Walt Disney Animation Studios recently unveiled the teaser trailer for the eagerly awaited Moana 2, setting a new record for the largest animated trailer debut in Disney history.
The trailer, featuring the return of Auli’i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui, amassed an impressive 178 million views within the first 24 hours across multiple social platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X/Twitter, and YouTube. This viewership surpassed previous records held by Inside Out 2 (157 million views), Frozen 2 (116 million views), and Incredibles 2 (113 million) highlighting the continued popularity of the Moana franchise.
The sequel picks up three years after the original film. Moana is called upon by her ancestors for an epic new quest across the uncharted waters of Oceania, promising adventure and peril beyond anything she has faced before. Alongside Moana and Maui, a band of new characters will join the adventure.
Moana 2 is directed by David Derrick Jr. (Megamind, Raya and the Last Dragon), Jason Hand (Encanto, Big Hero 6), and Dana Ledoux Miller (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides). The film boasts a musical score enriched by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical), Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina from the original Moana film, ensuring the sequel remains true to the original’s celebrated musical heritage.
Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed his enthusiasm for the sequel, noting Moana’s significant impact as the most streamed movie of 2023 according to Nielsen. This reflects the enduring appeal of its story and characters.
Originally conceived as a television series, Moana 2 was transformed into a feature film. The project continues to build on Disney’s successful animation legacy, despite recent challenges faced by Pixar. Additionally, Disney is developing a live-action remake of Moana, directed by Thomas Kail, set for release in July 2026.
Moana 2 sails into theaters on 27 November.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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