‘Moana 2’ Digital Release Date Revealed

Moana 2 has proven to be another major success for Disney, both critically and commercially. The long-awaited sequel reunited the beloved cast, including Auli’i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui.

After relishing in this success, the movie is now beginning to appear on digital retailers, confirming a release date of January 28th. This has also been corroborated by the reliable WhenToStream, who had estimated a late January digital date for the film.

Disney made a calculated decision to keep Moana 2 in theatres for a full two months, a move that allowed it to capture maximum audience attention and reach a wide demographic. This strategy paid off handsomely, as the film crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, joining the ranks of Disney’s most successful animated features. Now that it has achieved this major milestone, Disney has chosen to officially announce the digital release date, ensuring that the film will continue its legacy by reaching even more fans at home and likely continue to break more records at home, and likely even more when it appears on Disney+ at a later date. Moana 2’s digital release of January 28 is a continued showcase by Disney that they allow films to play in cinemas for longer than most other studios do now, placing them as a supporter of cinema and their movies.

The first Moana earned over $690 million globally at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films of its time. On the streaming front, the movie achieved incredible success, becoming one of the most-streamed films on Disney+ after the platform launched. Its cultural impact extended to the Billboard charts, with songs like “How Far I’ll Go” earning critical acclaim and even being nominated for an Academy Award. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, became a global phenomenon, dominating various charts and was viewed as a return to the classic catchy songs of Disney’s past, seeing Moana as a return to their classic and fun formula, but with modern updating in the absence of a romance storyline and a focus on individual worth and identity.

In terms of accolades, Moana was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “How Far I’ll Go.” It also won numerous critics’ awards and was hailed for its groundbreaking animation, particularly the intricate rendering of water, which set a new standard for visual effects in animated films. The movie’s attention to cultural detail and its collaboration with Polynesian artists and consultants set it apart, earning it praise as a landmark achievement in Disney’s storied history. The second film was not nominated for any Academy Awards, but considering the grand success of the first one with home viewing, it is likely to make some similar waves in breaking digital charts and records.

Moana 2 is directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller. It stars Auli‘i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui and features music by Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina. The film was released in theatres on November 27, 2024 and Moana 2 lands on digital on January 28th.

You can read our Moana 2 review here
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