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Walt Disney Pictures / Seven Bucks Productions / FlynnPictureCo.

Moana

Moana · Moana Collection

2026 115 min PG
Action-Adventure Musical Fantasy Family
Trailer

Overview

Chosen by the Ocean, Moana sails beyond Motunui's reef for the first time and joins the demigod Maui on a dangerous voyage to restore prosperity to her people.

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Editors

Why Moana Is Trending

The movie has just opened in theaters and debuted at number one at the domestic weekend box office. Its $43 million domestic and $95 million global opening, combined with strong awareness of the Moana franchise, has made the live-action remake a major current movie-search topic.

What to Expect

The 115-minute PG-rated musical adventure follows the familiar story of Moana answering the Ocean's call and sailing beyond Motunui with Maui. The live-action version places Catherine Lagaʻaia and Dwayne Johnson at the center of an effects-heavy ocean voyage.

The Big Discussion

Much of the conversation around the release focuses on Disney revisiting the 2016 animated hit only ten years later. Early critical discussion has questioned how closely the remake follows the original, while audience response has been more favorable.

Pros

  • High global awareness of the Moana franchise
  • Catherine Lagaʻaia brings a new live-action lead to the title role
  • Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui
  • Strong Pacific Island representation across the ensemble
  • Familiar musical adventure designed for family audiences

Cons

  • The remake has faced criticism for closely following the animated original
  • Its estimated $250 million budget creates significant box-office pressure
  • The theatrical market currently includes heavy family-film competition
Verdict Disney's live-action Moana is a major search and conversation title in its opening week, driven by franchise recognition, Dwayne Johnson's return and debate over how closely the new film follows the animated original.

AI Review

Disney's Moana is a 2026 live-action musical action-adventure starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. Directed by Thomas Kail, the PG-rated 115-minute film opened in theaters on July 10, 2026 and debuted at number one domestically with an estimated $43 million weekend and $95 million worldwide opening.

Disney's live-action Moana is a major search and conversation title in its opening week, driven by franchise recognition, Dwayne Johnson's return and debate over how closely the new film follows the animated original.

Recommended for families, Disney musical fans and viewers interested in comparing the live-action production with the 2016 animated film.

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Status
Development

Disney developed a live-action reimagining of the 2016 animated Moana, with Dwayne Johnson attached as producer and returning as Maui.

Casting

An extensive worldwide casting search led to Sydney newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia being selected for the title role.

Production

The production was shaped through collaboration with creative talent from across the Pacific Islands and built around large-scale locations, music and oceanic adventure.

Release

Moana opened exclusively in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026 and debuted at number one at the domestic weekend box office.

Production

Development

Disney developed a live-action reimagining of the 2016 animated Moana, with Dwayne Johnson attached as producer and returning as Maui.

Casting

An extensive worldwide casting search led to Sydney newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia being selected for the title role.

Production

The production was shaped through collaboration with creative talent from across the Pacific Islands and built around large-scale locations, music and oceanic adventure.

Release

Moana opened exclusively in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026 and debuted at number one at the domestic weekend box office.

Cast

Catherine Lagaʻaia Moana
Dwayne Johnson Maui
John Tui Chief Tui
Frankie Adams Sina
Rena Owen Gramma Tala

Characters

Moana Catherine Lagaʻaia
Maui Dwayne Johnson
Chief Tui John Tui
Sina Frankie Adams
Gramma Tala Rena Owen

Crew

Thomas Kail Director
Jared Bush Screenwriter
Dana Ledoux Miller Screenwriter
Dwayne Johnson Producer
Beau Flynn Producer
Dany Garcia Producer
Hiram Garcia Producer
Lin-Manuel Miranda Producer
Óscar Faura Cinematographer
Melanie Oliver Editor
Mark Mancina Composer

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. How Far I'll Go — Moana cast / Disney live-action soundtrack
  2. You're Welcome — Dwayne Johnson / Disney live-action soundtrack
  3. We Know the Way — Moana cast / Disney live-action soundtrack

Trivia

  • Catherine Lagaʻaia makes her feature-film debut as Moana after an extensive worldwide casting search.
  • Dwayne Johnson reprises Maui, the role he previously voiced in the animated Moana films.
  • Disney says the ensemble includes more than 200 actors from the Pacific.
  • Auliʻi Cravalho, the original animated voice of Moana, serves as an executive producer on the live-action film.
  • The film opened at number one at the domestic weekend box office with an estimated $43 million.

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Collections

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Moana

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Franchise

Moana

Live-action reimagining of the 2016 animated Moana story, following the success of the wider Moana franchise.

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AI Recommendation Insight

Disney's Moana is a 2026 live-action musical action-adventure starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui. Directed by Thomas Kail, the PG-rated 115-minute film opened in theaters on July 10, 2026 and debuted at number one domestically with an estimated $43 million weekend and $95 million worldwide opening. Similar picks: Same Franchise

Moana