Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Moana

Moana is a 2016 Disney animated musical adventure film set in ancient Polynesia.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Moana is a 2016 Disney animated musical adventure set in ancient Polynesia. The film follows a teenage girl on a quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti and has remained popular with Canadian audiences through theatre and streaming.

What it is

Moana is a 2016 animated musical adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios. It tells the story of a teenage daughter of a village chief who answers the ocean’s call to save her island from a blight. She sails across the sea with the demigod Maui to return the stolen heart of Te Fiti, drawing on Polynesian mythology and seafaring traditions.

Why it matters

The film became a cultural touchstone for its strong female lead and its original music, especially the song "How Far I’ll Go." It was widely released in Canada and remains familiar to audiences through theatrical exhibition, home viewing, and streaming. The movie also helped bring Polynesian mythology and seafaring traditions to a global audience.

Key details

Moana is voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho, with Dwayne Johnson as Maui and Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa. The film was directed by Ron Clements, Don Hall, Chris Williams, and John Musker. It runs 107 minutes and is set in ancient Polynesia, including the fictional island of Motunui.

In short

  • Moana is a teenage island leader who restores Te Fiti’s heart.
  • She travels with the demigod Maui to save her people.
  • The film features the signature song "How Far I’ll Go."
  • It was popular in Canada on release and remains widely available.
Canadian angle

Moana was widely released and popular in Canada as part of Disney’s global animated-film lineup, and it remains familiar to Canadian audiences through theatrical exhibition, home viewing, and streaming availability.

Quick questions

What is Moana about?
It is about a Polynesian teenage girl who sails across the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her island from a spreading blight.
Who voices Moana?
Moana is voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho.
What is the song in Moana?
A signature song from the film is "How Far I’ll Go." Moana is also known as a musical with multiple songs.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film)
    Supports: Plot, setting, and main premise of the film.
  2. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/moana
    Supports: Summary of the plot and identification of Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/moana_2016
    Supports: Synopsis, setting in Ancient Polynesia, and story details.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/
    Supports: Film description, ancient Polynesia setting, and storyline.
  5. The Hollywood Outsider — https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/disneys-moana-2016-film-review/
    Supports: Voice cast and production credits.
  6. Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/TheFilmForum.Duong/posts/-moana-2016watch-movie-plot-summarymoana-is-a-breathtaking-adventure-that-tells-/711958795184930/
    Supports: Plot summary and mention of the song 'How Far I’ll Go'.