Disney’s live-action version of “Moana” has taken the lead at the North American box office, but its opening weekend earnings didn’t quite meet expectations. The film raked in $43 million in the United States and Canada, supplemented by an additional $52 million from international audiences, making its global opening haul $95 million. This comes against a hefty production budget of $250 million. Under the direction of Thomas Kail, the movie features Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, and introduces Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana. Although Lagaʻaia’s portrayal has been well-received, the film faces criticism for sticking closely to the plot of the 2016 animated version.
Despite mixed reviews, the movie seems to have resonated more with audiences than with critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 34% score from critics, but viewers have been kinder in their assessments. Survey data suggests that families, in particular, are likely to recommend the film, even as critics remain divided. The reception highlights a common trend for Disney’s live-action remakes, which have generally seen varying degrees of box office success in recent years.
While Disney has hit the mark with some of its recent live-action adaptations, others have not performed as well commercially. The opening figures for “Moana” have drawn comparisons to the studio’s “Snow White,” which also had a less than stellar theatrical debut. Analysts attribute the modest performance in part to stiff competition from other family-oriented films, with several PG-rated titles vying for attention during the same period.
Industry experts note that while “Moana” may have had a slow start, family films often have the advantage of sustaining their box office momentum over several weeks, particularly if they benefit from strong word-of-mouth recommendations. This extended shelf-life could help improve the film’s commercial performance as audiences continue to seek out family-friendly entertainment options.