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“Moana 2” has drawn 27.3 million views within the first five days of release on Disney+. It is now the third most successful Disney Animation theatrical film to hit the platform.

The film, which features Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson stepping back into their roles as Moana and Maui, respectively, had the largest Disney Animation premiere since “Encanto.”

The first “Moana,” which has amassed 1.4 billion hours streamed, is the most streamed film on Disney+ since the platform’s debut in 2019.

“Moana 2,” which was originally meant to be a Disney+ television show, was released in theaters on Nov. 28 and went on to earn more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

The sequel was directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, David G. Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand. Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear handled the music for the film, replacing Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote the first film’s songs. Nicole Scherzinger, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda,...

Moana may have taken on the ocean virtually alone in “Moana” — at least, until she dragged Maui along — but that isn’t the case in Disney’s latest sequel.

In “Moana 2,” our wayfinding hero sets out on another voyage. This time, she’s called upon by the ancestors to locate an island hidden by a god, specifically with the intent to cut off other island peoples from each other. The mission is decidedly more dangerous than in the first film, and that means she needs a crew.

Here’s who’s on that crew, and where you might recognize everyone’s voices from in our complete “Moana 2” cast and character guide now that the film is streaming on Disney+.

Disney Moana (Auli’i Cravalho)

Moana remains the center of the story in the sequel, as she sets out to quite literally save humankind. She’s once again voiced by Auli’i Cravalho,...

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This March, we are getting a ton of content from the much-anticipated release of the superhero action drama series Daredevil: Born Again on streaming to the release of Robert Pattinson‘s highly anticipated sci-fi dark comedy film Mickey 17. This upcoming month will see the release of many great movies, so we thought of compiling a list of all the best movies that are coming straight to streaming.

Picture This (Prime Video) Release Date: March 6 Credit – Prime Video

Picture This is an upcoming British romantic comedy film directed by Prarthana Mohan from a screenplay by Nikita Lalwani. Based on the 2024 Australian film Five Blind Dates by Shawn Seet, the Prime Video film follows Pia, a struggling photographer who is told by a spiritual guru that she will find true love and success in her career in the next five dates she goes on.

After earning over $1 billion at the box office, Moana 2 is now available to watch online at home.

The hit animated sequel to the 2016 musical blockbuster arrives on Disney+ on March 12. Until then, Moana 2 can be purchased on digital for home streaming at Apple TV, Prime Video and other premium video-on-demand platforms, or on disc with a digital code.

At a glance: How to stream Moana 2 online

Disney+ release date: March 12 Buy or rent online: Apple TV, Prime Video Stream online: Disney+ Get DisneY+

Moana 2 follows Moana (voiced by returning star Auli’i Cravalho) three years after she first set sail with the demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to restore the heart of Tefiti and save her home island of Motonui. Now a big sister to Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), Moana once again must venture beyond the seas of Oceana to answer a call from her ancestors. The sequel features...

2024 was a stunning year for animated films, and especially for Disney. Over four months after its theatrical release in late November 2024, Moana 2 is sailing to streaming.

Set three years after the events of the 2016 animated film, the sequel sent Moana on yet another adventure. This time, to find other tribes connected by the ocean, and she needed to break a new curse to do so. After the sequel unlocked all the records it could during its stunning theatrical run, Disney officially announced Moana 2 is heading to streaming on Disney+ on Mar. 12.

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The first installment premiered in 2016, and it was a success. It ended its theatrical run as the eleventh highest-grossing film of the year, grossing $684.6 million worldwide...

Disney has set the Moana 2 Disney+ release date for March 12, 2025. The blockbuster film has grossed $1.053 billion worldwide, with $458.8 million coming from North American theaters and $594.6 million from international markets.

The highly anticipated sequel to the Walt Disney Animation Studios (Wdas) fan favorite is the #3 highest-grossing film of 2024 and is the fourth Wdas film ever to cross the billion-dollar mark.

Disney’s Moana 2 is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with critics and fans alike having hailed the film as “a fantastic voyage”, “Gorgeous”, and “a joyous adventure the whole family will love”.

The Moana 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a 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,...

“Moana 2,” the sequel to the Oscar-nominated film about a young Polynesian woman on a quest to break an ancient curse, will be available to stream on Disney+ on March 12.

