Disney’s Live-Action Moana Bombs at the Box Office With Opening Weekend That Barely Beats Snow White
Disney’s live-action remake of Moana opened with a disappointing $95 million globally, including $43 million domestically and $52 million internationally. While this positions the film at the top of the box office for its mid-July weekend, it represents a significant underperformance for the studio’s remake strategy.
The opening weekend gross is comparable to other live-action Disney remake disappointments, including 2019’s Dumbo and 2025’s Snow White, which earned $87.3 million. These figures suggest that live-action Disney remakes are struggling at the box office, though industry analysts note this may reflect specific timing rather than a complete rejection of the format.
The core issue appears to be premature timing: the original animated Moana released in November 2016 and became one of Disney’s most successful modern franchises. With only a decade between the original and its live-action counterpart, audiences still have the celebrated animated film fresh in their memories. This contrasts with properties like Lilo & Stitch, whose live-action adaptation crossed $1 billion at the box office last year, suggesting audiences will embrace remakes when more time has elapsed.
The Moana remake’s weak debut raises questions about Disney’s remake strategy, particularly regarding the optimal window for reimagining animated classics as live-action films. The studio may need to reconsider whether rapid remake cycles can sustain audience interest or if substantial gaps between versions are necessary for commercial success.