Moana 2 achieved unprecedented box office success, finishing with worldwide earnings exceeding $1 billion, and has now made its streaming debut on Disney+ as of March 14, 2025. The sequel to the beloved 2016 animated classic, Moana, disappointingly faced mixed reviews from critics but was warmly received by audiences.
The film originally premiered theatrically across multiple markets, including the United States, in November 2024. Initial projections for the film were optimistic, with expectations hinting at more than $100 million during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. These projections materialized far beyond what even Disney anticipated; on its first day of release, the film grossed $57.8 million, setting the stage for record-breaking achievements.
By the end of its first weekend, Moana 2 grossed $139.8 million over the traditional three-day span, accumulating $225 million over the extended five-day weekend. Such impressive figures allowed it to not only break the previous ten-year Thanksgiving record but also mark it as the biggest opening weekend for any Walt Disney Animation film. The overwhelming interest highlighted how far audiences were willing to engage with the Moana franchise.
Moana 2's box office performance positioned it as the third-highest grossing movie of 2024 and the fourth biggest hit domestically, surpassing the previous record set by other animated films, like The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The film's total worldwide gross concluded at $1.05 billion, showcasing the strength of the brand.
What is noteworthy is how the film transitioned from its original vision as Moana: The Series, which was slated for Disney+. Announced initially by Disney back in December 2020, the series was intended to be released as five episodes for 2023. Yet due to dynamic shifts within the studio and the potential they recognized for massive theatrical success, Moana 2 was constructed from these original elements and projected to theaters just nine months prior to its release.
This move appears vindicated, as Moana 2 may well be one of Disney+'s most engaging releases. Families who missed out on the theatrical experience can now enjoy the film from their homes, ensuring its life continues on Disney+. The streaming release provides the film with renewed visibility, which might not have been as potent had it started as a series. Moana 2 is now poised to become one of the most-watched titles on the streaming service, indicating its success will have longevity far beyond its box office run.
The film captures the essence of adventure, setting sail to discover Motufetu, the legendary island connecting Moana's people, and expands significantly upon the original's narrative. Returning to voice Moana is Auli'i Cravalho, along with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. This continuation of the Polynesian tale invokes themes of community and exploration.
Despite concerns about the lack of humor and catchy songs compared to the original, audiences appear to appreciate the heartfelt storytelling. A critique from the Associated Press expressed, "the warm Polynesian spirit and open-sea sense of adventure is back... but little of the original's humor or catchy songs finds its way..."
Several elements heavily contributed to the film's phenomenal success. Disney's previous animated features have found strong footing at the box office, with the original Moana grossing over $680 million. This historical performance only solidified expectations among audiences and encouraged Disney to shift Moana 2 to the big screen. The market climate exhibited how sequels commonly gain traction, particularly when there is already established audience affinity and nostalgia which they leverage.
Returning to expand the Moana narrative allows Disney to create opportunities for storytelling potential, all the more important now as they seek to draw back attention to their animated features. The studio's difficulties converting original streaming movies to cultural events, with the standouts limited to The Mandalorian and major Marvel titles, reaffirms their need to leverage their established franchises like Moana.
The relatively low production budget of $150 million compared to the vast return on investment exemplifies how 2D animated features, when executed with emotional depth and relatable storytelling, can yield success. While it remains to be seen just how successful Moana 2 will be on Disney+, its theatrical performance already categorizes it as one of 2024's major box-office victories.
The transition from potential TV series to major motion picture has illustrated not only Moana’s popularity but how well Disney can navigate modern content strategies. The company can leverage the film’s success to reignite interest and establish paths for its animated properties moving forward.
Moana 2's position as both theatrical and now streaming content optimally engages its audience base. The outstanding performance signifies promise for the franchise and Disney's ability to capitalize on unique narratives beloved by fans. All eyes will be on Moana 2 as it sets both box and streaming benchmarks for animated films for the rest of 2024 and beyond.