Moana 2: Is Montunui A Real Island?

Moana 2 is breaking records at the box office, with fans of the first 2016 film flocking in droves to be reunited with the feel-good musical adventure. At the film’s heart is the land Moana and her family live on, nurture and navigate – and gorgeous animation showcases the incredible natural beauty of the island Moana calls home. But where is home for Montunui, and is it a real island we can visit for ourselves? Here’s what you need to know.

© Disney

Where Is Moana From?

In Disney’s Moana, the title protagonist Moana is from Montunui, a fictional island in Polynesia. In particular, Montunui draws inspiration from Pacific islands like Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Hawaii, and Moana draws heavily on real Polynesian mythology, navigation and customs for its plot and characters.

Can I Visit Montunui?

Sadly Montunui isn’t a real island, so it cannot be visited. However, if you’d like to experience the landscapes we see in Moana and its sequel in the flesh, look to the following locations:

• Fiji, home to lush tropical forests, vibrant coral reefs and traditional villages
• Samoa, featuring breathtaking coastlines, dramatic cliffs and a deep cultural connection to the sea, mirroring that we see in Moana
• Tahiti and the Society Islands (aka French Polynesia), where stunning lagoons and volcanic mountains can be found
• Hawaii, with its volcanic peaks and plethora of beaches

© Disney

Is Moana Polynesian Or Hawaiian?

Moana is Polynesian, but it’s worth also noting that, while it is politically a US state, Hawaii is geographically and ethnologically Polynesian, too.

With more than 1,000 islands scattered across the central and Pacific Ocean, Polynesia is a collection of islands stretching from New Zealand to Easter Island and as far north as Hawaii. Within this triangle, the islands of Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands can be found, amongst others. Polynesia’s nearby neighbours are Melanesia (home to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and more) and Micronesia (home to the Mariana, Caroline and Marshall islands and Kiribati).

Moana star Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role in live action Moana in 2026. (© Disney)

Where Are They Filming Live Action Moana?

In case you missed it: a live action remake of Moana is on the way, filming for which took place in Hawaii, completing on 22 November 2024.

Reprising his role as Maui from the animated films, Dwayne Johnson said on the film: ‘I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once in a lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Pete Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.’

Release Date

Live action Moana will land in cinemas on 10 July 2026. The film was originally scheduled for 27 July 2025, but the launch of the animated sequel in 2024 pushed executives to nudge the release date back a year.

When Will Moana 2 Be Available To Stream?

No official news just yet on when Moana 2 will land on Disney+. Typically, after a theatrical run, Disney films are available to rent digitally 45 to 65 days after the release date, before landing on Disney+ some time later.

If blockbuster Inside Out 2 – which landed on Disney+ three months after its theatrical release – is anything to go by, Moana 2 will arrive on Disney+ in February 2025.