Initially developed as a Disney+ TV series for streaming, “Moana 2” was revamped into a film with a theatrical release. The adjustment was said to be a strategic decision on the part of Disney to maximize revenue and profitability. It paid off because “Moana 2” made more than $1 billion at the box office and became the third highest-grossing movie of 2024.

The movie “reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a 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” was directed by the trio of David G. Derrick Jr.,...

Disney had a spectacular 2024, releasing several successful sequels. Among them was Moana 2, which, after a stunning theatrical run with a $1 billion run, is heading to digital soon.

Per Disney, Moana has gotten into her new, updated boat with her new crew, as the hit sequel is now sailing on digital. The news didn't come just with the digital rental and purchase because the House of Mouse came bearing gifts. As it was announced, the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD will also be out on Mar. 18. With the bonus features, Disney also added a special clip of Simea, Moana's adorable little sister, which Cbr can exclusively debut.

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Moana 2 has one more milestone in its sights after attaining billion-dollar status this past weekend.

Moana 2 is available to rent at all the major PVOD websites,...

The much-awaited sequel to Disney’s beloved animated classic, Moana 2, continues the story of the fearless Polynesian wayfinder. Released in theaters on November 22, 2024, the movie reunites audiences with Moana and Maui as they embark on yet another thrilling oceanic adventure. Here’s everything you need to know about when and where you can stream Moana 2 online.

What is Moana 2 About?

Moana 2 picks up three years after the events of the first film. When an ancient curse threatens to destroy her homeland, Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) teams up once again with Maui (Dwayne Johnson), the shapeshifting demigod, to uncover the origins of the curse and restore balance to the seas.

The sequel introduces new characters, including Moni (Hualālai Chung), a spirited navigator, and Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), a young guardian of the ocean. With stunning visuals and heartwarming songs, Moana 2 promises to transport audiences into an unforgettable journey across uncharted waters.

Moana and Maui’s latest adventure is coming home when Disney’s Moana 2 arrives at digital retailers today and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 18.

The sequel to the Walt Disney Animation Studios fan favorite is the third-highest-grossing film of 2024 and recently crossed a billion dollars at the global box office. It is the fourth Wdas film ever to do so.

The Moana 2 digital and Blu-ray release goes far beyond with hours of exclusive bonus content for the whole family featuring a full-length Sing-Along version of the film, deleted scenes, featurettes and much more. The 4K Uhd will be available in a collectible limited edition SteelBook with custom artwork and packaging.

Moana 2 reunites Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana...

Moana 2 Ott Release Date Revealed ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Moana 2 recently crossed the $1 billion milestone at the worldwide box office, becoming the third 2024 release to achieve this massive feat. As the sequel crossed the mark, Disney achieved a glorious feat since all three of the past year’s highest-grossing films are from Disney—Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2. After surpassing the great milestone, the makers have released the sequel on digital platforms, but there is a twist. Scroll below for the deets.

About the Movie

The animated musical feature is the sequel to 2016’s Moana, which was directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Mille. Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana, Dwayne Johnson aka Maui, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, and Alan Tudyk reprised their roles from the first film. In addition to them, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda,...

Moana 2 keeps proving it has wind beneath its sails at the box office. As the Disney animated sequel reveals in joining the esteemed billion-dollar club, the film nears one more major financial milestone before its theatrical run ends.

Via Box Office Mojo, Moana 2 is closing in on becoming one of the 50 highest-grossing movies in history after crossing the $1 billion mark this past weekend, nearly two months after debuting in cinemas. The film is 54th on the all-time box-office list ($1.012 billion worldwide), with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ($1.017 billion), Alice in Wonderland ($1.025 billion), Zootopia ($1.025 billion) and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ($1.026 billion) being the films standing its way of reaching the top 50.

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Though Moana 2 isn't as highly regarded...

Moana 2 has joined the billion-dollar club. The animated sequel to 2016's Moana has officially crossed the $1 billion benchmark, making it the first Disney animated movie to achieve this milestone since 2019's Frozen II.

