If you spent any time on Tumblr or Pinterest around 2016, you probably saw the fan art. You know the ones—beautifully drawn, glowing with Pacific island sunsets, showing Moana and Maui in a romantic embrace. It looked so real that a lot of people actually walked into theaters or sat down with Disney+ expecting a love story. But then the credits rolled. No kiss. No "I love you." Not even a shy hand-hold. Honestly, the moana and maui kiss is one of the most persistent "Mandela Effect" style rumors in modern animation, even though it strictly doesn't exist in the film.
Disney went a completely different direction.
They gave us a "wayfinder" and a demigod who were, essentially, a chaotic duo of best friends. It was refreshing. But because we’re so conditioned to see a male and female lead end up together, the internet spent years trying to manifest a romance that the creators, Ron Clements and John Musker, specifically steered away from.
The Reality Behind the Moana and Maui Kiss Rumors
Let’s get the facts straight first. In the 107-minute runtime of the original 2016 film, there is no moana and maui kiss. There isn't even a deleted scene on the Blu-ray that shows it. When the movie was in early development, the story shifted significantly. Early drafts focused more on Moana’s brothers—who were eventually cut—and the focus narrowed down to the relationship between Moana and the ocean, and her complicated mentorship with Maui.
Screenwriter Jared Bush has been pretty vocal about the "no romance" rule. The goal was to tell a story about identity. If you throw a kiss in there, suddenly the movie is about "will they or won't they," and the whole "saving the world and finding yourself" thing gets pushed to the backseat. Fans keep looking for it, though. They scan the background of scenes or misinterpret the moment where Maui touches his forehead to Moana’s.
That’s called a Honi.
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It’s a traditional Polynesian greeting where two people press their noses and foreheads together to share the "ha" or the breath of life. It’s deeply spiritual. It’s respectful. It is very much not a Hollywood rom-com kiss. For many viewers outside of Pasifika cultures, this was a moment of "Wait, are they about to...?" but for the culture the movie represents, it was a moment of profound, platonic kinship.
Why "Shipping" Took Over the Fandom
Despite the lack of canon evidence, the "Hooked" ship (the fan name for Maui and Moana) is massive. Why? Well, it’s the chemistry. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have this incredible back-and-forth energy. Maui is arrogant but deeply insecure; Moana is determined but needs guidance. It’s a classic trope.
People love a redemption arc. They see Maui’s growth from a selfish thief who stole the heart of Te Fiti into a hero who sacrifices his hook for a friend, and they want the emotional payoff to be a romantic one.
Then you have the age gap. This is where things get messy in the comments sections of Reddit and Twitter. Moana is 16. Maui is a demigod who has been trapped on an island for a thousand years. Chronologically? He’s ancient. Physically? He looks like a man in his late 30s. This power dynamic is exactly why Disney stayed far away from a moana and maui kiss. It would have changed the rating, the vibe, and the message of the movie instantly.
What the Creators Actually Said
John Musker and Ron Clements, the legends behind The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, were intentional. During the 2016 press tour, they repeatedly emphasized that this was a "hero’s journey," not a "princess quest."
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"We never even built a romance for her," Clements told several outlets during the premiere. They wanted her to be defined by what she did, not who she loved. This was a massive pivot for Disney. Think about it. Elsa didn't have a love interest, but she had Anna. Moana was truly on her own out there, with only a tattoo-covered demigod and a very stupid chicken for company.
The Impact of Moana 2 and the Live-Action Remake
With Moana 2 hitting theaters and a live-action version in the works, the moana and maui kiss debate has been resurrected. People are wondering if Disney will "fix" it or change the dynamic.
Trailers for the sequel show a slightly older Moana, now a leader and a big sister. The dynamic with Maui seems to have shifted into a partnership of equals. He calls her "kid" less often. He respects her more. But the core of their bond remains a "chosen family" vibe. If Disney were to introduce a romance now, it would likely alienate the massive audience that praised the first film for its focus on female empowerment and platonic friendship.
In the live-action version, Catherine Laga‘aia is taking over the role of Moana, while The Rock returns as Maui. Seeing real human actors play these roles might make the "shipping" feel even more intense for some, or perhaps more awkward for others given the age difference between the actors.
Moving Beyond the "Kiss" Narratives
The obsession with a moana and maui kiss actually does a bit of a disservice to what makes the movie great. We don't have enough movies that celebrate deep, meaningful friendships between men and women without forcing them into a wedding at the end.
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Think about the most emotional scenes:
- When Maui reveals his tattoos and the story of his parents.
- When Moana stands up to Te Kā and realizes the "monster" is actually Te Fiti.
- The final goodbye where Maui gets his new hook.
None of these moments need a romantic spark to be powerful. In fact, a kiss would probably distract from the gravity of Maui apologizing for his past mistakes. He’s learning to be a better "person," not a boyfriend.
What You Should Actually Look For
If you’re looking for romance in the Moana universe, you’re mostly going to find it in the "Alternative Universe" (AU) fan fiction. There are thousands of stories on Archive of Our Own (AO3) that explore this, ranging from "everyone is a human high schooler" to "Maui is a regular guy."
But if you want to understand the real heart of the story, look at these elements instead:
- The Wayfinding Culture: Research the actual history of Polynesian voyaging. It’s way cooler than a fictional romance.
- The Concept of Mana: Understanding the spiritual power Maui and Moana share.
- The Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s lyrics focus entirely on the horizon and the "inner voice."
The Actionable Takeaway for Fans
Stop waiting for the kiss. It’s not coming, and that’s a good thing. If you’re writing about the film or analyzing it for a project, focus on the subversion of the "Disney Princess" trope.
- Watch the "How Far I'll Go" Reprise: Notice how the imagery is about her ancestors, not a partner.
- Analyze the "Shiny" Sequence: See how Maui’s struggle is with his own self-worth, which he eventually finds through Moana’s friendship, not her affection.
- Respect the Honi: Acknowledge that the forehead touch is a higher form of intimacy in this context than a westernized kiss could ever be.
Moana is a story about a girl who saves her people and a demigod who finds his humanity. They did that as a team. No romance required. By leaning into the friendship, Disney created a more timeless story that resonates across cultures without needing to fall back on the same old clichés we've seen since 1937. Keep the fan art coming—it’s creative and fun—but don’t let it confuse the actual, beautiful reality of the film’s narrative.