it was first developed, but the decision was made to pivot to a feature-length sequel as late as February 2024. A Disney+ series could still be in the future given how much Moana 2 expanded the universe for the characters from Motonui and the monsters and deities of the sea. At this point, it wouldn't be...

Moana 2 picks up the story of Moana several years after her first adventure with Maui, and after the sequel's shocking twist ending of the box office smash, Moana is on an unfortunate path to a sad reality in the future. The latest hit from Disney Animation Studios has destroyed multiple box office records despite a critical reception that falls well short of the original. The story follows Moana and Maui as they venture across the sea once again, this time in an effort to ultimately unite all the people of the ocean.

As Moana 2 careens towards the $1 billion mark and a third entry in the franchise, it's worth revisiting where the story left all of its primary characters, especially Moana herself. Moana underwent a major change at the movie's conclusion, which certainly left her better-armed to deal with threats like the villainous and ultra-powerful Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea'i), who...

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theatersMoana 2's villain twist is a surprisingly subversive approach to a modern Disney animation trend. Moana 2 is the latest entry to the Walt Disney Animated canon, expanding the adventures of the titular hero and challenging her with a mission to break a godly curse on the ocean. Standing in her way are two of Moana 2's most dangerous characters, the god Nalo and his servant Matangi.

However, the movie features an unexpected twist surrounding Matangi and her actual role in the narrative. This gives the character a subversive aspect compared to other recent animated Disney villains, while also carrying along a trend that's been consistent across over a decade of the franchise. It also sets the stage for Matangi to play a more interesting role in any potential Moana 3.

Moana 2's Big Matangi Twist Is That She's...

Disney's Moana first premiered in 2016, followed by a sequel, Moana 2, released on November 27, 2024. Both films have gone on to become massive box office successes, with fans flocking to theaters to follow the wayfinding adventures of Moana in the sequel film once again. Despite both Moana and Moana 2 being works of fiction, the films have their roots in Polynesian myths and history.

The films tell the story of Moana, a young girl from the island of Motunui, who is unable to ignore the call of the ocean. Defying the wishes of her parents, she sets out with the demigod Maui on the most daring journeys, first to restore the heart of Te Fiti and then to restore the lost island of Motufetū. Despite the storylines and characters of the films not being entirely faithful to Polynesian legend, fans have credited Disney's efforts in retaining a sense of cultural authenticity.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Moana 2!Moana 2 makes some major changes to its main characters throughout its story, but one moment could suggest that Maui and Moana are related. The sequel reunites the demigod and Wayfinder for another adventure to stop Nalo, the storm god, and break his curse that keeps islanders separated. While they ultimately succeed in this mission in Moana 2's ending, it does come at a cost. Maui temporarily loses his demigod status, while Moana seemingly dies stopping Nalo's plan. This leads to the big moment when Moana becomes a demigod in the finale after her life is saved.

Moana is given this new status after Maui, who is still mortal, swims to the bottom of the ocean to try and save her. He starts singing a song and is suddenly surrounded by the spirits of Gramma Tala, Tautai Vesa, and more ancestors. It's only...

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theatersMoana 2 and the film that proceeded it boast some impressive songs, the strongest of which rank among the best musical contributions to the Disney canon in the 21st century. Both films feature authentic South Pacific culture mixed with modern musical standards. While the songs were penned by musical writers like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi both played important roles in the scores for both movies. The result is a medley of catchy and inspiring songs that feel wholly unique while fitting the themes and archetypes of the best musicals.

Moana has one of Disney's best modern soundtracks, with songs like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome" become massive hits when the first film was released. While the songs in Moana 2 can't quite match the heights of the first one, there are...

Quick Links Who Are Moana 2's Moana-Bes? Who Voices Moana 2's Moana-Bes?

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theaters.

Like many other Disney movies, Moana's main theme is family. This remains the case for Moana 2, where Auliʻi Cravalho's Moana tries to rescue a sacred island from a vicious god named Nalo. This time, she has an extended family in the form of her wayfaring crew from Motunui.

In addition, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Maui returns to help out. He's very much in sibling-mode, assisting Moana in her evolution. Coincidentally, Johnson speaks a lot more about dynasty and legacy in a meta way, all thanks to a secret Easter egg involving the Moana-Bes.

Who Are Moana 2's Moana-Bes? The Moana-Bes Are Moana's Fan Club On Motunui

Related Moana 2 Creatives Share Which Disney Classics Inspired the New Sequel

Moana 2's directors,...

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theatersMoana 2 missed a golden dramatic opportunity with Maui's final moments in the film. Moana 2 largely keeps Maui on the sidelines, leaving most of the action for the film's first half centered around the titular hero and her crew as they venture across the ocean. Despite being billed as one of Moana 2's main characters, Maui really only joins the group far into the film. However, once he's around, he plays a vital role in the film's final stretch. It even builds to one of the movie's most emotional moments, with Maui losing his demigod status while fighting Nalo.

