A still from ‘Moana 2’
| Photo Credit: Disney

Disney has announced a sequel to Moana, which will be released in theatres on November 27.

Bob Iger, the company’s CEO, announced the news on CNBC ahead of Disney’s first quarter fiscal 2024 earnings report. The second Moana was originally planned as a television series but was turned into a feature film after Iger was impressed with the footage.

“Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise,” Iger said in a statement.” We can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when Moana 2 comes to theatres this November.”

According to Disney, Moana 2 will take audiences on an “expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.”

Dave Derrick Jr. is directing the sequel, which will have music from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, as well as Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, who collaborated on the original film. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created the songs “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome,” is not likely to return with fresh material for the sequel.

Moana was a hit for Disney, grossing more than $680 million at the box office. The animated musical was given fresh life on Disney+ last year, with 1 billion hours of streaming.

Iger’s decision to release Moana 2 in theatres comes after Disney’s disappointing box office performance in 2023. Disney Animation’s Wishjoined a lengthy list of flops, including The Marvels, Haunted Mansion, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Pixar’s Elemental struggled at first but eventually grossed $496 million globally.