The 'Moana' remake is set for another disappointing box office result following poor reviews.

Disney’s Live-Action “Moana” Premiere Underwhelms

Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Moana” is set to hit theaters, but early reviews haven’t been too encouraging, indicating a lackluster opening weekend.

Experts in the industry suggest the film may debut in North American theaters with ticket sales around $60 million, though some forecasts are even lower, predicting closer to $40 million. This contrasts sharply with its hefty $250 million production budget. Last year’s “Snow White” remake also faced a similar fate with low ratings and disappointed box office expectations.

The official release date is July 10, but critical responses already show a mix of praise and skepticism. The remake currently holds a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which has managed to climb a bit to 39%, yet it stands among Disney’s least favorable films, trailing only behind 2022’s “Pinocchio” and now tied with “Snow White,” both at 39%.

It seems almost puzzling that a remake comes less than a decade after the original “Moana,” especially as a sequel is slated for 2024. Critics are openly questioning the necessity of this project. One reviewer labeled it a blatant “money grab,” expressing disbelief at how lifeless the portrayal feels compared to the animated predecessor.

In another review, a writer from the Daily Telegraph noted they found the film’s quality reminiscent of artificial intelligence-generated content, giving it just 2 out of 5 stars. They suggested that the effort involved feels disproportionate to the lack of originality on display, almost as if the scenes were simply rehashed without a creative touch.

Interestingly, a voice from the Substack publication “Girl Culture” argued that while this remake isn’t the worst of Disney’s attempts, it does reflect broader issues within the company.

The plot remains unchanged—Polynesian teens partner up with Maui, the demigod, to save their island. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, now sporting a long curly wig, which has sparked mixed reactions among fans online.

Disney’s history with live-action remakes has been hit or miss. For instance, the 2019 “Dumbo” managed a mere $45 million domestically, while “Snow White” brought in about $43 million, riddled with its own controversies over character portrayals and remarks from its lead actress Rachel Zegler.

On a brighter note, the live-action reinterpretation of “Lilo & Stitch” recently crossed the $1 billion mark after its release last year, marking an exception to Disney’s mixed results in this genre.