This all builds to the deeply emotional ending of Moana 2, where Maui cradles a dead Moana and watches as she is risen as a demigod by the ocean and her ancestors. This scene also reempowers Maui, restoring him to full power.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Moana 2

Disney's Moana 2 perfectly shows how the character Maui, has changed since his first appearance in the franchise. The sequel to the 2016 phenomenon sees the Montunui wayfinder reunite with the demigod, Maui, on a new journey to find the legendary island, Motufetu, and thwart the plans of the storm god, Nalo. The ensemble cast of Moana 2 is led by Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, reprising their roles of Moana and Maui respectively, and features voice performances from new cast members, including David Fane, Rose Matafao and Hualalai Chang.

Since its release in theaters, Moana 2 has broken box office milestones and has been described as a solid and thrilling sequel to the original movie. Reviews for Moana 2 have praised the movie for its musical soundtrack, its representations of friendship and family, and the believable character development of both Moana and Maui.

A roundtable filled with the directors of the biggest animated films of the year discuss the impact of AI and how it will affect the future of animation.

Animated films by major studios are seeing something of a resurgence this year. Inside Out 2 became the highest grossing animated film of all time, albeit with a cost to the animators who worked so hard to make it happen. The newly released Moana 2 is breaking records as well, with some even suggesting it might surpass Inside Out 2. However, there is a potential threat looming over the future of animation--and even film itself: AI. Jeffrey Katzenberg, one of the founders of Dreamworks and a major player in the history of animation, said that generative AI could mean an end to 90 percent of animated jobs. The directors of these successful animated films shared their thoughts on the matter in a roundtable hosted by The Hollywood Reporter.

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theaters.

Moana 2 subtly hints at its big twist halfway through the movie, having Moana beat Maui in one key feat. The film’s beginning sets Moana to become Motunui's Tautai leader, a connector of the entire sea — making the storm god Nalo particularly keen on destroying her. Though this is a bigger ascension than her chief title in the first installment, the Disney sequel offers a twist, giving the Moana 2 character a role that extends beyond her people and to the realm of the gods.

Moana 2’s reviews praise the sequel for building on what came before and successfully developing Moana’s growth, as she now understands the stakes of her dreams and honors her responsibility to her island. Accordingly, Moana 2’s ending sees the leader sacrifice her life so that her people are connected to...

Dwayne Johnson a.k.a The Rock was once known as one of the most bankable stars who dominated the big screen. But now, he has finds himself on a crossroad. Despite his popularity and likeability, the actor has delivered a string of flops that have put him in a tough spot, but Moana might just revive his career.

Dwayne Johnson | Complex / YouTube

Disney’s beloved franchise could give Johnson the much-needed boost that he needs at the moment. After all, he voiced Maui, the demi-god who chee-hooo-ed his way into our hearts. With the possibility of Moana 3, the actor could regain his megastar status, and reestablish himself amongst the Hollywood giants.

How Moana 3 Could Revive Dwayne Johnson’s Career: A Sequel That’s Already Breaking Records Maui in Moana | Disney

Dwayne Johnson in Moana, as Maui became a fan-favorite character and seemed to have great significance in the franchise’s future.

Gods and demigods are important to the story of Moana, and this continues into Moana 2. The 2024 sequel to the 2016 Disney movie returns to the hero of Motunui three years after her journey across the ocean and sees her adventures continue as she voyages across the Pacific. This ancient watery world is ruled by various deities and their underlings, plagued by monsters and hidden realms for Moana to explore. While Disney has taken creative liberties and made various additions, many of the gods and demigods mentioned in Moana and Moana 2 find their roots in Polynesian myths, history, and culture (via Culture Trip).

The first Moana movie sees the hero Moana set out from her home to find the demigod Maui and take him across the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti. This demigod and the island god whom he stole from are the most noteworthy deities of this film,...

Moana 3 Disney Threequel Speculation ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Moana 2 is off to a record-breaking start at the box office. The film has had one of the biggest openings for an animated feature and has already established its name among the highest-grossers of the year.

The movie is a sequel to the 2016 Disney hit Moana and continues the journey of the titular girl from Polynesia, who teams up with the demigod Maui to break the curse on the Motufetu island. Now that Moana 2 has seen massive success, fans can’t help but wonder if there will be a third installment in the franchise. Here is all you need to know about Moana 3.

Is Moana 3 Happening?

Disney has not officially announced Moana 3 yet. However, the studio did hint about the development of the third part in the mid-credits scene of Moana 2. The sequence featured the god Nalo, who collaborated with...

Quick Links Moana Transforms Into a Demigod in Disney Moana 2 Moana Is One of a Few Official Disney Princesses With Supernatural Powers Moana 2 Reconfirms Moana Does Not Consider Herself a Princess

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now in theaters.

The end of Disney's Moana 2 features its heroine stepping into a new era of her personal journey. The film is a sequel to 2016's Moana and features all-new songs by a crack songwriting team. Like many Disney leading ladies, Moana learns and grows throughout the course of her first film and discovers fresh challenges as her story continues in the second. Originally conceived as a TV and/or streaming series, Moana 2 hit U.S. theaters nationwide on November 27, 2024.

