Top 10 Things We Want to See in Moana 2

Gramma Tala may be the soul of “Moana.” She helps her granddaughter find her inner fire! She’s got that carefree, wild spirit the village might call “crazy,” but honestly, she was always just living her best-uninhibited life. Gramma Tala gives Moana the push to really listen to the ocean’s call and realize that it comes from inside of her through her strongheartedness. Even after she passes, her spirit stays with Moana as a source of wisdom and courage. Did you catch her cameo in the new trailer? We hope this means she’s back to fulfill her role as Moana’s spiritual guide, reminding her to look within herself once more to find that incredible strength!

Speaking of Gramma Tala, she opens “Moana” with an epic story about Maui and the heart of Te Fiti! If only it hadn’t scared so many kids to tears, perhaps we could have learned more about Maui’s backstory and what he was doing during his hermit years! Here’s hoping the sequel elaborates more on the demi-god’s past. We’re also super eager to see more of Maui’s interactions with his tattoos, but most of all, we’re excited for more animalistic transformations! Those were some of the funniest moments, especially when they hilariously backfired. We can’t wait to see what creatures he turns into this time—maybe we’ll spot a Disney wildlife friend—looking at you, Sven!

In “Moana,” the theme of environmental destruction and our roles in both causing and fixing it runs through the story like a strong current. The film teaches us to respect and nurture our environment, beautifully shown through Te Fiti and her alter-ego, Te Kā. Now, about eight years later, climate change is still a serious issue, and many warnings seem to go unheard. We’re hopeful that “Moana 2” will explore Moana’s connection with the ocean more deeply and the importance of the human-nature relationship. After all, the first film showed how trying to override nature drove the islands apart. This sequel is about bringing them back together, and hopefully, it will promote a sustainable environment for all!

We’re excited to reunite with some of the original crew! With a little sister now in the picture, Moana’s parents and neighbors might get more time in the spotlight, too! This new tale reportedly takes place three years after we last left Motunui. Moana answers a call from her ancestors and sets out to save the people of another island, who are imprisoned by a curse from the god Nalo. She assembles a new crew for this adventure, and after her last journey with Maui, we can’t wait to see how they help and challenge her. A larger crew will surely bring a tidal wave of fun to the story!

In the first film, we’re introduced to Te Fiti, the goddess of nature, who represents a group of Polynesian deities that care for our planet. We also meet Maui, a demigod based on legendary tales. The sequel will introduce new gods like Nalo, who, as we said, brings a curse to the island of Motufetu, and Matangi, the goddess of the underworld. While we’re eager to get to know these new gods, we don’t think Te Fiti’s story should be over yet, either! In mythology, Māui meets his fate at the hands of Hine-nui-te-pō, the goddess of death, although Disney will likely avoid that tale. Still, they could celebrate Polynesian culture and traditions through these deities and their stories!

“Moana” touched upon the history of Motunui with the opening tale about Maui. We learn how his actions changed the tides for nearby islands. However, Moana’s core identity remains linked to her people’s history as wayfinding voyagers. One of her father’s biggest fears was losing his daughter like he lost some of his people to the vast ocean. But what really happened to them? What if they are still out there? Are there other islands with similar tales? Moana showed she’s a natural-born leader, and we believe her leadership significantly shaped her island’s culture. This movie offers a chance to see how the past and present come together in a rich tapestry of stories.

One of our favorite aspects of the modern Disney universe is how it interconnects with cleverly placed easter eggs. We mentioned Sven earlier, and he’s not the only “Frozen” character to make an appearance. Olaf? Is that you? We also spotted Genie’s lamp, a quick cameo from Flounder, and, of course, classic Mickey Mouse, among other surprises. Since this is a sequel, we expect some throwbacks to the original movie. The trailer hints at how the story links back to the first film. Plus, we’re curious to see how much Moana influenced those around her, for starters, is that a new tattoo on Maui? We can’t wait to see Moana’s little sister inherit her love for the ocean, either!

Did you know that while Motunui is a fictional island, it’s inspired by real places like Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti? Some even believe that the story takes place during “The Long Pause,” a mysterious time in Polynesian history when voyaging just stopped. The original movie offers a creative explanation, ending with the islanders getting back to their sea adventures. Now that they’re back on the open ocean, it’s the perfect time to explore even more Polynesian cultures! Disney has done such an amazing job showcasing diverse traditions in movies like “Coco,” “Encanto,” “Turning Red,” and “Luca.” Here’s hoping “Moana 2” brings that same magic to life!

Based on the trailer, Moana is taking her mission to new depths, aiming to use the ocean to connect distant communities. But it’s clear the journey won’t be smooth sailing. We catch glimpses of new challenges, like Matangi—a mysterious character who definitely has us intrigued. Plus, some old nemeses are back, like the creepy Kakamora! Also, this time, Moana’s crew is much larger than just her, Maui and Heihei, and that’s a whole other group dynamic we can’t wait to get into. Needless to say, we see some rough waters up ahead. All this just makes for an exciting premise as she ventures beyond the barrier and into uncharted waters once more.

Let’s be honest: the “Moana” soundtrack has no skips, thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s genius! So when we found out he wouldn’t be reuniting with composers Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i for the sequel, we had our doubts. But with Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow now taking the helm, the new soundtrack can continue honoring the film’s Polynesian roots while making its own waves, too. This Grammy-winning duo from “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” has some serious talent! With incredible individual and joint credits and a fresh approach, they’re one of the most exciting teams in music. We can’t wait to hear beyond the trailer snippets and see just “How Far [They’ll] Go” to create an unforgettable sound!

What are you most hoping to see in “Moana 2”? Let us know in the comments!