‘Moana 2’ Critically Divisive but Set for Box Office Success

When Disney announced a sequel to Moana, a beloved animated film that struck a chord with audiences in 2016, there was a sense that the company was taking a risk. The original film, which had earned glowing reviews, captured the hearts of viewers with its stunning animation, memorable music, and a strong, empowering story led by the adventurous Moana. A sequel, however, often faces the challenge of meeting or exceeding the high expectations set by its predecessor. Unfortunately for Disney, Moana 2 seems to have fallen short in that regard, with reviews revealing a stark contrast in critical reception compared to the first film.

The original Moana received an impressive 95% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 287 reviews, while its sequel has garnered a much lower 66% score after 89 reviews. While the audience score for Moana 2 is also strong at 87%—similar to the original film’s 89%—the critical reception for the sequel has been notably lukewarm. While Disney has proven time and again that they value box office numbers more than critic reviews, the large gap between the first and second Moana films is worth noting, especially given how highly praised the original movie was.

For context, Disney and Pixar have experienced a range of outcomes with their animated sequels. Here’s a comparison of the critical scores between some of the most popular animated franchises from Disney and Pixar: Moana (95%) – Moana 2 (66%), Frozen (89%) – Frozen 2 (77%), Inside Out (98%) – Inside Out 2 (90%), Toy Story (100%) – Toy Story 2 (100%), Finding Nemo (99%) – Finding Dory (94%), Monsters, Inc. (96%) – Monsters University (80%), The Incredibles (97%) – The Incredibles 2 (93%). Out of all these franchises, the gap in critic scores between Moana and Moana 2 stands out as the most significant. The 29-point difference between the two films is larger than any of the other sequels in the list, which suggests that Disney might have struggled to recapture the magic that made the first Moana film such a success.

In comparison to other sequels, Moana 2 has experienced the steepest drop in critic approval, though this doesn’t mean the sequel is a failure. After all, audience reactions are still favorable, and that’s a crucial factor in determining the film’s commercial success. If the audience’s enthusiasm translates into box office sales, Disney could still see Moana 2 perform well financially. The first Moana made an impressive $643 million worldwide, and while it remains to be seen whether the sequel can top that, early projections suggest that it could.

In fact, Moana 2 had already raked in $50 million globally on its opening day alone, setting the stage for what could be a huge weekend box office haul. Disney, known for prioritizing commercial success, may be less concerned with the film’s critical reception, particularly when it has such strong audience support. The big question now is whether Moana 2 will join the ranks of other Disney animated films that have surpassed their predecessors in box office returns, despite receiving lower critic scores.

It’s also worth mentioning that Disney’s animated division is facing stiff competition this year. From The Wild Robot to Transformers One, there are several other animated films that are setting the bar high in terms of quality and creativity. While Inside Out 2 was a smash hit and has shown that sequels can maintain or even exceed the original’s success, Moana 2 doesn’t seem to be on the same level in terms of critical acclaim. That said, Disney will still be hoping that the film’s box office performance offsets the mixed reviews.

The company has also invested heavily in the upcoming live-action Moana, set to star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which is scheduled for release in 2026. It will be interesting to see how this live-action adaptation compares to both Moana and Moana 2, especially considering Johnson’s role in the film and the high anticipation surrounding it.

Despite the critical reception, there’s no denying that Moana 2 has already made a strong impact at the box office. Disney’s focus on financial returns rather than critics’ opinions may work in the sequel’s favor, especially if it can generate enough ticket sales to make up for any shortcomings in the critical department. If the film continues to perform well in theaters, it could even pave the way for a third Moana movie, although this remains to be seen.

Frozen 3 is already in the works, and many are wondering whether Moana 2 will be part of a larger trend of Disney sequels continuing to perform well financially despite critical declines. If it continues on its current trajectory, Moana 2 could eventually approach the billion-dollar mark, even if it doesn’t achieve the same level of critical success as its predecessor. However, for Disney, the question remains: Will the financial success of Moana 2 be enough to offset the dip in critical reception, or will they need to recalibrate their approach for future sequels?

In conclusion, while Moana 2 may not be earning the same rave reviews as the original, it’s poised for massive box office success. With its strong audience ratings and a likely boost from the popularity of its predecessor, the sequel’s financial performance will likely overshadow any criticisms it faces. Time will tell if Moana 2 can ultimately surpass Moana in terms of global earnings, but one thing is certain: Disney’s animated division continues to find success in ways that critics might not always fully appreciate.