In 2016 the world was introduced to Disney's latest creation: the story of Moana of Motunui. Moana is the daughter of a chief of a Polynesian village and a friend of the ocean. Moana's story of adventure with the greatest demigod became an overnight success. Starring newcomer Auli'i Cravalho and international superstar Dwayne Johnson, this animated film captured the hearts of millions instantly with lots of great Moana quotes.
This charming story of a young girl who yearns from adventure, and the bravery it takes to find yourself along the way is an instant Walt Disney Animation Studios classic. Moana is an adventurous Disney film that is full of great things like the beautiful pacific islands, the great ocean, a different song for every mood, a blow dart in the butt cheek, and lots of awesome movie quotes.
Long ago, Maui the demi-god of the wind and sea stole the heart of Tefiti and slowly a terrible darkness has been taking over the Pacific Ocean and land. Now Moana's island is in trouble and it's up to her to find Maui and restore the heart of Tefiti.
Some of our favorite quotes from the movie Moana are all about inspiring yourself and others. Here's the scoop on the best Moana Quotes.
1. “Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface … far beneath, in some cases.”
Moana speaks nothing but truth. In this quote, she explains that we all have strength inside of us, but sometimes it takes a little bit more effort to find.
Not everyone has an obvious path in life, but if you're willing to do the work and make some sacrifices along the way, anything is possible.
In the context of the Moana movie, Moana says this line about the clueless Heihei but it applies to anyone.
2. “There is nowhere you could go that I won’t be with you.”
Sometimes we just need a reminder that the people we love care about us.
Facing the unknown can be a terrifying thing, and doing it alone is a feat far more intimidating than most are willing to admit. But knowing we have those that are important with us always can make all the difference.
3. "There comes a day when you're gonna look around and realize happiness is where you are."
We love this quote because it gives Moana (and the audience) some serious insight. Continually looking for something to make you happy is a definitive way to always be searching.
Eventually you must make peace with what is right around you and find happiness in what you already have.
Moana's father Chief Tui encourages his daughter to focus on her duties as the chief's daughter on the island because there is lots of good to be done there. He explains this lesson in song form and it's lots of fun.
4. "Her heart held the greatest power ever known."
If only we could all have a Gramma Tala of our own. With this quote she speaks the truth. At the end of the day, our greatest strengths lie within. It's our hearts and souls that truly make us who we are, and that is where we can find the ability to push through time and time again.
5. “The past shouldn’t be feared for it guides our future.”
Another lesson about the past, here we are reminded just how vital the time before can be. While it is important not to cling to the past, it must be remembered to help guide us to where we go next. The key is finding balance between the two.
6. “Bonding is not measured by the time you spent together, but by the comfort you find when you realize you have each other.”
Moana speaks serious truth with this one. Sometimes you can't spend as much time as you'd like with the people you love. But it's more about quality and what you do with the time you do have, rather than the amount of time you had in the first place.
7. "Be who you are on the inside.”
A few simple words, but such a powerful meaning. Moana reminds us here that we need to always remember who we are inside. Life isn't about putting on appearances or facades, it's about being who you are without shame. Just like Moana, we could all do remind ourselves of this more often.
8. “There’s more beyond the reef.”
It's true that Moana meant this in a literal sense, but we like to think of the metaphor it represents as well. There's more beyond just what we see. And we are capable of so much more than what is right in front of us. Sometimes we just need to remember our power.
Moana says this quote when she takes a boat out on the water with her animal sidekick Pua the pig. As the daughter of the chief Moana knows she's not allowed to take the boats out, but when the village is in trouble she tries sailing past the reef.
She says this line the first time she takes the boat out, and it's significant because she's not just talking about more fish, but more to life also. She's determined to save the future of our people by traveling across the vast ocean and restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti and exploring the wonderful world.
9. “Know your purpose.”
To round off our list, we're ending with three simple words. We all have a purpose in life. Sometimes that means leading our people, but for most it's simply doing the best we can at whatever it is we do on a daily basis. At the end of the day, knowing our purpose and doing our job to the best of our ability can be considered a success.
Moana is determined to save her village the right way. Even though it will be difficult, it is her purpose.
10. "I am Moana of Motunui. You will board my boat, sail across the sea, and restore the heart of Te Fiti."