Per Variety, Moana 2 becomes Disney's third 2024 release to join the billion-dollar club, following Pixar's Inside Out 2 ($1.69B) and Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.33B). Moana 2's success at the box office comes after a rough few years for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Following the $1.45 billion box office gross of Frozen II, no Disney animated movie was able to crack $300 million before Moana 2. While part of these box office struggles was brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, critical reception and audience interest in the last few movies were far below what a Disney movie typically receives, which no doubt impacted their respective box office hauls. With Disney's next animated films, Zootopia 2 and Frozen III,...

Somewhere, Dwayne Johnson is getting a chee hoo after hearing the latest good news from the highly successful Moana 2. The acclaimed actor achieves a new career box-office milestone thanks to the popular Disney animated adventure sequel.

Via Collider, Johnson's films over his 24-year Hollywood career have amassed $15 billion at the global box office, with Moana 2 helping him eclipse the mark. Most of Johnson's box-office tally has come from overseas markets, with $9.6 billion made internationally, while the remaining $5.4 billion has come from North American ticket sales.

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One of the directors of Disney's Moana 2 talks how the sequel is resonating with fans and what it means for the future of the franchise.

Moana 2 is one of Johnson's best-performing movies, having far outdone what the Oscar-nominated original ($687 million worldwide) earned in 2016. The record-breaking sequel,...

Moana 2 has thrived at the box office since its release, and it is now preparing to pass a truly magnificent threshold. Led by returning cast members from Moana, the movie stars Auli'i Cravalho (Moana) and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Maui), as they reunite to find the island of Motufetu. With a $150 million budget, the movie was a significant investment by Disney, which originally saw the project as a potential Disney+ show. After diverting to theaters, Disney has been rewarded with immense success at the box office.

According to a report by Variety, the hit sequel has officially earned $960 million worldwide, with $425 million coming from North America. Sitting at the fourth overall spot in its sixth weekend, it ushered in $12.3 million domestically this weekend alone. It is currently well on its way to the coveted $1 billion mark, though it is not yet known how many weeks it will take.

Developing.

Moana 2 is approaching a major box office milestone that is unusually rare for Dwayne Johnson. The new movie is the sequel to Disney's 2016 hit. Although it was originally developed as a Disney+ series, the project - which was directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller from a screenplay by Miller and Jared Bush - was converted into a theatrical feature, which debuted the day before U.S. Thanksgiving in 2024, taking in a traditional 3-day opening weekend of $139.8 million and maintaining a position at No. 1 on the domestic box office chart for three consecutive weekends.

The Moana 2 cast includes quite a few returning stars. In addition to Johnson reprising the role of the demigod Maui, the movie also features Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana, Temuera Morrison as Tui, Nicole Scherzinger as Sina, Rachel House as Tala, and Alan Tudyk as Heihei. The movie also includes new characters portrayed by Hualālai Chung,...

Moana 2 has hit a staggering box office milestone as it swiftly approaches becoming a billion-dollar title. The animated movie is a sequel to Disney's 2016 hit and follows the title character (Auli'i Cravalho) embarking on her next adventure with the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) along with her new crew. The record-breaking Moana 2 release kicked off the day before U.S. Thanksgiving and quickly zoomed past the $643.3 million gross earned by the original movie.

Per Box Office Mojo, Moana 2 grossed $900.6 million worldwide by the end of 2024. This means that it has officially passed the $900 million milestone, becoming only the fourth movie of last year to have done so behind Despicable Me 4 ($969.1 million), Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.338 billion), and Inside Out 2 ($1.699 billion). It is currently projected to race past the $1 billion mark sometime in early 2025.

In addition to hitting this major milestone, Moana 2's domestic gross of $404 million...

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...

Moana 2 just crossed another major milestone at the box office. After a slow year for theaters, the final months of 2024 have been an explosion for the box office. Gladiator II, Wicked, and now the Moana sequel are all poised for a strong box office finish. With Kraven the Hunter and The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim having released this week, the latest Disney sequel could have stumbled, but Moana 2's hit soundtrack helped to propel it past another record.

According to a report by Variety, the movie earned the top spot for its third straight weekend. With a $26.6 million domestic take on the weekend, it has crossed $337.5 million domestically and $717 million globally so far. That surpasses Dune: Part Two's $714.4 million global gross. It also means that the movie has officially taken its place as the fourth highest-grossing movie of 2024 just three weeks into its run.

