Moana 2's debut Rotten Tomatoes rating is lower than the first movie.
The sequel, which is out now in the US and arrives in UK cinemas on November 29, follows the titular heroine as she journeys into dangerous, long-lost waters alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.
The film brings back Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson as Moana and Maui, respectively.
First reviews have seen the movie receive a 69% critics score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, which is significantly lower than the 95% awarded to Disney's original 2016 film.
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This score could climb as more reviews roll in, but most critics seems to be in agreement that the sequel fails to reach the stirring heights of the original, despite its "beautiful" animation.
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Here's what some of the reviews have been saying so far:
Variety
"Moana 2 is an okay movie, an above-average kiddie roller-coaster, and a piece of pure product in a way that the first Moana, at its best, transcended."
Time Out
"Moana remains a great character, resourceful and self-reliant but still prone to trip, and her dynamic with Maui is again a joy, even if it’s softened from the snarky interplay of the first film."
Rolling Stone
"The overall sentiment seems to be something like Sequel 101: You loved the first movie, so here’s a second movie that’s a lot like the first movie. This is the good news if that’s what you’re after. If not, well: It’s one hour and 40 minutes."
The Hollywood Reporter
"Where Moana focused on the relationship between the titular adventurer and her reluctant demigod companion, Moana 2 divides its attention among more characters. These personalities become window dressing in a movie short on time."
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London Evening Standard
"The animation is even more beautiful, allowing you to see every grain of sand and drop of ocean spray. With artistry this good, it begs the question for why a live-action remake is needed at all."
IGN Movies
"While some of the elements still manage to get a laugh here, the world we were introduced to eight years ago doesn’t feel richer or more exciting."
Moana 2 is out now in US cinemas and will be released in UK cinemas on November 29, while Moana is available to stream on Disney+.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
