Disney attributes live-action Moana box office struggle to release timing

Disney President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden has attributed the underwhelming box office performance of the live-action ‘Moana’ to its release timing. Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime, Walden suggested the film was hindered by its proximity to the animated sequel, ‘Moana 2’, which premiered approximately 18 months earlier. She noted that the close release window may not have allowed sufficient time to build “pent-up demand” for a new installment.

The live-action remake, which stars Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson, faced significant financial challenges. With a reported production budget of approximately $250 million, the film grossed roughly $323 million worldwide. Analysts suggest the film could face losses exceeding $100 million when accounting for marketing costs and theater revenue shares.

While Walden cited the animated sequel as a primary factor, some observers point to other market pressures, including the simultaneous theatrical run of ‘Toy Story 5’, which grossed over $1 billion globally, and poor critical reception for the ‘Moana’ remake.