Disney’s latest venture into live-action remakes, the adaptation of “Moana,” opened at the top of the North American box office but didn’t quite meet expectations, garnering $43 million in its debut weekend across the United States and Canada. The film, directed by Thomas Kail, collected an additional $52 million from international audiences, resulting in a global opening of $95 million. This performance comes against a production budget reported to be $250 million.
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui in the film, alongside newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia, who makes her debut as Moana. While Lagaʻaia’s portrayal of the titular character has been well-received, the movie has faced some critique for adhering too closely to the plot of its animated predecessor released in 2016. The film holds a 34% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience reactions have been more favorable. Surveys suggest that despite the mixed critical reception, many viewers, particularly families, are likely to recommend the film.
Disney has experienced both hits and misses with its series of live-action remakes in recent years. While many have soared to success, others have faltered at the box office. “Moana’s” debut is drawing comparisons to the launch of “Snow White,” which similarly had a modest start in theaters.
Industry experts point to the tough competition from other family-friendly films as a factor impacting the film’s opening weekend performance. With several PG-rated movies releasing around the same time, audiences had multiple choices for family outings. However, analysts remain optimistic about the film’s potential for sustained box office presence, noting that family-oriented movies often benefit from strong word-of-mouth, which can lead to steady earnings in the weeks following their release.