Disney bet big on returning to Motunui less than two years after "Moana 2" became a billion-dollar hit — and the wager still hasn't paid off, even though the film is showing more staying power than its rocky debut suggested. The live-action "Moana," starring Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, opened to just $43 million domestically and $95 million worldwide, numbers that put the film's massive $250 million budget in a precarious position. Trade estimates suggest Disney could lose between $100 million and $125 million once marketing costs are factored in.
Box Office Tracker
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Opening weekend (domestic) | $43 million |
| Opening weekend (international) | $52 million |
| Opening weekend (worldwide) | $95 million |
| Second weekend (domestic, est.) | ~$19 million (down ~56%) |
| 10-day domestic cume (est.) | ~$62 million |
| Production budget | $250 million |
| Estimated marketing spend | ~$100–120 million |
| Approx. break-even (worldwide) | ~$600–700 million |
Second-weekend domestic figure is a studio estimate reported industry-wide; final actuals may adjust slightly.
The Numbers Don't Add Up
Heading into opening weekend, Disney had projected a $60–65 million domestic debut and a global opening north of $130 million, with early tracking suggesting the film could even reach $75 million domestically. Instead, "Moana" debuted with $43 million from 3,827 North American theaters, adding $52 million overseas for a $95 million global start, according to studio estimates reported by NBC News.
The film still topped the domestic box office chart, but the result ranks among the weakest openings for a Disney live-action remake — behind 2019's "Dumbo" ($46 million) and only narrowly ahead of 2025's "Snow White" ($42.2 million). With a $250 million production budget and a marketing spend estimated around $120 million, Moana will likely need roughly $600 million worldwide just to break even.
Second Weekend: A Rare Bright Spot
Where the story shifted is the hold. Industry estimates put Moana's second-weekend (July 17–19) domestic gross at approximately $19 million, a drop of around 56% — a notably slim decline for a big-budget family remake, and reportedly the smallest week-two drop for a direct Disney live-action remake since 2019's "Aladdin." That's a meaningful signal: audiences who saw it are apparently telling friends and family to go, even if the reviews said otherwise.
The hold came despite Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" arriving July 17 to a massive estimated $117 million opening — the biggest live-action debut of 2026 — which absorbed a large share of that weekend's moviegoing traffic.
A Rare Critics-vs-Audience Divide
What makes the story more interesting than a simple flop is the sharp, and evolving, split between critics and moviegoers. Rotten Tomatoes' critic score bounced around in the days after release — reported anywhere from 31% to 38% depending on the outlet and how many reviews had been tallied — before settling in the low-to-mid 30s. Metacritic's more measured "mixed" aggregate landed at 42.
Audiences who actually showed up felt very differently, and their score has only climbed. "Moana" now sits at a "verified hot" 90–91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes — a franchise best for any Disney live-action remake, edging out even the original 2016 film's 89% Popcornmeter. The film also earned an A- CinemaScore overall, including an A+ from viewers under 18.
Critics vs. Audiences at a Glance
| Score | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes — Critics | ~34% (Rotten) |
| Rotten Tomatoes — Audience | 90–91% (Verified Hot, franchise best) |
| Metacritic | 42 (Mixed) |
| CinemaScore | A- (A+ under 18) |
That disconnect suggests the film's box office struggles may have less to do with quality and more to do with timing and market conditions.
Why It's Struggling
- Too soon after "Moana 2": The animated sequel opened to a Thanksgiving-record $225 million less than two years ago, leaving little room for the nostalgia gap that fueled hits like "Lilo & Stitch."
- A crowded family marketplace: "Moana" opened against both "Minions & Monsters" and Disney's own "Toy Story 5," splitting the same family audience across three PG-rated options.
- Easy access to the original: The 2016 "Moana" remains the most-watched film on Disney+, giving audiences a free, familiar alternative to a theater ticket.
- Part of a bigger summer pattern: Moana is the third consecutive big-budget disappointment of the season, following "Supergirl" and "Minions & Monsters," even as overall 2026 summer box office revenue is tracking toward its biggest total since 2019.
What It Means for Disney's Remake Strategy
"Moana" now joins 2025's "Snow White" — which closed its run with $205 million worldwide against its own $250 million budget — as a cautionary tale in Disney's live-action pipeline. That's in sharp contrast to "Lilo & Stitch," which opened to $146 million domestically last year and crossed $1 billion globally.
The studio is currently filming a live-action "Tangled" in Spain, a project that was briefly paused after Snow White's disappointing debut before resuming once "Lilo & Stitch" proved remakes could still work. "Moana's" underperformance is likely to reignite questions about which animated classics are ready for a live-action retelling — and which arrived too soon.
Moana 3 Already in Development
In a sign that Disney isn't walking away from the franchise despite the box office numbers, Dwayne Johnson has confirmed that a third "Moana" film is already in development. It's a reminder that studios increasingly weigh long-term franchise value and streaming performance alongside opening-weekend results — the original 2016 film remains one of the most-watched titles on Disney+ years after release.
When Will "Moana" Stream on Disney+?
Disney hasn't announced an official streaming date. Based on the studio's recent pattern — "Snow White" reached Disney+ roughly three months after its theatrical debut — "Moana" could land on the platform around mid-October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much has live-action Moana made at the box office?
It opened to $43 million domestically and $52 million internationally for a $95 million global debut. Its second weekend added an estimated $19 million domestically, bringing its 10-day domestic total to roughly $62 million, against a reported $250 million production budget.
Is live-action Moana good?
Critics have been largely negative, with Rotten Tomatoes settling around 34%, while audiences have responded far more positively — a "verified hot" 90–91% audience score, a franchise best, plus an A- CinemaScore.
Did Moana hold well in its second weekend?
Yes. Its estimated 56% second-weekend drop is reportedly the smallest for a Disney live-action remake since 2019's "Aladdin," suggesting stronger-than-expected word of mouth despite the rough reviews.
Who stars in the live-action Moana?
Catherine Laga'aia stars as Moana in her feature film debut, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. The cast also includes Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Jemaine Clement.
Is a Moana 3 happening?
Dwayne Johnson has confirmed a third film is already in development, despite the live-action remake's box office struggles.
When will Moana be available on Disney+?
No official date has been announced, but based on Disney's recent release patterns, a streaming debut around mid-October 2026 is likely.
Sources
Variety · The Hollywood Reporter · NBC News · Rotten Tomatoes · ScreenRant · Gold Derby · Deadline
