Moana 2’s Impressive $1 Billion Box Office Success Signals Positive Outlook for Disney’s 2025 Animated Sequel

The Success of Moana 2: A Boon for Disney’s Animated Franchise

The recent triumph of Moana 2 at the box office signals a promising future for Disney’s animated films. This sequel depicts the adventures of Moana as she reunites with the demigod Maui, embarking on a quest to locate the elusive island of Motufetu. After a considerable wait of eight years since the original film, Moana 2’s transformation from a proposed Disney+ series into a theatrical release has proven to be an astute decision.

Despite receiving mixed reviews compared to its predecessor, Moana 2 has surpassed expectations financially, raking in an astonishing $1, 012, 585, 980 globally as reported by Box Office Mojo. This commercial success not only reinforces the viability of animated sequels but also paves the way for the eagerly awaited Zootopia 2, slated for a theatrical release on November 26, 2025.

Moana 2 Contributes to Disney’s $1 Billion Animated Sequels in 2024

Inside Out 2: Another Box Office Sensation

Disney’s 2024 box office performance was remarkable, particularly with Moana 2 becoming the studio’s second animated feature to cross the $1 billion mark. Just five months prior to Moana 2’s release, fans were equally thrilled by Inside Out 2, which debuted after a nine-year wait. This sequel to the acclaimed 2015 film resonated with audiences, achieving an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $1, 698, 863, 816 globally (via Box Office Mojo).

With Inside Out 2 becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time, it’s evident that Disney’s strategy of delaying sequels has paid off handsomely. The successes of these films indicate that, even after challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney retains its position as a leading player in animation.

Anticipation Builds for Zootopia 2

Zootopia 2: A Long-Awaited Follow-Up

Originally released in 2016, the first installment of Zootopia was another hallmark in Disney’s animated portfolio, coinciding with the debut of Moana. Fans have eagerly anticipated the sequel, which is set in a unique animal-only world devoid of humans, presenting a vibrant city where various species coexist. The narrative will continue to focus on beloved characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they tackle a new mystery together.

At the conclusion of the first film, Nick, a former con artist, completes his journey by graduating from the police academy and joining Judy as her partner. Details surrounding Zootopia 2 remain scarce, though one exciting tidbit has emerged: the introduction of reptiles to a storyline previously exclusive to mammals.

Zootopia 2: Set to Achieve Another Financial Milestone for Disney

Potential for Zootopia 2 to Mirror Previous Successes

With a planned release date of November 26, 2025, Zootopia 2 is strategically positioned to capitalize on the bustling Thanksgiving weekend box office. Following the impressive opening of Moana 2, expectations for Zootopia 2’s performance are high, suggesting it may follow a similar pattern of success.

Disney Animated Movies	Worldwide Box Office	RT Critics Score
Ocean	$643, 331, 111	95%
Inside Out	$858, 294, 430	98%
Zootopia	$1, 023, 784, 195	98%
Ocean 2	$1, 012, 585, 981	61%
Inside Out 2	$1, 698, 863, 816	91%
Zootopia 2	n/a	n/a

Both Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 not only outperformed their predecessors by hundreds of millions of dollars but also set a benchmark for Zootopia 2 to exceed the original Zootopia’s gross of $1, 023, 784, 195 (via Box Office Mojo).With the momentum built from these recent successes, it is reasonable to predict that Zootopia 2 will achieve remarkable box office results, further solidifying Disney’s dominance in animated feature films.

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