Disney's live-action Moana misses box‑office targets, draws harsh reviews

Disney released the live‑action remake of Moana on July 10 2026, starring Catherine Lagaaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. The film opened in more than 3,900 cinemas worldwide, with initial projections of a $130 million global opening.

Box‑office tracking quickly fell, showing domestic estimates of $60‑70 million and a global range of $45‑60 million, far below earlier forecasts. Pre‑sale tickets totaled only about $4 million, and analysts warned that the $200 million‑plus production budget would require a much larger haul to break even.

Critical reception was similarly poor. Rotten Tomatoes scores hovered between 35 % and 38 %, with reviewers calling the remake “unnecessary” and “a cheap imitation” of the 2016 animated hit. Critics noted the film’s near‑shot‑for‑shot faithfulness offered little new, and highlighted issues with visual effects and pacing.

The underperformance occurs amid a crowded summer market that includes family blockbusters such as Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, limiting screen availability for the Disney title.