WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Moana 2.
One of the best new characters inMoana 2has to have a bigger role in future installments of theMoanafranchise, starting withMoana 3. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead theensemble cast ofMoana 2, which also features voice performances by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on July 13, 2025,Moana 2is currently projected to earna five-day Thanksgiving gross between $215-220 million domestically, which would surpass the record set byThe Super Mario Bros. Movie.for the best five-day weekend of all time.
ThroughoutMoana 2, Moana journeys to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. She leaves her home island of Motunui and sets out to find other people on the ocean with the hope of uniting them once again. It’s revealed that Nalo, a wicked and powerful storm god, had sunk a crucial connecting island called Motufetu deep into the ocean to prevent islanders from connecting. Moana’s goal is to discover Motufetu and bring all of the oceanic people together. As seen at theend ofMoana 2, Moana breaks Nola’s curse, which enables people from various islands to travel toMotunui, where her little sister Simea is anxiously waiting for her return.
Moana’s Sister Simea Has A Surprisingly Small Role In Moana 2
Simea is a crucial character in the film who is given limited screentime
Moana’s younger sister, Simea, is a great new addition to theMoanauniverse. Unfortunately, since she stayed behind on Moana’s home island of Motunui while Moana set out on her wayfaring adventures inMoana 2, she was unable to be featured in a very strong role in the film. Even though she is just above toddler age,Simea is a funny and sassy character contrasted with Moana’s bright and inspiring personality. The two sisters work well together in the few scenes they have, especially during their heartwarming reunion in the final moments of the blockbuster sequel.
Moana 2 Post-Credits Scene Explained
The film also ends with a special reunion in the end credits that can set the stage for future Moana movies.
Because Simea was a brand new character inMoana 2, it was somewhat expected that she would play a bigger role in the movie.Given her age, it makes sense that Moana would not want her to face the dangers of the open seaas she, Maui, and the crew fight against the powerful storm god Nalo. Still, given thatMoana 2is an animated film mostly directed at kids, it seems likely that not many would have questioned the story logic of why Simea would have tagged along for the adventure. In this way,Moana 2feels slightly robbed of one of its best new supporting characters, whereas the others who do tag along with Moana and Maui are more forgettable.
Simea Deserves A Much Bigger Role In Moana 3
Her dynamic with Moana is one of the movie’s strongest aspects
Simea is a crucial new character in theMoanauniverse and should play a bigger role in future installments of the franchise. After introducing her character inMoana 2, it nearly feels certain that Simea will come to have a bigger role alongside her sister in the eventualMoana 3.The deep love and connection between Simea and Moana are well established inMoana 2and should be the key foundation and launching pad thatMoana 3should take off from.
Is Moana 2 Better Than Moana?
Moana 2 dives deeper into Polynesian culture and adventure, but can it surpass the original’s charm and unforgettable soundtrack?
Simea is voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, who made her feature film debut inMoana 2. The acting newcomer was born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii on the Island of Oahu. Like her character, Khaleesi is said to be “lively, feisty, energetic and cares deeply for her family/friends” (viaIMDb). Considering the age and inexperience of the voice actor, it makes more sense why Simea did not have a bigger role in Moana 2. It does, however, appear to bethe beginning of a promising acting career for Lambert-Tsuda, who could very well be approaching adolescence by the timeMoana 3comes out.
How Moana 3 Can Increase Simea’s Role
Simea could be older in the next movie
One thing that is nearly certain is thatMoana 3will eventually expand theworld of Moanaeven further thanMoana 2did and could introduce all sorts of new characters who will face a potentially stronger threat from Nalo and Matangi. Simea could have amore integral role inMoana 3if the franchise underwent a major time jump and made her part of the crew. Considering that eight years separateMoanaandMoana 2, with the addition of alive-actionMoanarelease in 2026,Moana 3may not hit theaters until 2028 at the very earliest. The franchise could setMoana 3sometime in the future to allow Simea to grow up and have a bigger role next to her sister.
Moana 2
Cast
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