Moana 2 Box Office (North America): 3rd Thursday Update (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Moana 2 is unbothered by Kraven the Hunter’s release this Friday. The film continues to achieve new milestones at the box office in North America. The film has now attained another interesting feat: It entered the top 100 highest-grossing films of all time at the US box office. Scroll below for the deets.

Although the film has undoubtedly been earning winning numbers in the US, it has been bested by Wicked as it ruled at #1. The Disney sequel has now surpassed the lifetime total of the film Star Wars: Attack of the Clones in North America. The film was released in 2002 featuring an ensemble cast comprising Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L Jackson, Christopher Lee, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, and Frank Oz. Directed by George Lucas, it is the sequel to The Phantom Menace...

Moana 2 has just crossed another global box office milestone, making it only the fifth movie this year to do so. After the massive streaming success of the first movie on Disney+, the sequel, directed by David G. Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, follows Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) as she embarks on a new adventure to the far-reaches of Oceania following a call from her ancestors. Though Moana 2 reviews haven't been as positive as those for the original, the movie has been a major box office success.

Box office data from TheNumbers now reveals that Moana 2's worldwide box office total now sits at $601 million. This makes it only the fifth movie this year to cross the $600 million mark behind Dune: Part Two, Despicable Me 4, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Inside Out 2. Notably, Disney titles comprise three of the five highest-grossing movies of the year.

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...

In a new project approved by Disney Animation Studios, up-and-coming animator Gensho Yasuda has released two anime shorts for Moana 2, which released in U.S. theaters on Nov. 27 and in Japan on Dec. 6.

Per Comic Natalie, Make a Girl director Gensho Yasuda's anime shorts, featuring recreations of moments from Moana 2 using the songs "Beyond - Koete Yukou" and "Return to the True Me" as performed by Yabiku China, have been approved by Disney Animation Studios as part of a larger project that will see further releases in the future. Yasuda said of the announcement, "I have always been inspired by Disney works, so I was very happy to be asked to make a 3D short animation for Moana 2, a Disney work beloved all over the world." Yasuda's studio plans to release more anime videos for the Japanese dubbed versions of the songs "Get Lost" and "Can I Get a Chee Hoo?...

Make no mistake about it, “Moana 2” is a hit.

The Disney sequel set a Thanksgiving box office record with $225 million over the five-day holiday frame. While audiences have flocked to movie theaters, fans haven’t been so kind to the film’s music and its songwriters. The main criticism is that the songs don’t have that Disney hook, with some even saying it needed better songs. Or that the songs just don’t live up to those composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the 2016 original.

Songwriter Abigail Barlow responds with a smile, “Give it a month, all the kids will be singing it, and you’ll be tired of it.”

Barlow is one half of Barlow and Bear (Emily Bear), the songwriting team behind the new songs featured in Disney’s “Moana 2.”

Bear chimes in, “I would say that everyone has an opinion.” She adds, “Writing a sequel is really difficult because obviously,...

Disney is trying to hold on to the first spots at the box office in 2024 and its latest entry, Moana 2, might be able to help. The animated sequel to the 2016 animation has beaten several box office records and is nowhere near done.

Less than a week since its premiere in theaters on Nov. 27, Moana 2 has already sailed to $404.5 million worldwide at the box office, per Deadline. This helped it reach the top 10 of the highest-grossing films of 2024, settling itself in the ninth spot momentarily. However, with just a few days since its premiere, it's already hunting Tim Burton's famous bio-exorcist, ready to take over Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which ended its theatrical run with $450 million worldwide.

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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...

Sunday Update: With a five-day domestic debut of $221 million, “Moana 2” shattered numerous box office records including the biggest five-day opening of all time (surpassing “Super Mario Bros. Movie”/$204.6 million), the biggest Thanksgiving debut and Thanksgiving weekend (3-day and 5-day), the biggest Thanksgiving day, and the biggest Black Friday ever. The Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving weekend, and Black Friday totals for “Moana 2” surpass records previously set by “Frozen II.” “Wicked” continued flying high as well, taking in $117.5 million over the five-day holiday weekend, followed by “Gladiator II” with $44 million, “Red One” with $18.7 million, and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with $4.9 million.

