Parents' Guide to

Moana

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Great characters, memorable music, some monsters/scares.

Movie PG 2016 113 minutes
Moana Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 128 parent reviews

Leigh-Anna B.
Leigh-Anna B. Parent of 4-year-old
September 14, 2023
age 8+

Messaging doesn't work for me.

We only made it in about 10 minutes and had to turn it off when Gramma Tala tells Moano, "You are your father's daughter. Stubbornness and pride. Mind what he says but remember you may hear a voice inside. And if the voice starts to whisper to follow the farthest star, Moana, that voice inside is who you are." This kind of message needs discussion and my daughter is too young (4) to discuss the concepts of disobedience, identity and outsiders dividing children from their parent.
aidan M.
aidan M. Parent of 6 and 7-year-old
September 2, 2023
age 4+
See all 128 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MOANA, Disney tells the story of a Polynesian island chief's adolescent daughter who's been raised to become the next leader of her people. Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) has always had a special relationship with the ocean and has grown up believing her grandmother's tales about how shape-shifting demigod Maui cursed the islands by stealing the ancient Heart of Te Fiti, which grants the power of creation. When the coconut harvest fails and the fishermen return with empty nets, Moana takes her grandmother's advice and sets sail against her father's rules. Her quest is to find the exiled Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and deliver him across the sea to return that which he stole a millennium ago. Along the way, the mighty Maui mentors Moana on how to be a wayfinder -- voyager -- as her people were meant to be.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (128 ):
Kids say (190 ):

This engaging adventure triumphs because of its empowering storyline, which pays tribute to Polynesian culture, and because of its feel-good music, courtesy of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Teen Hawaiian singer Cravalho and Johnson (aka "The Rock") share a refreshingly student-and-mentor-like chemistry as the driven Moana and mythic Maui. Unlike any other "Disney princess" movie, Moana is completely romance free, never once bringing up its main character's marriage prospects. Moana's status as the island's next chief is unquestioned, and she's so busy trying to diplomatically solve her people's problems that the lack of a love interest is welcome. As Maui points out, she's a princess because she wears a dress and has an animal sidekick (in her case, a kooky rooster called Heihei), but Moana strives to save her island, not find a prince.

No other actor could have been a better fit for Maui than Johnson (himself of Polynesian heritage): He's as charming in animated form as he is in live-action adventures. Maui starts off as a self-absorbed demigod; he sings one of the catchiest songs in the movie, "You're Welcome," about all of the ways humankind should thank him for his accomplishments. But as he grows to know Moana and teaches her how to navigate the ocean, his truer, kinder self emerges. The original music, which is a collaboration between Miranda, Disney composing alum Mark Mancina, and Samoan musician Opetaia Foa'i, is catchy and appropriately inspired by Oceanic music. Besides "You're Welcome," the funniest song is "Shiny," sung by Jemaine Clement, who plays a killer crab with an insatiable appetite for treasure. With its inspiring messages, charming characters, and memorable music, Moana is an excellent choice for moviegoers of all ages.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about which parts of Moana were scary. Did making the monsters cute (like the coconut pirates) or colorful (like the giant crab) make them more or less scary?

  • What makes Moana such a strong character? How does she demonstrate curiosity, perseverance, and courage on her quest? Why are those important character strengths? Is she a role model? Why? Can you think of other movies featuring strong female characters?

  • How does Moana deal with wanting to stay on the island and be a good leader for her people but also wanting to listen to the voice inside her telling her to explore the ocean? Have you ever felt like who people want you to be isn't the same as who you really are? Does Moana have to change who she is to be a good leader?

  • The story of Moana is based on myths and legends from ancient Polynesian culture. Is the movie respectful of those cultures? What did you learn about how people lived then?

  • How do the different characters handle their grief? Who becomes more cautious, and who becomes more courageous? Have you ever lost a loved one? How did you react?

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