Moana (2016 film)

On the Polynesian island of Motunui, the inhabitants worship the goddess of nature, Te Fiti; a living island who, long ago, brought life to the ocean using a pounamu stone as her heart and the source of her power. One day, Maui, the shape-shifting demigod of the wind and sea and master of wayfinding, stole Te Fiti's heart to give humanity the power of creation. This caused Te Fiti to disintegrate, and Maui was attacked by Te Kā, a volcanic demon. Maui lost both the heart and his magic fish hook to the depths of the sea.

A thousand years later, the ocean chooses Moana, the daughter of Motunui's chief Tui, to return the heart to Te Fiti. Tui and Sina, Moana's parents, try to keep her away from the ocean to prepare her to become the island's chief. Sixteen years later, blight strikes the island, killing vegetation and shrinking the fish catch. Moana suggests going beyond the island's reef with her pet pig, Pua, to find more fish and discover what is happening, but Tui forbids it. Moana tries conquering the reef, but is overpowered by the tides and shipwrecked. That afternoon, Moana's grandmother Tala shows her a secret cavern of ships and reveals Motunui's people were voyagers until Maui stole Te Fiti's heart; the ocean was no longer safe without it. Tala explains Te Kā's darkness is destroying the island, but can be cured if Moana finds Maui and has him restore the heart of Te Fiti. Having been given the heart by the ocean, Tala gives it to Moana. Tala later becomes gravely ill and tells Moana to find Maui.

Moana sets sail on a camakau from the cavern along with her dimwitted pet rooster, Heihei, who stowed away on it. They are caught in a typhoon and shipwrecked on an island, where she finds Maui, who boasts about his achievements. She demands Maui return the heart, but he refuses and traps her in a cave before leaving on her boat. She escapes and confronts Maui, who reluctantly lets her on the camakau. They are attacked by Kakamora, coconut pirates who seek the heart, but Moana and Maui outwit them. Moana realizes Maui is no longer a hero since he stole the heart and cursed the world, and convinces him to redeem himself by returning the heart. However, Maui first needs to retrieve his fishhook in Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters, from Tamatoa, a giant coconut crab. While Moana distracts Tamatoa, Maui retrieves his hook, only to find himself unable to control his shape-shifting. He is overpowered by Tamatoa, but Moana's quick thinking allows them to escape with the hook. Maui reveals his first tattoo was earned when his human parents abandoned him as an infant, and the gods, taking pity on him, granted him his powers. After reassurance from Moana, Maui teaches her the art of way-finding, regaining control of his powers, and the two grow closer.

They arrive at Te Fiti's island, only to be attacked by Te Kā. Moana refuses to turn back, resulting in Maui's hook being badly damaged. Unwilling to lose his hook again, Maui abandons Moana, who loses hope and tearfully asks the ocean to find someone else to restore the heart. The ocean obliges and takes the heart, but Tala's spirit appears, inspiring Moana to find her true calling.

Moana retrieves the heart and sails back to confront Te Kā. Maui returns, having had a change of heart, and buys Moana time to reach Te Fiti by fighting Te Kā, destroying his hook in the process. Upon being unable to find Te Fiti, Moana realizes Te Kā is Te Fiti, but corrupted without her heart. The ocean clears a path for Moana, allowing her to return the heart to Te Fiti, who heals the ocean and islands of blight. Maui apologizes to Te Fiti, who fixes his hook as well as Moana's boat before falling into a deep sleep and becoming an island. Moana bids farewell to Maui and Te Fiti, returning home and reuniting with her parents.

After placing a shell on top of the stack of stones placed by all previous chiefs, Moana takes up her role as chieftess and wayfinder, leading her people as they resume voyaging, accompanied by Maui.

File:Auli'i Cravalho December 2016.jpg at the film's premiere in Samoa in December 2016]]

• Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana, who is the curious daughter of village chief Tui and his wife Sina, and is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti
• Cravalho reprised her role in the film's Hawaiian-language version.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbAOujigpkd/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/auliicravalho/1639375036269893917 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Auli'i on Instagram: 'Aloha nui kākou! Eia nō hoʻi au ʻo Auliʻi Cravalho ma Nuioka nei. A piha ʻeu ka hauʻoli i ka hana hou ʻia ʻana ʻo Moana... a i kēia…'|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}
• Louise Bush as young Moana
• Dwayne Johnson as Maui, a legendary strong-willed yet easily annoyed shapeshifting demigod who sets off with Moana on her journey
• Rachel House as Tala, Tui's mother and Moana's paternal grandmother. Like Moana, Tala shares a passion for the ocean and the two have a very deep bond.
• House reprised her role in the film's Māori-language dub.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8CP0LNM0g|title=Te Reo Māori Moana Casting|last=Speak Māori|date=June 8, 2017|via=YouTube|access-date=June 27, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112003944/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8CP0LNM0g|url-status=live}}
• Temuera Morrison as Tui, Moana's overprotective father, Sina's husband, and Tala's son. He is chief of Motunui Island.
• Morrison reprised his role in the film's Māori-language dub.
• Christopher Jackson as Tui's singing voice
• Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa, a giant, villainous, treasure-hoarding coconut crab from Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters.
• Clement reprised his role in the film's Māori-language dub.
• Nicole Scherzinger as Sina, Moana's mother, Tui's wife, and Chieftess of Motunui.
• Scherzinger also reprised her role in the film's Hawaiian-language dub.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BhNP_YVhT58/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BhNP_YVhT58 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Nicole Scherzinger on Instagram: 'I'm over the moon to announce I'll be joining @auliicravalho again for @disneyanimation's MOANA!!! This time the entire film in ʻōlelo...'|website=Instagram|access-date=April 13, 2018}}{{cbignore}}
• Alan Tudyk as Heihei, Moana's pet rooster
• Tudyk also voices Villager No. 3, an old man who suggests cooking Heihei
• Oscar Kightley as a fisherman
• Troy Polamalu as Villager No. 1
• Puanani Cravalho (Auli'i Cravalho's mother) as Villager No. 2

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After directing The Princess and the Frog (2009), Clements and Musker started working on an adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Mort,{{cite news|last=Connelly|first=Brendon|title=What Disney's Film of Terry Pratchett's Mort Might Have Looked Like... And A Preview of Things To Come|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/04/06/what-disneys-film-of-terry-pratchetts-mort-might-have-looked-like-and-a-preview-of-things-to-come/|access-date=October 20, 2014|publisher=Bleeding Cool|date=April 6, 2013|archive-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026110013/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/04/06/what-disneys-film-of-terry-pratchetts-mort-might-have-looked-like-and-a-preview-of-things-to-come|url-status=live}} but problems with acquiring the necessary film rights prevented them from continuing with that project. To avoid a recurrence of that issue, they pitched three original ideas.{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Bruce|title=Sioux City native Ron Clements preps new film for Disney studio|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/entertainment/movies/sioux-city-native-ron-clements-preps-new-film-for-disney/article_90931eff-4f52-5bfe-8fed-20b21ac104b7.html|access-date=October 20, 2014|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|date=August 24, 2013|archive-date=May 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510125652/http://siouxcityjournal.com/entertainment/movies/sioux-city-native-ron-clements-preps-new-film-for-disney/article_90931eff-4f52-5bfe-8fed-20b21ac104b7.html|url-status=live}} The genesis of one of those ideas (the one that was ultimately green-lit) occurred in 2011, when Musker began reading up on Polynesian mythology, and learned of the heroic exploits of the demigod Māui. Intrigued with the rich culture of Polynesia, he felt it would be a suitable subject for an animated film. Shortly thereafter, Musker and Clements wrote a treatment and pitched it to John Lasseter, who recommended that both of them should go on research trips.{{cite interview|title=The Irascible Ron Clements and John Musker Talk 'Moana'|url=http://www.awn.com/animationworld/irascible-ron-clements-and-john-musker-talk-moana|subject=Ron Clements and John Musker|interviewer=Dan Sarto|publisher=Animation World Network|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319042440/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/irascible-ron-clements-and-john-musker-talk-moana|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Giardina|first=Caroline|title='Moana' Directors Reveal How the Story Changed|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/moana-directors-reveal-how-story-changed-950468|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 25, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016|archive-date=November 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126153248/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/moana-directors-reveal-how-story-changed-950468|url-status=live}} Accordingly, in 2012, Clements and Musker went on research trips to Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti to meet the people of the South Pacific Ocean and learn about their culture.{{cite journal|last1=Deitchman|first1=Beth|title=Finding Her Way: Directors John Musker and Ron Clements Have Charted A Course For Their New Film, Moana, Which Sails Into Theatres In November 2016|journal=Disney Twenty-three|date=Spring 2016|volume=8|issue=1|pages=32–33|publisher=Walt Disney Company|location=Burbank|issn=2162-5492|oclc=698366817}} At first, they had planned to make the film entirely about Maui, but their initial research trips inspired Clements to pitch a new idea focused on the young daughter of a chief.{{cite magazine|last1=Robinson|first1=Joanna|title=How Pacific Islanders Helped Disney's Moana Find Its Way|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/moana-oceanic-trust-disney-controversy-pacific-islanders-polynesia|access-date=December 15, 2016|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=November 16, 2016|location=New York|archive-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125090327/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/moana-oceanic-trust-disney-controversy-pacific-islanders-polynesia|url-status=live}}

