Full Breakdown
Moana 3 Confirmed: Disney’s Next Animated Sequel in Development
7/3/2026, 9:49:32 PM
Core Announcement: Third Animated Moana Film Confirmed
During a press conference in Rio de Janeiro promoting Disney’s live-action adaptation of *Moana*, actor Dwayne Johnson announced that Disney is developing a third animated installment. He said the project will be written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, the writers of *Moana 2* and the live-action remake. No release date, director, or full cast has been disclosed, and Disney has not issued a formal studio announcement.
Background & Context: Franchise Success Fuels Sequel Plans
The original *Moana* (2016) earned between $643 million and $687 million worldwide and became one of Disney+’s most-watched titles. Its sequel, *Moana 2* (2024), was re-tooled from a streaming series into a theatrical release, opening with $225 million and ultimately grossing $1.059 billion globally. The upcoming live-action remake, directed by Thomas Kail, is slated for a July 10 theatrical debut, underscoring Disney’s strategy of leveraging the franchise across formats.
Key Figures & Creative Team
- Dwayne Johnson – voice of demigod Maui in both animated and live-action versions; primary source of the Moana 3 confirmation.
- Auli‘i Cravalho – expected to reprise the voice of Moana.
- Jared Bush – writer of the original film and co-writer of *Moana 2* and the live-action remake.
- Dana Ledoux Miller – co-writer of *Moana 2* and the live-action remake, now attached to *Moana 3*.
- Bob Iger – Disney CEO who previously affirmed the franchise’s popularity in a February press release.
- Thomas Kail – director of the live-action remake, not yet linked to the animated sequel.
Data & Statistics: Box-Office Performance
- *Moana* (2016): reported grosses of $643.3 million, $680 million, and $687 million across sources.
- *Moana 2* (2024): $1.059 billion worldwide, confirming a billion-dollar franchise.
- Live-action *Moana*: scheduled for global release on July 10, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Disney’s corporate communication, via CEO Bob Iger, emphasized the franchise’s strength: the studio described *Moana* as “an incredibly popular franchise” and expressed eagerness to deliver more stories featuring Moana and Maui. Disney has not released a dedicated press statement confirming *Moana 3*, noting that the project remains in early development.
Criticism & Opposition
Industry commentary has questioned the necessity of a live-action remake of a ten-year-old animated hit, noting that early trailers have received lukewarm reactions. Additionally, *Moana 2* garnered mixed critical reception despite its commercial success, with reviewers citing a lack of narrative depth compared to the original.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Box-Office Figures: Sources differ on the original film’s total gross ($643.3 M vs. $680 M vs. $687 M).
- Official Confirmation: No formal Disney press release announces *Moana 3*; the only confirmation comes from Johnson’s interview.
- Production Details: Director, full cast, musical contributors, and release timeline remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Yes, we have talked about ‘Moana 3,’ yes” — Dwayne Johnson, Actor
- “But first, live-action ‘Moana,’ we’ll let that come out first.” — Dwayne Johnson, Actor
- “Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise, and we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui,” — Bob Iger, Disney CEO
- “IGN gave the sequel a 6/10 in its review: "The ill-conceived Moana 2 is a reminder of what was noteworthy in the original, namely the songs and the humorous supporting characters.” — Cade Onder, IGN Reviewer
What’s Next: Upcoming Live-Action Release and Future Prospects
The live-action *Moana* will open worldwide on July 10, 2026, providing a platform for the announced animated sequel. With writers attached but no further production details, *Moana 3* is expected to follow the multi-year development timeline typical of Disney animated features, though an official release window has not been set.
