The highly anticipated live-action remake of Moana has set sail for disaster at the box office, failing to make waves despite securing top spot in North America. The £187 million production has limped out of the water with a measly £32 million from ticket sales across the US and Canada, leaving Disney's investors scrambling to salvage the sinking ship.
The international debut was little better, adding a paltry £39 million from 50 markets, bringing the global total to a disappointing £71 million. It's a far cry from the magic seen in other live-action adaptations like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, which swam against the tide to become billion-pound successes.
Directed by Thomas Kail, Moana sees Dwayne Johnson reprise his role as demigod Maui alongside Catherine Lagaʻaia's Polynesian princess. While Lagaʻaia has won praise for her performance, the film itself has been savaged by critics, with a lowly 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – although audience scores and parent recommendations have been more sympathetic.
Industry experts believe the film's underwhelming debut can be attributed to an oversaturation of PG-rated family films in today's cinematic landscape. With Moana competing directly against Universal's Minions & Monsters and Toy Story 5, families are being forced to make tough choices – and it seems Disney is losing out on the spoils.
The original 2016 animated Moana remains the most-watched film on Disney+ in the UK, while its 2024 sequel raked in over £750 million globally. The stark contrast highlights the challenge Disney faces in replicating the success of its animated classics with live-action versions – especially when critical reception is poor and market competition is fierce.
For now, UK viewers will have to brave the cinema crowds to catch Moana on the big screen, before it sets sail for streaming on Disney+ later this year. Will Disney be able to right the ship and salvage its sinking investment, or will this live-action remake be a case of 'oar' some?'