Overview
- The live‑action Moana debuted to roughly $43 million domestically and about $95 million worldwide in its opening weekend, placing first at the North American box office but below pre‑release projections.
- Trade outlets report that, given a reported $250 million production budget and roughly $145 million in global marketing, the film could lose between $100 million and $125 million if its lifetime gross settles near $250 million.
- Critics were generally negative while opening audiences scored the film highly (A‑ CinemaScore), creating uncertainty over whether word‑of‑mouth can extend its theatrical run.
- Analysts point to timing and competition — a recent animated sequel, a crowded July slate including Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters, and close proximity to Moana 2 — plus heavy VFX work and a reported $20 million fee for Dwayne Johnson as drivers of the weak start.
- Beyond studio finances, the production delivered local economic benefits like Hawaiian hires and filming spend, and the setback raises questions about how Disney will schedule and budget future live‑action remakes.