Another Disney remake is about to arrive in theaters, and it has reignited a debate that refuses to disappear. Plenty of fans continue questioning the company's growing reliance on sequels and live-action adaptations, even as those films keep finding commercial success.
Now, just before the live-action Moana (2026) premieres, Disney is already looking ahead to what comes after it.
Disney Continues Building Around Familiar Favorites
Over the last several years, Disney has relied heavily on recognizable franchises. Animated sequels and live-action remakes now make up a significant part of the studio's release calendar.
From a business standpoint, the strategy continues to work.
Films like Toy Story 5 (2026) and Zootopia 2 (2025) earned impressive box office numbers, showing that audiences still enjoy returning to beloved characters.
At the same time, many fans continue asking Disney to balance those projects with more original films. Some enjoy seeing familiar worlds expanded, while others believe the studio should take bigger creative chances.
Moana Keeps Growing Beyond the Original Film
Disney has transformed Moana into one of its biggest modern franchises.
The original animated movie became a fan favorite when it arrived in 2016. Its popularity continued to grow through streaming before Disney released Moana 2 (2024), adding another successful chapter to the series.
Next comes the live-action adaptation starring Catherine Laga'aia as Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui.
However, Disney's plans extend beyond the remake.
Dwayne Johnson Shares a Major Update
While promoting the live-action movie in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dwayne Johnson confirmed that Walt Disney Animation Studios is already working on Moana 3.
He also said writers Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller will return after previously teaming up on Moana 2.
“Yes, we have talked about ‘Moana 3,' yes. But first, live-action ‘Moana,' we'll let that come out first. We have [the] amazing Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who have been our writers … they will pen ‘Moana 3.'”
His comments show Disney already views Moana as one of the company's most important animated franchises.
An Exclusive Group for Disney Animation
When Moana 3 arrives, it will achieve something few Disney animated franchises have accomplished.
The series will become only the second Walt Disney Animation Studios property to receive a theatrical trilogy, joining the Frozen films. Disney has already scheduled Frozen 3 (2027) for release on November 24, 2027.
The first two Moana movies combined to earn more than $1.7 billion worldwide, making another installment an easy decision for Disney.
Story details remain unknown. Disney also has not officially announced returning cast members, although Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson are widely expected to reprise their roles.
The company also has not revealed whether the live-action version will receive its own sequel. Still, the announcement of Lilo & Stitch 2 shows Disney is willing to expand successful remake franchises.
More Animated Sequels Could Follow
Now that Moana 3 is moving forward, attention shifts toward Disney's next potential sequel.
Many fans expect Zootopia 3 to become a reality after the franchise's continued success. Others continue hoping Disney eventually announces Encanto 2.
Neither film has received an official announcement. Still, both remain logical possibilities if Disney continues expanding its biggest animated brands.
Disney Has Plenty More in Development
Disney's franchise plans extend well beyond animation. Current projects reportedly in development include:
- Live-action Tangled
- Lilo & Stitch 2 (live-action)
- Live-action Hercules
- Cruella 2
- Maleficent 3
That growing lineup demonstrates Disney's continued commitment to recognizable franchises. Rather than slowing its sequel strategy, the company appears ready to keep building on stories audiences already know.
Disney's Plans for Moana Continue
Disney has made its strategy clear, whether fans support it or not.
Before the live-action Moana (2026) even opens, another animated adventure is already taking shape. The franchise has become one of Disney's biggest modern success stories. According to the studio's latest plans, Moana's journey is only just beginning.
