Moana (2016)
Movie · 2016 · Adventure, Comedy, Family, Animation · 1h 47m · PG · English
Curator score: 6.9/10 (2.2M ratings)
Tagline: The ocean is calling.
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
Ratings:
- Curator score: 6.9/10
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Letterboxd: 3.71/5
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
- Metacritic: 81
- TMDB: 7.6/10
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Production: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, Louise Bush, Oscar Kightley, Troy Polamalu, Puanani Cravalho, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christopher Jackson
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict: A bright, crowd-pleasing adventure with strong songs, vivid animation, and a sincere coming-of-age arc. It works especially well as a family watch or for viewers who want an uplifting quest story with mythic scale and a warm sense of humor.
Best for: families and kids; fans of musical animation; viewers who like heroic coming-of-age stories; people who enjoy mythic adventure with comedy
Skip if: you want a darker or more complex fantasy; you dislike frequent musical numbers; you prefer low-key or realistic storytelling
Overview: Moana is one of Disney’s most confident modern animated adventures, balancing a classic quest structure with a heroine who feels determined, capable, and self-possessed. The film’s ocean setting gives it a sense of motion and wonder from the start, and the animation repeatedly finds ways to make the world feel alive and playful.
Worth noting: The songs are a major part of the appeal, with a few standout numbers that do a lot of character work while keeping the pace buoyant. It’s also a rare family film that treats its lead’s courage as something earned through persistence rather than destiny alone, which gives the story a satisfying emotional spine.
Bottom line: Its humor is broad but effective, and the supporting characters are memorable without overwhelming the central journey. If you want an accessible, visually rich adventure that plays well for both kids and adults, this is an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews:
- Kait: I had to go to the campus health center tonight bc I was having an anxiety attack and the nurse let me watch this on her computer so shoutout to jennifer
- robert: well at least it wasn't called some bullshit like 'wet'
- shay: frozen (2013) found dead in miami
- Jessica Wessica: My boyfriend likes the singing crab a normal amount
- Syaoran: I prefer the pig over the chicken.
Recommended similar titles:
- The Little Mermaid (1989 · Animation, Family, Fantasy · 1h 23m · G · Curator 7.3/10 (1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A classic Disney musical adventure with a strong heroine, ocean imagery, and a similarly buoyant sense of wonder.
- Mulan (1998 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 28m · G · Curator 8.7/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
Shares the determined heroine arc, family duty, and action-forward storytelling with a clear emotional payoff.
- Pocahontas (1995 · Adventure, Animation, Family · 1h 21m · G · Curator 3.3/10 (682.5K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A mythic Disney adventure shaped by nature, identity, and a sweeping visual style.
- Hercules (1997 · Animation, Family, Fantasy · 1h 33m · G · Curator 7.3/10 (1.2M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
Another playful myth-based Disney film that mixes comedy, songs, and larger-than-life adventure.
- Aladdin (1992 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 31m · G · Curator 8.2/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
Fast-moving, funny, and musical, with a charismatic central journey and broad crowd appeal.
- 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 modern Disney musical with strong personality, vivid animation, and a heroine driven by ambition and heart.
- Tangled (2010 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · PG · Curator 8.2/10 (2.7M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A lively, family-friendly adventure with a spirited lead, comic side characters, and strong musical energy.
- Frozen (2013 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.5/10 (2.3M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
For viewers who like Disney’s modern blend of empowerment, songs, and emotional family stakes.
- Encanto (2021 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.1/10 (1.9M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A colorful musical about family responsibility, self-worth, and finding your place in a magical world.
- Kubo and the Two Strings (2016 · Animation, Adventure, Family · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 8.2/10 (496.8K ratings))
A visually rich quest film rooted in folklore, family memory, and a young hero’s growth.
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002 · Animation, Adventure, Family · 1h 23m · G · Curator 6.3/10 (354K ratings))
A sweeping animated journey centered on freedom, landscape, and emotional resilience.
- The Prince of Egypt (1998 · Adventure, Animation, Drama · 1h 39m · PG · Curator 8.0/10 (667.7K ratings))
Epic animated storytelling with serious mythic weight, striking music, and grand visual scale.
Topics: animated adventure, family film, musical, coming-of-age, mythic quest, ocean setting, uplifting, comedy, Disney renaissance, heroine-led
https://watchlist.tannermartz.com/apple/movie/moana/277834
Moana (2016)
Movie · 2016 · Adventure, Comedy, Family, Animation · 1h 47m · PG · English
Curator score: 6.9/10 (2.2M ratings)
The ocean is calling.
