On what date was Moana released in the United States?

Moana was released in the United States on November 23, 2016.

The date placed Disney’s animated musical in the Thanksgiving holiday corridor, a strategically important period for family audiences. In the United States, the film opened on a Wednesday and was accompanied by the short film “Inner Workings.” Its holiday release gave it access to an extended opening weekend rather than only a standard Friday-to-Sunday frame.

This date is often confused with November 14, 2016, which was the date of Moana’s world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles as part of AFI Fest. The soundtrack arrived shortly before the film, on November 18, in the United States.

Moana’s theatrical release date also differs from dates used in other countries, where distributors scheduled regional openings around the American holiday launch. The 2023 U.S. re-release for Disney’s centennial was a separate theatrical event.