Why ‘Moana 2’ Became a Sequel Theatrical Release and Not a Animated Series. Originally, Moana 2 was going to become a TV series releasing on Disney+ later this year or early next year.
Instead, Walt Disney Animation Studios will release it as the 3rd ever theatrically released sequel. The two other sequels to make it to theatrical release are the Wreck It Ralph sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet, the sequel to Frozen, Frozen 2. Speaking of Frozen 2, we do know that there is at least Frozen 3 hitting theaters, and a possible Frozen 4.
CEO Bob Iger Announces Major Films Coming Including Moana 2, Toy Story 5, Frozen 3, Fantastic Four, The Mandalorian, and Grogu. The Walt Disney Company shared it’s first quarter earnings report, and with that came a slew of major news. Including the announcement of Moana 2 hitting theaters in November of 2024, which was shocking how fast it will be coming out.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by Dave Derrick Jr. with music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, “Moana 2” opens in theaters on Nov. 27, 2024.
So what happened? Why is it a movie and not a Tv series? “This was originally developed as a series, but we were impressed with what we saw, and we knew it deserved a theatrical release,” he added. “The original Moana film from 2016 recently crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+ and was the most streamed movie of 2023 on any platform in the U.S.”
Bob Iger continued “We decided to convert it to a film [from a TV series] when we saw that the 2016 version of ‘Moana’ was the most streamed film of the year in the United States in 2023 on all streaming platforms. It gave us reason to think, well, maybe it shouldn’t be a TV series, but a movie. And so it will be.”
I think an understated quote “We were impressed with what we saw and knew it deserved a theatrical release.” which means the executives working at Walt Disney must have been blown away for this to happen.
Now the only thing left to do is wait! But, while we wait we can watch the original Moana on Disney+, or if you are like us and want to sing along, there is a version on Disney+.
“Moana 2” – November 27, 2024 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
