Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana has made an encouraging start at the North American box office, earning $4.5 million in Thursday preview screenings ahead of its full theatrical release. The early figures position the family adventure for one of the year's biggest opening weekends.
Cast and Preview Performance
The remake, starring Catherine Laga'aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui, began preview screenings on Thursday evening before opening nationwide on Friday. According to Variety, the $4.5 million haul has fuelled expectations that the film could debut with $60 million to $70 million domestically over its opening weekend.
While the preview total falls below some recent Disney live-action adaptations, it represents a solid launch for a family film, particularly as schools remain on summer break and word of mouth is expected to play a significant role in the coming weeks.
Story and Significance
The film reimagines Disney's beloved 2016 animated hit, following young voyager Moana as she embarks on a daring journey across the Pacific Ocean alongside Maui to save her island and restore the heart of Te Fiti. Johnson returns to the role he originated in the animated film, while Australian newcomer Laga'aia makes her feature film debut in the title role.
Disney has placed considerable emphasis on the remake, which arrives nearly a decade after the original became a global phenomenon and less than two years after Moana 2 surpassed $1 billion at the worldwide box office. The studio is hoping the enduring popularity of the franchise, combined with strong family appeal, will translate into another major theatrical success.
Premiere and Competitive Landscape
The release also follows a high-profile world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl, where Disney transformed the venue into a celebration of Polynesian culture with live performances, a full orchestra and appearances from the cast and filmmakers.
Moana enters cinemas at a competitive moment for Hollywood, joining Pixar's Toy Story 5, which recently crossed the $800 million mark globally, as studios continue to rely on established family franchises during the summer season. Whether the remake can match the extraordinary commercial success of its animated predecessors remains to be seen, but Disney's latest live-action adaptation has already charted a promising course. If family audiences embrace the film over the weekend, Moana could become one of the biggest box office launches of 2026.
