Moana and Maui are headed to the big screen again with Disney announcing today that Moana 2 will officially release in theaters on November 27, 2024. The news comes alongside a brief 16-second announcement trailer and first look image.
While not part of the official press release, it is expected that both Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will return as Moana and Maui. The synopsis for the sequel is, “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.”
Dave Derrick Jr., who worked as a story artist on the first film, will be directing, taking over from the original Moana directors John Musker and Ron Clements. The music is being developed by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Notably absent from the musical credits is Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote many of the songs for the original film including the Oscar-nominated “How Far I’ll Go.”
Originally, Disney announced that an animated series for Moana would be coming to Disney+, but it looks like those plans have changed and the production will now be a full-fledged theatrical release. A live-action remake of the original Moana is still in production with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. That film is still scheduled for release on June 27, 2025.
Check out the first look announcement below and let us know what you think. Are you excited for Moana 2?
