Summary
Disney's live-action "Moana" opened as the No. 1 movie in North America, but its first weekend earnings fell short of expectations. The film, which cost $250 million to make, earned only $43 million domestically and $95 million worldwide. This is a weak start for one of Disney's most valuable franchises, especially compared to the massive success of "Moana 2" just 19 months ago.
Main Impact
The live-action "Moana" failed to make a big splash at the box office despite being based on Disney's most-streamed movie. The film's $43 million domestic opening is far below what the studio hoped for, given that the 2016 animated original is the most-watched movie on Disney+. The sequel, "Moana 2," opened with $225 million over Thanksgiving 2024 and went on to earn over $1 billion worldwide. This new version, a shot-for-shot remake, earned mostly negative reviews from critics and only a lukewarm response from audiences.
Key Details
What Happened
Disney released a live-action remake of its hit 2016 animated film "Moana." The movie stars Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui and introduces Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana. Directed by Thomas Kail, the film is a nearly exact copy of the original, scene by scene. Critics gave it a low 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were more positive, with 63% saying they would definitely recommend it, and parents giving it a 78% recommendation rate. It earned an A- CinemaScore from moviegoers.
Important Numbers and Facts
The film cost $250 million to produce. It earned $43 million in the U.S. and Canada in its first weekend. Internationally, it made $52 million from 50 markets, for a global total of $95 million. This opening is similar to last year's "Snow White," which opened with $42.2 million and ended with only $205 million worldwide. In comparison, "Moana 2" opened with $225 million domestically and earned over $1 billion globally. The 2016 original made $248 million domestically and $687 million worldwide during its entire run.
Background and Context
Disney has been making live-action remakes of its animated classics for years. Some have been huge hits, like "The Lion King" ($1.6 billion), "Beauty and the Beast" ($1.2 billion), and last year's "Lilo & Stitch" (over $1 billion). Others have flopped, most notably "Snow White" in 2025. The "Moana" franchise is especially important to Disney because the original film is the most-streamed movie on Disney+, and the sequel was a massive box office success. The studio hoped the live-action version would attract both nostalgic adults and new young viewers.
Public or Industry Reaction
Industry analysts say the weak opening may be due to too many family-friendly movies playing at the same time. Paul Dergarabedian, a box office analyst, noted that three PG-rated films were in the top five this weekend: "Moana," "Minions & Monsters" ($20.5 million), and "Toy Story 5" ($18.5 million). "Families love going to the movies, but right now there are three of them," he said. "That's a lot of competition." He added that this doesn't mean families are tired of these movies, but there is a limit to how many they will see in theaters at once. "Toy Story 5" has already earned $879 million worldwide after four weekends.
What This Means Going Forward
The weak opening raises questions about Disney's strategy of making shot-for-shot live-action remakes. While some have worked, others have failed to connect with audiences. "Moana" will need strong word-of-mouth to recover, especially with big movies coming soon. Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" opens next week, followed by "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" the week after. These films could pull audiences away from "Moana" quickly. The total domestic box office for 2026 is currently $5.2 billion, up 10.7% from last year, but July has been slow. Analysts say the next two weeks could be crucial for the summer movie season.
Final Take
Disney bet big on "Moana" but the live-action remake failed to capture the magic of the original. With a $250 million budget and a weak opening, the film faces an uphill battle to break even. The success of "Moana 2" showed the franchise still has power, but this version may have come too soon and offered too little new to excite audiences. Disney's live-action remake strategy is becoming a risky gamble, with hits and misses growing more unpredictable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the live-action "Moana" open so low?
The film faced strong competition from other family movies like "Minions & Monsters" and "Toy Story 5." Critics gave it poor reviews for being a shot-for-shot copy of the original, which may have turned off some viewers. The quick release after "Moana 2" (only 19 months ago) may have also caused franchise fatigue.
How does this compare to other Disney live-action remakes?
It opened similarly to "Snow White" ($42.2 million), which was a box office disappointment. But it is far below hits like "The Lion King" ($191 million opening) and "Beauty and the Beast" ($174 million opening). The $250 million budget makes this a risky investment for Disney.
Will "Moana" still make money for Disney?
It is possible but unlikely to be a big success. The film needs strong word-of-mouth and good holds in coming weeks. However, with major releases like "The Odyssey" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" arriving soon, it will face tough competition. The film may need to earn at least $500 million worldwide to break even, which will be difficult given its slow start.
