The essential Moana movie order is simple: watch the animated Moana from 2016, then continue with Moana 2 from 2024. Those two films form the main animated storyline.
Gone Fishing is a brief, optional Maui mini-movie that fits after the original. The live-action Moana from 2026 retells the first adventure rather than continuing Moana 2, so it sits outside the animated chronology. Disney describes the 2026 production as a live-action reimagining of its 2016 animated movie.
Moana Watch Order at a Glance
| Position | Title | Year | Format | How it fits | Essential? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moana | 2016 | Animated feature | Begins the animated story | Yes |
| Bonus | Maui Mini-Movie: Gone Fishing | 2017 | Animated short | Optional extra after the first movie | No |
| 2 | Moana 2 | 2024 | Animated feature | Direct continuation of the animated story | Yes |
| Alternate version | Moana | 2026 | Live-action feature | Retells the first movie | No for animated continuity |
| Future project | Moana 3 | TBA | Animated feature | Reported to be in development | Not released |
Choose the order that fits what you want to watch
- Main animated story: Moana → Moana 2
- Every released screen entry: Moana → Gone Fishing → Moana 2 → live-action Moana
- Original and remake comparison: Moana (2016) → Moana (2026)
- Live-action movie only: Moana (2026) works as a separate retelling
There are currently three released feature-length Moana movies: two animated films and one live-action film. The count becomes four screen entries when the bonus mini-movie is included.
Franchise order checked: July 2026
The order here separates feature films, bonus material, direct sequels, alternate retellings, and unreleased projects. That avoids making the 2026 remake look like the next chapter after Moana 2.
Moana Movies in Release Order
Release order includes every screen entry according to when it became available. It is not quite the same as story order because the latest feature returns to the beginning rather than advancing the animated timeline.
1. Moana (2016) — The Animated Starting Point
Disney’s original animated feature is the clearest place to begin. It introduces Moana, Maui, Motunui, the Ocean’s role in the story, and the wayfinding history that remains important in the sequel.
The film was released on November 23, 2016, and runs for 1 hour 47 minutes. Auliʻi Cravalho voices Moana, while Dwayne Johnson voices Maui.
A long plot recap is not needed to understand its place in the order. This is the foundation. Someone planning to follow Moana’s continuing animated story should not skip it before moving to Moana 2.
Bonus: Gone Fishing (2017) — Optional Maui Mini-Movie
This small extra follows Maui during an unsuccessful attempt to catch a meal, with Moana and the Ocean becoming involved. It was released as bonus material connected with the home-media edition of the first movie rather than as a theatrical feature.
The mini-movie runs for only a few minutes and does not introduce essential information for the sequel. It fits naturally after Moana because its characters and humor assume familiarity with the first film.
Skipping it will not make Moana 2 confusing. Completionists can include it; viewers interested only in the feature films can move directly to the sequel.
2. Moana 2 (2024) — The Animated Sequel
The second animated movie is the true next chapter. Disney places it three years after the original and reunites Moana and Maui for another voyage alongside a new group of seafarers.
It was released on November 27, 2024, with a runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return as the voices of Moana and Maui.
Anyone following the animated continuity should watch this after the 2016 film. Gone Fishing is not a prerequisite, and the live-action remake does not need to be placed between the two animated features.
Alternate Version: Moana (2026) — The Live-Action Retelling
Despite arriving after Moana 2, the 2026 release does not move the animated storyline forward. It brings the first adventure into live action, with Catherine Lagaʻaia playing Moana and Dwayne Johnson physically portraying Maui after voicing him in the animated films.
Disney calls the production a live-action reimagining of the animated adventure. It was released on July 10, 2026, and runs for 1 hour 55 minutes.
It can be watched without seeing Moana 2. Readers mainly interested in this version can open the Moana 2026 movie page, while the Moana 2026 cast and character guide covers its performers in more detail.
Which Moana Viewing Order Should You Choose?
