Moana 3gets a new update fromMoana 2co-director Dana Ledoux Miller, who expresses optimism regarding the franchise’s future. After the 2016 original movie became a major hit on Disney+, it was confirmed that the in-developmentMoanaTV show would be retooled into a feature film. The sequel hit theaters in November and has been a major box office success, raising questions about thepossibility of aMoana 3, which Disney has not yet officially announced.
During a recent interview withScreen Rantwhile attending the 2025 Golden Globes, Miller, who co-directs the sequel alongside David G. Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand, shares an update regardingMoana’s future. While he doesn’t explicitly confirm that a third animated movie will happen,he recognizes that the franchise is clearly striking a chord with viewers, which bodes well for the live-action remake coming in 2026 and future projects beyond that. Check out his comment below:
I think that the fact that so many people have come out to see this movie means that there’s a lot of love for Moana. In a year and a half I have another film coming out, it’s the live-action Moana, so there’s a lot of Moana love to go around. And who knows what else is next.
What Moana 2’s Success Means For Moana 3
Why A Third Animated Movie Is Likely
As Miller says, there is certainly a lot of love for theMoanafranchise. The original movie was a box office success in 2016, grossing $643 million worldwide, but it really took off when it hit Disney+, quickly becoming one of the streaming platform’s most-watched titles ever.Moana 2’s box office has cemented the franchise’s status as a major Disney hit, and the sequel has, as of writing, grossed an impressive $960 million worldwide.
Moana 2’s New Characters, Ranked By How Memorable They Are
Many of the new characters in Moana 2, such as Simea and the wicked storm god Nalo, add fun and exciting elements to the 2016 original film.
Even though theMoana 2reviewshaven’t been quite as positive as those for the original, due in large part to the movie starting life as a TV show, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (see chart below) is proof thatgeneral viewers want more adventures from the titular protagonist. The sequel’s success means the live-actionMoanais already on sure footing to become a hit, but Disney will surely not want to let the franchise languish after this film’s release. It seems very likely thatMoana 3will eventually be confirmed to be in development.
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Our Take On A Potential Moana 3
How It Could Improve On The Sequel
IfMoana 3starts life as a movie, as opposed to a TV show, it could fix many complaints about the sequel, which is ultimately less focused and more haphazardly structured than its predecessor. TheMoana 2endingprovides a satisfying conclusion for Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), but it also leaves the door open for further adventures, and it would be exciting to see the character return for at least one more sea-faring quest alongside Dwayne Johnson’s Maui.
Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in the upcoming live-action remake.
After a rough 2023, 2024 marked a major improvement for Disney from a financial perspective, and the company will want to keep this positive momentum going.Doubling down on a tried-and-true franchise likeMoanaseems like an obvious next step, but avoiding franchise fatigue with the upcoming live-action remake will also be key. It remains to be seen whetherMoana 3will happen, but it certainly seems like a safe bet that it will.
Moana
TheMoanafranchise began with the 2016 animated film, which became a major success for Disney. The story follows Moana Waialiki, the daughter of a Polynesian chief, as she embarks on an oceanic journey to save her people with the help of the demigod Maui. The film is celebrated for its vibrant animation, engaging characters, and its deep respect for Polynesian culture. The franchise has since expanded with an upcoming sequel and a live-action adaptation in the works, making it one of Disney’s prominent modern franchises.