There's something about Moana 2 that sets it apart from a good portion of films featuring a Disney Princess at its core. By the end of her follow-up feature,...

Quick Links Who Is Moana 2's Bat Lady? Who Is Moana 2's Nalo?

The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theaters.

One of the most exciting aspects of Moana 2 is how Disney has expanded the franchise. The first movie focused on the titular character trying to save her home, Motonui. Now, Moana is venturing out more and training as a wayfinder. It makes her journey more wholesome and shows the breadth of her mission as an explorer, especially since it is now bigger.

In time, she learns that she has to free the cursed island, Motufetu, and unite all the sea tribes -- something her seafaring ancestors tried to do centuries ago. Unfortunately, Moana runs into trouble courtesy of the "Bat Lady" Matangi and a vicious entity known as Nalo. But who are these two beings, and how could Matangi be a key ally,...

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Moana 2.

Disney's Moana 2 did the right thing by avoiding a romance cliché between Moana and a new character. The sequel to the 2016 phenomenon continues the story of the chief of Montunui's daughter and her adventures across the ocean. The 2016 movie depicts Moana befriending the demigod, Maui, and journeying over the seas to return the heart of Te Fiti. The Moana franchise explores different gods and demigods in Polynesian mythology who impact the oceans and the surrounding islands. Moana 2 continues Moana's journey to find other islands connected with Montunui.

The cast of Moana 2 includes Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson returning as Moana and Maui respectively, as well as introducing new characters to the story, including Moana's little sister, Simea. These new characters join Moana on her new adventure across the sea and play a critical part in her mission to fight against the storm god,...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Moana 2.

Maui temporarily loses his powers due to the powerful and ominous storm god named Nalo in Disney's latest animated blockbuster Moana 2. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead the ensemble cast of Moana 2, which also features voice performances by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 is currently projected to earn a five-day Thanksgiving gross between $215-220 million domestically, which would surpass the record set by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. for the best five-day weekend of all time.

Throughout Moana 2, Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. She leaves her home island of Motunui and sets out to find other people on the ocean with the hope of uniting them once again. It's revealed that Nalo, a wicked and powerful storm god,...

Did you know that Moana 2 has a post-credit scene? If you haven't seen the movie currently dominating the box office alongside Wicked, you may not have known that there was a mid-credit sequence that happens in the sequel. But there is, and apparently it evolved quite a bit before it made it to your screen.

In a new interview with Collider, co-directors Dana Ledoux Miller, David Derrick Jr., and Jason Hand spoke at length about the film's development process, the various Disney Easter Eggs involved, and much more. However, we were most intrigued by the details surrounding the creation of the scene in the movie credits that opens up Moana (Auli'i Cravalho)'s world in ways that are sure to be continued in the next installment of her adventures with Maui (Dwayne Johnson).

Needless to say, but if you don't want to be spoiled on it, maybe don't read on!

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Moana 2.

One of the best new characters in Moana 2 has to have a bigger role in future installments of the Moana franchise, starting with Moana 3. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead the ensemble cast of Moana 2, which also features voice performances by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 is currently projected to earn a five-day Thanksgiving gross between $215-220 million domestically, which would surpass the record set by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. for the best five-day weekend of all time.

Throughout Moana 2, Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. She leaves her home island of Motunui and sets out to find other people on the ocean with the hope of uniting them once again. It's revealed that Nalo, a wicked and powerful storm god,...

With its unexpected journey from a planned Disney+ series to a full-length theatrical movie, Disney’s highly anticipated animated sequel, Moana 2, is making waves. Directors David Derrick Jr. and Dana Ledoux Miller recently revealed behind-the-scenes information about the film’s production, including last-minute creative adjustments and its evolution under Disney CEO Bob Iger.

The project was originally planned as a streaming series but was reinvented as a feature film in February 2024. This choice, spearheaded by Iger, fundamentally changed the storytelling process. In an interview with Collider, the directors discussed the problems of translating the story for the big screen while retaining its core features.

The film’s mid-credits scene was a crucial surprise, hinting at future Moana franchise themes. “It was baked in,” Derrick Jr. added, highlighting the scene’s significance. At the same time, Miller explained that it went through “last-minute changes” during production. The sequence introduces additional divine characters,...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Moana 2.

Nalo, the main antagonist in Moana 2, ended up solving a major mystery from the 2016 original film. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead the ensemble cast of Moana 2, which also features voice performances by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 is currently projected to earn a five-day Thanksgiving gross between $215-220 million domestically, which would surpass the record set by The Super Mario Bros. Movie. for the best five-day weekend of all time.

Throughout Moana 2, Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. She leaves her home island of Motunui and sets out to find other people on the ocean with the hope of uniting them once again. It's revealed that Nalo, a wicked and powerful storm god, had sunk a...