Disney’s Moana and the Media Portrayal of Feminism/Postfeminism and Political Correctness

Abstract

The Walt Disney Company created a musical animation film, Moana (2016), inspired by the Polynesian culture and history. It was commercially successful, and Moana II was released in 2024. This article examines Disney’s Moana film series with regard to feminism, postfeminism, and political correctness. It begins with the definition and discussion of feminism and postfeminism as analytical frameworks, and confirms the background of feminism and political correctness related to the Walt Disney Company. Moreover, this article comparatively analyzes the feminist critique of Moana film series and feminist/postfeminist elements at the same time. Prior research has shed light on aspects of racial and cultural prejudices as well as coloniality of the film series in a critical manner, and these aspects will be reexamined as well. Likewise, a debate on so-called cultural appropriation is to be highlighted in the light of political correctness. This research argues that Moana film series has feminist/postfeminist elements and that although there are some racial/cultural prejudices in the film series, it would be an overexaggeration to jump to the conclusion that the film series is based on the coloniality and cultural appropriation.