Moana 2 (2024)
Movie · 2024 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy · 1h 40m · PG · English
Curator score: 1.5/10 (801.7K ratings)
Tagline: The ocean is calling them back.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
Ratings:
- Curator score: 1.5/10
- IMDb: 6.3/10
- Letterboxd: 2.78/5
- Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
- Metacritic: 58
- TMDB: 7.0/10
Director: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Production: Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Gerald Ramsey, Alan Tudyk, Jemaine Clement, Tofiga Fepulea'i, Jasmine Johnson, Tiana Johnson, Ata Maivia Johnson, Bryson Chun, Noemi Josefina Flores, Setarosa Tuitasi-Ledoux
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict: A bright, kid-friendly ocean adventure with appealing characters and polished spectacle, but it draws criticism for feeling overextended, mechanically plotted, and less emotionally resonant than the original. It works best as easygoing family entertainment rather than a must-see sequel.
Best for: families with younger kids; fans of colorful animated adventure; viewers who want a low-stakes musical fantasy; audiences attached to the characters and world of the first film
Skip if: you want a tightly structured story; you expect the sequel to deepen the original's emotional arc; you are sensitive to franchise padding or TV-episode energy; you mainly want memorable songs on the level of the first film
Overview: Moana 2 has the kind of broad, glossy appeal that makes it easy to watch with a family: big ocean vistas, lively side characters, and a steady stream of quest mechanics. The animation remains attractive in motion, and the film leans hard into the comfort of returning to a world audiences already know and like.
Worth noting: The downside is that the sequel often feels assembled rather than discovered. The story moves through mission beats with limited surprise, and several reviews point to a sense of repetition and a thinner emotional payoff than the original. It has enough momentum to entertain, but not enough invention to feel essential.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for an uncomplicated animated adventure for kids, it does the job. If you’re hoping for the kind of musical, character-driven spark that made the first film stand out, this one is more of a mixed return trip than a triumphant voyage.
Top Letterboxd reviews:
- alli: Give Moana a girlfriend
- JoshuaPictures: I'm already forgetting what happened
- James (Schaffrillas): The water looked worse than it did in the original 😐
- jonathan fujii: Schaffrillas is not going to be happy
- Louis Peitzman: Lin-Manuel Miranda sweetie I'm so sorry.
Recommended similar titles:
- Mulan (1998 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 28m · G · Curator 8.7/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A strong animated Disney adventure about duty, identity, and stepping into a larger destiny, with a similar balance of humor, action, and family appeal.
- The Little Mermaid (1989 · Animation, Family, Fantasy · 1h 23m · G · Curator 7.3/10 (1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
Shares the buoyant fantasy-adventure spirit, musical storytelling, and a heroine pulled toward a wider world beyond home.
- Lilo & Stitch (2002 · Animation, Family, Comedy · 1h 25m · PG · Curator 8.4/10 (1.2M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A warm, funny family adventure with emotional sincerity and a strong sense of place, ideal for viewers who want character over spectacle.
- Tangled (2010 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · PG · Curator 8.2/10 (2.7M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A glossy, crowd-pleasing animated quest with strong chemistry, comedy, and a more consistently engaging emotional arc.
- Frozen (2013 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.5/10 (2.3M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
For audiences who want a Disney musical fantasy with big emotional beats, memorable songs, and a polished sense of wonder.
- Encanto (2021 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.1/10 (1.9M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A family-centered fantasy about legacy and self-discovery, with rich visual invention and a stronger focus on generational themes.
- Raya and the Last Dragon (2021 · Animation, Action, Adventure · 1h 47m · PG · Curator 4.0/10 (780.2K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
An animated journey through mythic landscapes that emphasizes teamwork, trust, and world-building.
- Brave (2012 · Adventure, Animation, Family · 1h 33m · PG · Curator 4.8/10 (1.8M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A mythic adventure about a young heroine navigating family expectations and personal independence in a lush fantasy setting.
- The Princess and the Frog (2009 · Animation, Romance, Fantasy · 1h 38m · G · Curator 7.9/10 (1.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A lively Disney adventure with charm, comedy, and a classic quest structure that feels more compact and emotionally direct.
- Treasure Planet (2002 · Science Fiction, Adventure, Animation · 1h 36m · PG · Curator 6.7/10 (524.1K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A visually adventurous coming-of-age quest that blends exploration, myth, and a sense of wonder about the unknown.
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002 · Animation, Adventure, Family · 1h 23m · G · Curator 6.3/10 (354K ratings))
A family-friendly animated journey with sweeping landscapes and a strong emotional connection to freedom and home.
- Ponyo (2008 · Animation, Fantasy, Family · 1h 40m · G · Curator 9.0/10 (1.4M ratings) · Where to watch: Max)
A whimsical ocean-centered fantasy that captures childlike wonder and the magic of the sea in a more distinctive way.