Wednesday Update: “Moana 2” crashed into theaters with $13.8 million in Tuesday preview box office receipts. That’s a new record for Disney animated films, surpassing “Inside Out 2’s” $13 million Thursday preview last June, and “Toy Story 4,” which took in $12 million in Thursday previews in 2019. Those films went on to earn $154 million and $121 million,...

Following the biggest Black Friday ever at the North American box office with an estimated $108 million ($54.5 million was contributed by Disney Animation's Moana 2), business looks incredibly strong over the Thanksgiving weekend. 

Five-day estimates for the Moana sequel have raised to $215 million - $220 million; its three-day haul is expected to be around $140 million, the second-best debut of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's career after Fast & Furious 7's $147.1 million opening.

Moana 2 has also set a new five-day Thanksgiving record, beating The Super Mario Bros. Movie's $204.6 million. 

The other two big movies contributing to this record-breaking haul are Wicked and Gladiator II. The former is eyeing $118 million over five days, ensuring it's broken a few records of its own.

After the movie's success, the expectation is that we'll see a greater number of musicals brought to the big screen...and that studios might finally start marketing them as such.

Following the biggest Black Friday ever at the North American box office with an estimated $108 million ($54.5 million was contributed by Disney Animation's Moana 2), business looks incredibly strong over the Thanksgiving weekend. 

Five-day estimates for the Moana sequel have raised to $215 million - $220 million; its three-day haul is expected to be around $140 million, the second-best debut of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's career after Fast & Furious 7's $147.1 million opening.

Moana 2 has also set a new five-day Thanksgiving record, beating The Super Mario Bros. Movie's $204.6 million. 

The other two big movies contributing to this record-breaking haul are Wicked and Gladiator II. The former is eyeing $118 million over five days, ensuring it's broken a few records of its own.

After the movie's success, the expectation is that we'll see a greater number of musicals brought to the big screen...and that studios might finally start marketing them as such.

Dwayne Johnson has accomplished a rare box office feat. The star is best known as an actor in the modern era, but he got his start as a wrestler with the WWE, performing under the pseudonym The Rock. He began to transition into being a movie star with early roles in features such as 2001's The Mummy Returns, where he played a villain, a role that he reprised as the lead of the 2002 spinoff The Scorpion King.

Since then, the amount of Dwayne Johnson movies has grown to an astronomical number. Some of his major works include many of the later entries in the Fast & Furious franchise (including the spinoff Hobbs & Shaw), the DC superhero movie Black Adam, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its sequel The Next Level, the Netflix smash hit Red Notice, and the Disney theme park attraction adaptation Jungle Cruise. All together, his movies...

Moana 2 has broken a long-standing Thanksgiving record, and the Disney movie is set to break more records in the coming days. After the massive success of the first film in 2016, the title character – voiced by Auli'i Cravalho – is back for another adventure alongside Dwayne Johnson's Maui, this time exploring long-lost waters in Oceania following a call from her ancestors. Though Moana 2 reviews haven't been glowing, the film is set to be a major release for Disney at the box office.

The Hollywood Reporter now reveals that Moana 2 pulled in a staggering $57.5 million on Wednesday and $28 million on Thursday. This makes it the biggest Thanksgiving Day release of all time, and it's the biggest opening day for any Walt Disney Animation title. It has also had the third-biggest opening day for an animated movie behind Incredibles 2 and Inside Out 2, and the Thursday numbers are also...

Disney woke up on this Thanksgiving Day thankful that it did not send Moana 2 to streaming as originally intended. Realizing how popular the Moana brand had become since the release of the first film in 2016, Disney pivoted from a streaming debut to a theatrical release for the sequel, and it's paying off handsomely heading into the weekend. After a record-breaking Tuesday preview launch, Moana 2 continues to smash box office records.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Moana grossed $57.5 million on its first full day of release yesterday, which includes the $13.8 million made during Tuesday previews. This makes it the single best day for a Walt Disney Animation film ever, and it's the third-highest opening for an animated release behind Inside Out 2 ($63.5 million) and Incredibles 2 ($71.2 million). At this rate, it's going to exceed the projected $130-135 million five-day opening that box office analysts were predicting and could be headed...

