Moana 2's story was originally going to be a Disney+ series before the decision was made to rework the animated sequel as a feature-length theatrical movie. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprise their respective roles as Moana and Maui.

As per Rotten Tomatoes, Moana 2 has debuted with a critical score of 72%. This is a steep decline from Moana's 95% critical score and 89% audience score. Moana 2's current score is based on 53 reviews and will likely fluctuate as more reviews are added. How the audience score fares against the original remains to be seen, although the sequel is expected to be a major box office success, and Disney's best-performing Thanksgiving release since Frozen II.

What This Means For Moana 2

Reviews Are Mixed, But Likely Won't Affect The Sequel's Box Office Performance

The mixed reviews for Moana 2 indicate that the sequel will not be as universally beloved as the first movie. Many Moana 2 reviews do find plenty to praise, including the titular hero's characterization, her dynamic with Maui, and the visually stunning animation. One of the most common criticisms so far is in regard to the music, which was not written by Lin-Manuel Miranda this time, and is a significant factor in the sequel's inability to reach the same heights as the previous story. Retreading familiar narrative and thematic elements from the first movie is another repeated criticism as well.

Moana's music was one of the most important elements that defined the movie's success and that continues to make it beloved nearly a decade later. While this could prevent the sequel from becoming as popular, mixed reviews are unlikely to have a negative effect on Moana 2's box office prospects. Moana's beloved characters returning in a sequel with new music remains enough of a draw for families and viewers of all ages, especially during Thanksgiving weekend.

Our Take On Moana 2's Rotten Tomatoes Score

The Sequel Can Still Be A Commercial Hit

While Disney would like to see Moana 2 be both a critical and commercial hit, as Moana was in 2016 and as the animated Inside Out 2 was earlier in 2024, the sequel is still poised to achieve commercial success. General audiences will likely not take as much issue with retreading familiar elements and may even welcome the familiarity. It seems as though there will still be plenty to enjoy in the family-friendly Moana 2 that will draw in audiences across the globe.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes