‘Moana 2,’ the sequel to the 2016 animated film, is in theaters Nov. 27.
The trailer for Moana 2 is already making quite a splash.
The May 29 teaser for the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2016 Disney animated film garnered over 178 million views in its first 24 hours, breaking the record for Disney’s most-watched animated trailer in its first day of release, according to the studio.
The views came from across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube.
The previous record holders for most-watched animated Disney trailer launches were Inside Out 2 with 157 million views in 2023, Frozen 2 with 116 million views in 2019, and Incredibles 2 with 113 million views in 2017.
Moana takes place in ancient Polynesia. Moana seeks the demigod Maui after he curses the island she lives on, and must work to set things right. The sequel takes place three years since Moana’s initial adventure, and she is on a quest to find “people beyond the shores of Motunui,” according to a synopsis.
The summary adds: “Joined by Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”
Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson star once again as Moana and Maui, with David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller directing.
Reacting to the record-breaking news, Cravalho wrote on Instagram, “Mahalo nui loa Moana ‘ohana!! You’ve made #Moana2 THEE most watched trailer in @disneyanimation history!!! November 27th can’t come soon enough.”
The sequel was unexpectedly announced in February. “Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise,” Walt Disney Company’s CEO Bob Iger said at the time. “And we can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theaters this November.”
Disney previously revealed that a live-action adaptation of the movie was also in the works.
Moana was nominated for two Oscars in 2017: Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song. It grossed over $600 million worldwide at the box office.
Moana 2 is in theaters Nov. 27.
