Moana 2: Release date, trailer and latest news

A trailer previously gave fans a glimpse at all the danger the gang encounter along the way, as well as providing a first look at a handful of new characters, including Moni, Kele and Loto, portrayed by Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo, as well as Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) and Moana's ancestor Tautai Vasa (Gerald Ramsey).

It might have broken box office records, but the Disney sequel has been hit with lukewarm reviews – with our own RadioTimes.com write-up saying it "lacks the emotional impact" of the original.

Moana 2 is separate from the studio’s live-action remake, which is currently in the works and set to star Johnson as the tattooed demigod Maui.

So, when is the sequel set to land in cinemas and who could star? Read on for everything we know so far about the release date and cast.

Moana 2 release date

Moana 2 was released in cinemas in the UK on Friday 29th November.

This was ever so slightly later than across the pond, where the film arrived on Wednesday 27th November 2024.

"Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise," the company’s CEO Bob Iger said in a statement when the film was announced. "We can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theatres this November."

Iger confirmed to CNBC that Moana 2 is serving as a replacement for a Moana Disney Plus TV series, which was ultimately scrapped for a full-length Moana sequel film.

Moana 2 age rating

The film is rated PG by the MPAA for "action/ peril".

So, while there are some intense action scenes in the movie, it remains suitable for families.

Moana 2 cast

It wouldn't quite be a Moana movie without the first film's star, Auli’i Cravalho, at the helm, so it's a good thing she's reprising the fan-favourite role for a second time.

Dwayne Johnson will be returning as demigod Maui, and is also set to play the character in the live-action Moana as well.

Speaking about Cravalho's return, co-director Dana Ledoux Miller called her "an incredible young woman" and credited her with helping shape Moana's journey in the film.

"We have all of these storyboards we're putting crafting the story together, and then an actress like Auli'i comes into the booth and just adds new layers and new depth, new humour," she explained to RadioTimes.com. "She is incredibly funny. She imbues the story with so much heart and emotion that it's inevitable that she's changing it."

Moana 2 will also feature returning cast members Rachel House as Moana’s Grandma Tala, Temuera Morrison as Moana’s father Chief Tui and Nicole Scherzinger as Moana’s mother Sina.

Meanwhile, other cast members include Hualālai Chung, David Fane, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Moana’s little sister Simea.

Moana 2 plot

As we see in the latest trailer for Moana 2, the film begins with Moana returning home from a three-day journey to be greeted by her younger sister, Simea.

Moana then reveals that she found an object on her journey that symbolises an ancient island that's cursed by "angry gods".

"I know what I have to do," Moana says, as she resolves to set out on a journey to break this curse – and starts assembling a crew to accompany her.

The official summary of the movie reads: "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."

Meanwhile Cravalho explained how Moana being slightly older this time around changes things slightly, telling RadioTimes.com: "For the first time in Disney history, a Disney princess has aged, and I find that to be really special.

"I think that is also a main theme in our story, that Moana is ready to go out even further beyond the reef, and thinks that maybe this journey, as difficult as it is, has a bit of a set nature to it.

"She knows that she's got to go on, go out further than before, and that she'll come back home. But in fact, we see that it takes left turns and loop de loops, and that the life and the path forward is not always straight."

Is there a trailer for Moana 2?

Yes! You can watch the second trailer below:

You can watch the first trailer, too, which made its debut at D23 earlier this year, below:

Moana 2 is available to watch in UK cinemas now.

Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.