Disney’s Live-Action Remake of “Moana” Draws Sharp Criticism

Disney has released a live-action version of its 2016 animated hit “Moana.” The film is directed by Thomas Kail and features a new screenplay written by the original animated film’s screenwriter Jared Bush together with Dana Ledoux Miller. Marketed as a photo-realistic retelling, the remake follows the same storyline in which a Polynesian princess ventures across the ocean to retrieve a stolen goddess’s heart and restore her people.

New York Times

The original “Moana” debuted in 2016, blending music, language, myths and history from several Pacific Island nations. Its soundtrack—crafted by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa‘i and Mark Mancina—was widely praised, and the film quickly became one of the most-streamed titles on Disney+ in the United States. In 2024 Disney released “Moana 2,” which earned more than $1 billion worldwide, cementing the franchise’s commercial strength and prompting plans for a third installment.

New York Times

Commentators have described the live-action version as “the most pointless, and perhaps not accidentally, the worst” of Disney’s recent remake slate. Reviewers note that “all the plot beats are the same, and so are many of the lines and jokes,” arguing that the new film offers little beyond a visual facelift. Minor changes—such as swapping Maui’s “tweeting” joke for an “oar-tograph for chicken” gag—are deemed “certainly not an improvement.” The consensus among critics is that the remake recycles the original without adding substantive new insight or narrative depth.

New York Times

• “Of all of them, “Moana” might be the most pointless, and perhaps not accidentally, the worst.” — *New York Times*

New York Times

• “You almost certainly know the plot of “Moana,” because theoriginal animated filmcame out less than 10 years ago.” — *New York Times*

New York Times

• “Yet you’d be forgiven if you thought they’d just recycled the old one: All the plot beats are the same, and so are many of the lines and jokes.” — *New York Times*

New York Times

• “The film’s 2024 sequel,“Moana 2,”made over $1 billion worldwide, solidifying the franchise’s renown.” — *New York Times*

New York Times