Overview In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
Ratings
Curator score: 6.9/10
IMDb: 7.6/10
Letterboxd: 3.71/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Metacritic: 81
TMDB: 7.6/10
Director Ron Clements, John Musker
Production Walt Disney Animation Studios
Cast Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, Louise Bush, Oscar Kightley, Troy Polamalu, Puanani Cravalho, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Christopher Jackson
Where to watch Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict
A bright, crowd-pleasing adventure with strong songs, vivid animation, and a sincere coming-of-age arc. It works especially well as a family watch or for viewers who want an uplifting quest story with mythic scale and a warm sense of humor.
Best for
families and kids
fans of musical animation
viewers who like heroic coming-of-age stories
people who enjoy mythic adventure with comedy
Skip if
you want a darker or more complex fantasy
you dislike frequent musical numbers
you prefer low-key or realistic storytelling
Overview
Moana is one of Disney’s most confident modern animated adventures, balancing a classic quest structure with a heroine who feels determined, capable, and self-possessed. The film’s ocean setting gives it a sense of motion and wonder from the start, and the animation repeatedly finds ways to make the world feel alive and playful.
Worth noting
The songs are a major part of the appeal, with a few standout numbers that do a lot of character work while keeping the pace buoyant. It’s also a rare family film that treats its lead’s courage as something earned through persistence rather than destiny alone, which gives the story a satisfying emotional spine.
Bottom line
Its humor is broad but effective, and the supporting characters are memorable without overwhelming the central journey. If you want an accessible, visually rich adventure that plays well for both kids and adults, this is an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Kait (4★) · 5431 likes
I had to go to the campus health center tonight bc I was having an anxiety attack and the nurse let me watch this on her computer so shoutout to jennifer
robert · 3693 likes
well at least it wasn't called some bullshit like 'wet'
shay (5★) · 3592 likes
frozen (2013) found dead in miami
Jessica Wessica (3.5★) · 2691 likes
My boyfriend likes the singing crab a normal amount
Syaoran (4.5★) · 2390 likes
I prefer the pig over the chicken.
Recommended similar titles
1989 · Animation, Family, Fantasy · 1h 23m · G · Curator 7.3/10 (1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A classic Disney musical adventure with a strong heroine, ocean imagery, and a similarly buoyant sense of wonder.
1998 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 28m · G · Curator 8.7/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
Shares the determined heroine arc, family duty, and action-forward storytelling with a clear emotional payoff.
1995 · Adventure, Animation, Family · 1h 21m · G · Curator 3.3/10 (682.5K ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A mythic Disney adventure shaped by nature, identity, and a sweeping visual style.
1997 · Animation, Family, Fantasy · 1h 33m · G · Curator 7.3/10 (1.2M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
Another playful myth-based Disney film that mixes comedy, songs, and larger-than-life adventure.
1992 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 31m · G · Curator 8.2/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
Fast-moving, funny, and musical, with a charismatic central journey and broad crowd appeal.
2009 · Animation, Romance, Fantasy · 1h 38m · G · Curator 7.9/10 (1.1M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A modern Disney musical with strong personality, vivid animation, and a heroine driven by ambition and heart.
2010 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · PG · Curator 8.2/10 (2.7M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A lively, family-friendly adventure with a spirited lead, comic side characters, and strong musical energy.
2013 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.5/10 (2.3M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
For viewers who like Disney’s modern blend of empowerment, songs, and emotional family stakes.
2021 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 5.1/10 (1.9M ratings) · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A colorful musical about family responsibility, self-worth, and finding your place in a magical world.
2016 · Animation, Adventure, Family · 1h 42m · PG · Curator 8.2/10 (496.8K ratings)
A visually rich quest film rooted in folklore, family memory, and a young hero’s growth.
2002 · Animation, Adventure, Family · 1h 23m · G · Curator 6.3/10 (354K ratings)
A sweeping animated journey centered on freedom, landscape, and emotional resilience.
1998 · Adventure, Animation, Drama · 1h 39m · PG · Curator 8.0/10 (667.7K ratings)
Epic animated storytelling with serious mythic weight, striking music, and grand visual scale.
Topics
animated adventure, family film, musical, coming-of-age, mythic quest, ocean setting, uplifting, comedy, Disney renaissance, heroine-led
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