Reviews for Moana 2 haven't been anywhere near as positive as 2016's Moana but that won't stop people flocking to theaters this Thanksgiving weekend.

The sequel opened with $13.8 million in preview screenings on Tuesday, breaking an impressive box office record. Not only is this by far the biggest preview number ever for a Walt Disney Animation title, but it's also the second biggest haul for any animated feature behind only Pixar's Incredibles 2 (which earned $18.5 million in 2018).

For comparison, Inside Out 2 scored $13 million in Thursday previews earlier this year before scoring a $154 million opening weekend. Toy Story 4 made $12 million in 2019 ahead of a $121 million three-day debut, while Frozen II earned $8.5 million the same year before going on to make $130 million the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Based on current estimates, Moana 2 could rise as high as $135 million - $145 million over its first five days in theaters. That would...

She’s a girl who loves her island, she’s a girl who loves the sea, and she is back in “Moana 2,” eight years after the original film hit theaters.

This time around, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) is a little bit older and a lot more experienced, and once again is on a mission to save her people. With the help of her old friend Maui (Dwayne Johnson), plus an all new crew, Motonui’s greatest wayfinder must answer a call from her ancestors in the sequel.

Here’s everything you need to know about Disney’s latest.

When does “Moana 2” come out?

“Moana 2” arrives just in time for families looking for a Thanksgiving watch, releasing on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Is it streaming?

Not just yet. For now, you can only see “Moana 2” in theaters. But, when it comes time for streaming, the film will release on Disney+.

The titular character in Moana has been one of Disney's most exciting and original princesses since her debut in the 2016 movie, but it's not clear to all viewers how old the character is supposed to be. Released to overwhelming critical praise, the Oscar-nominated feature chronicles the adventures of Moana and combines Disney animation with Polynesian culture for a unique cinematic experience. Besides its beautiful visuals and strong writing, it's the title character who makes the movie stand out.

Characters have always been Disney's strong suit, but the addition of Moana as one of their official princesses represented a change in the way that female heroes are presented. Where and when Moana takes place was important to its story, but the age of its main character is a detail that makes the movie all the more compelling to watch. Though Moana's age is similar to that of Disney's other princesses, it's...

For most of the country it feels as though Winter is finally settling in (though it’s officially a few weeks away), so why not indulge in a cinematic virtual island getaway for a couple of hours? To make it a tad more enticing it’s also a reunion with some dear movie friends you first met eight years ago. Since that first animated romp, the popularity of the characters and setting seems to be growing, with several reports saying that it was the most streamed feature film during the pandemic “lockdown” way back in 2020. Now, according to some other articles, this movie’s plot was originally developed as a Disney+ series, but can any home entertainment system ever match the big multiplex screens? That’s the only way to cruise the waves and bask in the sun with that plucky princess of the seas in Moana 2.

When we...

What's in a name like "princess"? And who, exactly, gets the title of Disney Princess, and why? Well, that's a loaded question, depending on who and how you ask. And if you ask the star of Moana and its forthcoming sequel, Moana 2 Auli'i Cravalho, the titular character is anything but, even if you think she is (and even if she officially is as far as the Disney Princess merchandising canon is concerned).

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actress responded to the question that's long been on Disney fans' minds: is Moana a princess? And while on a technical level, no, she isn't she is the daughter of a village chief and wayfinder Disney has absolutely made her a part of the official princess line-up, perhaps due to their ever-expanding definition of what it takes to be a Disney Princess, specifically.

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Warning: This article contains major spoilers for both "Gladiator II" and "Moana 2."

Two major blockbuster sequels are barreling into theaters this Thanksgiving weekend that, to most normal people, might not seem to have much in common. Sure, both "Gladiator II" and "Moana 2" (with more than a little help from "Wicked") are about to super-charge the box office in a late-year push that theaters sorely need. But beyond the fact that both are bringing in boatloads of fans and both happen to feature curly-haired, shirtless warriors who return years after their first appearance in defiance of gods and men -- okay, yeah, even typing that out makes the latter feel like a serious stretch -- there's not much else to link them together. One is a swords-and-sandals drama set amid the dust of the Colosseum, and the other's an animated Disney movie about a Polynesian-influenced wayfinder who's most at home on water.

Warning, landlubbers! If the headline didn't give it away, this article contains major spoilers for "Moana 2."

