Summary
It’s been a big year for Disney at the box office, withInside Out 2andDeadpool & Wolverineeach grossing over a billion dollars. Another of Disney’s major releases in 2024 isMoana 2and its recent box office success is already raising talks of a third movie.
Moana 2was initially developed as a seriesfor Disney+, before it switched to become a theatrical film earlier in the year. The movie, which was released eight years after the original, enlists many of the same cast members including Auli’i Cravalho (Moana), Dwayne Johnson (Maui), Temuera Morrison (Tui), and Rachel House (Tala). TheDisneysequel follows Moana on a journey across the seas of Oceania after receiving a call from her wayfaring ancestors. The movie was released in cinemas on November 27 and quickly set records at the box office.
Moana 3 Is Looking Likely at Disney
The fervor forMoana 2has naturally led to talks of a sequel and, according to industry insiderDaniel Richtman (on Patreon),Moana 3is already in the works at Disney. The studio is yet to officially announce this news and may end up waiting to confirm it at one of its showcases or conventions in 2024.Moana 3would mark only the second Disney original animated movie to receive a third film in its franchise, along withFrozen(thethird film of which will be released in 2027).
The potential for future stories in theMoanaworld was teasedin a post-credits sceneat the end of the recent film. The scene sees the god of storms, Nalo, plot his revenge against Moana and Maui after they defied him. It’s also revealed Nalo has Matangi captive and plans to punish her for assisting his enemies. The scene also sees Tamatoa, the giant nefarious crab from the first movie, join Nalo’s cause, saying he’s also seeking revenge against Moana. This sets the direction for a potentialMoana 3,pitting Moana and Maui up against two of their arch nemeses.
Moana 3 Seems Like a Safe Bet For Disney After Historic Box Office Earnings
A sequel toMoana 2seems like a safe bet for Disney given the box office success the film has garnered. In its first six days, Moana 2 earned $404.5 million according toDeadline, making it the ninth highest-grossing film of the year so far. The movie also set a Thanksgiving box office record with a $225 million domestic intake which beat previous record holdersFrozen IIandHunger Games: Catching Fire. These numbers also beat the debut of the firstMoanafilm, which earned a worldwide total of $687.2 million, a number Moana 2 will no doubt pass in the coming weeks.
While it may be years beforeMoana 3is released, the heroine will be seen again in another format as Disney moves forward on itslive-action adaptation of the first film. Dwayne Johnson is set to reprise his role as Maui in the film with Catherine Laga’aia playing Moana. The movie is aiming for a 2026 release date.
