Moana 2 Cast (2024)

Walt Disney Animation Studios | Animated Adventure Musical | 100 minutes | Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand & Dana Ledoux Miller

Moana 2 is a 2024 Walt Disney Animation Studios sequel to the beloved 2016 film Moana. The story picks up years after the original, with Moana — now an experienced wayfinder and the chief of Motunui — receiving a call from her ancestors to seek out a distant island lost to a powerful storm god. She assembles a new crew of wayfinders and sets off on a voyage that will test her leadership and push her further into the vast ocean than she has ever traveled. The film was originally developed as a Disney+ series before being expanded into a theatrical feature, and it retains the original's commitment to Polynesian culture and music, with new songs composed for the film's larger ensemble cast.

The Moana 2 voice cast brings back every key performer from the original film while introducing a rich slate of new characters to populate Moana's crew. Auli'i Cravalho, who was just fifteen years old when she first voiced Moana in 2016, returns to the role with the greater depth and authority that the now-older character demands. Dwayne Johnson's larger-than-life energy remains perfectly suited to Maui, the boisterous, shape-shifting demigod whose bond with Moana deepens further in the sequel. The new ensemble — Moni, Loto, Kele, and others — was cast with a strong commitment to Pacific Islander and Maori talent, reflecting the same cultural intentionality that informed the original film. Nicole Scherzinger and Rachel House return as Sina and Gramma Tala respectively, and Temuera Morrison continues as Chief Tui, giving the film an emotional continuity with the family relationships established in the first story. The film was a massive commercial success on its Thanksgiving 2024 release, earning hundreds of millions of dollars globally.

Main Voice Cast

Auli'i Cravalho

Moana (voice)

The spirited and courageous chief of Motunui who embarks on a new voyage to find a lost island and unite distant peoples, growing further into her identity as a wayfinder and leader.

Dwayne Johnson

Maui (voice)

The boastful but big-hearted demigod of wind and sea who reunites with Moana on her new mission, his shape-shifting abilities and his magical fishhook once again central to the adventure.

Hualālai Chung

Moni (voice)

A new member of Moana's wayfinding crew, Moni is one of the fresh ensemble of Pacific Islander characters introduced in the sequel.

Rose Matafeo

Loto (voice)

A resourceful and inventive crew member aboard Moana's vessel, voiced by the New Zealand comedian and actress Rose Matafeo.

David Fane

Kele (voice)

Another new crew member whose personality and skills contribute to the wayfinding team as they venture beyond familiar waters.

Awhimai Fraser

Matangi (voice)

A new character encountered on the voyage, voiced by New Zealand actress Awhimai Fraser, whose role connects to the broader mythology of the film's world.

Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda

Simea (voice)

Moana's younger sister, a new character introduced in the sequel who reflects how Moana's world and family have grown since the events of the first film.

Temuera Morrison

Chief Tui (voice)

Moana's devoted father and the chief of Motunui, reprising his role from the original film as he grapples with his daughter's continued calling to the sea.

Nicole Scherzinger

Sina (voice)

Moana's warm and supportive mother, returning from the original film in a continuing role within Motunui's community.

Rachel House

Gramma Tala (voice)

Moana's free-spirited grandmother and spiritual guide, whose guidance remains a touchstone for Moana throughout the new adventure.

Supporting & Recurring Cast

ActorCharacter (Voice)RoleNotes
Auli'i CravalhoMoanaLead protagonistReturning from original
Dwayne JohnsonMauiDemigod co-leadReturning from original
Temuera MorrisonChief TuiMoana's fatherReturning from original
Nicole ScherzingerSinaMoana's motherReturning from original
Rachel HouseGramma TalaMoana's grandmother and guideReturning from original
Hualālai ChungMoniNew crew memberNew to sequel
Rose MatafeoLotoNew crew member, inventorNew to sequel
David FaneKeleNew crew memberNew to sequel
Awhimai FraserMatangiNew character in voyage mythologyNew to sequel
Khaleesi Lambert-TsudaSimeaMoana's younger sisterNew to sequel

Creators & Production

David Derrick Jr.

Director

Jason Hand

Co-Director

Dana Ledoux Miller

Co-Director & Writer

Christina Chen

Producer

Yvett Merino

Producer

Abigail Archer

Executive Producer

Mark Mancina

Music

Opetaia Foa'i

Music & Songs

About the Moana 2 Voice Cast

Walt Disney Animation Studios placed enormous importance on maintaining the cultural authenticity established in the original Moana through careful casting of Pacific Islander and Maori actors. Auli'i Cravalho, who is of Native Hawaiian descent, was just fifteen when she first voiced Moana in 2016 and returned nearly a decade later to reprise the role for the sequel, bringing a maturity and authority that reflects both her personal growth and the character's fictional evolution into a chief and leader. Dwayne Johnson, who is of Samoan descent, continues to bring a booming physicality and playful self-awareness to Maui that has made the character one of Disney Animation's most popular figures of the past decade. The decision to expand the ensemble with new Polynesian characters — Moni, Loto, Kele, Simea, and Matangi — represented a meaningful expansion of the world, and the casting directors worked closely with Pacific Island cultural consultants to ensure the voices matched the communities the characters represent.

Rose Matafeo, the New Zealand comedian and creator of the BAFTA-winning series Starstruck, brings both humor and warmth to Loto, while David Fane and Awhimai Fraser draw on their New Zealand backgrounds to populate the new ensemble with genuine cultural resonance. Rachel House's Gramma Tala — whose presence in the original film carried enormous emotional significance — returns in a form that the film handles with care and feeling. Temuera Morrison, the New Zealand actor of Maori descent known internationally for his work in Once Were Warriors and the Star Wars franchise, anchors Chief Tui with a combination of paternal gravity and love that has always made the Moana family dynamic one of Disney Animation's most touching. The songs for Moana 2 were written by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, with additional musical contributions from returning collaborator Opetaia Foa'i and composer Mark Mancina. The film's Thanksgiving 2024 release was a major commercial success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who voices Moana in Moana 2?

Moana is voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, who originated the role in the 2016 original film. Cravalho reprises the character as a now-older Moana who embarks on a new voyage with a crew of wayfinders.

Who voices Maui in Moana 2?

Maui is once again voiced by Dwayne Johnson, who reprises the role he first played in Moana (2016). The demigod has a significant presence in the sequel alongside the new ensemble of wayfinders.

Who directed Moana 2?

Moana 2 was directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller. Dana Ledoux Miller also served as a writer on the project. The original Moana (2016) was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.

When was Moana 2 released?

Moana 2 was released in US cinemas on November 27, 2024 — Thanksgiving Day — by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney. It became one of the highest-grossing animated films of 2024.

Who are the new characters in Moana 2?

Moana 2 introduces several new characters: Moni (voiced by Hualālai Chung), Loto (Rose Matafeo), Kele (David Fane), Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), and Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), who joins Moana's crew on her new voyage across the ocean.

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