How To Watch The 'Moana' Movies In Order
Since its premiere in 2016, Moana has been one of Disney’s fastest-growing franchises. In addition to receiving a sequel in 2024, Moana will be one of Disney’s newest computer-animated films to score a live-action adaptation, set to premiere in 2026.
Viewers interested in the sequel and live-action adaptation can use our guide to find out how to watch the Moana movies in order and where they’re available online, including platforms like Disney+.
Moana tells the story of Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho), a young woman from Montunui, who teams up with the shapeshifting demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to fulfill her destiny of restoring the heart of Te Fiti. The film is Disney animation at its finest, filled with stunning visuals, a representative story that celebrates Polynesian culture, and a breathtaking soundtrack featuring songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda. It finds the perfect balance between humor, heart, fantasy, and depth, offering a timeless story for audiences of all ages.
Moana is the perfect movie for fans of Disney’s diverse and musical computer-animated films. Its music is on par with the brilliant score from Encanto (2021), while Moana is an inspiring, fierce heroine reminiscent of Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) and Brave’s (2012) bold, female protagonists. If you’re looking for family-friendly animation with fun music, strong themes, diversity, and great role models, Moana is the perfect movie.
Gone Fishing is a short film that follows Maui and Moana as they learn how their treatment of the ocean impacts their fishing success. It’s a fun brief for Moana fans seeking a little more of the franchise. The short is more geared toward children and offers a nice lesson about respecting nature; older viewers will also appreciate Johnson and Cravalho’s brief reprisals of their iconic roles.
Gone Fishing is very similar to other Disney franchise shorts, such as Jack-Jack Attack (2005) and Frozen Fever (2015), in that it’s short, sweet, and offers fans a brief taste of the franchise, paired with a lighthearted life lesson.
Moana 2 sees Moana set off on her second adventure with Maui and a few new crewmembers as she attempts to raise the sunken island of Motufetu. The sequel is perfect for fans of the original movie. It captures the heart and spirit of the first film, elevating its strong female protagonist, gorgeous oceanic visuals, and expanding the cast to incorporate more humor and friendship.
While Moana 2 doesn’t eclipse the original, that’s to be expected, considering how groundbreaking and iconic Moana was, and Miranda’s absence from the score in the sequel. On the whole, though, it’s a substantial addition to the franchise. It’s similar to works like Frozen II (2019) and Incredibles 2 (2018), which couldn’t recreate the magical experience of the original due to familiarity, but still shine with heartfelt stories, catchy tunes, and adventure. If you’re looking for more Moana, you can’t go wrong with Moana 2.
In 2023, Disney and Johnson surprised fans by announcing a live-action remake of Moana (2026). While Disney is known for remaking its classic animated tales, remaking an animated movie less than a decade old is rare. The remake is exciting nonetheless, with Johnson set to reprise his role of Maui and Cravalho serving as an executive producer.
Meanwhile, award-winning Hamilton director Thomas Kail will direct. Moana has already found its titular hero in Hollywood newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, and the film arrives in theaters in the summer of 2026.
