Moana 2 Shatters Records, Hopes for Original Disney Films Dim

Disney's latest animated film, Moana 2, has set extraordinary box office records during its opening weekend, raking in $386 million globally, making it the highest opening for an animated film of all time. This success further cements Disney's strategy of focusing on sequels, which has already proven effective with titles like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine. Despite mixed reviews, the film's performance suggests that Disney will continue down this sequel-heavy path, leaving original films behind as they prioritize established franchises.

Yes, Moana 2's record-breaking performance is likely to reinforce Disney's strategy of prioritizing sequels over original content, evidenced by their recent plans for Frozen 3, Zootopia 2, and Toy Story 5.

Moana, released in 2016, was a significant success for Disney, featuring a story rooted in Polynesian culture and folklore. It followed the adventurous journey of a young girl named Moana who sets sail to save her island and discover her identity. Given the original film's acclaim and box office success, a sequel was anticipated, but Moana 2's rapid achievement in breaking records underscores a continuing trend within Disney to capitalize on established stories and characters rather than create new narratives.