The release list is useful, but not everyone needs to watch all four released entries. The better sequence depends on whether you want the continuing story, every piece of bonus material, or a direct comparison between animation and live action.
| Viewer type | Recommended order |
|---|---|
| First-time franchise viewer | Moana → Moana 2 |
| Animated-story viewer | Moana → Moana 2 |
| Completionist | Moana → Gone Fishing → Moana 2 → Moana (2026) |
| Original-remake comparison | Moana (2016) → Moana (2026) |
| Live-action-only viewer | Moana (2026) |
| Family with a sensitive younger child | Animated Moana first |
Animated Story Order
For the central continuing narrative, only two movies are essential:
- Moana (2016)
- Moana 2 (2024)
The sequel takes place three years later and assumes that the audience already understands Moana’s connection with Maui, Motunui, and her wayfinding heritage.
The short can be added as a bonus, but the 2026 film does not belong after Moana 2 as a third story chapter.
Complete Release Order
A completionist route includes every released feature and the Maui mini-movie:
- Moana (2016)
- Gone Fishing (2017)
- Moana 2 (2024)
- Moana (2026)
The first three entries move from the original film to bonus material and then its animated sequel. The final entry resets the story through live action.
That difference is worth remembering during a marathon. Watching by release date is perfectly reasonable, but the ending of Moana 2 does not lead into the beginning of the 2026 film.
Original and Remake Comparison Order
Watch the 2016 animation before the 2026 remake when the goal is to compare the two interpretations.
Starting with the animated film makes it easier to notice how the remake handles the voyage, musical moments, creatures, family relationships, and Maui’s physical presence. The original also establishes the version of the story that began the franchise.
A full breakdown belongs in Moana 2026 vs Moana 2016 rather than this order guide.
Family-First Viewing Order
For many families, the animated original is the easier starting point. Its stylized presentation can make storms, creatures, and fantasy danger feel less physically immediate than the same material in live action.
The animation is not free of peril, and individual children respond differently. Parents deciding between the two versions can use the Moana 2026 parents guide for age suitability, violence, frightening scenes, and language.
A practical family sequence is:
- Animated Moana
- Moana 2
- Live-action Moana when the child is ready or interested
- Gone Fishing whenever a brief bonus fits
What Can You Skip?
Gone Fishing is the easiest entry to leave out. It adds a little more Maui and Moana material but does not set up the sequel.
The live-action remake can also be skipped by anyone following only animated continuity. It is another version of the first film rather than a missing bridge between Moana and Moana 2.
A viewer interested only in the remake can skip Moana 2. The 2026 movie returns to the first adventure and does not require knowledge of the animated sequel.
The one title that should not be skipped in the core animated order is the 2016 original. Moana 2 is built as its continuation.
Where Does the Live-Action Moana 2026 Fit?
The 2026 release belongs in the franchise, but not at the end of the animated chronology. Its placement changes depending on which kind of order is being used:
- Release order: After Moana 2
- Animated story order: Outside the sequence
- Comparison order: Directly after Moana (2016)
- Remake-only order: It can stand alone
Disney’s description identifies it as a reimagining of the animated adventure, while Moana 2 is described as a reunion with Moana and Maui three years later.
Is Moana 2026 a Sequel or a Remake?
It is a live-action remake or reimagining, not a sequel.
The movie is the third released feature-length film carrying the Moana name, but that does not make it the third chapter of one storyline. Feature count and story numbering are different.
Calling it Moana 3 would be misleading because it returns to the events adapted from the 2016 movie.
Do You Need to Watch Moana 2 Before It?
No previous knowledge of Moana 2 is required. The live-action film introduces its own version of Moana, her family, Maui, and the central voyage.
Watching the animated original first provides useful comparison, but it is not necessary for following the basic story. Someone discovering the franchise through the 2026 cast can begin there and return to the animated films later.
Should You Watch the Animated or Live-Action Version First?
The animated film is the stronger starting point for anyone who wants to follow the franchise from its beginning. It came first, establishes the animated continuity, and leads naturally into Moana 2.