Clements and Musker were fascinated to learn during their research that the people of Polynesia abruptly stopped making long-distance voyages about three thousand years ago. Polynesian navigational traditions had long predated those of European explorers, beginning around 300 CE.{{Cite book|title=The World and All the Things Upon It: Native Hawaiian Geographies of Exploration|last=Chang|first=David A.|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|year=2016|location=Minneapolis|pages=1–32|chapter=Looking Out From Hawai'i's Shore: The Exploration of the World is the Inheritance of Native Hawaiians}} Native people of the Pacific possessed knowledge of the world and their place in it prior to the incursion of foreigners. For example, Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) were well aware of the existence of far away islands, had names for these places, and were interested in exploring them to benefit their societies. This voyaging heritage was made possible by a geographical knowledge system based on individual perspective rather than the European cardinal direction system. The reasons for the halt of this voyaging tradition remain unknown, but scholars have offered climate change and resulting shifts in ocean currents and wind patterns as one possible explanation. Native peoples of the Pacific resumed voyaging again a thousand years later. Clements and Musker set the film at that point in time, about two thousand years ago, on a fictional island in the central Pacific Ocean, which drew inspiration from elements of the real-life island nations of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.{{cite book |last1=Julius |first1=Jessica |last2=Malone |first2=Maggie |title=The Art of Moana |date=2016 |publisher=Chronicle Books |location=San Francisco |isbn=9781452158976 |page=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=84nTDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA10 |access-date=2017-01-06 |archive-date=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423045544/https://books.google.com/books?id=84nTDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA10 |url-status=live}}

Over the five years it took to develop and produce the film, Clements and Musker recruited experts from across the South Pacific to form an Oceanic Story Trust, who consulted on the film's cultural accuracy and sensitivity as the story evolved through nine versions.{{cite news|last1=Ito|first1=Robert|title=How (and Why) Maui Got So Big in 'Moana'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/movies/moana-and-how-maui-got-so-big.html?_r=0|access-date=November 19, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122055018/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/movies/moana-and-how-maui-got-so-big.html?_r=0|url-status=live}} The Trust responded negatively, for example, to a depiction of Maui as bald, and to a proposed scene in which Moana threw a tantrum by throwing coconuts. In response, Maui was reworked with long hair and the coconut scene was scrapped.

During the 2015 D23 Expo's panel for Disney's slate of upcoming animated films, Moana's last name was given as "Waialiki", but that name was not retained in the final film.{{cite news|title=Meet Disney's New (And First Polynesian) Princess!|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/disney-introduces-first-polynesian-princess-meet-moana-2015208|access-date=March 14, 2017|work=US Weekly|date=August 20, 2015|archive-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001705/http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/disney-introduces-first-polynesian-princess-meet-moana-2015208|url-status=live}}

The first draft of the screenplay was written by Taika Waititi.{{cite news|title=Taika Waititi behind Disney script 'Moana'|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11345855|access-date=October 8, 2015|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=October 21, 2014|archive-date=October 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021170612/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11345855|url-status=live}} Waititi left his position with Disney and went home to New Zealand in 2012 to focus on his newborn first child and What We Do in the Shadows.{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Elle |title=Taika Waititi on shaking up Thor and being a Hollywood outsider: 'They take this stuff so seriously' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/21/taika-waititi-on-shaking-up-thor-and-being-a-hollywood-outsider |access-date=17 August 2019 |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |date=20 March 2017 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807154904/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/21/taika-waititi-on-shaking-up-thor-and-being-a-hollywood-outsider |url-status=live }} Years later, Waititi joked that all that was left of his original draft was "EXT: OCEAN – DAY". The first draft focused on Moana as the sole daughter in a family with "five or six brothers",{{cite interview|last=Giroux|first=Jack|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/moana-john-musker-and-ron-clements-interview/|title=Interview: 'Moana' Directors John Musker and Ron Clements on Making Their First CG Movie|publisher=/Film|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=November 27, 2016|archive-date=November 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124144130/https://www.slashfilm.com/moana-john-musker-and-ron-clements-interview|url-status=live}} in which gender played into the story. However, the brothers and gender-based theme were deleted from the story, as the directors thought Moana's journey should be about finding herself. A subsequent draft presented Moana's father as the one who wanted to resume navigation, but it was rewritten to have him oppose navigation so he would not overshadow Moana. Instead, Pamela Ribon came up with the idea of a grandmother character for the film,{{cite AV media|people=Ron Clements and John Musker|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=REscSO6AEpE|title=Moana: Ron Clements & John Musker Official Movie Premiere Interview|website=YouTube|publisher=ScreenSlam|date=November 27, 2016|time=4:50|format=Video|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027083858/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=REscSO6AEpE|url-status=live}} who would serve as a mentor linking Moana to ancient traditions. Another version focused on Moana rescuing her father, who had been lost at sea.{{cite news|last1=Topel|first1=Fred|title=Moana Directors Talk The Films Influences and Fun References|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/moana/260177/moana-directors-talk-the-films-influences-and-fun-references|access-date=November 23, 2016|work=Den of Geek!|publisher=DoGTech|date=November 21, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123070818/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/moana/260177/moana-directors-talk-the-films-influences-and-fun-references|url-status=live}} The film's story changed drastically during the development phase (which happens with most Disney films), and that idea ultimately survived only as a subtle element of the father's backstory.

Te Kā was referred to in early drafts of the film as Te Pō,Ron Clements and John Musker (2016). Moana: Audio Commentary. Disney. Event occurs at 3:00. a reference to the Māori goddess Hine-nui-te-pō, who was originally the life-giving goddess Hine-tītama, but became the goddess of death upon discovering that her husband, the god Tāne, was also her father.B.G. Biggs, 'Maori Myths and Traditions' in A. H. McLintock (editor), Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, 3 Volumes. (Government Printer: Wellington), 1966, II:447–454. Māui set out to defeat her in order to bring immortality to humans, but failed and was himself killed.{{cite book|last1=Alpers|first1=Anthony|title=Maori Myths and Tribal Legends|date=1964|publisher=Longman Paul|location=Auckland|isbn=0-582-71674-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/maorimythstribal0000alpe/page/70 70]|url=https://archive.org/details/maorimythstribal0000alpe/page/70}}

Aaron and Jordan Kandell joined the project during a critical period to help deepen the emotional story architecture of the film. They are credited with developing the core relationship between Moana and Maui, the prologue, the Cave of the Wayfinders, the Kakamora, and the collector crab Tamatoa (played by Jemaine Clement).{{Cite news|url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33746886/interview-aaron-and-jordan-kandell-hawaii-boys-in-hollywood|title=Hawaii brothers write for Disney's 'Moana'|last=V|first=Billy|work=Hawaii News Now|publisher=Raycom Media|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125111629/http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33746886/interview-aaron-and-jordan-kandell-hawaii-boys-in-hollywood|url-status=live}} Jared Bush received sole credit as the writer of the final version of the screenplay.

Several major story problems were identified in 2015 after the film had already transitioned from development into production, but computer-generated films tend to have much shorter production schedules and much larger animation teams (in this case, about 90 animators) than traditionally animated films. Since Clements and Musker were already working 12-hour days (and Saturdays) directing such a large team of animators, Don Hall and Chris Williams (who had just finished directing Big Hero 6) came on board as co-directors to help fix the film's story issues. The scene in which Maui and Moana encounter the Kakamora is an intentional homage to Mad Max: Fury Road.

File:Dwayne Johnson 2, 2013.jpg played the co-starring role of Maui in Moana.]]

