Disney Hopes to Use Moana 2 as Springboard for Tentpole Franchise Expansion in Coming Years

The original Moana movie was the most streamed film in 2023. That’s something most people would likely never guess considering Moana came out many years ago. Yet more popular than Frozen, more popular than Avatar or Marvel, Moana is the most important princess brand Disney has in its vast portfolio.

First look at Dwayne Johnson (Maui) and Catherine Laga’aia (Moana) on the set of Disney’s live-action #Moana film. 📷 pic.twitter.com/fOQHDLHYfU

— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) November 20, 2024

Thus why there is some trepidation when Disney has a Moana 2 releasing in one week that is a hastily repurposed television series Bob Iger decided to use to fill a gap in the cinema schedule. The sequel comes from a brand-new studio that has worked at break-neck speeds to get the movie done in time. The soundtrack doesn’t feature the amazing talents of Lin Manuel Miranda who made the first film’s music instant Disney classics. While Moana 2 may be a huge hit and could be a fantastic win for the company, there are warning signs. A review embargo that doesn’t lift until hours before the movie releases is one. A soundtrack that still isn’t public is another. For leadership at Disney, Moana 2 isn’t just a movie — how it is received will impact a vast empire of merchandising and brand-related ecosystems for a decade-to-come. Even if Moana 2 breaks a billion at the box office, it needs to be good so that it doesn’t take the winds out of the sails of Moana and Maui in their future adventures.

If you have any doubt, check out this press release from Disney outlining their plans for the Polynesian princess:

When Walt Disney Animation Studios released Moana in theaters in November 2016, it was clear audiences felt a deep connection to the strong-willed, independent wayfinder (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho).

The film topped the global box office in its opening weekend and went on to earn more than $643.3 million worldwide. Since then, Moana has consistently been among the Top 10 most-streamed movies of the year—and in 2023, it crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+ and was the most streamed movie on any platform in the U.S.

But the franchise’s popularity goes far beyond her onscreen appearances. Watch the video below to see why the creative forces behind the franchise believe there’s no story quite like Moana and no company quite like Disney.

Not only are apparel, books, games, and toys offered at Disney Store and other retailers, but Moana’s story continues in Disney’s theme parks around the world — as well as on the high seas. From the “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” stage show at Hong Kong Disneyland to the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction at Walt Disney World Resort, there are plenty of memorable ways to engage with the beloved story. And soon, guests can enjoy Disney The Tale of Moana aboard the Disney Treasure cruise ship, which will bring Moana’s musical journey to the stage for the first time ever.

“I love that people can continue Moana’s story by themselves,” says David Derrick Jr., who worked on the first film and directs Moana 2 with Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller. “With every toy that you have, you get to reenact the story or you get to find new ones. And I love how through the toys, through the parks, it allows everyone to become part of that incredible journey and to be inspired by Moana and all the characters in the story.”

Cravalho adds, “Disney magic can be felt everywhere.”

“It’s an incredible responsibility to work on a sequel to a film that people love so much,” Miller says. “I don’t think any of us ever anticipated or thought that 178 million people would watch the [first Moana 2] trailer in 24 hours, but I get it. We all want to be Moana.”