Inspired by Polynesian mythology, Moana is depicted as the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a Polynesian village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui (Dwayne Johnson), a legendary demigod, in the hope of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her people. She then forms a crew and embarks on a voyage to recover the lost island of Motufetu and restore the channels that connected the people of the sea. The goddess revives the dying islands across the world, and restores Moana’s boat and Maui’s fishhook.
Main Characters
Moana blows her conch shell from atop Motufetu, and soon, her call is answered as other rafts begin to arrive from various directions. Maui compliments Moana’s tattoos by saying « my tattoos are still cooler than yours ». As they blow their conch shells in reply, it allows Moana to meet with the other islanders reconnected by Motufetu’s return. Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you’re exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.
Through her courage and revelation about Te Ka’s true identity, she strives to restore the heart to its rightful place. Determined, Moana sets sail to find Maui, despite her inexperience in sailing. Her journey begins, filled with tests that push her to develop her skills and confidence. Moana takes on various duties and starts facing challenges, including failed coconut harvests and unsuccessful fishing trips.
Upon being unable to find Te Fiti, Moana realizes Te Kā is Te Fiti, but corrupted without her heart. The ocean clears a path for Moana, allowing her to return the heart to Te Fiti, who heals the ocean and islands of blight. Maui apologizes to Te Fiti, who fixes his hook as well as Moana’s boat before falling into a deep sleep and becoming an island. She reunites with her parents, with Tui now accepting that going past the reef suits her. Now that the villagers can return to wayfinding, they release the boats from the hidden cave.
Moana 2 Sing-Along
Moana returns in the sequel film Moana 2, which premiered in November 2024, again voiced by Cravalho, as well as a live-action remake film, in 2026, in which she will be portrayed by Catherine Laga’aia. When Moana got into another argument with her father, after attempting to convince him to help restore the Heart in attempt to save Motunui, Moana and her father were informed that Tala was suddenly dying, much to their shock. Upon approaching Tala’s deathbed, Moana was saddened to watch her grandmother die before her eyes and did not want to leave her side. However, after Tala urged her to leave Motunui, find Maui, and restore the Heart of Te Fiti, Moana decided to fulfill her grandmother’s dying wish and as she left to begin her journey, she saw Tala being reincarnated into a giant manta ray. After Tala’s death, Moana immediately leaves Motuni to start her question restoring the Heart of Te Fiti alone without the aid of her father or any of her people.
- Moana and Heihei sail for Motunui and arrive as the island is recovering from the curse entirely.
- 3 years after she returned Te Fiti’s heart, Moana is now on the search for other people besides her island.
- Ultimately, with her ancestors by her side, Moana courageously places the heart back into Te Ka, who transforms back into Te Fiti, signifying life renewed.
- Struggling between her village duties and her yearning for the sea, Moana decides to venture out, taking a canoe to explore the waters beyond the reef with her pet pig, Pua.
- Tala encourages Moana to return home if she wishes to, promising to remain by her side on the journey back.
- Leaving the island without the heart caused it to collapse and a lava monster named Te Kā to appear and confront Maui, which caused his fish hook and the heart to disappear into the ocean.
Cast and characters
- This act signifies the renewal of life and reinforces Moana’s role as a master wayfinder, ready to lead her people.
- Armed with his magical fish hook, Maui travels to Te Fiti and steals her heart, a small green gemstone adorned with a spiral.
- After escaping the cave, the ocean sends Moana back on the sailboat to convince Maui.
- This caused Te Fiti to disintegrate, and Maui was attacked by Te Kā, a volcanic demon.
- He is overpowered by Tamatoa, but Moana’s quick thinking allows them to escape with the hook.
- The Kakamora crave the heart of Te Fiti’s power, but Moana stands her ground and fights back.
- Upon approaching Tala’s deathbed, Moana was saddened to watch her grandmother die before her eyes and did not want to leave her side.
This era is filled with myths and legends that influence the lives of the islanders, showcasing a world where the brave venture beyond the reef to explore. While navigating treacherous waters, Moana and Maui face a crew of mischievous coconut pirates known as the Kakamora. This confrontation strengthens their partnership as Maui begins to train Moana in navigation.
Moana 2016
When she resurfaces, Tala is Moana gone, but Moana’s determination is stronger than ever. The Kakamora crave the heart of Te Fiti’s power, but Moana stands her ground and fights back. Though Maui commends her on surviving, he still refuses to help return the heart. Moana persuades him to do otherwise when she claims such an act will help Maui regain a positive reputation amongst mortals. Maui agrees to help, but not without his fishhook, which is said to be in the clutches of Tamatoa, a giant crab living in the Realm of Monsters. As they make their way, Moana watches intently as Maui proves himself to be a master wayfinder.
This theft results in the decay of Te Fiti’s island, and soon darkness begins to spread. With her dying breath, she tells Moana to go save her people and gives her the necklace used to carry the heart. Moana departs using one of the sailboats found in the cave and departs with Heihei, a dumb rooster who has accidentally stowed away on the sailboat. She seeks to find Maui by following a constellation that looks like his fish hook, but a wave flips her sailboat and knocks her unconscious. She wakes up the next morning on a small island inhabited by Maui, who traps Moana in a cave after distracting her with a tune. After escaping the cave, the ocean sends Moana back on the sailboat to convince Maui.
While escaping with a stolen heart, Maui faces Te Ka, a monstrous lava entity. Their fierce battle results in Maui’s defeat, losing both the heart and his hook to the ocean depths. Sina explains to Moana that Tui’s fears stem from a traumatic experience from his youth, where a boat trip ended in disaster, leaving him fearful for Moana’s safety. Nonetheless, she encourages Moana to follow her passions, no matter how challenging it may be.
After Moana retrieves Heihei from the Kakamora, Maui is able to get their massive sailboats to collide into each other and the three make it out unharmed. In order to do so, he needs his hook which is hidden in the Realm of Monsters, held by a giant villainous coconut crab named Tamatoa. In his lair, Maui barely retrieves his magical fish hook while Moana distracts Tamatoa by having him sing about himself. Afterward, Maui and Moana escape his lair and Tamatoa is left stranded on his back in a last-ditch effort to grab them both.
They share a moment of connection, leading Tala to reveal a hidden cave containing their ancestors’ fleet of voyaging canoes, long abandoned in the wake of Maui stealing Te Fiti’s heart. Moana is overjoyed to learn that her ancestors were mighty navigators and voyagers. Tala presents Moana with the very heart of Te Fiti, signifying that the ocean has chosen her as the one destined to restore it. After ensuring the turtle’s safety, Moana witnesses a mesmerizing ripple across the water’s surface.