Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana has struggled significantly at the box office during its opening weekend. The film grossed an estimated $43 million domestically and $52 million worldwide, falling short of the studio's revised expectations.
Originally projected to earn around $60 million domestically, the $43 million opening is also a stark comparison to last year's live-action Snow White remake, which garnered $42.2 million domestically in its debut. This performance is particularly concerning given Moana's considerable budget, reportedly nearing $395 million when marketing costs are included. Sources suggest the film could lose Disney upwards of $100 million to $125 million, even if it achieves a global total of $250 million.
Several factors may have contributed to the film's lackluster performance. Analysts point to the remake's release occurring relatively soon after the successful animated sequel, Moana 2, which itself was a hit. Building demand for sequels or remakes typically requires a longer gap. Furthermore, Disney faced internal competition during Moana's opening weekend, with Toy Story 5 also drawing audiences and achieving significant box office numbers.
Compounding these issues, the $43 million domestic opening for Moana is only marginally higher than the $42.2 million debut of the live-action Snow White, a film that faced substantial controversy and negative fan reactions prior to its release. Moana, by contrast, experienced far less pre-release turmoil, yet its box office performance was similarly disappointing.
Looking ahead, Disney's schedule for live-action adaptations includes a Lilo & Stitch sequel slated for 2028. The studio currently has no live-action projects announced for 2027.