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Moana 2

Moana 2 is a 2024 American animated musical adventure film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and the sequel to Moana (2016).

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

Moana 2 is a 2024 American animated musical adventure film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and the sequel to Moana (2016). It follows Moana, Maui, and a new crew as they search for the lost island of Motufetu and reconnect the people of Oceania. The film was released in theaters on November 27, 2024.

Plot

Set three years after the first film, Moana 2 follows Moana as she receives a call from her ancestors and travels across Oceania with Maui and a new crew. Their mission is to find the lost island of Motufetu and restore the connection among ocean peoples.

Production

Disney announced the film in 2024 after the project was reworked from an intended television series into a theatrical sequel. It was directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, with music by Mark Mancina, Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, and Opetaia Foa'i.

Release

Moana 2 premiered at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii, on November 21, 2024. It was released in U.S. cinemas on November 27, 2024, then released digitally in January 2025 and on Disney+ in March 2025.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. It was also a major box-office success and surpassed the worldwide total of the first Moana film.

Key facts

  • It is the sequel to Disney’s 2016 film Moana.
  • The story is set three years after the first film.
  • Moana reunites with Maui and assembles a wayfinding crew.
  • The plot centers on finding the lost island of Motufetu and breaking its curse.
  • The film premiered in Hawaii on November 21, 2024, and opened in U.S. theatres on November 27, 2024.
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Canadian context

Moana 2 was released in Canada as part of Disney’s international theatrical rollout and became widely available to Canadian audiences through Disney+ in 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Is Moana 2 a sequel?
Yes. It is the sequel to Moana (2016).
When was Moana 2 released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on November 27, 2024.
Who directed Moana 2?
It was directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller.
What is Moana 2 about?
Moana travels with Maui and a new crew to find the lost island of Motufetu and lift its curse.
When did it start streaming?
It began streaming on Disney+ on March 12, 2025.

References

  1. The Walt Disney Company — https://www.waltdisneycompany.com/news/moana-2-disney-november-2024/
    Supports: announcement, release date, synopsis, and music credits
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_2
    Supports: plot, production details, premiere, release dates, reception, and box-office summary
  3. Box Office Mojo — https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt13622970/
    Supports: running time, release date, budget, and box-office information
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moana_2
    Supports: synopsis, director names, production company, rating, runtime, and streaming release date
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13622970/
    Supports: runtime, MPAA rating, release date, and basic film identification