Disney’s Moana 2 has officially joined the exclusive $1 billion club, becoming the third film of 2024 to achieve the milestone after Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine. The sequel reached the impressive total nearly two months after its Thanksgiving debut, solidifying Disney’s position as a box office powerhouse.
A Record-Breaking Feat for Disney
As reported by Deadline, Moana 2 has grossed $1.01 billion globally, marking the 32nd Disney movie to cross the billion-dollar threshold and the 56th film overall in cinematic history to do so. Of Disney’s entries in this elite group, only four animated films from Disney Animation Studios have achieved this success:
• Frozen
• Frozen II
• Zootopia
• Moana 2
A Legacy of Love for Moana
The original Moana (2016) was a sleeper hit, overshadowed at the time by Zootopia in both box office revenue and critical acclaim, with Zootopia also taking home the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, Moana has since carved out a lasting legacy with its beloved soundtrack, strong streaming presence, and a devoted fan base, ultimately surpassing its predecessor at the box office with Moana 2, despite mixed reviews.
What’s Next for Moana?
With the enormous success of the sequel, Disney is betting big on the live-action adaptation of Moana currently in development. Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), the live-action version will see Dwayne Johnson reprise his role as Maui and is scheduled to release in 2026. Disney’s track record with live-action adaptations has been hit-or-miss, with only two titles—The Lion King and Aladdin—crossing the $1 billion mark.
For now, fans can still catch Moana 2 in theaters, as Disney has yet to announce its home release date. Will the live-action adaptation continue this wave of success? Only time will tell.
