Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
Read the film reference Availability and pricing vary by region.MoanaA movie brief.
2026 / adventure film / Directed by Thomas Kail
A young wayfinder sets sail to save her island.
What is Moana about?
Moana, a young Polynesian princess, sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. With the help of Maui, a demigod with shape-shifting abilities, she must restore the heart of Te Fiti.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film is a live-action adaptation of Disney Animation's 2016 film Moana.
World
The story takes place in ancient Polynesia, where the inhabitants worship the goddess of nature, Te Fiti.
Pressure
A blight strikes Moana's island, killing vegetation and shrinking the fish catch.
Craft
The film features music by Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Opetaia Foaʻi.
Viewing Note
The film has received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with some calling it a lifeless remake.
A thought to take with you.
Moana's task connects a community's survival to leaving the place she wants to protect. Maui's abilities do not remove the need for her own decisions. A useful question is how a partnership balances specialized power with the responsibility for choosing where to go.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for a live-action version of Moana's voyage and partnership with Maui; the attraction is the journey, not a promise of a new plot.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked September 7, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach