Here’s our first look at Moana 2:

Here's your first look at #Moana2, only in theaters this November pic.twitter.com/dYBmFMzfce

— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) February 7, 2024

We don’t know what the story could be about yet, but we should expect Moana and Maui to come back and go on another mystical adventure.

In the first movie, we saw Moana take over her tribe and finally have them exploring outside of their island, as they were originally explorers. We should expect the sequel to expand on that concept; but since we’re expecting some kind of conflict, it’s possible that opening up the world to her people could lead to some consequences that Moana should be expecting.

It’s also worth noting that Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote music for the original movie, is said not to be returning for the sequel.

It’s said that this sequel was originally conceptualized as a series, but with Bob Iger taking over again, it’s possible that he saw the success of the Moana property and decided that it would probably draw in an audience in the movie theaters.

With Disney also gearing up for a live-action adaptation of Moana with Dwayne Johnson, it would make sense for the studio to keep audiences updated on Moana’s world and lore, just to keep everyone excited about its mystical pacific islander influence.

Moana 2 is set to release in theaters in November.

Variety reports that several Marvel projects have been pushed back with Captain America: Brave New World moving from May 2024 to July 26, 2024. This move has effectively pushed back Thunderbolts (Dec. 20, 2024), Blade (Feb. 14, 2023), and Fantastic Four (May 2, 2025). Avengers: The Kang Dynasty gets delayed by a year to May 1, 2026, pushing back Secret Wars to May 7, 2027.

Oddly enough though, Deadpool 3, has been pushed forward, moving from a November 2024 release to May 3, 2024.

As for other IP, we’re getting two separate Star Wars films coming out on May 22, 2026 and Dec. 17, 2027. The live-action Moana movie starring Dwayne Johnson comes out on June 27, 2025, and the release dates for the Avatar sequels have shifted to Dec. 19, 2025, Dec. 21, 2029, and Dec. 19, 2031.

A huge factor to the delay is also the currently ongoing WGA Strike, which has effectively halted all projects in development. Hopefully studios reach a compromise soon, because not only is this affecting multiple films, but television as well.

With a franchise as huge as Disney, you can’t blame them for planning ahead as far as they are, but with all these release date shifts, maybe the studio should just adapt the game studio method of being vaguer with release dates.

It’s just an idea.

Check this out:

As per the official announcement, a live-action Moana is going to be in the works for Disney, and it looks like Dwayne Johnson is expected to reprise the role of the demi-god Maui. Johnson said this about the role:

“I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.”

Besides Johnson, Auli’I Cravalho, who was the original voice of Moana, is also attached to the project as an executive producer. Now I’m curious if Lin-Manuel Miranda is also coming back to write some new songs for this movie as well.

There’s definitely a lot to love about Moana, and a live-action adaptation shouldn’t be much of a stretch. If anything, I thought Frozen would be the first movie to get an adaptation, but with no Moana 2 in sight (and the Rock probably done playing Black Adam), I think a live-action version of the film could be the next big thing for Disney.

No release date has been set for the live-action Moana, but you can catch another sea adventure with The Little Mermaid which hits theaters on May 26.

Watch the trailer for Sea Beast here. 

In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes – and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he’s saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history.

Karl Urban (Star Trek, The Boys) is probably the biggest name in the cast, but the movie also includes Zari-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Dan Stevens, and Kathy Burke.

The movie looks like a good bit of fun, and while pirates can be fun as themselves, there is a lot to love when it comes to all the creatures and monsters that appeared in the trailer. We don’t know which sea beast the title is referring to—since we’re seeing a lot—but I’m hoping that there’s more to the movie we haven’t seen yet.

Disney may be dominating the animation market (among other things), but Netflix continues to be an avenue for some really interesting animated films. Besides the Christmas movie Klaus, they also had another attempt at a Disney film with Over the Moon. I’m sure The Sea Beast will be turning head as well.

The Sea Beast comes to Netflix on July 8.

Watch the trailer for Encanto down here:

Here’s the official description:

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming feature film “Encanto” tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Each child has been blessed with a magic gift unique to them—each child except Mirabel. But when the family’s home is threatened, Mirabel may be their only hope.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans will recognize the voice of Mirabel as she’s played by Stephanie Beatriz. Other actors in the film include John Leguizamo, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderama, Carolina Gaitan, and Maria Cecilia Botero.

Music from the film also also comes from Lin-Manuel Miranda, who had already worked with Disney on songs for Moana and the upcoming Little Mermaid adaptation. He was also performing alongside Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns.

While the first teaser kind of felt like a Colombian version of Harry Potter, the new preview has confirmed that the main chunk of the story is not just about Mirabel finding her magic, but also trying to restore the magic of the rest of her family. If anything, the living house concept is kind of a reversal of the more horror take of Monster House.

Catch Encanto when it hits theaters on Nov. 24.