After the filmmakers sat through auditions of hundreds of candidates from across the Pacific, 14-year-old high school freshman Auliʻi Cravalho was cast as the lead character Moana.{{cite news|last1=Rice|first1=Lynette|title=Meet the Next Disney Princess – and Get a First Look at Her Movie, Moana!|url=http://www.people.com/article/disney-princess-moana-aulii-cravalho|access-date=October 8, 2015|work=People|date=October 7, 2015|archive-date=October 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008173107/http://www.people.com/article/disney-princess-moana-aulii-cravalho|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Meet the Voice of Disney's New Princess, Moana|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/620383-meet-the-voice-of-disneys-new-princess-moana|access-date=October 8, 2015|publisher=comingsoon.net|date=October 7, 2015|archive-date=October 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010005507/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/620383-meet-the-voice-of-disneys-new-princess-moana|url-status=live}} At that point in time, the design of Moana's face and personality was already complete, and Cravalho's obvious physical resemblance to her character was simply a coincidence.{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Angela|title=14 Things to Know About Disney's 'Moana' Before You See It|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/14-things-disneys-moana-film/story?id=43276845|access-date=November 19, 2016|publisher=ABC News|location=New York|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119023314/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/14-things-disneys-moana-film/story?id=43276845|url-status=live}} During animation production, Disney animators were able to integrate some of Cravalho's mannerisms into Moana's behavior as depicted onscreen.

The majority of the film's cast members are of Polynesian descent: Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana) and Nicole Scherzinger (Sina, Moana's mother) were born in Hawaii and are of Native Hawaiian heritage; Dwayne Johnson (Maui), Oscar Kightley (Fisherman), and Troy Polamalu (Villager No. 1) are of Samoan heritage; and New Zealand-born Rachel House (Tala, Moana's grandmother), Temuera Morrison (Tui, Moana's father), and Jemaine Clement (Tamatoa) are of Māori heritage.

Moana is Clements and Musker's first fully computer-animated film.{{cite news|last=Desowitz|first=Bill|title=Immersed in Movies: John Musker Talks 'Little Mermaid' Going Blu and 'Moana'|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/john-musker-talks-little-mermaid-blu-ray-and-moana|access-date=October 20, 2014|newspaper=Animation Scoop|date=September 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524192222/http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/john-musker-talks-little-mermaid-blu-ray-and-moana|archive-date=May 24, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} One of the reasons for using computer animation was that the environment, including the ocean, benefited much more from the use of CGI as opposed to traditional animation.{{cite news|last1=Kanai|first1=Maria|title=5 Things You Should Know About Disney's Moana Starring Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson|url=http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/October-2015/5-Things-You-Should-Know-About-Disneys-New-Moana/|access-date=October 16, 2015|work=Honolulu Magazine|date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017000838/http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/October-2015/5-Things-You-Should-Know-About-Disneys-New-Moana/|url-status=live}} The filmmakers have also suggested that three-dimensional computer animation is well-suited to the "beautiful sculpturing" of the faces of the people of the South Pacific.{{cite news|last1=Dell|first1=Brad|title='Moana': a look into Disney's upcoming Polynesian voyage|url=http://www.kaleo.org/features/moana-a-look-into-disney-s-upcoming-polynesian-voyage/article_585eff1c-736e-11e5-83df-2f047746c6e7.html|access-date=October 16, 2015|work=Ka Leo|date=October 15, 2015|archive-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124201448/http://www.kaleo.org/features/moana-a-look-into-disney-s-upcoming-polynesian-voyage/article_585eff1c-736e-11e5-83df-2f047746c6e7.html|url-status=live}} Eric Goldberg worked on the hand-drawn animation used to depict Maui's sentient tattoos.{{cite news|url=http://www.filmdivider.com/9120/concept-art-of-maui-dwayne-johnsons-character-in-disneys-moana/|title=Concept art of Maui, Dwayne Johnson's character in Disney's Moana|date=March 1, 2015|publisher=filmdivider.com|last1=Madison|first1=Charles|access-date=October 8, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930102110/http://www.filmdivider.com/9120/concept-art-of-maui-dwayne-johnsons-character-in-disneys-moana/|archive-date=September 30, 2015|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/veteran-animator-eric-goldberg-joins-802873|title=Veteran Animator Eric Goldberg Joins USC Film School Faculty|date=June 16, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last1=Siegemund-Broka|first1=Austin|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016024135/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/veteran-animator-eric-goldberg-joins-802873|url-status=live}} During early development, the filmmakers considered the possibility of making the film with hand-drawn traditional animation, but only a few early animation tests were made in that style. In the final cut, only Maui's tattoos are hand-drawn.{{cite web|url=http://legionofleia.com/2015/08/d23-interview-with-moanas-dwayne-johnson-and-the-filmmakers/|title=D23: Interview with Moana's Dwayne Johnson and the Filmmakers|last=Busch|first=Jenna|website=Welcome to the Legion!|access-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003224731/http://legionofleia.com/2015/08/d23-interview-with-moanas-dwayne-johnson-and-the-filmmakers/|archive-date=October 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Moana was produced in makeshift quarters in a giant warehouse in North Hollywood (together with Zootopia), while Disney Animation's headquarters building in Burbank was being renovated. Musker observed that Moana was similar in that respect to The Little Mermaid, which was produced in a warehouse in Glendale. Production wrapped on October 20, 2016.{{cite magazine|last1=Snetiker|first1=Marc|title=Moana directors Ron Clements, John Musker talk four decades Disney movies|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/11/24/moana-disney-ron-clements-john-musker/|access-date=January 13, 2017|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|date=November 24, 2016|location=New York|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118114500/http://ew.com/article/2016/11/24/moana-disney-ron-clements-john-musker/|url-status=live}}

{{main|Moana (soundtrack){{!}}Moana (soundtrack)}}

The film's soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on November 18, 2016. The songs were written by Opetaia Foa'i; Mark Mancina, who previously collaborated with the studio on Tarzan and Brother Bear; and Lin-Manuel Miranda, while the score was written by Mancina.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/14/dwayne-rock-johnson-honors-his-heritage-disneys-moana|title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson makes surprise appearance for Disney's 'Moana': 'This is my heritage'|date=August 14, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019032530/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/14/dwayne-rock-johnson-honors-his-heritage-disneys-moana|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Disney's 'Moana' Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Available Today|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disneys-moana-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-available-today-300365700.html|access-date=November 18, 2016|work=PR Newswire|date=November 18, 2016|format=Press release|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119183341/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disneys-moana-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-available-today-300365700.html|url-status=live}} The lyrics are in English, Samoan, and the Tokelauan language.{{cite press release|title=Tokelau Pride: Te Vaka's song for Disney's Princess Moana|url=http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Bulletin/August+2015/Tokelau+Pride+Te+Vakas+song+for+Disneys+Princess+Moana.html|access-date=November 26, 2016|publisher=Government of Tokelau Bulletin|date=August 24, 2015|archive-date=November 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127022516/http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Bulletin/August+2015/Tokelau+Pride+Te+Vakas+song+for+Disneys+Princess+Moana.html|url-status=live}} The soundtrack peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7647928/the-weeknd-returns-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-moana-soundtrack-no-2|title=The Weeknd Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200, 'Moana' Soundtrack Zooms to No. 2|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|magazine=Billboard|date=January 9, 2017|access-date=March 5, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204080400/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7647928/the-weeknd-returns-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-moana-soundtrack-no-2|url-status=live}}

A song from the soundtrack, "How Far I'll Go" with words/lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was nominated for Best Original Song at the 89th Academy Awards.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2017 |title=The 89th Academy Awards 2017 |author= |date= |website=The 89th Academy Awards 2017 |publisher= Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=November 25, 2024 |quote=}}

File:Rachel House by Gage Skidmore.jpg reprised her role in the Māori version of Moana, and took over the direction of the dubbing.]]

In many European countries, the name of the titular character, Moana, was changed to Vaiana due to a trademark conflict. The film was released in those countries to bear the alternative name in the title.{{cite web |url=http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2015/10/08/articulo/1444317349_787548.html |title=La princesa Moana en España se llamará Vaiana (y otros problemas de branding) |trans-title=Princess Moana in Spain will be called Vaiana (and other branding problems) |date=October 11, 2015 |publisher=Verne (El País) |access-date=October 18, 2015 |language=es |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017024632/http://verne.elpais.com/verne/2015/10/08/articulo/1444317349_787548.html |url-status=live }} In Italy, the film was released with the title Oceania;{{cite web |url=http://www.ilpost.it/2015/12/03/moana-oceania-vaiana-disney/ |title=In Italia il nuovo film Disney si intitolerà Oceania e non Moana |trans-title=In Italy, the new Disney movie will be titled Oceania and not Moana |work=Il Post |date=December 3, 2015 |language=it |access-date=December 6, 2015 |archive-date=July 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712004034/http://www.ilpost.it/2015/12/03/moana-oceania-vaiana-disney/ |url-status=live }} media outlets speculated that the name change was to avoid confusion with Italian pornographic actress Moana Pozzi,{{Cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/11/18/disney_changes_moana_to_oceania_in_italy_because_of_porn_actress_moana_pozzi.html |title=Disney Had to Change Moana{{'}}s Title in Italy to Avoid Being Confused With a Porn Star |last=Martinelli |first=Marissa |date=November 18, 2016 |work=Slate |access-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204001339/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/11/18/disney_changes_moana_to_oceania_in_italy_because_of_porn_actress_moana_pozzi.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/disney-changes-moana-title-in-italy-where-it-has-porn-star-connotations-1201921745/ |title=Disney Changes Moana Title in Italy, Where It Has Porn Star Connotations |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=November 18, 2016 |work=Variety |access-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922150343/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/disney-changes-moana-title-in-italy-where-it-has-porn-star-connotations-1201921745/ |url-status=live }} and Disney Italy's head of theatrical marketing, Davide Romani, acknowledged they were "thinking about the issue" at a meeting of Italian exhibitors in 2015.

