After the massive success of Moana 2, fans are already buzzing with excitement about Moana 3. Even though Disney hasn’t officially announced the third movie yet, the signs are all pointing in one clear direction – it’s coming.

Moana 2 was a huge hit at the box office, earning over $1 billion worldwide and becoming the third highest-grossing movie of 2024. This kind of success makes it almost certain that Disney will continue the story with another sequel.

The second film left fans with lots of hints that Moana’s journey isn’t over yet. The mid-credits scene especially made it obvious that there’s more to come. With Moana gaining demigod powers and a dangerous villain still on the loose, the stage is perfectly set for Moana 3.

How Moana 2 Sets Up the Story for Moana 3

In Moana 2, we’re introduced to a new and powerful villain – Nalo, the storm god. He cursed the ocean long ago, which made it impossible for human tribes to stay connected. Moana and her team manage to defeat this curse by raising the magical island of Motufetu, but that’s not the end of the story.

In the mid-credits scene, we see Nalo confronting Matangi, who helped Moana. He’s furious and refuses to let her go, even after the curse is broken. This clearly shows that Nalo is not done causing trouble. He wants revenge, and that opens the door for more conflict in the next movie.

To add more spice, the giant crab Tamatoa from the first movie also makes a surprise appearance. His return hints that Moana 3 could bring back older characters and maybe even team them up with new villains.

Moana’s Transformation Means More Adventures Ahead

One of the biggest surprises in Moana 2 was Moana’s transformation. She almost dies while breaking Nalo’s curse, but her ancestors’ spirits bring her back to life. When she returns, she has new tattoos and a magical oar that can control the ocean.

This clearly shows that she’s now part demigod—just like Maui. This transformation not only makes her stronger but also means she has a lot to learn. There are many exciting directions the story can go in, as Moana figures out how to use her powers and what kind of leader she wants to be.

When Can We Expect Moana 3 to Release?

Right now, there’s no official release date for Moana 3, but fans believe it’s already being planned. While there was an 8-year gap between Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024), that was mostly because the sequel started off as a Disney+ series before being turned into a full movie.

Now that the franchise is hot again, Disney probably won’t wait so long to release the next one. A 2027 release looks likely. This gives enough time for proper development and also creates a gap after the upcoming live-action Moana movie, which is set to release on July 10, 2026.

This live-action version stars Catherine Laga‘aia as Moana, and Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui. With this movie on the way, Disney may want to avoid confusing the audience by spacing out the release dates.

Why Disney Won’t Let Moana End Just Yet

Let’s face it—Moana is one of Disney’s most loved franchises. The music, the story, and the characters have connected with audiences around the world. And now, with the world-building getting deeper and new powers being introduced, there’s a lot more left to explore.

Disney is also investing heavily in both animated and live-action versions of the story, which shows they plan to expand the Moana universe for years to come.

If Moana 3 is a hit too, we could even see more films or spin-offs in the future. Whether it’s more magical islands, stronger villains, or Moana learning to master her powers—fans are ready for more.

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