Disney Moana is a brand of animated films and merchandise featuring the Polynesian princess, Moana. The brand is owned by The Walt Disney Company and was created as part of Disney's ongoing effort to diversify its animated movies and expand its reach around the world. The first movie in the franchise, Moana, was released in 2016 and was a commercial and critical success.
The idea for Moana began in 2010 when John Lasseter visited Polynesia on a family vacation and saw the beauty and culture of the region first-hand.
The film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, the same team responsible for other classic Disney animated films like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.
The voice of Moana was provided by Auli'i Cravalho, a Hawaiian actress and singer who was discovered at an open casting call.
The film was praised for its representation of Polynesian culture, music, and mythology, and its themes of female empowerment and self-discovery.
Moana was followed by a short film, Inner Workings, and a TV special, Maui's Magical Fishhook, both released in 2016.
DreamWorks Animation is a competitor to Disney in the animated movie industry. The company has produced several successful franchises, including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon.
Pixar Animation Studios is another competitor to Disney in the animated movie industry. The studio has produced several critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies, including Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Coco.
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio that has produced several critically acclaimed movies, including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and My Neighbor Totoro. While the studio is not a direct competitor to Disney, it has a strong following among fans of animated movies.
Moana is a 2016 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film tells the story of Moana, a young Polynesian princess who sets out to save her people by crossing the ocean and finding the demigod Maui.
The Moana soundtrack features songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa'i. The soundtrack includes hits like 'How Far I'll Go' and 'You're Welcome' performed by Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson.
Disney Moana merchandise includes toys, clothing, accessories, and home decor. The merchandise features characters from the movie, including Moana, Maui, and Heihei the rooster.
While Moana is not directly based on a true story or historical figure, the filmmakers drew inspiration from Polynesian mythology, culture, and geography to create the story and characters.
Moana is voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, a Hawaiian actress and singer who was only 14 years old when the film was released.
The chicken's name is Heihei, and he serves as the film's comic relief.
Moana was nominated for two Academy Awards, for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ('How Far I'll Go'), but did not win either. However, the movie won several other awards, including Best Animated Film at the BAFTA Children's Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.
As of now, there is no official announcement about a sequel to Moana. However, with the success of the first movie and the popularity of the character, it is possible that Disney may create a sequel or spinoff in the future.