Following the success brought by international productions of Disney's Frozen, which led to the release of a complete set album which included all the official versions of "Let It Go" released at the time,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Let-Go-Complete-Set-Frozen/dp/B00JG79XHE|title=Let It Go The Complete Set|via=Amazon|access-date=2018-05-21|archive-date=2018-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923215323/https://www.amazon.com/Let-Go-Complete-Set-Frozen/dp/B00JG79XHE|url-status=live}} Disney decided to produce a special Tahitian dubbing for the film. On October 25, 2016, at a press conference in Papeete, it was announced that the film will be the first motion picture to be fully dubbed in the Tahitian language.{{cite magazine |title=Moana to be first Disney film translated into Tahitian language |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/25/moana-tahitian-language-translation |access-date=November 12, 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=October 25, 2016 |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123195142/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/25/moana-tahitian-language-translation |url-status=live }} This marks the second time Disney has released a special dubbing dedicated to the culture which inspired the film: the first case was The Lion King (1994), for which the directors travelled to South Africa to cast voice actors for a Zulu-dubbed version.{{Cite web |title=Inkosi Ubhubesi / The Lion King Zulu Voice Cast |url=https://www.non-disneyinternationaldubbingcredits.com/inkosi-ubhubesi--the-lion-king-zulu-voice-cast.html |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=WILLDUBGURU |language=en |archive-date=2019-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014080532/https://www.non-disneyinternationaldubbingcredits.com/inkosi-ubhubesi--the-lion-king-zulu-voice-cast.html |url-status=live }} The Tahitian dubbing was made available in schools and institutions, but never for the public to purchase.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-05|title=Moana en reo Tahiti • TNTV Tahiti Nui Télévision|url=https://www.tntv.pf/tntv/programmes-tv/moana-en-reo-tahiti/|access-date=2020-08-11|website=TNTV Tahiti Nui Télévision|language=fr-FR|archive-date=2020-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918201610/https://www.tntv.pf/tntv/programmes-tv/moana-en-reo-tahiti/|url-status=live}}

In June 2017, a Māori-language dubbing of the film produced by Matewa Media was announced,{{Cite web |url=http://www.adrenalingroup.com/casting |title=Casting |website=www.adrenalingroup.com |access-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611182740/http://www.adrenalingroup.com/casting |url-status=dead }} premiering in Auckland on September 11, with 30 theatres screening it for free as part of Māori Language Week.{{cite web |last1=Haunui-Thompson |first1=Shannon |title=Moana in Māori hits the big screen |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/339186/moana-in-maori-hits-the-big-screen |website=Radio New Zealand |date=11 September 2017 |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202203045/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/339186/moana-in-maori-hits-the-big-screen |url-status=live }} Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, Temuera Morrison, and Oscar Kightley reprised their respective roles in this version, directed by Rachel House herself.{{Citation |title=Te Reo Māori Moana Casting |date=June 8, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8CP0LNM0g |publisher=Speak Māori |access-date=June 27, 2017 |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112003944/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8CP0LNM0g |url-status=live }} In contrast to the Tahitian dubbing, the Māori version was made available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand, and the soundtrack was uploaded on Disney's official Vevo channel.{{Cite web|title=DVD Moana Reo Maori by NZ Lifestyle - Shop Online for Movies, DVDs in New Zealand|url=https://www.fishpond.co.nz/Movies/DVD-Moana-Reo-Maori/9338683124500|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.fishpond.co.nz|archive-date=2023-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423045546/https://www.fishpond.co.nz/Movies/DVD-Moana-Reo-Maori-DVD-1Disc/9338683124500|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Moana (Te Hopukanga Puoro O Te Kiriata Taketake) - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiNVoBckLqLnXKN8KaFKqnjFNrXYC6wJ5|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.youtube.com|archive-date=2022-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531182107/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiNVoBckLqLnXKN8KaFKqnjFNrXYC6wJ5|url-status=live}}

In November 2017, a Hawaiian-language (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) dubbing was announced to be under way, with Auli{{okina}}i Cravalho reprising her role as Moana and Nicole Scherzinger reprising the role of Sina. The film premiered on June 10, 2018,{{Cite news |url=http://koolina.com/press/disneys-moana-make-world-premiere-%CA%BBolelo-hawai%CA%BBi-ko-olinas-world-oceans-day-june-10/ |title=Disney's Moana to make World Premiere in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at Ko Olina's World Oceans Day, June 10 |work=Ko Olina |date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224072904/http://koolina.com/press/disneys-moana-make-world-premiere-%CA%BBolelo-hawai%CA%BBi-ko-olinas-world-oceans-day-june-10/ |url-status=live }} (press release). and like the Tahitian dubbing, was later distributed for free to schools in Hawaii. It was never released for sale in home media form.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2018/11/27/moana-olelo-hawaii-to-schools/|title=Disney's Moana in Olelo Hawaii to be available to schools across the state|work=University of Hawaiʻi System News|date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716214803/https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2018/11/27/moana-olelo-hawaii-to-schools/|url-status=live}}

{{legend|PaleTurquoise|Highlighted versions were released later than 2016}}

On October 20, 2014, Walt Disney Pictures announced that it would be releasing the film in late 2016,{{cite news|title=Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces 2016 Release, Moana|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124209|access-date=October 20, 2014|work=ComingSoon.net|publisher=CraveOnline|date=October 20, 2014|archive-date=October 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022052840/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124209|url-status=live}} and hinted that it might be the November 23, 2016, release window previously announced by the studio in March 2014 for a then-untitled film.{{cite news|title=Disney Animation Unveils 'Moana' From 'Little Mermaid' Filmmakers For November 2016|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/disney-animation-moana-movie-little-mermaid-concept-art-photo-855739/|access-date=October 21, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=October 20, 2014|archive-date=October 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022110316/http://deadline.com/2014/10/disney-animation-moana-movie-little-mermaid-concept-art-photo-855739/|url-status=live}} In November 2014, Disney confirmed that it would be releasing the film on November 23, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Yamato|first1=Jen|title=Disney Dates 2016 Animated Pics 'Zootopia' & 'Moana'|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/disney-2016-zootopia-moana-1201280412/|access-date=November 10, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 10, 2014|archive-date=November 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111010933/http://deadline.com/2014/11/disney-2016-zootopia-moana-1201280412/|url-status=live}} The film is accompanied by the short film Inner Workings.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/679169-disney-to-premiere-moana-footage-new-short-inner-workings-at-annecy-fest#/slide/1|title=Moana Footage & Inner Workings Coming to Annecy Fest|date=April 22, 2016|website=ComingSoon.net|last1=Evry|first1=Max|access-date=April 25, 2016|archive-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425152851/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/679169-disney-to-premiere-moana-footage-new-short-inner-workings-at-annecy-fest#/slide/1|url-status=live}} The film's world premiere was held on the grand opening of the AFI Fest Celebration at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on November 14, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Flores|first1=Terry|title='Moana' Premiere: Hollywood Transforms Into Ocean of Stars|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/moana-premiere-dwayne-johnson-lin-manuel-miranda-aulii-cravalho-1201918424/|access-date=November 19, 2016|work=Variety|date=November 15, 2016|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119115952/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/moana-premiere-dwayne-johnson-lin-manuel-miranda-aulii-cravalho-1201918424/|url-status=live}}

On January 27, 2017, a sing-along version of Moana was released in more than 2,000 theaters in the United States, featuring on-screen lyrics.{{cite web|title=Disney Says 'You're Welcome': 'Moana' Sing-Along Coming To Theaters Nationwide|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/moana-sing-along/|website=/Film|date=10 January 2017|access-date=January 11, 2017|archive-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112165604/http://www.slashfilm.com/moana-sing-along|url-status=live}}

