Summary
- Disney has released a new image from Moana 2.
- The image doesn't reveal much about the sequel's story but does show water exploration will continue to play a major role.
- Disney will be watching the response to Moana 2 closely amid recent struggles with animated movies.
An image from Disney's Moana 2 highlights the princess's return. The original Moana released in 2016 and was a huge success for Disney. However, the sequel announcement in February 2024 came as something of a surprise, as the movie was originally planned as a TV series. The release date is quite soon as well, with the film dropping in theaters this November.
Now, Disney has shared a new look at Moana 2. Check it out below:
The still shows Moana with a determined expression familiar to those who saw the first movie. While it doesn't reveal much about Moana 2's story, it highlights how water exploration will continue to play a major role in the sequel.
Moana 2 Could Give Disney a Much-Needed Win
The Company Has Struggled With Its Recent Animated Movies
There was a time when Disney animated movies were almost a guaranteed success. However, films by both Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar have struggled in recent years. Part of this is due to the pandemic, with Disney opting to release movies like Soul and Turning Red on Disney+. But, even post-pandemic, Disney's most recent animated release, Wish, failed to impress at both the box office and with critics.
As Moana is already an established – and incredibly successful – franchise, Disney will be hoping those who enjoyed the first film will turn out for the sequel.
Disney is still capable of creating animated hits, however, with 2021's Encanto a shining example. As Moana is already an established – and incredibly successful – franchise, Disney will be hoping those who enjoyed the first film will turn out for the sequel. It's likely what prompted the company to pivot from a TV show to a movie in the first place.
10 Biggest Questions Moana 2 Needs To Answer
Moana is finally getting a sequel 8 years later, which means a chance for the biggest unanswered questions from the first movie to be addressed.
Still, Moana 2 will have its challenges. For one, the last-minute announcement means the movie could struggle with word of mouth. Additionally, the future of the franchise is a bit muddled right now as a live-action take on the first movie is in the works as well. This could lead to confusion for audiences who don't understand Moana 2 is an animated sequel to the original. Either way, Disney will be closely monitoring the response to the movie, which could play a big role in how the company approaches animated releases going forward.
Source: Disney
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
