Moana Live-Action Remake Opens With Underwhelming $95 Million Global Debut

The Walt Disney Company’s live-action remake of “Moana” has debuted to a soft $95 million global opening, according to studio estimates. Despite the film being a high-priority project for the studio, the $250 million production earned only $43 million domestically in the U.S. and Canada, with an additional $52 million generated across 50 international markets.

The film, directed by Thomas Kail, features Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui and introduces Catherine Lagaʻaia as the title character. While the original 2016 animated feature remains a significant franchise for Disney—holding the title of the most-watched movie on Disney+—this latest iteration struggled to make a major splash during its opening weekend.

Market Competition and Family Audience Dynamics

Industry analysts point to a crowded marketplace as a potential factor in the film’s performance. Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Rentrak, noted that “Moana” is currently competing against multiple other PG-rated family films, including “Minions & Monsters” and “Toy Story 5.”

According to Dergarabedian, while families enjoy cinema, the simultaneous presence of three major family-oriented films suggests a possible ceiling for box office returns. Despite this competition, he noted that the performance might not be a result of “family movie fatigue,” as PG-rated films have historically outgrossed other genres in 2024 and 2025.

Market Competition and Family Audience Dynamics — Photo: Nbclosangeles

Critical Reception Versus Audience Sentiment

The film has faced a divide between critical and audience reception. Critics have largely panned the movie, with the film currently holding a 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of the negative criticism centers on the film being perceived as a near shot-for-shot remake of the 2016 original, leading some to label it as an unexciting or superfluous piece of monetizable content.

In contrast, audience feedback has been notably more positive. According to PostTrak, 63% of viewers indicated they would “definitely” recommend the film to friends, a figure that rises to 78% among parents. The film also secured an “A-” CinemaScore, suggesting that those who attended the theater were generally satisfied with the experience.

Visuals and Performance

The production utilizes significant CGI to recreate the world of Motunui and its inhabitants. Director Thomas Kail’s approach relies heavily on digital effects to render characters like the coconut pirates known as the Kakamora, the shape-shifting Maui, and the giant crab Tamatoa, who is once again voiced by Jemaine Clement. While some reviewers have criticized the heavy reliance on CGI, describing the film as being “so deeply embedded in CGI work as to be really another animation,” others have praised the technical execution.

Moana Stumbles at the Box Office | Disney's Live-Action Remake Opens Below Expectations

Box Office Context

The performance of the new “Moana” comes as Disney continues to navigate the inconsistent financial results of its live-action remake strategy. The studio has previously seen massive successes with remakes such as “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” both of which surpassed $1 billion at the global box office. However, other entries have struggled, including last year’s “Snow White,” which finished its run with $205 million worldwide.

The $95 million global start for “Moana” marks a challenging beginning for a title the studio bet heavily on, especially following the 2024 sequel to the original animated film, which grossed over $1 billion and set a Thanksgiving opening record of $225 million.