The live-action adaptation of Disney’s Moana has premiered at the top of the North American box office, though its earnings did not meet expectations. The film garnered $43 million during its opening weekend across the United States and Canada. Internationally, Moana brought in an additional $52 million, culminating in a global debut of $95 million, which is notable against its substantial production budget of $250 million.
Under the direction of Thomas Kail, the film sees Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, while Catherine Lagaʻaia makes her debut appearance as Moana. Lagaʻaia has been lauded for her performance, yet the film has faced some criticism for adhering closely to the storyline of its 2016 animated predecessor. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently holds a 34% score from critics, though audiences have responded more favorably. Surveys suggest that despite the mixed critical reception, many viewers, especially families, would recommend the film.
In recent years, Disney has experienced considerable success with several of its live-action remakes, although some have not performed as well commercially. The opening weekend of Moana has drawn comparisons with Snow White, which also had a modest start at the box office. Analysts point out that the film’s initial performance may have been influenced by strong competition from other family-friendly releases, with several PG-rated movies vying for audience attention simultaneously.
Despite its slow start, industry analysts remain optimistic about Moana’s box office trajectory, noting that family films often enjoy sustained performance in subsequent weeks, particularly when bolstered by positive word-of-mouth. As families continue to show interest, the film could see a steady climb in earnings as it remains in theaters.