As part of Disney's 100th anniversary, Moana was re-released between October 13 to 26, 2023 in the United States, on October 14 in Helios theaters across Poland, and between October 26 to November 1 in Latin America opposite Coco.{{cite news |last=Woodroof |first=Cory |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/06/disney-movies-releases-theaters-100th-anniversary |title=8 Disney classics (Toy Story!) re-releasing in movie theaters for its 100th anniversary |work=For the Win |publisher=USA Today |date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629200522/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/06/disney-movies-releases-theaters-100th-anniversary |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pike |date=2023-09-25 |title=Disney 100 se verá en las salas de cine de Colombia |url=https://www.minuto30.com/disney-100-se-vera-en-las-salas-de-cine-de-colombia/1493619/ |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=Minuto30 |language=es |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016213733/https://www.minuto30.com/disney-100-se-vera-en-las-salas-de-cine-de-colombia/1493619/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=NoMonday |title=Uwielbiane klasyki wracają na ekrany kin Helios z okazji 100-lecia Disneya! |url=https://www.agora.pl/uwielbiane-klasyki-wracaja-na-ekrany-kin-helios-z-okazji-100-lecia-disneya |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.agora.pl |language=pl |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027143720/https://www.agora.pl/uwielbiane-klasyki-wracaja-na-ekrany-kin-helios-z-okazji-100-lecia-disneya |url-status=live }} This re-release included the short Once Upon a Studio, which was shown before the film.{{Cite web |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/how-disney-animations-once-upon-a-studio-pays-spectacular-tribute-to-disneys-legacy/ |title=How Disney Animation's 'Once Upon a Studio' Pays Spectacular Tribute to Disney's Legacy - The Walt Disney Company |date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028192156/https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/how-disney-animations-once-upon-a-studio-pays-spectacular-tribute-to-disneys-legacy/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://abc7news.com/disney-100-animation-studios-once-upon-a-studio/13923953/ |title='Once Upon a Studio' debuts on Disney+, features 543 classic characters from 85 films - ABC7 News |date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023034224/https://abc7news.com/disney-100-animation-studios-once-upon-a-studio/13923953/ |url-status=live }}

File:N392HA Hawaiian Airlines 2013 Airbus A330-243 - cn 1404 "Hikianalia".jpg Airbus A330-200 Moana logojet landing at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas in March 2017]]

Prior to the film's first trailer, a Moana DVD appears in the 2016 film Zootopia, alongside Frozen 2 and the unproduced film Gigantic.{{cite web|url= https://screenrant.com/giraffic-zootopia-canceled-disney-movie-explained/|title=The Giraffic DVD In Zootopia Is A Reference To This Canceled Disney Movie|author=Zachary Moser|website=Screen Rant |date=February 6, 2024}} On October 15, 2016, Hawaiian Airlines unveiled their Moana-themed livery for three of their Airbus A330-200 fleet.{{cite news |url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/15/breaking-news/hawaiian-airlines-unveils-moana-plane/ |title=Hawaiian Airlines unveils 'Moana' plane |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=October 15, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=December 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224123514/http://www.staradvertiser.com/2016/10/15/breaking-news/hawaiian-airlines-unveils-moana-plane/ |url-status=live }} Disney initiating a partnership with Hawaiian Airlines{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2016/11/02/hawaiian-airlines-disney-partnership-first-of-its.html |title=Hawaiian Airlines–Disney partnership first of its kind |work=Pacific Business News |first=Katie |last=Murar |date=November 2, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101073022/http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2016/11/02/hawaiian-airlines-disney-partnership-first-of-its.html |url-status=live }} to promote the film has been perceived as having the motive of fetishizing Polynesian island nations as exotic vacation spots, the people and culture of which exist only to entertain foreign audiences,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/critics-accuse-disney-culture-theft-ahead-moana-release-n685866|title=Critics Accuse Disney of 'Cultural Theft' ahead of 'Moana' Release|last=Constante|first=Agnes|date=November 18, 2016|website=NBC News|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213082801/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/critics-accuse-disney-culture-theft-ahead-moana-release-n685866|url-status=live}} as well as Auliʻi Cravalho speaking with The New York Times in an interview sharing travel tips for visitors to Hawaii.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/travel/hawaii-aulii-cravalho-of-moana-disney.html?_r=0 |title=What to See in Hawaii? Ask Auli'i Cravalho of Disney's 'Moana' |work=The New York Times |first=Diane |last=Daniel |date=November 17, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213084841/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/travel/hawaii-aulii-cravalho-of-moana-disney.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }} Critiques of these promotional tactics focus on how adverse effects of tourism have devastated native communities in the Pacific, resulting in environmental degradation and poverty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/13/moana-might-be-great-for-representation-but-its-not-all-heartwarming-for-hawaii|title=Moana might be great for representation but it's not all heartwarming for Hawaii|last=Grandinetti|first=Tina|date=January 12, 2017|website=The Guardian|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213083249/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/13/moana-might-be-great-for-representation-but-its-not-all-heartwarming-for-hawaii|url-status=live}}

A Maui "skin suit" costume made to tie in with the film was pulled by Disney from its online store following complaints about it being culturally insensitive{{cite web|url=http://www.chipandco.com/disney-pulled-controversial-moana-costume-consumer-complaints-248941/|title=Disney has pulled its controversial Moana costume after consumer complaints|date=September 23, 2016|work=Chip and Co.|access-date=September 24, 2016|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514173324/https://chipandco.com/disney-pulled-controversial-moana-costume-consumer-complaints-248941/|url-status=live}} and for appearing to promote brownface.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37425447/disney-accused-of-brownface-over-moana-costume|title=Disney accused of 'brownface' over Moana costume|work=BBC News|access-date=2016-12-28|archive-date=2017-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109155201/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37425447/disney-accused-of-brownface-over-moana-costume|url-status=live}}

There are currently meet-and-greets with Moana at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. At the parks, she is located in Adventureland and is occasionally joined by Maui.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/entertainment/character-meet-moana/ |title="Meet Moana" |access-date=2020-09-04 |archive-date=2021-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202160740/https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/entertainment/character-meet-moana/ |url-status=live }}

At Hong Kong Disneyland, there is a stage show called Moana's Village Festival, which opened in 2018.

Moana was released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on Blu-ray (2D and 3D) and DVD in the United States on March 7, 2017, with a digital release on February 21, 2017. The releases include the short film Inner Workings. The Blu-ray release also introduces a short film featuring Maui and Moana titled Gone Fishing.{{cite web|last1=Wolfe|first1=Jennifer|title='Moana' Sails Home on Digital HD February 21 and Blu-ray March 7|url=http://www.awn.com/news/moana-sails-home-digital-hd-february-21-and-blu-ray-march-7|publisher=Animation World Network|access-date=January 15, 2017|date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115172445/http://www.awn.com/news/moana-sails-home-digital-hd-february-21-and-blu-ray-march-7|url-status=live}} The film sold 4.4 million units and made a revenue of $116.3 million from home video sales, making it the best-selling film of 2017.{{cite web|title=Top Selling Video Titles in the United States in 2017|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/packaged-media-sales/2017|website=The Numbers|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153819/http://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/packaged-media-sales/2017|archive-date=December 3, 2017|url-status=live}} Moana was also released on the streaming service Disney+ on its launch date November 12, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/14/20913417/disney-plus-launch-lineup-marvel-star-wars-pixar-tv-shows-movies-simpsons-national-geographic|title=Disney+ launch lineup: Every movie and TV show available to stream on day one|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=October 14, 2019|website=The Verge|access-date=March 8, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112181432/https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/14/20913417/disney-plus-launch-lineup-marvel-star-wars-pixar-tv-shows-movies-simpsons-national-geographic|url-status=live}} A sing-along version of the film was released on Disney+ July 22, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CgKGrFkBoSi/|title=[Instagram sing-along announcement]|author=Disney+|date=July 18, 2022|accessdate=July 18, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718152440/https://www.instagram.com/p/CgKGrFkBoSi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link|url-status=live}}

Moana grossed $248.7 million in the U.S. and Canada, and $438.4 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $687.2 million. On January 22 and March 16, 2017, respectively, the film reached the $500 million and $600 million marks, becoming the fourth consecutive Walt Disney Animation Studios film to reach both milestones after Frozen (2013), Big Hero 6 (2014), and Zootopia (2016).{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/rogue-one-star-wars-crosses-1-billion-disney-moana-600-million-worldwide-box-office-1201891739/|title='Rogue One' Blasts Past $1B at Global Box Office; 'Moana' Sails To $500M+|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 22, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423045545/https://deadline.com/2017/01/rogue-one-star-wars-crosses-1-billion-disney-moana-500-million-worldwide-box-office-1201891739/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/moana-worldwide-box-office-disney-milestone-1202010248/|title=Disney's 'Moana' Sails to $600 Million at Worldwide Box Office|first=Dave|last=McNary|work=Variety|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319180743/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/moana-worldwide-box-office-disney-milestone-1202010248/|url-status=live}} Although Disney had not disclosed the film's production budget, most of its animated films cost around $150 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-needed-a-brainless-rooster-so-it-called-alan-tudyk-1481212713|title=Disney Needed a Brainless Rooster for 'Moana,' So It Called Alan Tudyk|date=December 8, 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal|location=New York|quote=Disney won't disclose the budget of Moana, but major animated films typically run upward of $150 million.|last1=Thompson|first1=Adam|access-date=December 14, 2016|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213235642/http://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-needed-a-brainless-rooster-so-it-called-alan-tudyk-1481212713|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/thanksgiving-box-office-2016-moana-bad-santa-allied-1201923700/|title=Thanksgiving Box Office: Disney's 'Moana' to Feast on Brad Pitt's 'Allied,' 'Bad Santa 2'|first=Brent|last=Lang|work=Variety|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|quote=Disney didn't release a budget, but most of the studio's animated films cost north of $150 million.|archive-date=December 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211125427/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/thanksgiving-box-office-2016-moana-bad-santa-allied-1201923700/|url-status=live}} Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the film to be $121.3 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues for the film, making it the 12th-most profitable release of 2016.