We've seen our favorite characters sail across the ocean, help the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to restore the heart of Te Fiti, and save Moana's (Auli'i Cravalho) people and bring them back to their seafaring roots — now, "Moana 2" has teed them up for their biggest challenge yet. The long-awaited sequel has all the makings of unleashing a massive storm at the box office this Thanksgiving weekend, which means fans will soon be flocking to theaters to catch the blockbuster and judge for themselves whether it can live up to the sky-high expectations set by the 2016 original. All signs seem to be pointing that way (as you can see from /Film's review by Bj Colangelo), setting up this franchise as a juggernaut for years to come. Next up will be the live-action remake,...

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Disney's sequel streak continues with Moana 2, which sees the return of the island of Motunui and its beloved heroine Moana (voiced by Aulii Cravalho). Since the events of the 2016 box office hit, Moana has become a certified Tautai, or master navigator, and hopes to reconnect her people populations from other islands that haven't been seen in generations. A call from the ancestors illuminates a new path forward, and she sets out with a crew to find the island of Montufetu, which was once an ancient meeting point for all navigators.

Moana is more reluctant than usual to leave because her three-year-old sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), will be left behind an emotional family tie that serves a similar purpose to Gramma Tala in the first movie. Moana 2 also ups the stakes by introducing Nalo, the god of storms, whose curse has...

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Disney returns to Motunui in Moana 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 hit animated film, and protagonist Moana (once again voiced by Aulii Cravalho) has become a respected Tautai. She also has a three-year-old sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), who worships the ground she walks on and makes it that much harder to leave home when the ancestors come calling. But they do indeed come calling, and Moana's wayfinding skills are sorely needed to reunite her people across the ocean.

Moana 2 commences the long journey to the hidden island of Montufetu by granting Moana a crew, which includes three colorful new characters in addition to Pua and Heihei. But when the storm god Nalo's interferes with her voyage to ensure that humans remain separated, it will take the help of an old friend and demigod to get things back on track.

It’s been eight years since audiences last saw Moana on the big screen, and three years in the context of that film since Moana embraced the calling of the sea as a wayfinder and embarked on a journey to reach other Pacific islands and connect with their people. And yet, it’s only at the end of Moana 2 that it feels like her journey has actually begun. For a story that so prizes how far its heroine will go, Moana spends so much of this sequel stuck in a rut.

Moana has certainly been busy sailing out to new islands, discovering artifacts left behind by islanders long past and bringing her findings back to her people. One day, she’s struck by a lightning bolt of inspiration from her ancestors, telling her of a distant sunken island that once acted as a hub, connecting all the various tribes across the ocean,...

Moana premiered in 2016 but, despite its decent theatrical run and positive reviews, Disney took a long time to decide between continuing the story. It officially announced a theatrical sequel earlier this year, and, with Moana 2 set to premiere on Nov. 27, the animated sequel's Rotten Tomatoes score is up.

Ahead of this Friday's premiere, Moana 2 debuted with a "fresh" 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. So far, only 55 reviews have been posted on the review-aggregator website and the score might fluctuate as more reviews come in. Since the movie is not out yet, there is no audience score available at the time of press.

Related Moana Live-Action Remake Gets Exciting Filming Update Ahead of Moana 2 Release

It's a wonderful time to be a Moana fan.

Moana was originally supposed to continue the story as a series for Disney+ but the plans changed into a theatrical release. The animated sequel...

Just like with such animated sequels as Inside Out 2 coming out nearly 10 years after their predecessors, Moana 2 has big shoes to fill, arriving eight years and some change almost to the day that the original animated adventure hit theaters. Still, leaning into humor and its arguably higher stakes, it delivers a firm follow-up to 2016’s Moana, a smash that grossed $643.3 million at the global box office and was nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar.

In Moana 2, the titular heroine (voiced again by Auli‘i Cravalho) is tasked with a mission bigger than anything she has faced before: locating the lost island of Motufetū in order to reunite the different communities of island peoples and navigators through the central meeting point location, which was shrouded by the storm god Nalo with a curse. Conceited yet charismatic demigod Maui (a returning Dwayne Johnson) starts out in a separate situation of his own,...

