The Disney Princess franchise has been a cornerstone of the Walt Disney Company for decades. From Snow White’s debut in 1937 to more recent additions like Rapunzel and Moana, these characters have captivated audiences worldwide.
However, with the release of Moana 2 in late 2024, some fans are expressing concern that Disney’s direction for its iconic princesses may be at risk.
Released on November 27, Moana 2 was initially conceived as a Disney+ series. However, after viewing early footage, Disney CEO Bob Iger decided to retool it into a theatrical feature. Despite the anticipation for the sequel, critical and fan reactions have been lukewarm.
Related: ‘Moana 2’’s Success Sparks Labor Concerns in Disney Animation
The sequel was critiqued for its “unoriginal storyline” and “subpar music,” a stark departure from the beloved 2016 original, which featured an unforgettable soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Notably, Miranda did not contribute to the second film’s music.
A common complaint among fans was that the movie felt “disjointed,” likely due to its origins as a Disney+ series.
One Reddit user, u/stacciatello, shared their experience with the film, summing it up as “slightly above mid” but expressing concern over Disney’s creative direction:
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: First Reactions to ‘Moana 2’ Claim It’s a “Messy,” “Disjointed,” “Monster” of a Film
This sentiment was echoed by many others on social media, sparking a broader conversation about Disney’s current approach to its animated films.
Such concerns are not unfounded. Earlier this year, Bob Iger stated that Disney would rely more heavily on sequels, given their proven profitability. While this strategy might make financial sense, some fans worry it could come at the expense of fresh and original storytelling.
Disney’s focus on sequels has been evident for years. Films like Toy Story 5 and Frozen 3 are already in development, and even The Princess and the Frog, which was initially announced as a Disney+ series, has faced delays with little information about its progress.
Fans have pointed out that while sequels draw in audiences, they often lack the creativity and magic of original films. A notable example is Elemental (2023). Despite its stunning visuals and heartfelt story, the film underperformed at the box office—a stark contrast to the overwhelming financial success of sequels like Moana 2.
The Future of Disney Princesses
The Disney Princess lineup is one of the company’s most cherished franchises, and fans are passionate about its legacy. While sequels can expand upon beloved stories, audiences are hoping Disney doesn’t lose sight of what made its original films so iconic—strong narratives, unforgettable music, and innovative storytelling.
As the conversation continues online, one thing is clear: fans want Disney to strike a balance between nostalgia and creativity. Whether Moana 2 serves as a cautionary tale or a new standard remains to be seen, but the future of Disney Princesses depends on the company’s willingness to listen to its audience.
Have you watched Moana 2? Do you agree with the Redditor’s opinion? Do you think Disney is neglecting the quality of its sequel storylines? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