In the United States, Moana was released during the Thanksgiving weekend. The film played in 3,875 theaters of which a majority of them (80%) screened it in 3D. It also played in 50 premium large-format screens and more than 400 D-Box screens. It was projected to take in around $50 million in three days, with $75–85 million in five days (some estimates going as high as $90 million).{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/moana-fantastic-beasts-bad-santa-allied-box-office/|title='Moana' to Ride Big Box Office Wave With $75 Million-Plus|first=Meriah|last=Doty|work=The Wrap|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122053624/http://www.thewrap.com/moana-fantastic-beasts-bad-santa-allied-box-office/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/holiday-box-office-disney-dominate-can-awards-contenders-escape-arthouse-949021|title=Holiday Box Office: Disney to Dominate, Can Awards Contenders Escape the Arthouse?|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=November 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121231406/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/holiday-box-office-disney-dominate-can-awards-contenders-escape-arthouse-949021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4244|title='Moana' Sets Sights on $80+ Million 5-Day Thanksgiving Debut|last=Brevet|first=Brad|work=Box Office Mojo|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=November 23, 2016|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201440/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4244|url-status=live}} Deadline.com said the numbers were good for the original Disney film and marked a great rebound for the company in the wake of Pixar's The Good Dinosaur the previous year, which had made $55 million over five days off a production budget of $175–200 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-bad-santa-2-allied-thanksgiving-box-office-1201858515/|title=Will 'Moana' Slay 'Fantastic Beasts' Over The Thanksgiving Stretch?|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822221014/http://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-bad-santa-2-allied-thanksgiving-box-office-1201858515/|url-status=live}}

Moana made $2.6 million from Tuesday paid previews which began at 7 pm, the highest ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film and for a non-Pixar Disney animated film.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|title='Moana' & 'Fantastic Beasts' Owning Thanksgiving Stretch – Midday B.O. Update|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=November 23, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201918/http://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|url-status=live}} On its opening day, it made $15.5 million, a new record for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film opening on Wednesday (breaking Frozen{{'}}s record) and the biggest opening day ever for a film released on pre-Thanksgiving Day.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|title=Can 'Moana' Melt 'Frozen's $93.6M Thanksgiving 5-Day Record? – Early AM Update|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 24, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201918/http://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|url-status=live}} On Thanksgiving Day, it earned $9.9 million, a decrease of 36% from its previous day. On Black Friday—the highest-grossing day of the Thanksgiving stretch—it made $21.8 million, a 127% increase from the day before.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|title='Moana' Rings Up $22.5M on Black Friday As She Cruises Toward Disney's 2nd Best Thanksgiving Debut – Late Night B.O.|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=November 26, 2016|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 26, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201918/http://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|url-status=live}} Through Sunday, the film posted a three-day opening weekend worth $56.6 million over its Friday-to-Sunday debut and $82.1 million from Wednesday to Sunday, the third biggest three-day Thanksgiving opening{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=3dayopen&p=.htm|title=Biggest 3-day Thanksgiving Openings at the Box Office|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128111429/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=3dayopen&p=.htm|url-status=live}} (behind Frozen and Toy Story 2) and the second-biggest five-day Thanksgiving opening{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=5dayopen&p=.htm|title=Biggest 5-day Thanksgiving Openings at the Box Office|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128234955/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=5dayopen&p=.htm|url-status=live}} (behind Frozen), dethroning Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them off the top spot. Among all films that did not necessarily open in this weekend but may have played, Moana ranks sixth among three-day{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=3day&p=.htm|title=Biggest 3-day Thanksgiving Weekends at the Box Office|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=December 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210154019/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=3day&p=.htm|url-status=live}} weekends and fifth among five-day weekends.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=5day&p=.htm|title=Biggest 5-day Thanksgiving Weekends at the Box Office|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=December 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210154023/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/thanksgiving.htm?page=5day&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

The film's opening was considered to be another animated success for the studio after Zootopia and Pixar's Finding Dory posted huge openings, respectively, the same year in March and June.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|title='Moana' Slots 2nd Best Thanksgiving Debut; 'Allied's Fight; 'Rules' The Worst Turkey Since 'Victor Frankenstein'|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 27, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=August 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201918/http://deadline.com/2016/11/moana-fantastic-beasts-tuesday-box-office-thanksgiving-1201859220/|url-status=live}}

In its second weekend, the film dropped by about 50% for a total of $28.3 million, a smaller drop than Toy Story 2, Frozen, Tangled, and The Good Dinosaur.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/moana-fantastic-beasts-jackie-post-thanksgiving-box-office-weekend-1201863576/|title='Moana' Keeps Fire Going in Chilly December Weekend; 'Manchester' & 'Jackie' Bask in Awards Season Rays|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 4, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204134614/http://deadline.com/2016/12/moana-fantastic-beasts-jackie-post-thanksgiving-box-office-weekend-1201863576/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4247&p=.htm|title='Moana' Repeats at No. 1, Topping Slow Post-Thanksgiving Weekend|last=Brevet|first=Brad|work=Box Office Mojo|date=December 4, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205234924/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4247&p=.htm|url-status=live}} The film managed to top the box office for its third weekend, despite competition from newcomers and holdovers, earning $18.5 million while falling by 34%. It became the sixth film of 2016 to top the box office three times, following Deadpool, Zootopia, The Jungle Book, Finding Dory, and Suicide Squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4249&p=.htm|title='Moana' Threepeats at No. 1, 'La La Land' Opens Big in Limited Release|last=Brevet|first=Brad|work=Box Office Mojo|date=December 11, 2016|access-date=December 12, 2016|archive-date=June 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604171824/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4249&p=.htm|url-status=live}} The film was overtaken by Disney's own Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in its fourth weekend, despite only a marginal decline.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4252&p=.htm|title='Star Wars: Rogue One' Debuts With Over $290 Million Worldwide, 'Collateral Beauty' Struggles|last=Brevet|first=Brad|work=Box Office Mojo|date=December 18, 2016|access-date=December 19, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220005450/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4252&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

It fell to number six in its fifth weekend, due to competition from four new releases—Sing, Passengers, Why Him?, and Assassin's Creed—despite a small drop again; it grossed $2.9 million on Christmas Day.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/why-him-975k-thursday-previews-box-office-1201875344/|title='Rogue One' & 'Sing' Christmas Juggernaut Leaves Room For Specialty Films – Final Weekend Update|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 27, 2016|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030826/https://deadline.com/2016/12/why-him-975k-thursday-previews-box-office-1201875344/|url-status=live}} On the holiday week of December 23–29, the film finished at number four with a gross of $26 million, which was 14% up from the previous week, despite losing over 300 theaters.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=disney1116.htm|title=Moana (2016) – Weekly Box Office Results|work=Box Office Mojo|date=December 30, 2016|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=January 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101002952/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=disney1116.htm|url-status=live}} It finished at number four in its sixth weekend, going up 42% and 97%, respectively, during the three-day{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2016&wknd=53&p=.htm|title=December 30 – January 1, 2017|work=Box Office Mojo|date=January 2, 2017|access-date=January 11, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113130234/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2016&wknd=53&p=.htm|url-status=live}} and four-day weekends;{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2016&wknd=53a&p=.htm|title=December 30 – January 2, 2017|work=Box Office Mojo|date=January 2, 2017|access-date=January 11, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113133018/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2016&wknd=53a&p=.htm|url-status=live}} it grossed $3.6 million on New Year's Day.

