Disney fans, rejoice! Moana 2 is finally making its way to Disney+ on March 12, following an impressive 105-day theatrical window. Originally planned as a Disney+ exclusive, the film was later upgraded for a theatrical release, proving to be a box office hit.

Moana 2’s Box Office Success

Since hitting theaters, Moana 2 has been a massive success, earning $458.8 million domestically and crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide. This achievement makes it the third highest-grossing animated movie of 2024 and only the fourth Disney Animation film ever to join the billion-dollar club—alongside Frozen, Zootopia, and Frozen 2.

Disney’s decision to release Moana 2 in theaters was a strategic move. The first Moana film gained immense popularity on Disney+, but by bringing the sequel to the big screen first, Disney was able to expand the franchise’s reach across theme parks, merchandise, and future storytelling.

What’s Next for the Moana Franchise?

The ending of Moana 2 teased the possibility of a third movie, keeping fans excited for what’s to come. Additionally, Dwayne Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in a live-action adaptation of Moana, set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026.

Disney’s Box Office Dominance

Thanks to hits like Moana 2, Inside Out 2, Mufasa, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Disney became the first major studio since 2019 to surpass $5.46 billion at the global box office last year.

Get Ready to Stream Moana 2!

If you missed Moana 2 in theaters, now’s your chance to stream it on Disney+ starting March 12. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures from Moana and her crew!

Latvia is beaming with pride after the animated film Flow made history by winning the country’s first-ever Academy Award. The wordless animated feature, directed by Gints Zilbalodis, took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards, marking a significant achievement for Latvian cinema.

A Moment of Pride for Latvia

The win sparked nationwide celebrations, with many Latvians staying up late to watch the ceremony, which aired at 2 a.m. local time. Flow defeated tough competition, including DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot, to secure the prestigious award.

Gints Zilbalodis, during his acceptance speech, expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the historic nature of the moment. He also humorously thanked his cats and dogs, a nod to the animal characters in his film.

“This is the first time a film from Latvia has ever been nominated,” Zilbalodis told the audience in Los Angeles. “So it really means a lot to us. We are very inspired and we hope to be back soon.”

A Record-Breaking Film in Latvia

Flow has captivated audiences in Latvia, with over 320,000 people watching it in theaters—making it the most-watched film in the country in the last 30 years. The Latvian National Museum of Art even displayed the film’s Golden Globe Award in January, attracting over 15,000 visitors in just 10 days.

Latvian leaders and fans took to social media to celebrate the historic win:

• President Edgars Rinkēvičs called it a “great and historic day for Latvia.”
• Prime Minister Evika Siliņa praised the filmmakers and said, “The cat continues to capture the hearts of people worldwide!”
• Latvian musician Ralfs Eilands described the Oscar night as “the best sleepless night of my life.”

What is Flow About?

Known as “Straume” in Latvian, Flow is a peaceful yet post-apocalyptic fable about a black cat, a dog, a capybara, a ring-tailed lemur, and a secretary bird navigating a world submerged by rising waters. The film has no dialogue, relying entirely on visuals and music to tell its story.

The unique storytelling approach and breathtaking animation have earned Flow international acclaim, solidifying Latvia’s presence in the global film industry.

Latvia’s Oscar Win Sparks International Reactions

Following Flow’s victory, Oscars host Conan O’Brien jokingly challenged another Baltic country by saying, “Ball’s in your court, Estonia!” Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal responded on social media: “We’ve got you, Conan. Estonia will do its best to catch up.”

Meanwhile, in Riga, an art installation featuring the black cat from Flow now sits atop the letter “A” in the city’s “RIGA” sign, allowing fans and tourists to take photos with the beloved character. Additionally, Latvia issued a special postage stamp featuring the famous black cat ahead of the Oscars.

Latvia’s first Oscar win with Flow is a landmark achievement that has not only brought joy to its people but also put the country on the global animation map. With this historic milestone, the future of Latvian cinema looks brighter than ever.

Disney has officially canceled Tiana, the animated series based on The Princess and the Frog, as part of a major shift in its animation strategy. The company is moving away from longform streaming animation, leading to layoffs and project cancellations.

Why Is Disney Canceling Tiana?

Tiana was first announced in 2020 and was expected to continue the story of Disney’s first Black princess. The series was set after the events of The Princess and the Frog, following Tiana as the Princess of Maldonia while staying connected to her New Orleans roots.

Originally planned for 2023, the show was delayed to 2024 after major creative changes. Now, Disney has decided to cancel it entirely, along with another unannounced animated feature that was intended for Disney+.

Disney’s Shift Away from Streaming Animation

The cancellation of Tiana is part of a bigger change at Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS). Disney is no longer focusing on longform animated content for streaming. This move follows a similar decision by Pixar, which recently announced it would stop producing episodic content for Disney+.

As a result of these changes, Disney’s Vancouver animation studio is facing layoffs, signaling a cost-cutting effort across the company.

Will There Still Be a Tiana Project?

There’s some good news for fans—Disney is reportedly working on a short-form animated special based on The Princess and the Frog. While it won’t be a full-length series, it could still bring Tiana back to the screen in a new adventure.

What’s Next for Disney Animation?

Disney’s focus is now shifting toward theatrical releases and short-form content, rather than streaming-exclusive animated shows. This change could mean fewer original Disney+ projects in the future, but bigger theatrical films and special releases instead.

As the entertainment landscape evolves, Disney’s strategy will likely continue to change—but for now, the dream of a full-length Tiana series has come to an end.