Starting with live action also works when the remake is the main attraction. It does not depend on the sequel.
Watching both is less about understanding the timeline and more about comparing two productions built around the same adventure.
How Many Moana Movies Are There?
The answer depends on what is being counted.
Released feature-length movies: three
- Moana (2016)
- Moana 2 (2024)
- Moana (2026)
Animated feature films: two
- Moana
- Moana 2
Released screen entries including the short: four
- Moana
- Gone Fishing
- Moana 2
- Live-action Moana
Moana 3 should not be added to any released-title count. It has been reported as a future animated film in development, but it has not been released and does not yet have a confirmed public release date.
This counting method explains why one collection page may show three movies while another watch list displays four titles.
How Long Does It Take to Watch All the Moana Movies?
The two animated features take 3 hours 27 minutes in total. Disney lists the original at 1 hour 47 minutes and Moana 2 at 1 hour 40 minutes.
Adding the brief Gone Fishing mini-movie brings that path to roughly 3 hours 30 minutes.
The original animation and live-action remake take 3 hours 42 minutes together. The remake runs for 1 hour 55 minutes.
| Viewing path | Approximate runtime |
|---|---|
| Animated story: Moana + Moana 2 | 3h 27m |
| Animated story plus Gone Fishing | About 3h 30m |
| Original plus live-action remake | 3h 42m |
| All released screen entries | About 5h 25m |
These totals do not include breaks. The exact full-marathon time can vary slightly depending on how a platform handles credits and the mini-movie.
Is Moana 3 Confirmed?
A third animated installment is in development, according to Dwayne Johnson. During 2026 press activity for the live-action film, he said Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller were returning to write it.
That does not place Moana 3 in the current watch order. It remains an unreleased future project, and the report did not provide a release date.
There is also a difference between a project being described as in development and Disney publishing a complete film announcement with a date, cast, production schedule, and official movie page. Those fuller details were not available in the official Disney film sources checked for this guide.
Moana 3 status checked: July 2026
Until a release arrives, the current animated story remains:
- Moana
- Moana 2
Where to Find the Moana Movies
Availability changes across countries, services, and release windows. The two animated features have official Disney movie pages, while the 2026 remake was still identified by Disney as a theatrical release in July 2026.
On 0123movies, open the Moana 2026 movie page for the live-action title details and current player information.
Visitors using the 123movies name variation can follow the same title-focused page rather than relying on this franchise-order guide for availability.
The Moana 2026 Watch Online Free entry may also appear in the site’s Free Movies Online collection. Check the destination page for its current status rather than assuming that availability remains unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Moana movie order?
For the continuing animated story, watch Moana first and Moana 2 second. Add Gone Fishing after the first movie as an optional bonus. The 2026 live-action film is a separate retelling and can be watched after the original or on its own.
How many Moana movies are there?
There are three released feature-length films as of July 2026: two animated features and one live-action feature. There are four released screen entries when the Gone Fishing mini-movie is included.
Is Gone Fishing required before Moana 2?
It is optional bonus material. The short adds a small Maui-focused story but does not contain information needed to understand Moana 2.
Is Moana 2 a direct sequel?
The movie continues the animated story three years after the events of Moana. Moana and Maui reunite for another voyage, making it the second essential feature in animated continuity.
Is Moana 2026 a sequel or Moana 3?
Neither description fits. It is a live-action reimagining of the first animated film, not a continuation of Moana 2 and not the third animated chapter.
Can you watch the live-action Moana first?
The remake works as its own version of the first adventure. Starting with the 2016 animation is better for following the franchise’s original release and animated storyline, but it is not required for understanding the live-action movie.
Has Moana 3 been officially announced?
Dwayne Johnson said in July 2026 that a third animated movie was in development and named Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller as its writers. No release date was provided, so it remains outside the released viewing order.
Where can you watch the Moana movies in order?
Availability depends on the viewer’s country and the date. Check the individual title pages for the original animation, Moana 2, and the live-action remake rather than relying on an older platform list.