Robust winds are benefiting Moana 2 because it sails into shore.
The Walt Disney Animation Studios tentpole set information Monday when it comes to first-day advance ticket gross sales, in accordance with on-line retailer Fandango.
It offered extra tickets than every other 2024 animated movie, together with fellow Disney/Pixar summer time 2024 blockbuster Inside Out 2. It’s additionally the fourth-best displaying of the yr for any film behind Deadpool & Wolverine, Depraved and Dune: Half 2. (It’s no surprise why field workplace observers have bequeathed the sequel with its personal particular moniker: “Moanapocalpyse.”)
The occasion pic hits theaters Nov. 27, the Wednesday earlier than Thanksgiving, and 5 days after Paramount’s Gladiator II and Common’s Depraved open in North America. Theater house owners are relying on the trio of extremely anticipated tentpoles to shore up ticket gross sales after a tricky begin to the third quarter.
David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller directed the animated function, which reunites voice stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. The story follows Moana as she embarks on an surprising journey in long-lost waters after receiving a name from her ancestors. Johnson reprises his function as demigod Maui.
As a testomony to Moana’s enduring recognition, the unique movie, which got here out in 2016 and grossed north of $687 million globally, was probably the most streamed film throughout all platforms in 2023, per Nielsen.
Moana 2 was initially developed as a tv sequence earlier than being reworked as a theatrical sequel. That includes new songs from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Moana 2 counts Christina Chen and Yvett Merino as producers.
A trailer for the film launched in late Might was seen by 178 million individuals in its first 24 hours, greater than every other trailer for a movie within the historical past of Disney’s animated empire, which is made up of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. (Moana is from Disney Animation.)
Disney and Johnson are additionally behind the live-action Moana remake from director Thomas Kail that’s set to open in theaters on July 10, 2026.
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Auli’i Cravalho is giving Moana followers a sneak peek of the Disney movie’s latest merch earlier than the wayfarer princess of Motonui units sail for the massive display this fall.
Forward of Moana 2‘s theatrical launch on Nov. 27, Cravalho (who returns because the voice of Moana) unveils the sequel’s upcoming toys with no scarcity of “oohs,” “ahhhs” and “wows” in an unboxing video premiering completely on The Hollywood Reporter above. The 23-year-old Hawaii-born star showcases a slew of holiday-ready merchandise, together with a brand new model of the Disney princess’ light-up shell necklace and a squeaking figurine of Moana’s pet rooster, Hei Hei (“Alan Tudyk can be proud!,” she exclaims), by Jakks Pacific; and a singing Moana doll and canoe playset by Mattel.
“Okay, to begin with, she has a lei po’o on [and] the enduring necklace,” Cravalho says of the normal Hawaiian floral crown on her singing Moana doll. As for the toy’s vocal chops? “Oh! Wow! Ah! You sound good!”
The Mattel and Jakks Pacific objects are among the many upcoming releases for Moana 2, together with a brand new American Woman doll with equipment, Funko Pop! vinyl collectible figurines, Lego constructing units, Popsockets telephone equipment and extra. Choose merchandise are actually obtainable on-line at Goal, Amazon, Walmart and different retailers, and can land on brick-and-mortar cabinets starting in October.
Moana 2 follows Moana (Cravalho) three years after the primary movie and sees her reuniting with the Hawaiian god, Maui (Dwayne Johnson) for an thrilling new ocean voyage on the name of her ancestor, Tautai Vasa (Gerald Ramsey). The sequel introduces Moana’s little sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda) and a brand new crew of budding seafarers (voiced by Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo). Per the movie’s logline, “After receiving an sudden name from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana should journey to the far seas of Oceania and into harmful, long-lost waters for an journey not like something she’s ever confronted.”
Returning stars Rachel Home (Tala, Moana’s grandmother), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui, Moana’s father) and Nicole Scherzinger (Sina, Moana’s mom) additionally reprise their roles within the sequel. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ldoux Miller, Moana 2 will function music by Grammy-winning musicians Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (of the TikTok-famous Unofficial Bridgerton Musical album), three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina and Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i.
In Might, Moana 2 set the document for the most-watched trailer in Disney Animation and Pixar’s historical past. Although Cravalho voices the movie’s adventurous protagonist, she received’t be taking part in her within the live-action model. (She did, nonetheless, star as Ariel in a live-action particular of The Little Mermaid Dwell! in 2019.)
“As an government producer on the movie, I can not wait to assist discover the following actress to painting Moana’s brave spirit, plain wit and emotional power,” Cravalho introduced on Instagram Reels in 2013. I’m actually honored to move this baton to the following younger girl of Pacific Island descent to honor our unimaginable peoples, cultures and communities that assist encourage her story.”
She defined the transfer earlier this yr on the second annual Pasifika Leisure Development Komiti Conversations panel. “Receiving that position after I was 14, I didn’t totally understand how a lot can be placed on my shoulders. For me to be a consultant of all of the Pacific is solely incorrect, so I look ahead to seeing extra faces within the crowd, and, importantly, extra faces behind the digicam, within the writers room, as showrunners, as producers, as business leaders, as a result of having to reply everybody’s questions is an excessive amount of,” she mentioned.
Watch Cravalho’s unboxing video above and the official Moana 2 trailer beneath, and preserve scrolling to buy the Disney sequel’s new merchandise, together with toys, books, costume equipment and extra.
Moana’s Mild-Up Shell Necklace by Jakks Pacific
Disney Moana 2 ‘Moana’s Canoe Crew’ Step into Studying Guide
Disney Moana Doll by American Woman
Lego Moana’s Journey Canoe
Disney Moana 2 Maui Pua Heihei Prepared for a New Journey T-Shirt
Disney Moana 2 Moana’s Journey Canoe Playset
Disney Moana 2 Squeeze and Scream Hei Hei by Jakks Pacific
Funko Pop! Moana & Little Sis Simea
Disney Moana 2 Singing Journey Doll by Mattel
Disney’s Moana 2 Moana Journey Outfit by Jakks Pacific
Within the first full trailer for Moana 2, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) are again in full power. The brand new look was unveiled to thunderous applause at D23 Friday, the place Johnson and Cravalho have been onhand for a musical efficiency from the film.
“Maui is singing once more. Singing in keys that don’t exist. And my hair seems incredible in Moana 2,” Johnson instructed the group.
Fellow returning voice performers Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger and Alan Tudyk are additionally among the many solid for the film.
David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand direct the film that was initially slated as a Disney+ sequence earlier than Disney’s chief Bob Iger revealed that the manufacturing can be altering course to a full-fledged characteristic movie sequel.
A teaser trailer was launched earlier this yr, and the administrators debuted footage on the Annecy Animation pageant. On the time, Derrick supplied of the movie’s plot: “We start our story with Moana, three years after the primary movie. She’s exploring the seas, trying to find new islands, mapping the ocean, hoping to seek out different folks. Because the folks of Motunui haven’t seen anybody for generations, Moana is aware of that the ocean connects us.”
The trailer’s launch at D23 in Anaheim coincided with the Mouse Home debuted first seems at a number of different upcoming movies. The studio can be in manufacturing on a live-action Moana film, due out in 2026 from director Thomas Kail, that may see Johnson additionally play Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia set to play Moana.
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