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Moana

Moana is a 2016 Disney animated musical adventure film set in ancient Polynesia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Moana is a 2016 Disney animated musical adventure film set in ancient Polynesia. It follows a teenage daughter of a village chief who sails across the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island people. The film was widely released and popular in Canada as part of Disney’s global animated-film lineup.

Plot

Moana is a teenage daughter of an island chief who responds to the ocean’s call after a blight threatens her home. She travels with Maui to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti and bring balance back to the sea and islands.

Voice cast

Auliʻi Cravalho voices the title character Moana, while Dwayne Johnson voices the demigod Maui. The film also includes other well-known voice performances, including Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa.

Production and release

The film was released in 2016 by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Ron Clements, Don Hall, Chris Williams, and John Musker. It is an English-language animated feature with a runtime of 107 minutes.

Music

Moana is known for its songs and musical numbers, including "How Far I’ll Go," which became closely identified with the film. The soundtrack was part of the movie’s broad cultural impact.

Key facts

  • Moana follows a young island leader-in-training who is chosen by the ocean to restore Te Fiti’s heart.
  • The film’s central quest involves Moana travelling with the demigod Maui to save her people and her island.
  • Auliʻi Cravalho voices Moana, and Dwayne Johnson voices Maui.
  • The story is set in ancient Polynesia and draws on Polynesian mythology and seafaring traditions.
  • The film features original songs, including "How Far I’ll Go," which is strongly associated with the movie.
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Canadian context

Moana was widely released and popular in Canada as part of Disney’s global animated-film lineup, and it remains familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical exhibition, home viewing, and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Moana about?
It is about a Polynesian teenage girl who sails across the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island from a spreading blight.
Who voices Moana?
Moana is voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho.
How old is Moana?
She is a teenager; the film describes her as an adolescent daughter of the island chief.
Is Moana a Disney princess?
Moana is a Disney character and the title heroine of a Disney film, but she is not officially referred to as a princess in the film’s description sources provided here.
What is the song in Moana?
A signature song from the film is "How Far I’ll Go." Moana is also known as a musical with multiple songs.
Where is Moana set?
The film is set in ancient Polynesia, including the fictional island of Motunui.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film)
    Supports: Plot, setting, and main premise of the film.
  2. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/moana
    Supports: Summary of the plot and identification of Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moana_2016
    Supports: Synopsis, setting in Ancient Polynesia, and story details.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/
    Supports: Film description, ancient Polynesia setting, and storyline.
  5. The Hollywood Outsider — https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/disneys-moana-2016-film-review/
    Supports: Voice cast and production credits.
  6. Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/TheFilmForum.Duong/posts/-moana-2016watch-movie-plot-summarymoana-is-a-breathtaking-adventure-that-tells-/711958795184930/
    Supports: Plot summary and mention of the song 'How Far I’ll Go'.