This is one of our favorite Moana quotes ever! Moana is a confident young woman and she knows exactly what she wants. When trying convince Maui to help her return the heart of Te Fiti she recites this mantra to get his help.
Even when talking to a demigod Moana shows strength and confidence! She repeats this Moana of Motonui as a mantra to remind herself that she's strong and on a journey to save her village.
Thankfully, this little speech eventually works on the greatest demi-god Maui and he joins her, even teaching her to be a real way-finder along the way. Together with Hei Hei the chicken, they sail across the ocean.
Even though Heihei pauses their journey momentarily as Moana pulls Heihei from the boat and Moana claps him on the head, he proves to be a useful travel companion. At one point it looks like the chicken is gonna throw up but he persists.
He serves as some comedic relief throughout the film when Maui places food in front of Heihei he just robotically pecks at them and it's so funny! He also lets out some child screams that are funny too.
Thanks to Heihei's incredible stupidity the chicken joins the journey by hiding in a section of the raft floor and then sticks his head in a coconut shell.
11. "When I die, I'm going to come back as one of these, or I chose the wrong tattoo."
Moana's Grandma Tala says this to her granddaughter while she is in the water dancing with manta rays. She acknowledges that she is the village crazy lady but she is sure of herself and who she is.
Even after Grandma Tala passes away, Moana sees images of a manta ray in the water, proving that her grandma is still with her in spirit and that she had the right tattoo. Grandma Tala reminds Moana that no matter what other people say, you have to listen to the voice inside yourself and be true to who you are.
Grandma Tala feels a strong connection to manta rays just like Moana feels that connection to the ocean. She also tells young Moana, "Remember you may hear a voice inside, and if the voice starts to whisper to follow the farthest star, Moana that voice inside is who you are." Reminding her that strength lies within herself.
12. "The gods aren't the ones who make you Maui, you are."
Maui is a demigod of the wind and sea and hero of men (and women), so he is no stranger to adventure. His adventures explain many natural phenomenon on Earth, so with his magical fish hook he has do many great things!
This legendary demigod also has a mini Maui tattoo on Maui's back that acts as a sidekick for him as well as a map of the victories he's accomplished. Having a tattoo of a character version of little Maui may seem strange, but they show up when he earns his victories.
Moana learns that Maui was born to human parents who threw him away to the ocean as a baby and the gods found him. They gave him the mystical relic of a fish hook that made him a demi-god and that's how he became the Maui we know today. He then stole the heart of Tefiti to give the great power of creation to humans.
Moana reminds him that just because the gods made him a demi-god, doesn't mean he isn't special on his own. Every little thing that makes him special is just his own, and not from the gods. He gives her a relieved look and the two continue their journey.
He may autograph Moana's oar with heihei's beak and not want to help when they first meet, and he repeatedly tosses Moana off the boat, this pair forms an incredible bond by the end of the film.
13. "I appreciate what you did down there, took guts."
This is one of the last lines on our list. Maui and Moana travel to the realm of realm of the monsters to get his hook back from the crab Tamatoa. After a catchy song about once being a drab little crab and a funny line about focusing on Tamatoa's eyes they duo eventually emerge victorious, with Maui's fish hook.
After escaping Moana and Maui have the power of his magical fishhook to fight Te Ka and restore Te Fiti's heart. The pair leaves Tamatoa flipped upside down, unable to pursue them.
After the credits, we see the crab again still upside down. He references The Little Mermaid and tells audiences, "Can we be real? If my name was Sebastian and I had a cool Jamaican accent, you'd totally help me. You would, you know you would."
14. "If I were the ocean, I think I'd be looking for a curly haired non-princess to start that again."
Maui tells Moana that he figured out why the ocean chose her to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Before settling on Motunui her people used to travel across the whole ocean, and the ocean liked it so they want that to happen again.
Maui thinks that the ocean chose the right person to restore the heart. This encouraging line comes in just as they approach the barrier islands and Te Ka, so the timing is perfect!
Unfortunately, the duo loses their first fight against Te Ka. Moana removes the heart of Te Fiti from Moana's necklace and it falls to the bottom of the ocean.
Shop your favorite Moana products like shirts, a Pua plushie, Funko Pop figures, and Loungefly bags for the next time you watch the movie.
Let us know your favorite Moana song and quotes in the comments!
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