The new live-action adaptation of Moana opened to a weaker-than-expected box office and frosty reviews, raising fresh questions about Disney’s strategy of remaking animated hits for the big screen. Early returns — both financial and critical — suggest the film has struggled to convince audiences it offers something new.
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Across its opening weekend, the remake earned roughly $95 million worldwide against a reported production budget near $250 million, figures that place it among the studio’s more disappointing summer releases so far. By contrast, the original animated Moana remains one of Disney’s reliably successful franchises, having grossed about $687.2 million globally.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated production budget | $250 million |
| Opening weekend gross | $95 million |
| Animated original (global gross) | $687.2 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes (critics) | 33% |
| Comparable recent remake (Snow White) RT | 39% |
Critical response and social buzz
Critical reaction has been chilly: review aggregators place the film at about 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviewers saying the remake lacks the energy and originality of its source material. An Associated Press review described the new version as failing to recapture what made the animated film resonate.
Social media amplified that sentiment. Viewers who loved the original called the remake “flat” or a near-identical retread rather than a reinvention. Several posts contrasted this film with earlier live-action projects such as The Lion King and Aladdin, which some felt introduced distinctive technical flourishes or story changes that justified their existence — criticisms that, in many users’ eyes, the new Moana does not overcome.
Not all reactions were uniform: while some audience members defended elements of the production, the prevailing conversation emphasized disappointment rather than outright hostility. That pattern has had a visible impact on word-of-mouth during the crucial opening weeks.
- Box office: Opening weekend below studio expectations.
- Critical score: Low aggregator rating, signaling mixed-to-negative reviews.
- Audience reaction: Frequent claims that the film rehashes the original without meaningful additions.
Why this matters for Disney and viewers
The stakes are financial and strategic. Producing large-scale live-action adaptations requires substantial upfront investment; when a title fails to draw strong theatrical revenue, it puts pressure on studio profit margins and the larger business case for similar remakes. For audiences, the debate is about cultural value: whether revisiting beloved animated stories warrants a near-identical retelling or should instead offer fresh creative reasons to exist.
For now, the new Moana is playing in theaters worldwide. Many critics and fans recommend revisiting the original animated film and its sequel — both widely available on Disney’s streaming platform — as the preferred way to experience the story that inspired this latest adaptation.
How the film performs in the weeks ahead — including international markets and streaming windows — will determine whether this release is seen as an underperforming outlier or a signal that audiences are growing selective about which remakes they embrace.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.