Disney’s Live-Action Moana Misses Domestic Targets
Disney’s live-action Moana stumbled out of the gate this weekend, pulling in $43 million domestically. The figure fell well short of the studio’s $60 million projection, casting a shadow over the high-profile release featuring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia.
A Steep Climb Toward Profitability
Directed by Thomas Kail, the film debuted in 3,827 theaters. While the $43 million domestic haul is a notable opening, it pales in comparison to the film’s reported $250 million production budget. Global markets offered little relief, adding $52 million for a combined worldwide opening of $95 million.
This result arrives amid a volatile period for Disney’s live-action strategy. The studio saw Snow White debut to $42 million in March 2025, while Lilo & Stitch enjoyed a significantly stronger reception in May 2025, opening to $146 million.
Critics Clash With Audience Approval
Skepticism plagued the project long before its premiere. Many fans and reviewers questioned the necessity of remaking a 2016 original that remains a consistent top performer on Disney+. Early marketing, which leaned heavily into a scene-for-scene recreation, drew immediate fire.
Professional critics have been particularly harsh. Writing for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey dismissed the film as a “waste of everyone’s time and talent,” taking issue with Dwayne Johnson’s decision to replicate his previous voice performance in live action. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw was similarly blunt, labeling the movie a “superfluous piece of monetizable content.”
Yet, the audience reaction tells a different story. The film currently holds a 90 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many viewers arguing the adaptation offers enough variation to hold its own. Among the few professional voices to offer praise, The Hollywood Reporter critic David Rooney noted that the “charming new iteration stands confidently on its own.”
The Looming Shadow of Christopher Nolan
As the film enters its second week, the path to profitability looks increasingly narrow. Market analysts are already looking toward July 17, when Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey hits theaters. That release is expected to command massive audience attention, likely drawing significant foot traffic away from Moana and complicating its effort to recoup its substantial production costs.