Moana live-action has no post-credits scene, but the ending does make one big change

*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Disney’s live-action Moana*

The latest live-action remake from Disney is proving to be the most controversial of the bunch due to the fact that it’s only been 10 years since the original Moana dropped. Mostly, it follows the same story, but there is a change to the ending and the post-credits scene. 

So far, the live-action Moana – starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as Maui and Catherine Laga’aia as the titular character – hasn’t gone down too well with the critics, with the film earning just 36% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Critics feel it to be a pointless rehash of the original, but it’s not all bad, and if you simply want to relive the magic of the first one and see it in a different iteration, you’ll no doubt want to know whether to stick around when Moana ends. 

Does the live-action Moana have a post-credits scene?

No, the live-action Moana doesn’t include either a mid-credits or post-credits scene. So, once the credits start rolling, that’s the end of the story. There’s no hidden joke or sequel tease waiting. 

This is one of the few differences to the animated version. While the original also didn’t tease a sequel, it did include a brief extra gag after the credits. 

Tamatoa, the enormous coconut crab voiced by Jemaine Clement, is shown stranded on his back after his battle with Maui. Looking directly at the audience, he jokes, “If my name was Sebastian and I had a cool Jamaican accent, you’d totally help me,” referring to The Little Mermaid. 

The ending only has one major difference

For the most part, the live-action remake stays remarkably faithful to the ending of the animated Disney film.

After reaching Te Fiti, Moana realises the island goddess hasn’t disappeared at all. Instead, Te Kā is actually Te Fiti herself, transformed into a fiery monster after losing her heart.

Rather than defeating Te Kā through force, Moana approaches her with compassion and returns the stolen heart to its rightful place. The lava disappears, Te Fiti is restored and balance returns to the ocean.

Maui also receives his magical fish hook back after it is repaired by Te Fiti, allowing him to continue serving as a shapeshifting demigod.

Back home, Moana reunites with her family and her people. She takes up the role of chieftess and, together, they set sail as voyagers, fulfilling the dream that had been passed down through generations.

The biggest addition comes closer to the end of the film, with a scene showing Moana formally stepping into her role. 

Rather than ending immediately after the celebration, audiences see her recognised as the new leader of Motunui before the film closes with a newly written song, ‘Along the Way’, playing over the credits. 

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Featured image credit: Disney