Moana’s Meteoric Rise—and the Journey Continues
While Toy Story 5 is making headlines with $614 million already earned in just two weeks, Moana (called Vaiana in some regions) has become one of Disney’s standout heroines since her debut in November 2016. In only two movies, this young Polynesian explorer has helped steer her franchise to a staggering $1.7 billion worldwide. And there’s more to come.
On July 8, 2026, the live-action version of Moana’s original story hit theaters, marking another milestone for the franchise. Given Moana's strong popularity on streaming platforms and the recent success of Disney’s previous live-action release, Lilo & Stitch—which earned $1.038 billion—the billion-dollar mark seems well within reach for the new film.
What’s Next: Moana 3 on the Horizon
Disney executives are reportedly thrilled with the continued success and are eager to expand Moana’s cinematic universe. Fans have even more reason to celebrate: Dwayne Johnson, who plays Maui in both animated and live-action versions, confirmed during a red carpet appearance that a third animated Moana film is in the works.
“Yes, we’ve already talked about a Moana 3, yes. First, we’re focusing on the live-action. That comes out as a priority. Then, we still have our incredible Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Millers, who are our writers… And they'll write this third film.”
Johnson’s comments offer hope for fans who felt Moana 2 didn’t quite meet expectations. According to reports, Moana 2 was originally developed as a Disney+ series, not as a feature film. After reviewing early footage, Disney shifted plans and requested a new edit for theatrical release. That abrupt change led to a less cohesive story and a drop in animation quality as creators had to quickly rework the material.
Moana 3 Aims for the Big Screen
This time, with Moana 3 being conceived for theaters from the start, the writers and animation team are aiming to deliver their best work, much like the original movie. With fresh focus and careful planning, expectations are high for this third installment to capture the charm and energy that made the first film such a hit.
If you’re a Moana fan, now’s the time to get excited—the next adventure is already on the horizon.
