Moana Live-Action Remake Sets Disney+ Release Date After Disastrous Box Office Run

Disney has officially announced that the live-action remake of Moana will be released on Disney+ on October 21. This decision comes just three months after the movie's theatrical debut, a move prompted by the film's underwhelming box office performance. The live-action version of Moana only managed to gross $162 million domestically, contributing to a global total of $323.6 million, making it the 16th highest-grossing movie of 2026.

This figure falls short of previous live-action remakes like Lilo & Stitch, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. The underperformance of Moana, which also received mixed reviews from critics, has raised questions about Disney's remake strategy. Director Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui from the animated film, has expressed disappointment with the film's box office numbers.

Disney's president, Dana Walden, acknowledged that the decision to release the live-action remake so soon after the animated sequel "underperformed." The studio remains confident in the franchise as a whole, stating that Moana is one of the most streamed movies of all time and has expanded its reach through a themed area at EPCOT and a robust global merchandise business.

Despite these assurances, the future of Moana's live-action adaptation remains uncertain, as Dwayne Johnson has hinted at development for Moana 3, but there is no clear indication whether the film will continue to receive the live-action treatment. Disney's next live-action remake is expected to be Tangled.