Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana appears set for a rocky start, potentially marking one of the lowest openings for any of Disney’s remakes. Reviews aren’t much better, either.
Scheduled for release on July 10, the film is not expected to do well, according to tracking services. Reports suggest it could earn between $40 and $65 million during its opening weekend, which is troubling given its hefty budget of $250 million.
Opening in 3,875 theaters, the film’s anticipated box office take could land at as much as $65 million. However, if it indeed only reaches $40 million, that would be considered a major setback.
International figures might help slightly, with projections of over $75 million from overseas markets.
In fact, this remake of Moana could very well become the lowest-grossing Disney remake at launch.
For context, other adaptations like The Little Mermaid grossed $186 million, Lilo & Stitch brought in $341.7 million, and Aladdin made $207 million.
Add to that the fact that the animated sequel, Moana 2, opened with $139 million in 2024, eventually hitting $1 billion globally.
Nonetheless, despite this tepid reception, the film might exceed the original Moana‘s debut, which was $56.6 million in 2016.
Directed by Thomas Kail, known for Hamilton, and featuring newcomers like Katherine LaGaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, it seems Disney has another challenging venture on its hands.
The disappointing financial outlook aligns with a wave of poor reviews.
The film reportedly holds a low audience score of just 32% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Many reviews reflect a consensus that the film is lackluster. In fact, one site describes it as a shot-for-shot remake that stands out as one of the least appealing films this year.
Critics noted that the cinematography appears dull, even when trying to capture the stunning landscapes of Motunui shot in Hawaii. Once the narrative takes Moana into open waters, the visual clarity diminishes, turning the vibrant animation of the original into a blend of digital clutter.
Further critiques suggest that the director, Kyle, seems to have produced a film devoid of distinct identity, leading to a lack of energy, with the cast appearing disengaged. Even Dwayne Johnson, returning to a beloved role, is mentioned as sounding flat and monotonous.
There is a sense that across the board, the film lacks urgency, even going so far as to say that “Lin-Manuel Miranda’s well-known songs also suffer from a sense of indifference.”
