Overview
- Moana opened to roughly $18 million on Friday and about $43 million for the U.S. weekend, far below earlier projections that at one point reached as high as $85 million.
- Critics gave the film low marks, leaving it with a mid‑30s Rotten Tomatoes critics score, while audience measures have been strong with an A‑ CinemaScore and high verified audience ratings.
- Pre‑release indicators flagged trouble: presales were around $4 million and Thursday previews about $4.5 million, prompting trackers to cut opening estimates into the mid‑$40 million range.
- The production delivered tangible local benefits in Hawaiʻi, where state officials say it generated about $39 million in economic impact and roughly 560 local hires, and the state recently expanded tax credits to attract more shoots.
- With a reported $200 million–$250 million production cost, Moana’s soft start heightens concerns about profitability and has intensified industry discussion over whether Disney should scale back or rethink future expensive live‑action remakes.