It fell outside the top ten in its eighth weekend (which included Martin Luther King Jr. Day), dropping 33% and 4%, respectively, during the three-day{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2017&wknd=02&p=.htm|title=January 13–15, 2017|work=Box Office Mojo|date=January 15, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117055032/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2017&wknd=02&p=.htm|url-status=live}} and four-day weekends.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2017&wknd=02a&p=.htm|title=January 13–16, 2017|work=Box Office Mojo|date=January 16, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118053711/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2017&wknd=02a&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

Internationally, the film earned $17.2 million in its first weekend from 12 markets, the bulk of which came from China. In its second weekend, the film expanded to a total of 30 markets, adding an additional $33.7 million.

In China, the film had a November 25 opening day[https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Moana/China#tab=summary "China Box Office for Moana (2016)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013064846/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Moana/China#tab=summary |date=2017-10-13 }}. The Numbers. Retrieved July 20, 2017. with $1.9 million from 38,000 screenings. However, it enjoyed a big weekend bump on Saturday—even though its screens dipped—and Sunday.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/china-box-office-fantastic-beasts-40-million-opening-1201927427/|title=China Box Office: 'Fantastic Beasts' Enjoys $40 Million Opening|first=Patrick|last=Frater|work=Variety|date=November 28, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128013629/http://variety.com/2016/film/asia/china-box-office-fantastic-beasts-40-million-opening-1201927427/|url-status=live}} In total, it scored an opening weekend of $12.3 million, the second best for a Disney animated title, behind only Zootopia. It was No. 2 behind Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Strong social media numbers showed among the highest the studio has seen there, similar to how Zootopia started off slow and later became a blockbuster phenomenon.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/11/fantastic-beasts-moana-doctor-strange-allied-overseas-china-weekend-results-international-box-office-1201860236/|title='Fantastic Beasts' Climbs To $474M Global; 'Moana' Catches $16.3M Offshore Wave – Intl Box Office|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 27, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128013629/http://deadline.com/2016/11/fantastic-beasts-moana-doctor-strange-allied-overseas-china-weekend-results-international-box-office-1201860236/|url-status=live}} The film slipped 55% in its second weekend, earning $5.8 million, and $21.8 in total in China.Amidi, Amid (December 4, 2016). [http://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/chinese-embrace-makoto-shinkais-name-reject-moana-145816.html "Chinese Embrace Makoto Shinkai's 'Your Name,' Reject 'Moana'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711205246/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/chinese-embrace-makoto-shinkais-name-reject-moana-145816.html |date=2017-07-11 }}. Cartoon Brew. It would eventually earn a total of $32.7 million in China.

It had similar successful number-one debuts in France, Russia, Mexico and Spain. The film also saw success in Belgium, the Netherlands and French-speaking Switzerland.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/fantastic-beasts-600-million-moana-china-doctor-strange-deadpool-iron-man-overseas-weekend-international-box-office-1201864094/|title='Fantastic Beasts' Bests $600M WW; 'Moana' Mints $180M; 'Doctor Strange' Ices 'Deadpool', 'Iron Man 2' – Intl Box Office|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=December 11, 2016|archive-date=December 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205225657/http://deadline.com/2016/12/fantastic-beasts-600-million-moana-china-doctor-strange-deadpool-iron-man-overseas-weekend-international-box-office-1201864094/|url-status=live}} In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film faced competition from Fantastic Beasts—which was playing in its third weekend—and as a result, it posted a low opening of only £2.2 million ($2.8 million).{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/dec/06/uk-box-office-moana-sully-fantastic-beasts|title=Moana and Sully bobbing in the wake of Fantastic Beasts at UK box office|first=Charles|last=Gant|work=The Guardian|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=December 11, 2016|archive-date=December 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209115451/https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/dec/06/uk-box-office-moana-sully-fantastic-beasts|url-status=live}}

The biggest earning markets to date have been Japan ($45.9 million), followed by France ($35.5 million), China ($32.8 million), the UK ($25.3 million), Brazil ($22.9 million), Australia ($19 million), Germany ($17 million), Italy ($15.9 million), and South Korea ($15.5 million).{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/rogue-one-passengers-international-box-office-weekend-china-1201887316/|title='Rogue One' Rises To $980M Global; 'Passengers' Takes Over Offshore No. 1 – International Box Office|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 15, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116171735/http://deadline.com/2017/01/rogue-one-passengers-international-box-office-weekend-china-1201887316/|url-status=live}}

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Moana holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critical consensus reads "With a title character as three-dimensional as its lush animation and a story that adds fresh depth to Disney's time-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moana_2016|title=Moana (2016)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=2018-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909130508/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moana_2016|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} Subsequently, the film is also listed as number 20 on the website's "100 Best Computer-Animated Movies" list.{{cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-computer-animated-movies-of-all-time/|title=100 Best Computer-Animated Movies Ranked By TOMATOMETER|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=March 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310011245/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-computer-animated-movies-of-all-time/|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 44 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/moana |title=Moana Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009060543/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/moana |url-status=live }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale,{{Cite web |last=Manfredi |first=Lucas |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Strange World CinemaScore Might Be the Lowest Ever For a Walt Disney Animation Studio Film |url=https://www.thewrap.com/strange-world-cinemascore-disney-animation-film/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125002321/https://www.thewrap.com/strange-world-cinemascore-disney-animation-film/ |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=August 22, 2023 |website=TheWrap}} while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave an 89% overall positive score and a 79% "definite recommend".

Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal proclaimed that "Moana is beautiful in more ways than I can tell, thanks to the brilliance of more animators than I could count."{{cite news|last=Morgenstern|first=Joe|author-link=Joe Morgenstern|title='Moana' Review: The Waves Part|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/moana-review-the-waves-part-1479935029|access-date=November 23, 2016|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 23, 2016|archive-date=November 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124051711/http://www.wsj.com/articles/moana-review-the-waves-part-1479935029|url-status=live}} Animator Eric Goldberg received praise from critics and audiences for his hand-drawn animation of Maui's tattoos, which they claimed "stole the show" from the actual CGI-animated motion picture.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/196637-moana-in-3d-2d-both-offer-something-special-for-the-viewer|title='Moana' In 3D & 2D Both Offer Something Special for the Viewer|first=Johnny|last=Brayson|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2017|magazine=Bustle|archive-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810090457/https://www.bustle.com/articles/196637-moana-in-3d-2d-both-offer-something-special-for-the-viewer|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://ktar.com/story/1368803/disney-mixes-classic-animation-computers-to-create-captivating-moana/|title=Disney mixes classic animation, computers to create captivating 'Moana'|date=November 23, 2016|publisher=KTAR News|access-date=May 13, 2017|last=Monahan|first=Kaely|archive-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810050927/http://ktar.com/story/1368803/disney-mixes-classic-animation-computers-to-create-captivating-moana/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/movie-review-moana/article/5528213|title=Movie review: 'Moana'|date=November 23, 2016|publisher=NewsOK|access-date=May 13, 2017|last=McDonnell|first=Brandy|archive-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223091750/http://newsok.com/movie-review-moana/article/5528213|url-status=live}} Wai Chee Dimock, writing in the Los Angeles Review of Books, compared the ocean in Moana to the one in "The Water Baby", a short story by Jack London, saying that both are animated: one, by the tension between digital and analog animation, and the other, by the tension between an encroaching future and a past in retreat still capable of pushing back.{{cite magazine|url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/animating-the-ocean/#!|title=Animating the Ocean|magazine=Los Angeles Review of Books|date=February 3, 2017|access-date=May 13, 2017|archive-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810090415/https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/animating-the-ocean/#!|url-status=live}}

Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com gave the film three-and-a-half out of four stars, stating "...its dazzling visuals, catchy tunes, enjoyable performances, clever running gags and overall sense of fun. It's all there, and—except for a few scary moments—it'll delight viewers of all ages."{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/moana-2016|title=Moana Movie Review & Film Summary|date=November 22, 2016|publisher=RogerEbert.com|access-date=December 9, 2017|last=Lemire|first=Christy|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123121456/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/moana-2016|url-status=live}} Peter Debruge of Variety praised the film, calling it "a return to the heights of the Disney Renaissance".{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/moana-review-walt-disney-animation-studios-1201911413/|title=Film Review: 'Moana'|date=November 7, 2016|work=Variety|access-date=December 9, 2017|last=Debruge|first=Peter|archive-date=December 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210020233/http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/moana-review-walt-disney-animation-studios-1201911413/|url-status=live}}

Critics also lauded Moana for centering on a strong female protagonist whose narrative is not confined to finding a Prince Charming, a contrast to princess characters of past Disney films.{{Cite news |last=Yamato |first=Jen |date=November 23, 2016 |title=The Revolutionary 'Moana': Disney's Most Unapologetically Feminist Princess Yet |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/11/23/the-revolutionary-moana-disney-s-most-unapologetically-feminist-princess-yet |access-date=2022-03-28 |archive-date=2017-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501123319/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/11/23/the-revolutionary-moana-disney-s-most-unapologetically-feminist-princess-yet |url-status=live }} Brent Lang of Variety wrote, "Whereas earlier Disney heroines waited around for their prince to come and save the day, Moana takes it upon herself to embark on a perilous oceanic voyage in order to lift her island home from a curse. It's the kind of adventuring that would have been left for the guys in Disney films of yore... Her journey is about finding herself, not landing a husband".{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=November 27, 2016 |title='Moana' Is Just the Latest Feminist, Progressive Disney Hit |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/moana-box-office-feminist-disney-1201927383/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328155100/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/moana-box-office-feminist-disney-1201927383/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|List of accolades received by Moana (2016 film){{!}}List of accolades received by Moana (2016 film)}}

Due to the success of the film, Moana was officially added to the Disney Princess franchise and was the 12th addition to the lineup.{{Cite web |url=http://www.disneyprincess.com/ |title=Disney Princesses |access-date=2020-09-05 |archive-date=2013-01-02 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102114700/http://www.disneyprincess.com/ |url-status=live }} Moana was the most-streamed film in the United States over a five-year period from 2020 to 2024, being watched for a total of more than 1 billion hours, leading the Wall Street Journal to describe it as "the No.1 movie in streaming history."

