Overview
- Disney released the live‑action Moana on July 10, and the film has grossed roughly $263–265 million worldwide with about $118 million in North America while earning a 31% critics score and an about 88% audience score.
- Disney executives acknowledged the film’s box office was “soft” during an August 5 earnings call and industry analysis now projects at least a roughly $100 million theatrical loss once production, marketing and distribution costs are counted.
- Star and producer Dwayne Johnson told People he has taken the criticism in stride and stressed that the remake’s value lies in on‑screen Polynesian representation that mattered to him and his family.
- Box office trackers report the movie’s weekly declines accelerated after opening, including a more than 50% midweek drop, with analysts pointing to heavy summer competition and possible franchise fatigue as key causes of the slowdown.
- The outcome is pressuring Disney’s remake playbook because expensive live‑action projects need strong theatrical runs to break even and, although some outlets report that a third Moana film is being discussed, that continuing development has been reported and not formally confirmed by Disney.