Moana is a 2016 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It tells the story of Moana, a young girl who dreams of sailing across the ocean to save her people. The film is set in ancient Polynesia and incorporates elements of Pacific Islander culture and mythology.
One of the primary themes of Moana is the importance of self-discovery and following your dreams. Moana is a determined and courageous character who must venture outside of her comfort zone to save her island and restore her people’s way of life. The film also touches on the idea of interconnectedness and the importance of preserving the environment.
People love Moana for a variety of reasons. The film features stunning animation and a catchy soundtrack, including the Oscar-nominated song “How Far I’ll Go.” The characters are also highly relatable, with Moana being a strong and independent female lead who defies stereotypes.
Moana has become incredibly popular since its release, grossing over $690 million at the box office. The film has also received critical acclaim and has been nominated for numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.
In addition to its popularity, Moana has also had a significant cultural impact. The film was praised for its representation of Pacific Islander culture and has helped to raise awareness of the challenges faced by these communities. It has also inspired a new generation of young girls to be strong and independent.
Overall, Moana is a beloved and groundbreaking film that has resonated with audiences around the world. Its themes of self-discovery and environmentalism, combined with its stunning animation and catchy soundtrack, have made it a modern classic.
If you enjoyed Moana, here are nine other movies you might like:
Frozen (2013) – another popular Disney animated movie that features strong female characters, a catchy soundtrack, and themes of self-discovery and friendship.
Lilo & Stitch (2002) – an animated movie that explores the bond between a young Hawaiian girl and a mischievous alien, featuring themes of family, identity, and acceptance.
Brave (2012) – a Pixar film that follows the story of a young Scottish princess who defies tradition and sets out on a journey of self-discovery and bravery.
The Lion King (1994) – an animated classic that features memorable characters, beautiful animation, and a powerful story about family, identity, and courage.
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) – a stop-motion animated film that explores the power of storytelling and the importance of family and community.
Moana (2016) – another animated film that features a strong female lead, beautiful animation, and themes of self-discovery and the importance of preserving the environment.
The Princess and the Frog (2009) – a Disney movie that follows the story of a young girl who dreams of owning her own restaurant, featuring themes of hard work, determination, and the power of love.
Tangled (2010) – a Disney movie that retells the story of Rapunzel, featuring memorable characters, beautiful animation, and themes of self-discovery and the power of friendship.
Mulan (1998) – a Disney movie that tells the story of a young girl who disguises herself as a man to fight in a war, featuring themes of bravery, loyalty, and the importance of family.
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1. Frozen (2013)
Frozen is a 2013 animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie tells the story of two sisters, Elsa and Anna, who live in the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa possesses magical powers that enable her to create ice and snow, but she struggles to control them. After Elsa accidentally unleashes an eternal winter on the kingdom, Anna embarks on a journey to find her sister and save their home.
One of the key themes of Frozen is the bond between sisters. The relationship between Elsa and Anna is central to the plot, and the movie explores their past, present, and future. Frozen also features themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of love.
Similar to Moana, Frozen features a strong female lead and a catchy soundtrack that includes the hit song “Let It Go.” Both movies also explore themes of self-discovery, with the main characters going on journeys to find themselves and their place in the world.
2. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Lilo & Stitch is a 2002 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film tells the story of a young girl named Lilo who adopts a mischievous alien named Stitch. The two form an unlikely bond as they navigate their way through life in Hawaii, facing challenges and adventures together.
The central themes of Lilo & Stitch include the importance of family, the power of friendship, and the value of being oneself. The movie also explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the consequences of one’s actions.
Similar to Moana, Lilo & Stitch is set in Hawaii and features elements of Hawaiian culture and mythology. Both movies also explore themes of family and self-discovery, with the main characters facing challenges and learning important lessons about themselves and their place in the world.
3. Brave (2012)
Brave is a 2012 Pixar movie set in medieval Scotland. The movie tells the story of Merida, a skilled archer and the daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Merida defies tradition and challenges her parents’ expectations by refusing to marry a prince. In her quest for independence, Merida inadvertently unleashes a curse that puts her family and her kingdom in danger.
The main themes of Brave include the importance of family, self-discovery, and the courage to be oneself. The movie also explores themes of tradition, duty, and the consequences of one’s actions.
Similar to Moana and Lilo & Stitch, Brave features a strong female lead who defies traditional gender roles and expectations. The movie also features elements of Scottish culture and mythology, and explores themes of family and self-discovery as the main character goes on a journey to find her place in the world.
