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Disney's Live-Action Moana Debuts, Critics Decry Cash Grab

7/10/2026

Summary

Disney Releases Moana

Disney released the live-action “Moana” on July 10, 2026, directed by Thomas Kail from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson lead the cast as Moana and Maui respectively.
The soundtrack includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, Mark Mancina and a new song “Along the Way.”
Critics say the movie mirrors the 2016 plot, praise its cultural casting, but call it an unnecessary cash-grab.

Summary

Moana Box-Office Forecast

Analysts expect Moana live-action opening at $75 million, while Disney forecasts $60-65 million.
Production costs total about $250 million, making it one of Disney’s costliest live-action films.
The 2016 original earned $643 million while the 2024 sequel has approached $1.1 billion, showing franchise strength.
Rotten Tomatoes rates the remake at 37%, indicating mixed reviews that could affect earnings.
Analyst David A. Gross notes Disney’s live-action remakes earn more than 60% of box-office revenue overseas.

History

Historical Context

In April 2016 Disney launched Jon Favreau’s live-action The Jungle Book, opening on 4,028 theaters, earning $103.3 million that weekend and $966.6 million worldwide, cementing a profitable remake formula. Ten years later, the studio’s 2026 Moana, directed by Thomas Kail and starring Dwayne Johnson, opened with only $130 million globally, far below the 2016 benchmark, prompting Disney to rethink budgeting and franchise choices.

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Disney Releases Moana

Disney released the live-action “Moana” on July 10, 2026, directed by Thomas Kail from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson lead the cast as Moana and Maui respectively.
The soundtrack includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, Mark Mancina and a new song “Along the Way.”
Critics say the movie mirrors the 2016 plot, praise its cultural casting, but call it an unnecessary cash-grab.

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