Eight years since the release of Moana in 2016, audiences will soon set sail across the ocean with Moana and Maui once again when Moana 2 hits theaters. This time, Moana and Maui will reunite as Moana leads a crew of her own across the seas while confronting Polynesian gods and goddesses. Of course, their journey wouldn’t be complete without Pua and Heihei, Moana’s pet pig and rooster. After her previous adventure, Moana even has her own fan club on her island: the “MOANA-BE’S”, which take inspiration from Beyonce’s “Beyhive” of fans. On our side of the screen, fans of all ages might be even more excited than before, as love for the characters and their stories continues to grow, and that excitement doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon.

To make even more of a splash, available exclusively on Atom, your ticket purchase for Moana 2 comes with a custom QR code digital ticket, randomized with your favorite character spotlights and incredible moments from the upcoming film. Simply add your ticket to your digital wallet on Apple or Google, and you will receive a custom digital ticket from Moana 2. Get Moana 2 tickets today to see which special moment will be yours and try to collect them all!

Moana’s Popularity On Disney+

When Disney+ first launched in late 2019 as a means of competing with other streaming services, as well as consolidating the entire Disney catalogue into one central hub, Moana instantly stood out as one of the most viewed titles on the platform. Yes, you read that right. While Frozen and Frozen II – some of Disney’s most recent animated titles – may have both raked in over $1 billion each at the box office, Moana’s streaming numbers have far surpassed both films starring Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle.

What’s even more telling of Moana’s popularity though, is that not only is the film the most watched film on Disney+, but in 2023, Nielsen reported it as the most watched film across all platforms, raking in a whopping 11.6 billion viewing minutes that year alone. That’s equivalent to watching Moana 108 million times in one year. So as surprising as it may seem – since it feels like the only song children would sing for ages was “Let It Go” – Moana is the wayfinder that everyone wants to watch over and over again, not the Ice Queen and her sister.

Audiences Love Animation & 2024 Has Been A Great Year For The Genre

Historically, around the holidays, there has consistently been at least one family-friendly animation title released every year. And it makes sense. Kids are out of school for both Thanksgiving and winter break, and families are traveling to see and spend time with each other. A movie that everyone can enjoy is always a great way to bring people together.

Animated films have seen record numbers in recent years, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie surpassing $1.3 billion at the box office and becoming the second highest-grossing movie of 2023, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse following closely behind it. So far in 2024, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 holds the number one spot at the box office, earning just shy of $1.7 billion.

It’s not the only animated film that has seen success this year either. Despicable Me 4 currently sits at the number three spot at the box office, earning just under $1 billion, with Kung Fu Panda 4 also making the top ten for 2024. With Moana’s existing popularity and families excited to spend time together around the holidays, it’s easy to see how Moana 2 could join its fellow animated titles on the list of one of the highest-grossing films for the year.

 Moana’s Fiercely Independent Adventurer Spirit Appeals To All Ages

Of course, the main question that ties everything together is: why are audiences so in love with Moana? What about Moana makes kids and families want to watch her film repeatedly, both in the theater and at home? Many Disney heroines thrive with their adventurous spirit: Rapunzel wants to explore the world beyond her tower, Ariel is curious about the human world, and Jasmine wants to decide her own path rather than have it picked for her.

Similarly, modern Disney heroines also have become more and more independent over the years: Tiana strives to open her own restaurant, and Elsa and Anna value their sisterly love over everything else. Moana has both characteristics, while also being intelligent, strong-willed, and humorous. She has a strong sense of community with her family and her island’s history but knows that there is also more for her out there beyond the reef. And now, she’s even leading her own crew.

But Moana doesn’t just appeal to young girls, but young boys too, particularly with the shapeshifting demigod Maui. Sure, there are other male leads in other Disney films, but they are often situated as a romantic interest for the heroine. For Moana and Maui though, they are simply companions – albeit a little reluctantly at first – on Moana’s seafaring journey. In many ways, Moana and Maui even have a relationship like that of a sister and brother, full of plenty of bickering and arguments, while still watching out for each other at the end of the day. Their dynamic showcases a perfect recipe for a family film that is sure to please audiences of all kinds.

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