Disney's Live-Action Moana Opens to Weak Box Office

Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana" opened in theaters on July 10, 2026, to a mixed reception and a domestic box office debut that fell short of studio expectations. The film, directed by Thomas Kail and starring newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, earned an estimated $43 million in its opening weekend across North America. This figure was below the studio's target of over $60 million and significantly under pre-release tracking that had suggested a $75 million opening was possible.

In interviews surrounding the release, director Thomas Kail emphasized his intention to create a distinct experience from the 2016 animated original. He stated that while his team trusted the original story and characters, the shift to live-action inherently altered the film's emotional impact. Kail explained that the physical presence of actors created a different dynamic, noting that having two people converse eye-to-eye allows something powerful to transfer. He pointed specifically to scenes featuring the 17-year-old Lagaʻaia battling the ocean as lending an unexpected realism and stronger emotional weight. Kail also highlighted the...