For nearly a century, Disney Princesses have held a special place in the hearts of audiences around the world. From the debut of its first princess, Snow White, in 1937, to iconic characters like Cinderella in 1950, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) in 1959, Belle in 1991, Jasmine in 1992, Rapunzel in 2010, and many more, Disney princesses have remained some of the most beloved characters from the Mouse House.
However, the recent release of Moana 2 has sparked heated debates among fans, with some worried that Disney’s beloved princess franchise might be heading in the wrong direction. While the sequel has been a commercial success, its lukewarm reception from audiences has raised concerns about Disney’s focus on quality storytelling and innovation.
Related: Disney Eyes Expansion Plans for Moana After ‘Moana 2’ Success
Moana 2 premiered in theaters on November 27, 2024, marking the continuation of the story that began with the critically acclaimed 2016 original. Originally planned as a Disney+ series, the project was later reimagined as a theatrical feature under CEO Bob Iger’s leadership. Despite high expectations, many fans and critics feel that the sequel failed to live up to the original’s magic.
The film has been described as “mediocre” by fans online, with many pointing out its lackluster music and disjointed plot. A particularly candid review on Reddit from user u/stacciatello captured the frustration many felt:
I saw Moana 2 in theaters a couple days ago, and it was… a movie.
I’ve seen people call it an absolutely embarrassing trainwreck, and I don’t quite agree. I think it was slightly above mid, it had some cute moments and it really picked up towards the end. But there were a LOT of elements that weren’t explored properly, the story really suffered from clearly being a TV series plot squeezed into a single movie. Also, the music was mediocre at best across the board.
But regardless of my feelings for this movie, I’m especially concerned about the practices that went into releasing this into theaters. Think about this for a second, they re-tooled a Disney+ show into a theatrical release, they only slightly upgraded the animation, but the music and script were still very clearly at a way lower level than your typical big budget Disney production.
And yet… In only 3 days, this movie has almost grossed as much as “Wish” did in its entire theatrical run. Wish cost $200 million to make, whereas Moana 2 was made on a Disney+ budget. Sure, maybe they had to break the bank to get The Rock to come back, but besides that, they are essentially printing money.
All of that to say… If this movie ends up performing well, I fear that Disney will opt for just continuing to put out low effort sequels to their popular IP. And as it pertains to the Disney Princess franchise specifically, I fear that we might not get a NEW, ORIGINAL, GOOD Princess story in a long, long time, if ever again.
Hopefully I’m wrong and just overthinking, I would love nothing more than to see another Princess film on the level of The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, or even Tangled and the first Moana. But with the current state of Disney’s latest releases and business practices, it’s looking pretty bleak.
'MOANA 2' and why I'm concerned for the future of the Princess franchise
byu/stacciatello indisneyprincess
Related: Why the Success of ‘Moana 2’ Could Be a Problem for Disney Animators
Others echoed this sentiment, feeling the film’s origins as a Disney+ series were evident in its structure. One commenter replied, “Honestly, it felt like they just glued together episodes from a show. Moana deserved better.”
Another added, “The music was such a letdown. No Lin-Manuel Miranda, no heart.”
Financial Success vs. Creative Risks
While the film received mixed reviews, its box office performance tells a different story. Moana 2 has already surpassed $800 million globally, a financial milestone that signals strong audience interest in the franchise. However, this success has led to questions about Disney’s priorities. Fans are worried that Disney will continue to prioritize sequels to its popular intellectual properties at the expense of creating original princess stories.
Other fans shared similar worries in the thread. One user commented, “It’s like they’re afraid to take risks anymore. The Disney Princesses used to feel fresh and exciting, but now it’s just sequel after sequel.”
Another chimed in, “How many sequels do we need before they realize people want something new? It’s getting repetitive.”
Disney’s reliance on sequels isn’t new, but it has become more pronounced in recent years. Films like Frozen 2 (2019) and Inside Out 2 (2024) proved that sequels can achieve both critical and commercial success.
However, others, like The Marvels (2023), have been met with mixed reactions, prompting debates about whether Disney is leaning too heavily on its established franchises.
CEO Bob Iger has previously acknowledged Disney’s shift toward sequels as a strategic decision, stating that recognizable IPs offer a safer financial return. This strategy has also been seen with other upcoming projects like Toy Story 5 and Frozen 3, further signaling Disney’s commitment to building on its existing properties.
Still, some fans feel this approach risks diminishing the magic of Disney’s original storytelling. The underperformance of Wish (2023), released during Disney’s centennial year, highlighted the challenges of marketing new stories against the backdrop of popular sequels.
As fans continue to discuss Moana 2 online, the broader implications for Disney’s princess franchise remain a hot topic. The Disney Princess lineup has long been a symbol of creativity, diversity, and innovation, introducing characters who inspire audiences with their courage and individuality.
Related: The First Reactions for ‘Moana 2’ Are Here (And It’s a Major Disappointment)
However, the perception that the studio is playing it safe with sequels has many worried about the future.
“Moana deserved so much better than this,” wrote one Reddit user. “I just hope this isn’t the new standard for princess movies.” Another user summed it up by saying, “The Princess franchise used to mean magic, not mediocrity.”
While Moana 2 has performed well financially, its critical reception has highlighted the growing divide between what fans want and what Disney is delivering. Whether this sequel will prompt Disney to rethink its approach or further solidify its sequel-driven strategy remains to be seen.
What do you think about Moana 2? Are you concerned about the direction of Disney Princess films? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
