Disney's live-action remake of "Moana" is heading for a disappointing box office debut, arriving in cinemas on 10 July 2026 amid poor early reviews and modest opening projections. The film's struggles matter because they follow last year's similarly criticised "Snow White" remake, suggesting a broader pattern of trouble for Disney's strategy of adapting its animated classics into live-action features.

Industry analysts project a North American opening of around $60 million, though some expect a figure closer to $40 million, against a reported production budget of $250 million, according to Variety. The film opened with a 32% Rotten Tomatoes critics' score that has since risen to 39%, tying it with "Snow White" and placing it among the studio's lowest-rated adaptations, just above 2022's "Pinocchio". Critics have questioned the film's purpose given the original animated version premiered less than a decade ago and its sequel arrived in 2024, with the San Francisco Chronicle branding it a "money grab" and The Daily Telegraph awarding two out of five stars, likening the result to something generated by artificial intelligence.