Disney's live-action remake of Moana has become the latest summer box office disappointment, grossing an estimated $43 million domestically during its opening weekend. This performance mirrors that of other live-action remakes considered underperformers, such as 2019's Dumbo and last year's Snow White.
The recent success of the animated Moana 2, which earned over $1 billion in theaters last year, suggests that audience appetite for live-action remakes remains. However, the critical reception of the Moana remake has been lukewarm, with one review stating that "Nothing about this version asserts itself as unique, necessary, or even particularly interesting." This lack of distinction, coupled with the original animated film's relatively recent release in November 2016, may have contributed to the subdued opening.
Unlike the extensive gaps between the original releases of films like The Lion King or Lilo & Stitch and their subsequent remakes, the live-action Moana arrives just a year and a half after its animated predecessor. This rapid turnaround, combined with increased competition from other major family films such as Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters, appears to have impacted the remake's box office performance. The film's performance was significantly lower than the $1 billion success of its animated predecessor.