Disney's Live‑Action “Moana” Flops, Facing Over $100 Million Loss

Disney’s live‑action remake of “Moana” opened to a weak domestic debut of about $43 million and a worldwide total of roughly $95 million. With a reported production budget of $200‑$250 million plus $110 million‑plus in marketing costs, analysts estimate the film will lose more than $100 million.

Critical reception was poor, earning a 36 % Rotten Tomatoes score, the lowest among Disney’s live‑action adaptations. Online commentary questioned the need for the remake, noting its near‑shot‑for‑shot fidelity to the 2016 animated original.

The release coincided with the highly anticipated debut of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which is projected to open between $85 million and $100 million domestically, further compressing audience interest. The box‑office disappointment has revived debate over Disney’s strategy of rapidly converting recent animated hits into live‑action films.