No, there was no new Moana film released in 2023. The confusion likely stems from the flurry of announcements regarding the franchise's future that occurred around that time. The animated sequel, Moana 2, actually premiered on November 27, 2024, becoming a massive global hit. Looking ahead from 2026, the next major milestone for the franchise is the live-action Moana remake, which is officially scheduled for release in theaters on July 10, 2026. This remake features Catherine Lagaʻaia in the title role and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui. So, while 2023 was a quiet year for actual releases, it served as the critical planning phase for the "Moana decade" that saw an animated sequel and a live-action blockbuster released within two years of each other. If you are looking for Moana content right now, the original 2016 film and the 2024 sequel are the primary entries available on streaming platforms like Disney+.