Disney's 'Moana 2' Breaks Records While Songwriters Address Music Criticism

The sequel's soundtrack, crafted by Grammy-winning duo Barlow and Bear, faces mixed reactions as the film achieves historic box office success.

Disney's 'Moana 2' set a Thanksgiving box office record with $225 million over five days and $221 million in its opening weekend, marking the biggest animated debut in history.
Grammy-winning songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the youngest female duo to compose for Disney, created the sequel's music, blending familiar motifs with new directions.
The soundtrack has drawn mixed reactions, with some fans comparing it unfavorably to Lin-Manuel Miranda's work on the original film, though the creators emphasize the subjective nature of music.
The film's music highlights Moana's evolved journey, with songs like 'Beyond' reflecting her emotional growth and maturity, and features collaborative input from returning composers and directors.
Star Auli’i Cravalho praised the songwriters for adapting to her matured voice and crafting music that balances emotional depth with character-driven storytelling.