| Film | Global Total |
|---|---|
| The Lion King | $1.6 billion |
| Aladdin | $1.05 billion |
| Lilo and Stitch | $1.03 billion |
| Mufasa: The Lion King | $722 million |
| The Little Mermaid | $569 million |
| Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | $491 million |
| Dumbo | $353 million |
| Cruella | $233 million |
| Snow White | $205 million |
| Mulan | $70 million |
Disney’s live-action remake of Moana has debuted to widespread critical backlash, earning a 36% to 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics describe the film as soulless and pointless, criticizing its reliance on drab CGI and questioning the necessity of a remake for a film released only a decade ago. The original 2016 animated film grossed $248.7 million at the domestic box office and $394 million internationally, totaling $643 million—a figure that, adjusted for inflation, is now nearly $900 million. While the original was praised for its colorful, lush representation of a Pacific island, critics argue the new version fails to capture that same visual magic.
Critical Reception and the Uncanny Valley Effect
The release of the live-action Moana, which arrives in theaters on July 9, 2026, has been met with severe disapproval from reviewers. The film holds a 36% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes from 77 reviews, a stark contrast to the 95% score earned by the 2016 animated original based on 288 reviews. Critics have leveled accusations that the production is a superfluous piece of monetizable content and a glossy digital clone that fails to justify its existence. The Independent called the movie a waste of everyone’s time and talent, while the Guardian described it as competent but basically pointless.
For more on this story, see Moa’na (Moana) Reboot: Dwayne Johnson Joins Disney’s Upcoming Live-Action Film.
The visual presentation has drawn particular ire. Reviewers noted that the backgrounds appear washed out and desaturated, with some critics comparing the experience to the uncanny valley effect often found in video games that become too realistic. Club characterized the project as CG-by-numbers that turns a strong animated movie into a slower and uglier imitation, while Polygon argued there was no artistic or aesthetic reason for the film to exist.
Dwayne Johnson’s Return as Maui
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the shape-shifting demigod Maui, appearing in the flesh this time around alongside newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, who stars as Moana. The transition from animation to live-action has proven polarizing. The Associated Press review from Jake Coyle roasts Johnson’s Fabio hair, describing the film as purposeless and a lifeless retread that saps the story of its soul. Others questioned why audiences would pay to watch a slightly worse version of a film already available to stream on Disney+.
This follows our earlier report, Dwayne Johnson’s Moana Remake Sparks Lowest Review Ratings of His Career.
Box Office Stakes and Disney’s Remake Strategy
Disney is currently facing questions regarding its remake strategy. The studio has previously found success with live-action versions of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, but critics and audiences are increasingly noting that the level of quality in these remakes often falls below the animated classics. The New York Times suggested the Moana remake might be the most pointless, and perhaps not accidentally, the worst of Disney’s remakes, with critic Alissa Wilkinson labeling it a cynical cash grab. Vulture similarly noted that the studio’s strategy reflects a desire to squeeze as much revenue as possible from existing hits.
The poor critical standing of Moana comes as Disney continues to rely on a formula of rehashing animated favorites. As the film approaches its July 10 wide release, the industry is watching to see if the live-action remake trend is drying up sooner rather than later. Rolling Stone dubbed the film peak Disney déjà vu and a one-dimensional cash grab built from rote recreations. While Disney may still sell enough tickets to turn a profit, the consensus among many reviewers is that the film represents a lack of creativity or originality at the studio. The project also features a new song from Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music for the original animated film.
Read also: Disney’s Ambitious 2024-2029 Film and TV Release Schedule Revealed.
Industry Trends in Live-Action Reimagining
The broader industry is grappling with the viability of these remakes. When asked about the necessity of such projects, critics have pointed to the Moana remake as an example of a film lacking an authorial voice. As the film sets sail, the debate over whether to prioritize monetizable content over artistic innovation continues to dominate the conversation surrounding the studio’s output. For now, audiences are left to decide if they prefer the spirited, soaring animated original or the live-action retooling that many critics wish had never set sail.
Find more reporting in our Entertainment section.
