Disney's new live-action adaptation of "Moana" has taken $4.5 million in Thursday preview screenings ahead of its opening weekend, marking the studio's latest attempt to remake one of its animated hits. Starring newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising the demigod Maui, the film matters because its commercial performance will test whether Disney's live-action remake strategy still holds appeal, particularly given the picture's substantial $250 million production budget plus global marketing costs.

Projections for the domestic opening range widely, from a healthy $60 million-$65 million down to softer estimates of around $40 million, with international takings expected to add a further $70 million-$75 million. A weak result would place "Moana" alongside underwhelming remakes such as "Dumbo" ($45 million in 2019) and "Snow White" ($42 million in 2025), rather than blockbusters like "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast", which each opened above $100 million; its preview haul is comparable to "Lightyear" ($5.2 million) and "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" ($4.7 million). Timing may be a factor, as the remake arrives just two years after "Moana 2" opened to $225 million and became a billion-dollar hit, while the 2016 original grossed $680 million worldwide. Also opening are Warner Bros.' "Evil Dead Burn" (estimated $15 million-$20 million) and A24's "The Invite", with "Minions & Monsters" and "Toy Story 5" continuing their runs.