The review embargo for Disney Animation's Moana 2 has just lifted and the first wave of verdicts are good but definitely not great. The sequel started life as a Disney+ TV series before Disney CEO Bob Iger decided it should become a money-making feature and it appears this follow-up to the 2016 classic is somewhat lacking.

We'll start with the trades; in Variety's review, it's said that Moana 2 "is an okay movie, an above-average kiddie roller-coaster, and a piece of pure product in a way that the first 'Moana,' at its best, transcended." The Hollywood Reporter explains, "Moana 2 builds impressive action sequences on a relatively weak story...[it's] a musical where Lin-Manuel Miranda’s absence is unfortunately felt."

The songs not being as good as the first movie is a recurring theme throughout nearly every review, though there are said to be some catchy numbers.

The Wrap may...

Get ready to dive back into the magical world of Moana! The highly-anticipated sequel to the beloved Disney animation is finally here, and it’s just as heart-warming as the first one.

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, Moana 2 brings back the same adventurous spirit that made the first film such an instant classic for audiences young and old.

Three years after the events of the first film, Moana (voiced by the amazing Auli’i Cravalho) is back and ready for another epic adventure. The ocean calls, and she answers, gathering a crew of shambolic misfits to break a wicked curse on the secret island of Motufetu. The teenager is reunited with the legendary demigod Maui (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and battles both old enemies like the Kakamora and a new villain, the underworld goddess Matangi (Awhimai Fraser).

New characters, like award-winning Kiwi comedienne Rose Matafeo...

On the heels of the successful original animation, a lot is riding on Moana 2, a sequel that nicely builds on what came before. Moana (Aulii Cravalho) gets a sweet little sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), and that personal element really raises the stakes in terms of what the title character is fighting for and who shes trying to get back to. The animation is still strong and the main character beats are affecting, but there are certain aspects of the story namely, the villain and his motivations that stand in the films way of true greatness.

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.

Director Jason Hand, David G.

Moana 2 rides a tidal wave of snappy tunes, eye-popping animation, and a celebration of Polynesian culture in an action-packed sequel that's just as entertaining as the fantastic original. A beginning that's awfully similar to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker thankfully improves with much better narrative execution. Moana 2 keeps the pacing brisk with loads of good humor and just a sprinkle of melancholy. Our dashing heroine proves her mettle as a leader to a winning supporting ensemble. Dwayne Johnson continues to steal the show as Maui, but he gets a run for his money from a truly cool Kakamora.

The story opens with Moana (Aulii Cravalho) racing through a forest on a distant island. She leaps over a huge crevasse, leaving her pet pig Pua and the googly-eyed rooster Hei-Hei behind. Moana blows a conch shell on top of the tallest mountain. The horn echoes across the vast ocean,...

The venerated Walt Disney Animation Studios has had an odd relationship with sequels. For a long time, follow-ups to its animated classics were largely outsourced as Dtv cheapies (who remembers Lady And The Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure?). On the other hand, its most successful film ever is the billion-dollar-grossing Frozen II. Moana 2 has had a similarly confusing journey to the screen: it began life as a TV series, before eventually changing course and making the leap to the big screen.

And thank goodness it did — because this quality of animation deserves every inch of a cinema screen. A retread that plays it relatively safe, Moana 2 hardly reinvents any wheels (or whales), but it is still delightful, charming, and gorgeous to look at, the new directing trio of David Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller staying true to the integrity of the 2016 original’s story: more seafaring...

It's hard to overstate the phenomenon that Walt Disney Animation's "Moana" has become since its release in 2016. /Film's own Ethan Anderton gave the first film a whopping 10 out of 10 perfect score, it became the most-streamed movie across any platform in 2023, and it's widely accepted that the music from "Moana" remains some of the best in Lin-Manuel Miranda's oeuvre. Honestly, it's a bit shocking that Disney waited as long as they did to return to the ocean-deep well with a continuation of Moana's story, perhaps even more so that the House of Mouse's original intention was a direct-to-streaming series rather than the theatrical sequel we have today. Fortunately, much like "Frozen II," "The Incredibles 2," and "Toy Story 4," we may not have needed a sequel, but at least the one we got is enjoyable and manages to actually push the story forward.

When we last saw Moana (Auliʻi...