Topics: animated adventure, family film, fantasy quest, ocean setting, mythology, coming-of-age, musical, sequel, lighthearted, Disney
https://watchlist.tannermartz.com/apple/movie/moana-2/1241982
Moana 2 (2024)
Movie · 2024 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy · 1h 40m · PG · English
Curator score: 1.5/10 (801.7K ratings)
The ocean is calling them back.
Overview After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.5/10
IMDb: 6.3/10
Letterboxd: 2.78/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Metacritic: 58
TMDB: 7.0/10
Director David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Production Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cast Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Gerald Ramsey, Alan Tudyk, Jemaine Clement, Tofiga Fepulea'i, Jasmine Johnson, Tiana Johnson, Ata Maivia Johnson, Bryson Chun, Noemi Josefina Flores, Setarosa Tuitasi-Ledoux
Where to watch Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict
A bright, kid-friendly ocean adventure with appealing characters and polished spectacle, but it draws criticism for feeling overextended, mechanically plotted, and less emotionally resonant than the original. It works best as easygoing family entertainment rather than a must-see sequel.
Best for
families with younger kids
fans of colorful animated adventure
viewers who want a low-stakes musical fantasy
audiences attached to the characters and world of the first film
Skip if
you want a tightly structured story
you expect the sequel to deepen the original's emotional arc
you are sensitive to franchise padding or TV-episode energy
you mainly want memorable songs on the level of the first film
Overview
Moana 2 has the kind of broad, glossy appeal that makes it easy to watch with a family: big ocean vistas, lively side characters, and a steady stream of quest mechanics. The animation remains attractive in motion, and the film leans hard into the comfort of returning to a world audiences already know and like.
Worth noting
The downside is that the sequel often feels assembled rather than discovered. The story moves through mission beats with limited surprise, and several reviews point to a sense of repetition and a thinner emotional payoff than the original. It has enough momentum to entertain, but not enough invention to feel essential.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for an uncomplicated animated adventure for kids, it does the job. If you’re hoping for the kind of musical, character-driven spark that made the first film stand out, this one is more of a mixed return trip than a triumphant voyage.
Top Letterboxd reviews
alli (5★) · 9863 likes
Give Moana a girlfriend
JoshuaPictures (2.5★) · 8483 likes
I'm already forgetting what happened
James (Schaffrillas) (2.5★) · 8284 likes
The water looked worse than it did in the original 😐
jonathan fujii (2.5★) · 6964 likes
Schaffrillas is not going to be happy
Louis Peitzman (2.5★) · 5940 likes
Lin-Manuel Miranda sweetie I'm so sorry.
Recommended similar titles
1998 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 28m · G · Curator 8.7/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A strong animated Disney adventure about duty, identity, and stepping into a larger destiny, with a similar balance of humor, action, and family appeal.
1989 · Animation, Family, Fantasy · 1h 23m · G · Curator 7.3/10 (1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
Shares the buoyant fantasy-adventure spirit, musical storytelling, and a heroine pulled toward a wider world beyond home.
2002 · Animation, Family, Comedy · 1h 25m · PG · Curator 8.4/10 (1.2M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A warm, funny family adventure with emotional sincerity and a strong sense of place, ideal for viewers who want character over spectacle.
2010 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · PG · Curator 8.2/10 (2.7M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A glossy, crowd-pleasing animated quest with strong chemistry, comedy, and a more consistently engaging emotional arc.
2013 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.5/10 (2.3M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
For audiences who want a Disney musical fantasy with big emotional beats, memorable songs, and a polished sense of wonder.
2021 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.1/10 (1.9M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A family-centered fantasy about legacy and self-discovery, with rich visual invention and a stronger focus on generational themes.
2021 · Animation, Action, Adventure · 1h 47m · PG · Curator 4.0/10 (780.2K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
An animated journey through mythic landscapes that emphasizes teamwork, trust, and world-building.
2012 · Adventure, Animation, Family · 1h 33m · PG · Curator 4.8/10 (1.8M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A mythic adventure about a young heroine navigating family expectations and personal independence in a lush fantasy setting.
2009 · Animation, Romance, Fantasy · 1h 38m · G · Curator 7.9/10 (1.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A lively Disney adventure with charm, comedy, and a classic quest structure that feels more compact and emotionally direct.
2002 · Science Fiction, Adventure, Animation · 1h 36m · PG · Curator 6.7/10 (524.1K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A visually adventurous coming-of-age quest that blends exploration, myth, and a sense of wonder about the unknown.
2002 · Animation, Adventure, Family · 1h 23m · G · Curator 6.3/10 (354K ratings)
A family-friendly animated journey with sweeping landscapes and a strong emotional connection to freedom and home.
2008 · Animation, Fantasy, Family · 1h 40m · G · Curator 9.0/10 (1.4M ratings) · Where to watch: Max
A whimsical ocean-centered fantasy that captures childlike wonder and the magic of the sea in a more distinctive way.
Topics
animated adventure, family film, fantasy quest, ocean setting, mythology, coming-of-age, musical, sequel, lighthearted, Disney
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