Disney’s live-action Moana opened to $40 million to $45 million domestically off a $250 million production cost. For a film tied to a major animated franchise turning 10 this July, the number looked soft. The live-action remake, starring Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising Maui, made $4.5 million in previews at the box office.

Critical Reception Disappoints

The film received harsh reviews from critics. Moana holds a 35% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 4.8/10. The site’s consensus reads: “The sea calls to no one in this underwhelming new version of Moana, a rather lifeless endeavor that solidifies its animated predecessor as the superior adventure.”

Moviegoers seemed to sense the quality gap. The opening underperformed the original 2016 animated film’s $57 million debut and Moana 2 (2024) at $140 million. Multiple factors converged to soften demand. The quick turnaround after Moana 2 last year left less appetite for another take. Trailers tested poorly. The negative critical reception spread fast.

A Cautionary Tale for Disney

Box office analyst Daniel Garris summed it up: “The film arriving so soon after the sequel, combined with underwhelming trailers and largely negative reviews, are all combining to have a negative effect on box office potential.”

The performance raises questions about Disney’s strategy of adapting its animated library into live-action films. Success is not automatic. Audiences will show up for these remakes only if the filmmaking justifies the effort. Moana stumbled on that test.

The film will need strong international legs and a longer theatrical run to justify its $250 million cost, but the early domestic returns signal trouble ahead.