4. The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King is a classic 1994 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is destined to become king of the Pride Lands. However, when his father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar, Simba is forced to flee and go on a journey of self-discovery before returning to claim his rightful place as king.
The main themes of The Lion King include family, responsibility, and the circle of life. The movie also explores themes of betrayal, loss, and the importance of one’s identity.
Similar to Moana, The Lion King features a strong lead character who goes on a journey of self-discovery and must overcome challenges to become a leader. Both movies also explore themes of family and the importance of preserving the environment, as The Lion King showcases the balance between different species and their roles in the ecosystem.
5. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Kubo and the Two Strings is a 2016 stop-motion animated movie produced by Laika Studios. The movie tells the story of a young boy named Kubo who embarks on a quest to find a magical suit of armor that once belonged to his father. Along the way, Kubo meets new friends and must face off against powerful enemies.
The main themes of Kubo and the Two Strings include family, the power of storytelling, and the importance of facing one’s fears. The movie also explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of life.
Similar to Moana, Kubo and the Two Strings features a strong lead character who goes on a quest of self-discovery. Both movies also explore the power of storytelling and the connection between generations, as Kubo uses his magical abilities to tell stories that connect him to his past.
6. Moana (2016)
Moana is a 2016 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie tells the story of a young girl named Moana who sets out on a journey to save her island home from a curse by finding the demigod Maui and restoring the heart of the goddess Te Fiti.
The main themes of Moana include family, identity, and the importance of following one’s heart. The movie also explores themes of environmentalism, the power of tradition, and the importance of self-discovery.
Similar to The Lion King, Moana explores themes of preserving the environment and the balance of different species. Both movies also feature strong lead characters who go on a journey of self-discovery and must face off against powerful enemies. Additionally, both movies have memorable soundtracks that showcase their respective cultures.
7. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frog is a 2009 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie is a retelling of the classic fairytale, The Frog Prince, with a twist. It tells the story of Tiana, a young waitress in 1920s New Orleans who dreams of opening her own restaurant, and Prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog by a voodoo witch doctor. In order to break the curse, Tiana and Naveen must journey through the mystical Louisiana bayou.
The main themes of The Princess and the Frog include hard work, perseverance, and the power of love. The movie also explores themes of identity, classism, and the importance of family.
Similar to Moana, The Princess and the Frog features a strong female lead character who goes on a journey of self-discovery and must overcome challenges to achieve her dreams. Both movies also explore themes of identity and the importance of following one’s heart. Additionally, both movies have memorable soundtracks that showcase their respective cultures.
8. Tangled (2010)
Tangled is a 2010 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie is a retelling of the classic fairytale, Rapunzel. It tells the story of Rapunzel, a young princess with magical long hair who is kept in a tower by a wicked witch. When a thief named Flynn Rider stumbles upon her tower, Rapunzel sees an opportunity to explore the world outside and persuades him to take her on a journey.
The main themes of Tangled include freedom, adventure, and the power of love. The movie also explores themes of identity, trust, and the importance of family.
Similar to Moana, Tangled features a strong female lead character who goes on a journey of self-discovery and must overcome challenges to achieve her dreams. Both movies also explore themes of identity and the importance of following one’s heart. Additionally, both movies have memorable soundtracks that showcase their respective cultures.
9. Mulan (1998)
Mulan is a 1998 animated movie produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The movie tells the story of Mulan, a young woman who takes her elderly father’s place in the army by disguising herself as a man. Mulan must go through rigorous training and prove herself on the battlefield in order to save China from an invading army.
The main themes of Mulan include bravery, honor, and the importance of family. The movie also explores themes of gender roles, perseverance, and self-discovery.
Similar to Moana, Mulan features a strong female lead character who defies traditional gender roles to achieve her goals. Both movies also explore themes of perseverance and the importance of family. Additionally, both movies have memorable soundtracks that showcase their respective cultures.
Here is a table of the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for each of the movies:
| Movie | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Frozen (2013) | 7.5 | 90% |
| Lilo & Stitch (2002) | 7.2 | 86% |
| Brave (2012) | 7.1 | 78% |
| The Lion King (1994) | 8.5 | 93% |
| Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) | 7.8 | 97% |
| Moana (2016) | 7.6 | 95% |
| The Princess and the Frog (2009) | 7.1 | 85% |
| Tangled (2010) | 7.7 | 90% |
| Mulan (1998) | 7.6 | 86% |
