Disney’s live-action Moana hits theaters on July 10, 2026, marking the tenth anniversary of the animated original. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui, the tattooed demigod, while Catherine Lagaia makes her film debut as Moana.

The film was directed by Thomas Kail in his feature debut and took place across six months of principal photography in Atlanta and Hawaii. Lin-Manuel Miranda returns as songwriter and producer. It’s the rare animated-to-live-action adaptation that kept its original voice cast.

Disney’s Live-Action Pipeline

Disney’s live-action remakes have become central to the company’s strategy. The model is proven: take a beloved animated property, cast movie stars, and watch audiences return to see something familiar made new. Moana carries that formula forward.

The timing is deliberate. The original animated Moana arrived in 2016, giving audiences a decade of connection to the story and characters. The live-action version hits when nostalgia is strongest and merchandising synergies are clearest.

What Happens Next

Dwayne Johnson already hinted at Moana 3 while promoting the live-action film in Rio de Janeiro. “Yes, we have talked about Moana 3, yes,” Johnson said at a press conference. The studio clearly plans to extend the franchise further. If the live-action film opens strong, expect sequels and spin-offs to follow quickly.

The film enters a crowded July. Minions & Monsters is already in theaters. Toy Story 5 is coming. But live-action carries a cachet that franchise films sometimes don’t. Audiences treat it as event cinema.

For Disney, live-action Moana isn’t just a July release. It’s a proof of concept for the next decade of its animation catalog becoming live-action tentpoles.