Disney’s live-action adaptation of <em>Moana</em> will be available for streaming on Disney Plus beginning October 21, just over three months after its theatrical debut. The film underperformed at the box office, grossing approximately $43 million domestically during its opening weekend against a reported $250 million budget.
Globally, the movie garnered around $323.6 million. However, for a film to recoup its production costs and marketing expenses, studios typically aim for earnings of two to 2.5 times the budget, indicating a significant underperformance for Disney.
Critical reception for the live-action <em>Moana</em> was largely negative, with reviewers citing a lack of originality compared to the 2016 animated original. Audience reception also appeared lukewarm, particularly given the relatively short decade between the animated version and its live-action remake.
In contrast, the original animated <em>Moana</em> and its 2024 sequel were both major successes. The first film achieved a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned $687.2 million worldwide on a budget of $150-175 million. The sequel, <em>Moana 2</em>, while more divisive among critics, became an even greater financial success, surpassing $1 billion globally on a $150 million budget.
Despite challenges with films like the live-action <em>Moana</em> and <em>The Mandalorian and Grogu</em>, Disney has achieved over $4 billion at the worldwide box office in 2026. <em>Toy Story 5</em> has been the company's highest earner this year, exceeding $1 billion globally. Other notable successes include <em>The Devil Wears Prada 2</em>, which grossed $692 million. Disney’s slate for the remainder of 2026 includes <em>Avengers: Doomsday</em>, which is anticipated to be a major hit.