On the Polynesian island of Motunui, the inhabitants revere the goddess Te Fiti, who brought life to the ocean through a stone that serves as her heart and source of power. The shape-shifting demigod Maui, known for his sailing prowess, steals the heart to bestow the power of creation upon humanity. However, Te Fiti disintegrates, and Maui, after a fierce battle with the volcanic demon Te Ka, loses both his magical giant fishhook and the heart to the ocean’s depths.

A millennium later, Moana, the determined daughter of Motunui’s chief, Tui, is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart to Te Fiti. But Tui intervenes, taking Moana away and causing her to lose the heart. With her parents, Tui and Sina, trying to keep her grounded in her duties as the future chief, Moana’s connection to the ocean remains strong, pulling her toward an epic journey that will define her legacy.

Moana (also known as Vaiana or Oceania in some markets) made waves in 2016 as a 3D computer-animated musical adventure produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, with co-direction by Don Hall and Chris Williams, the film introduced Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana and featured the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk. The soundtrack, filled with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, along with Mancina’s orchestral score, became a cultural phenomenon.

The original movie tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a Polynesian village chief, who embarks on a daring mission to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti after a blight strikes her island. She seeks the help of the legendary demigod Maui, in hopes of restoring peace and prosperity to her people.

Released in theaters in the U.S. on November 23, 2016, Moana received widespread acclaim, particularly for its stunning animation, memorable music, and strong vocal performances. The film was a box office success, grossing over $690 million worldwide. Now, as fans eagerly await Moana’s next adventure, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in her epic journey.