Live-Action ‘Moana’ Streaming on Disney+ as Disney Addresses ‘Moana 2’ Box Office Issues
Disney’s live-action adaptations face a challenging task: they must feel fresh enough to entice audiences back to theaters while remaining faithful to the beloved originals. When successful, these films can rake in billions, but when they miss the mark, questions arise.
The live-action ‘Moana’ is set to stream on the platform where its animated counterpart became a sensation. Disney has announced that the Dwayne Johnson-led film will be available on Disney+ starting October 21, following its digital release in September and a Blu-ray and DVD launch on October 6.
However, the film’s streaming debut comes with some baggage. It grossed a disappointing $323 million globally at the summer box office, with some reports indicating a lower figure of around $315 million, against a production budget of approximately $250 million. Disney’s president and chief creative officer, Dana Walden, has provided insight into why audiences did not flock to theaters.
New trailer for live-action ‘MOANA’ in theaters July 20. https://t.co/xEYCrTLB8S
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Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime event on October 1, Walden discussed the competitive market, emphasizing that a film needs to resonate with audiences at the right moment. She believes the live-action ‘Moana’ was released too soon after ‘Moana 2’, with only about 18 months between the two.
Walden praised the remake as an excellent film but noted that the short interval did not allow audiences to develop a craving for another ‘Moana’ adventure. Her comments highlight timing and audience demand rather than the film’s critical reception or quality, suggesting that this is just one aspect of the overall outcome.
The situation is further complicated by the unique trajectory of the ‘Moana’ franchise. The original animated feature debuted in 2016, while ‘Moana 2’ was released in November 2024, eight years later. Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, the sequel transitioned to a theatrical release and ultimately grossed over $1 billion.
Walden pointed out that ‘Moana 2’ was developed under unusual circumstances, leading to three franchise releases in a relatively short time frame, which may have left audiences feeling saturated. This scenario illustrates how release scheduling can significantly impact a film’s success.
Critics were not particularly kind to the remake, which holds a score of around 32% to 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 42 out of 100 on Metacritic, significantly lower than the 96% achieved by the 2016 animated version. In contrast, audience reactions have been more favorable, with an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A– from CinemaScore.
Johnson addressed the critical backlash in August, but Walden’s focus remains on the timing of the release. The disparity between critic and audience scores suggests that the film may find a more welcoming audience on streaming platforms, where family-friendly titles often thrive despite lackluster theatrical performances.
Catherine Laga’aia makes her film debut as Moana, with Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui after voicing the character in the animated films. Rena Owen plays Gramma Tala, John Tui portrays Chief Tui, Frankie Adams plays Sina, and Jemaine Clement takes on the role of Tamatoa, the shiny king crab. Moana’s pet pig Pua, the confused rooster Heihei, the Kakamora, and the fiery Te Kā also make their return.
Directed by Thomas Kail, the film features a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. It premiered in theaters on July 10, following Moana as she answers the Ocean’s call and embarks on a journey beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with Maui to restore prosperity to her people.
If any title is destined for Disney+, it’s ‘Moana’. The original animated film holds the record as the most-watched movie on the service, with over 1.5 billion hours streamed globally. This established audience gives the remake a strong chance to connect with families who may have missed it in theaters.
For Disney, the streaming launch represents an opportunity to shift the narrative. While there has been no announcement regarding a live-action sequel, a ‘Moana 3’ has been reported as an animated project. The success of the remake on streaming could influence the studio’s approach to future adaptations.
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