Overview
- The live‑action Moana opened in theaters Thursday, July 9, 2026, starring newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia in her film debut as Moana and Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui.
- Lin‑Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi returned for the soundtrack and Miranda wrote one new song, 'Along the Way', performed in the film with original voice actress Auli‘i Cravalho.
- Disney promoted visible Pacific representation by filming on real locations and recruiting more than 200 performers and collaborators from Pacific Island communities.
- Early critical reaction is mixed to negative with a roughly 32% debut on Rotten Tomatoes and reviews that range from Variety’s praise to Rolling Stone’s sharp rejection of the remake as nearly identical to the 2016 original.
- The release intensifies debate over Disney’s live‑action remake strategy because critics say the film’s close fidelity and limited new material offer little reason for a new version and could influence whether the studio pursues similar projects next.