Dwayne Johnson confirmed at a Rio de Janeiro press conference that Moana 3 is in development at Disney with Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller writing, though Disney has not made a formal announcement and no release date exists.
- Dwayne Johnson confirmed Moana 3 is in the works during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on 2 July 2026.
- Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who wrote Moana 2 and the live-action remake, will write Moana 3.
- No release date, director or full cast has been announced for Moana 3, and Disney has issued no official confirmation.
- The live-action Moana opens in theatres on 10 July.
- Moana 2 cracked the billion-dollar mark at the box office despite middling reviews.
Moana 3 is in development at Disney, according to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — who spilled the news himself at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. Johnson, who voices the demigod Maui, confirmed the third animated film is actively in the works, with Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller writing again. The catch: this is a talent confirmation from the star, not a formal Disney press release, and there’s no release date yet.
As reported by Variety, Johnson dropped the confirmation while promoting the live-action Moana, which opens in theatres on 10 July. So yes, we’re getting a third animated Moana — and the same creative team is steering it. If you’re keeping a tally of sequels-that-are-officially-happening alongside things like Princess Diaries 3 in development, add this one to the pile.
Is Moana 3 officially confirmed?
It’s confirmed by Johnson, not by Disney’s PR department — an important distinction. There’s no official studio announcement, no title card, no date, no director attached. What we have is the film’s biggest star saying it out loud at a press event, which in franchise terms is about as close to official as you can get without a corporate email.
Here’s what Johnson said, framing it as a “later” project:
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.
Dwayne Johnson, Actor and producer
Animated films take years to produce, so even with writers attached, a finished Moana 3 is likely still a while away. Treat any release-year guess as speculation until Disney says otherwise.
Who is writing Moana 3?
Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller are the confirmed writers on Moana 3. That’s the one hard production fact in this whole story, and it’s not a random pairing — both wrote Moana 2 and the live-action remake. So the third film stays with the people who’ve been shaping this world.
Johnson did not confirm any cast for Moana 3, including whether he’ll return as Maui. He only confirmed the film exists and the writers are on board. Everything beyond that — director, cast, songs — is unknown for now.
When does the live-action Moana come out?
The live-action Moana opens in theatres on 10 July, which is why this news is landing now. Johnson was in Rio promoting that film when the Moana 3 tidbit slipped out. The source lists 10 July as the global opening; a UAE-specific date isn’t confirmed here, so check your local cinema listings before you plan a night out.
The remake hasn’t had the smoothest run-up. The trailers, per the source, haven’t been well received, and plenty of people have asked why Disney is remaking a beloved animated film that’s barely a decade old. Fair question. Welcome to the live-action remake era, where nostalgia arrives faster than the nostalgia has time to set in.
How the Moana franchise stacks up at the box office
Money is the reason any of this exists. Moana 2 cracked the billion-dollar mark despite middling reviews — a reminder that box office and Rotten Tomatoes don’t always shake hands. That kind of number is exactly why a third film gets greenlit before the reviews of the second have finished cooling.
The wider live-action remake picture is doing the heavy lifting on Disney’s confidence. Here’s how the source frames the comparison:
| Film | Box office / status |
|---|---|
| <em>Moana 2</em> | Over $1 billion, middling reviews |
| <em>Lilo & Stitch</em> (live-action) | Over $1 billion last summer; sequel in development for summer 2028 |
| <em>How to Train Your Dragon</em> (live-action) | Cited as proof audiences want these remakes |
The source notes How to Train Your Dragon‘s live-action remake proved people do turn up for these, and Lilo & Stitch‘s reimagining made over $1 billion last summer — enough for Disney to fast-track a sequel with a summer 2028 date. The pattern is clear: the remakes are cash machines, so the animated originals keep spawning sequels too.
What Moana 3 is up against
Even a billion-dollar franchise doesn’t get a clear runway. The live-action Moana faces competition from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Minions & Monsters and Disney’s own Toy Story 5, per the source. When your biggest rival is another film from your own studio, that’s the modern blockbuster calendar for you — Disney competing with Disney.
It’s a busy stretch for big sequels and IP plays generally, from the star-packed Minions & Monsters to the confirmed Minecraft sequel. Moana 3 joins a crowded, familiar-feeling slate. Whether it lands years from now as a beloved return or just another sequel filling a summer weekend — we’ll find out when Disney puts it on a calendar.
FAQ
Is Moana 3 officially confirmed?
Moana 3 is confirmed as in development by Dwayne Johnson, who revealed it at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. Disney itself has not issued an official announcement, so treat it as a star confirmation rather than a formal studio release.
Who is writing Moana 3?
Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller will write Moana 3, according to Dwayne Johnson. Both previously wrote Moana 2 and the live-action Moana remake.
When does Moana 3 come out?
No release date has been announced. Animated films take years to produce, so a release is likely still some way off.
When does the live-action Moana come out?
The live-action Moana opens in theatres on 10 July. A UAE-specific date isn’t confirmed in the source, so check local cinema listings.