Disney’s live-action reimagining of Moana claimed the number one spot at the North American box office during its debut weekend, yet the film’s ticket sales ultimately fell short of the entertainment giant’s high expectations.
According to weekend studio projections, the musical adaptation generated $43 million across theaters in the United States and Canada. On the global stage, the film brought in an additional $52 million from 50 international territories, pushing its total worldwide opening weekend haul to roughly $95 million.
With a hefty production price tag estimated at $250 million, the movie’s initial theatrical performance represents a highly conservative return on Disney’s massive financial backing.
The studio had placed major hope on the project, banking on the robust and enduring appeal of the overall franchise. The original 2016 animated movie continues to reign as the most-watched feature film on the Disney+ streaming platform. Meanwhile, the animated sequel Moana 2 set a historic Thanksgiving opening record of $225 million in late 2024 on its way to crossing the $1 billion milestone globally—premiering less than two years before this live-action iteration.
Under the direction of Thomas Kail, the new adaptation features newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia in the titular role alongside Dwayne Johnson, who returns to portray the demigod Maui in live-action form.
While Lagaʻaia’s portrayal has garnered praise, the film has faced a wave of lukewarm reviews from film critics, many of whom critiqued the production for sticking too closely to the original animated feature’s exact framework.