Moana Is Disney’s Animated Maritime Adventure For 2016

With the release of Big Hero 6 right around the corner, Walt Disney Animation Studios has revealed plans for Moana, the studio’s upcoming maritime adventure that is due to release in the latter stages of 2016.

We’re thrilled to announce Moana, our 56th animated feature film coming to theatres late 2016! pic.twitter.com/S8x1KkJwYh

— Disney Animation ●—● (@DisneyAnimation) October 20, 2014

While details are still scarce on the ground, Disney has confirmed that the CG-animated flick will be directed by Ron Clements and John Musker — the revered filmmaking duo behind classics such as Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and The Frog and the Princess. In tandem with today’s news, the creative pair offered a brief snippet of Moana and the film’s unique selling point.

“John and I have partnered on so many films – from ‘The Little Mermaid’ to ‘Aladdin’ to ‘The Princess and the Frog. Creating ‘Moana’ is one of the great thrills of our career. It’s a big adventure set in this beautiful world of Oceania. Moana is indomitable, passionate and a dreamer with a unique connection to the ocean itself. She’s the kind of character we all root for, and we can’t wait to introduce her to audiences.”

As Clements alluded to, Disney’s latest animation will take place in the world of Oceania — which, we understand, is situated in and around the South Pacific Ocean. Following the titular heroine, the film will see Moana chart the high seas in search of a mysterious island, an adventure that promises incredible vistas, gargantuan sea monsters and ancient folklore.

Moana will be the second Disney animation to release during 2016, with Byron Howard’s Zootopia — billed as a buddy action comedy set within a world where humans never existed — due to release within the first half of the year.

Given the creative talent behind it, you can color us very excited for Moana. Disney pulled an incredible one-two punch over the last two years with the release of Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen, with the latter blazing its way to the highest grossing animated film of all time. Here’s hoping that Clements and Musker’s maritime adventure can emulate a fraction of that success.

Moana will release in the closing stages of 2016.