Three years after her first voyage, Moana receives an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors. To break an ancient curse and reconnect the people of Oceania, she must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters. Joined by Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers, Moana faces the terrifying storm god Nalo and other monstrous threats in an adventure unlike anything she has ever faced before.
Information |
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|---|---|
Language |
English |
Country |
United States |
Premiere date |
November 27, 2024 |
Running time |
100 minutes |
Genre |
Animation Adventure Comedy Family Fantasy Musical |
Budget |
$150,000,000 |
Box Office |
TBD |
Crew |
|
Directed by |
David G. Derrick Jr. Jason Hand Dana Ledoux Miller |
Produced by |
Yvett Merino Christina Chen |
Written by |
Jared Bush Dana Ledoux Miller |
Music by |
Abigail Barlow Emily Bear Opetaia Foa'i Mark Mancina |
Cinematography |
Rob Dressel |
Edited by |
Jeff Draheim |
Production Co. |
Walt Disney Animation Studios Walt Disney Pictures |
Distributed by |
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Official Trailer
The Plot
The Vision of Tautai Vasa
Three years after her initial voyage across the sea to restore the heart of Te Fiti, Moana has settled into her role as a leader, spending her days exploring the waters surrounding her home island of Motunui. Her goal is to discover other civilizations or individuals who share a connection to the ocean. Upon returning from one of these expeditions, she is officially bestowed the title of Tautai, marking her as Motunui's first master wayfinder in a thousand years. However, the celebration is interrupted when Moana receives a harrowing vision from her ancient ancestor, Tautai Vasa.
Vasa reveals the dark truth behind the ocean's silence: a malicious storm god named Nalo, hungry for dominion over mortals, sunk the legendary island of Motufetu into the darkest depths of the sea. Motufetu was once the mystical hub that connected all islands, and its disappearance severed humanity's bond with the ocean. Vasa warns Moana that Nalo’s curse is spreading, and the people of Motunui face certain extinction in the future unless she can locate and raise the lost island. Heeding the call, Moana prepares for a perilous journey, guided by the path of a comet that streaks across the sky toward Motufetu's location.
Assembling the Crew
Understanding that this voyage is too dangerous to undertake alone, Moana assembles a specialized crew from her village. She recruits Loto, a brilliant craftswoman capable of maintaining their vessel; Moni, the village historian and an enthusiastic admirer of Maui; and Kele, a grumpy, elderly farmer who is reluctant to leave the land. Accompanied by her loyal animal companions—Pua the pig and the dim-witted rooster Heihei—Moana sets sail, following the celestial trail of the comet into uncharted waters.
Maui’s Captivity and the Kakamora
Meanwhile, the demigod Maui has been on his own quest to find Motufetu, motivated by a past quarrel with Nalo. However, his mission is cut short when he is ambushed and captured by Matangi, a fearsome enforcer serving the storm god. Despite his predicament, Maui refuses to reach out to Moana for assistance, fearing that drawing her into Nalo’s domain would result in her death. Unaware of Maui's situation, Moana and her crew navigate into hostile territory and are intercepted by the Kakamora, a tribe of savage, coconut-armored pirates.
During the confrontation, the Kakamora reveal a surprising truth: Nalo’s destruction of Motufetu severed them from their ancestral home as well, driving them to piracy out of desperation. Finding common ground, a Kakamora named Kotu agrees to assist Moana. Kotu guides the crew to a gargantuan monster clam, which serves as the hidden lair of Matangi. Working together, they manage to paralyze the giant creature, allowing them to infiltrate the beast and search for the captured demigod.
The Enforcer’s Betrayal
Inside the lair, the crew successfully locates Maui. During the rescue, Moana comes face-to-face with Matangi. In a twist of fate, Matangi reveals that she despises her servitude to Nalo and is unhappy with the storm god's tyranny. Instead of fighting them, Matangi aids Moana, facilitating the crew's escape and reunion with Maui. Before they depart, she provides them with the coordinates to Nalo’s realm, sending them toward the final confrontation.
Despair on the Isolated Island
As the group regroups, Maui issues a grave warning: Nalo’s realm is far deadlier than the mortal world, and challenging him is tantamount to suicide. His fears are realized when Nalo’s monstrous minions ambush the raft. The vessel is heavily damaged in the chaos, and the group is washed ashore on a desolate, isolated island. Faced with a broken boat and an overpowering enemy, Moana begins to succumb to despair, fearing she has led her people to their doom.
Seeing her resolve crumble, Maui steps up to encourage her, urging her to push forward. Revitalized by his support, the group formulates a desperate plan: Maui will use his magical fishhook to physically haul Motufetu up from the ocean floor, and Moana must touch the island to break the curse, as only a mortal connection can restore it. Loto and the crew work tirelessly to repair the raft, and once seaworthy, they ride out to face the storm god.
The Sacrifice
The confrontation is catastrophic. As they approach the submerged location of Motufetu, they are met by a gigantic, supernatural storm summoned by Nalo, who is determined to prevent the curse from being broken. Maui engages the god, hooking the sunken island and straining with all his might to lift it toward the surface. However, Nalo strikes back with devastating force, blasting Maui with a bolt of lightning that strips him of his demigod powers and godhood instantly.
With Maui powerless and the mission on the brink of failure, Moana realizes there is no time left. In a moment of absolute desperation, she dives into the raging ocean, swimming down toward the submerged island. She succeeds in touching Motufetu, initiating the reconnection, but Nalo unleashes his full fury. His magical storm strikes Moana underwater, and the lethal force of the lightning kills her instantly.
Rise of a Demigoddess
Witnessing Moana’s sacrifice, a powerless Maui dives into the depths after her lifeless body. Refusing to let her end this way, he begins a powerful magical chant, calling upon the spirits of the ancestors. Tautai Vasa and Moana’s grandmother, Tala, appear from the spiritual realm to answer the call. Through the combined power of the ancestors and Maui’s plea, Moana is revived, but she is changed; she is reborn as a demigoddess, her skin now bearing glowing, magical tattoos similar to a wayfinder’s chart.
Simultaneously, Maui regains his godhood and strength. With their combined power, they finally raise Motufetu completely from the depths, locking it into place. The restoration of the island sends a shockwave across the world, reconnecting the ocean with all mortals and breaking Nalo’s hold over humanity.
The Wayfinder’s Return
With the balance restored, Moana and her crew return to Motunui, leading a massive flotilla of people from across the ocean who have been reunited by the raising of Motufetu. The village erupts in celebration, honoring Moana not just as a chief or a wayfinder, but as a legendary figure who bridged the divide between the land and the sea.
A Gathering of Villains
In a mid-credits scene, the threat has not been entirely vanquished. Nalo, seething with rage over his defeat, prepares to exact revenge. He turns his wrath toward Matangi, intending to punish her for her betrayal in aiding Moana. However, their interaction is interrupted by the arrival of Tamatoa, the giant coconut crab. Seeking retribution for his humiliation three years prior, Tamatoa offers to join Nalo’s cause, forging a new alliance of villains dedicated to destroying Moana.
Top Cast
- Auli'i Cravalho as Moana
- Dwayne Johnson as Maui
- Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui
- Nicole Scherzinger as Sina
- Alan Tudyk as Heihei
- Rose Matafeo as Loto
- David Fane as Kele
- Hualālai Chung as Moni
- Rachel House as Gramma Tala (Spirit)
- Awhimai Fraser as Matangi
Movie Collection
- Moana (2016)
- Moana 2 (2024)
- Moana (2026)