On October 16, 2023, Walt Disney World Resort announced that a new water walk-through attraction, the Journey of Water Pavilion, was opened in World Nature section of the park at EPCOT, as part of The Walt Disney Company's 100th anniversary celebration, since the opening date was indefinitely delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

{{Further|Moana (franchise){{!}}Moana (franchise)}}

{{main|Moana 2{{!}}Moana 2}}

A sequel, Moana 2, was written and directed by Dave G. Derrick Jr, and released in theaters on November 27, 2024.{{Cite magazine |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Moana 2 Set at Disney With Surprise 2024 Release Date |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/moana-2-disney-2024-release-date-1235901329/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207221628/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/moana-2-disney-2024-release-date-1235901329/ |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=February 7, 2024 |magazine=Variety}}{{Cite news |title=Moana: Disney's hit animation to get surprise cinema sequel this year |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68238826 |website=BBC |date=February 8, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530044135/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68238826 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=A 'Moana' sequel is coming this fall. Here's everything we know so far. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/02/08/moana-2-sequel-release-date-plot-cast/72525183007/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=USA TODAY |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209112221/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/02/08/moana-2-sequel-release-date-plot-cast/72525183007/ |url-status=live }} A 16-second first look at the film was released in February 2024.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/moana-2-disney-2024-release-date-1235901329/|title='Moana 2' Set at Disney With Surprise 2024 Release Date|last=Stephan|first=Katcy|date=February 7, 2024|access-date=February 7, 2024|archive-date=February 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207221628/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/moana-2-disney-2024-release-date-1235901329/|url-status=live}} The project was originally announced in December 2020 as a television series for Disney+ before being redeveloped into a feature film.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-02-07 |title='Moana 2' Is Happening This November Says Disney's Bob Iger |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/moana-2-dwayne-johnson-disney-1235818288/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Deadline |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215124303/https://deadline.com/2024/02/moana-2-dwayne-johnson-disney-1235818288/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11 |title='Moana' and 'Princess and the Frog' TV spinoffs are coming to Disney+ |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/moana-princess-frog-tv-spinoffs-are-coming-disney-t203626 |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=TODAY.com |archive-date=February 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213145410/https://www.today.com/popculture/moana-princess-frog-tv-spinoffs-are-coming-disney-t203626 |url-status=live }}

{{main|Moana (2026 film){{!}}Moana (2026 film)}}

In April 2023, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Walt Disney Pictures was developing a live-action adaptation of Moana to be produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia, under their production company Seven Bucks Productions, and Beau Flynn of Flynn Pictures Co., executive produced by Auliʻi Cravalho and Scott Sheldon, and written by Jared Bush, with Johnson set to reprise his role as Maui.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-live-action-remake-in-the-works-disney-1235332204/|title=Live-Action Moana in the Works from Dwayne Johnson, Disney|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=3 April 2023|accessdate=April 3, 2023|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403182250/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-live-action-remake-in-the-works-disney-1235332204/|url-status=live}} Johnson remarked "This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. ... [T]here is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people." Sean Bailey, Disney Live Action's president of production, acknowledged that, although only seven years had passed since the animated film was released, the celebration of Disney's 100th anniversary contributed to the decision to remake the film so soon.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/moana-live-action-movie-being-developed-by-disney-1235316563/ | title=Dwayne Johnson And Bob Iger Reveal Live-Action 'Moana' In Development | publisher=Deadline | date=3 April 2023 | access-date=19 April 2023 | archive-date=19 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419070532/https://deadline.com/2023/04/moana-live-action-movie-being-developed-by-disney-1235316563/ | url-status=live }}

Thomas Kail is set to direct the film,{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=May 31, 2023|title=Disney's Live-Action 'Moana' Taps 'Hamilton' Helmer Thomas Kail as Director|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-live-action-remake-director-thomas-kail-1235502170/|access-date=May 31, 2023|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=June 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607190741/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-live-action-remake-director-thomas-kail-1235502170/|url-status=live}} while Cravalho would not reprise her role as Moana.{{Cite web |last=Piña |first=Christy |date=2023-05-19 |title=Auliʻi Cravalho Won't Reprise Titular Role in 'Moana' Live-Action, "Cannot Wait" to Help Find New Lead |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/auli%ca%bbi-cravalho-wont-reprise-role-moana-live-action-1235496776/ |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} The film was originally scheduled for theatrical release on June 27, 2025, in the United States,{{Cite web |last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |last2=Couch |first2=Aaron |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Avatar 3 Pushed a Year to 2025, Two Star Wars Movies Head for 2026 and Avengers Films Delayed |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disney-moves-avatar-star-wars-avengers-1235514145/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613153920/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disney-moves-avatar-star-wars-avengers-1235514145/ |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} but was delayed to July 10, 2026, due to the release of Moana 2.{{cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |title=Disney Sets 'Toy Story 5,' 'Mandalorian & Grogu' for 2026, Delays Live-Action 'Moana' by a Year |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disney-sets-toy-story-5-mandalorian-and-grogu-1235867413/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=5 April 2024 |date=5 April 2024 |archive-date=April 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407182032/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disney-sets-toy-story-5-mandalorian-and-grogu-1235867413/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Dwayne Johnson In Talks To Reprise Maui for Disney's Animated Moana 2; Live-Action Pic Bound To Shift Dates |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/dwayne-johnson-moana-2-1235819876/ |website=Deadline |access-date=10 February 2024 |date=9 February 2024 |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529163844/https://deadline.com/2024/02/dwayne-johnson-moana-2-1235819876/ |url-status=live }}

On June 12, 2024, it was announced that newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia was cast as the titular character.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/moana-catherine-lagaaia-live-action-1235971801/|title=Disney Finds Their Live-Action 'Moana' In Catherine Laga'aia|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|work=Deadline|date=June 12, 2024|accessdate=June 12, 2024|archive-date=June 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612192957/https://deadline.com/2024/06/moana-catherine-lagaaia-live-action-1235971801/|url-status=live}} Additional casting includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala.{{Cite web|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/disney-entertainment/moana-live-action-cast/|title=Australian Actress Catherine Laga'aia to Portray Moana in Disney's Live-Action Adaptation|first=Luke|last=Manning|work=Laughing Place|date=June 12, 2024|accessdate=June 12, 2024|archive-date=June 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612205849/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/disney-entertainment/moana-live-action-cast/|url-status=live}}

• House of Moana
• Māui (mythology)
• Māui (Hawaiian mythology)
• Polynesian narrative
• Polynesian navigation
• Polynesians
• Austronesian peoples
• Whale Rider - New Zealand film with potential cultural influences on Moana, featuring Rachel House who played Tala in Moana.{{Cite web|author=Belinda Du Plooy |date=2019-12-31 |url=https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/GQ/article/view/6993 |title=Sheroes of the Sea: A Comparative Reading of the Girl-Centred Films Moana and Whale Rider |website=Unisa Press Journals |publisher= |access-date=2024-11-30}}{{Cite web|author=Kristen Grote |date=2020-09-12 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/11/21430668/watch-whale-rider-niki-caro-mulan-director-disney-princess-movie |title=Whale Rider is the best princess movie Disney never made |website=Polygon |publisher= |access-date=2024-11-30}}{{Cite web|author=Kyle Lee |date=2019-03-20 |url=http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=19753 |title=Hidden Gems: Whale Rider |website=Box Office Prophets |publisher= |access-date=2024-11-30}}

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20230509214728/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/overheard/article/she-sails-the-seas-without-maps-or-compasses National Geographic interview of real life Moana, Lehua Kamalu]

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