Moana 2 achieves demigod status as the movie sets new streaming record on Disney+

Maui and Moana stand on a beach looking smug
(Image credit: Disney)

  • Moana 2 had 27.3 million global views within its first five days of streaming on Disney+.
  • These figures mark the biggest Walt Disney Animation Studios premiere since Encanto and the third-largest animated theatrical premiere of all time on Disney+.
  • Moana 2 started streaming on Disney+ on March 12.

Moana 2 is a big success for Disney+ as the epic animated adventure has garnered 27.3 millions views globally within its first five days of streaming.

This milestone marks the biggest Walt Disney Animation Studios premiere since Encanto and the third-largest animated theatrical premiere of all time on Disney+.

According to Nielsen, in the lead up to the sequel's release, 2024 was Moana's most-streamed year ever and it's been the most-watched film on Disney+ since the platform launched in 2019.

While Moana is the most streamed movie of the past five years, Moana 2 was also a box-office success in its own right. The movie grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest opening in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ history and the third highest-grossing Walt Disney Animation Studios release of all time.

As Maui would say: 'what can I say except you're welcome!'

Moana 2 | Official Trailer - YouTube Moana 2 | Official Trailer - YouTube
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Moana 2 set sail for its streaming premiere on March 12, but while it misses out on a spot in our best Disney+ movies ranking due to its 61% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics, it's gone on to reach new heights on one of the best streaming services.

Set three years after the first Moana movie, the second installment to the hugely successful film franchise sees Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) receive an unexpected call from her ancestors and assemble a wayfinder crew to track down the hidden island of Motufetu.

In our Moana 2 review, Lucy Buglass praised the movie but did miss a certain familiar face, writing that: "Disney's anticipated sequel is a real tearjerker, but I wish we'd seen more from my favorite character."

Moana 2 was originally intended to be a Disney+ series and instead arrived as a feature film, a decision which has clearly paid off for the streamer. Disney is eager to continue making waves with more Moana adventures as there are plans for a live-action remake of the first movie, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, while Catherine Laga'aia will play Moana, taking over from Auliʻi Cravalho.

This isn't Disney's only success story either as one of its most-watched shows, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has recently been renewed for a third season. It's all plain sailing for the biggest new Disney+ movies and shows it seems!

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Grace Morris
Entertainment Writer

After graduating with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, Grace dived into the world of entertainment where she started writing all about the must-watch shows and movies at What To Watch. Now Grace is on her next writing adventure at TechRadar, where she uses her expertise to help readers keep up to date on the biggest TV shows and movies in the ever-changing world of streaming. If she’s not writing about her passion for entertainment, you’ll find her watching reality shows while feasting on chocolate. 

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