If you’re standing in your living room right now, remote in hand, asking your TV "What time does Moana 2 start?" you’ve probably noticed things look a little different than they did back in late 2024.
Let's be real for a second. We’ve all been there—trying to coordinate a family movie night only to realize the "new" Disney movie isn't exactly brand new anymore, or worse, you're looking for showtimes for a movie that already sailed away from most local cinemas months ago.
Since it’s now early 2026, the answer to when Moana and Maui start their adventure depends entirely on whether you’re looking for a digital stream, a physical disc, or that massive live-action remake everyone is buzzing about.
The Disney Plus Reality Check
If you want to watch the animated Moana 2 right this second, it’s already waiting for you. Honestly, it has been for a while. Disney officially dropped the sequel onto Disney Plus on March 12, 2025.
Because of the way Disney schedules their server refreshes, the movie "starts" at a very specific time depending on where you live. For most of us in North America, it went live at 3:01 a.m. ET (12:01 a.m. PT) on its release day. If you have an active subscription, you can hit play whenever you want. No tickets, no $15 popcorn, just you and Heihei on your couch.
It’s worth noting that the film has a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you're planning a weeknight viewing for the kids, you’ll want to start by 6:30 p.m. to have them in bed by 8:30 p.m., especially once you factor in the inevitable "can we rewatch the 'We’re Back' song?" requests.
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Wait, Is It Still in Theaters?
Probably not at your local 20-screen megaplex.
By January 2026, Moana 2 has finished its primary theatrical run. It was a massive hit—crossing the billion-dollar mark and staying in theaters for a whopping 105-day exclusive window before hitting streaming. While you might find a "budget" theater or a second-run cinema showing it for a weekend matinee, most of those screens have been taken over by the 2026 winter blockbusters.
The Confusion with the Live-Action Moana
Here is where most people are getting tripped up lately. There is a lot of noise about Moana starting in theaters "this year."
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That isn't the animated sequel.
Disney is currently preparing to release the live-action Moana remake, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a very real, very muscular Maui. If you are looking for what time that movie starts, you’re looking at a release date of July 10, 2026.
We don't have specific minute-by-minute showtimes for a July movie yet, but standard theater protocols usually have the first screenings starting around 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday previews, with full Friday schedules starting as early as 10:00 a.m.
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Why the Runtime Matters for Your Schedule
Let's break down the 100-minute (1h 40m) length of the animated sequel. It’s shorter than the original 2016 film, which clocked in at 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Why does this matter? Because it was originally developed as a Disney Plus series.
When Disney CEO Bob Iger saw the footage, they decided to pivot and stitch it together into a theatrical feature. You can kinda feel that brisk pacing when you watch it. It moves fast. There isn’t a lot of fluff. If you start the movie at 7:00 p.m., you’re seeing the credits roll by 8:40 p.m.
Quick Facts for Your Movie Night
- Streaming Status: Available now on Disney Plus (included with subscription).
- Digital Purchase: Available on Vudu, Apple TV, and Amazon for roughly $19.99 (buy) or $3.99-$5.99 (rent).
- Physical Media: 4K UHD and Blu-ray are on shelves now.
- The "Other" Moana: The live-action version starts in theaters July 10, 2026.
If you’re trying to catch the animated sequel today, your best bet is to just fire up the Disney Plus app. If you’re holding out for the big-screen experience, you’ve basically got a six-month wait until the live-action version brings the Pacific back to the cinema.
To get the most out of your viewing, make sure your internet connection can handle a 4K stream if you’re watching on a big TV. Disney Plus defaults to the highest quality, but the vibrant blues of the ocean in this sequel really pop if you’ve got a stable 25 Mbps connection or better.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Disney Plus subscription to ensure it’s active; otherwise, the "play" button won't appear.
- If you're looking for the live-action 2026 film, set a calendar alert for June 26, 2026—that’s typically when advance tickets go on sale.
- For the best home experience, look for the "IMAX Enhanced" version on the Disney Plus interface to get more picture on your screen.