Disney’s ‘Moana’ Remake Struggles on Rotten Tomatoes with 35% Critics Score

Disney’s latest live-action remake is facing a challenging reception from critics. This new adaptation of Disney’s 2016 animated classic features Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui after voicing the character in the animated films.

Directed by Thomas Kail, the film follows the same narrative as the original, showcasing Moana’s perilous journey across the ocean to save her people.

As reviews for ‘Moana’ begin to surface ahead of its theatrical debut, the film has launched with a disappointing 35% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 57 reviews, marking it as one of Disney’s lowest-rated live-action remakes in recent memory.

Many early reviews highlight a common concern. Critics argue that the film adheres too closely to the animated version, failing to provide a compelling reason for its existence. While some reviewers praised the cast and visuals, many felt the remake lacked enough fresh ideas to stand out.

Aaron Pruner from CNET offered a more favorable perspective, awarding the film four out of five stars. He acknowledged that while the remake may not have been necessary, he still found it enjoyable. “Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’… is an absolutely unnecessary addition to the franchise. But despite that, it’s fun. In fact, it’s the most fun I’ve had in a theater while watching one of these live-action retreads.”

Not all critics shared this sentiment. Rendy Jones from Rendy Reviews gave the film a mere 1.5 out of five stars, stating, “Doesn’t make any new creative choices to deepen the material, but that’s like praising a dingy water fountain for not coming out brown in comparison to the Brita-filtered tap water you have at home.”

Australia’s Daily Telegraph provided a more positive review, with Leigh Paatsch giving the movie 3.5 out of five stars, noting, “A lovely effort that will stand the test of time, despite sticking to the same blueprint as the original.”

Other critics pointed out how closely the remake mirrors the animated film. Kaitlyn Booth from Bleeding Cool rated it five out of ten, mentioning, “’Moana’ is a remake in every sense of the word, with the only meaningful difference being the change in medium, which somehow makes some of the most beautiful locations look drab and ugly.”

Richard Whittaker of Austin Chronicle also critiqued the screenplay for making minimal changes from the original. “Screenwriter Dana Ledoux Miller barely tinkers with Jared Bush’s words from the original, which leaves little to be surprised or excited by.”

The Film Verdict’s Alonso Duralde was more lenient, stating, “The best that can be said for ‘Moana 2026’ is that, for a movie that doesn’t particularly need to exist in the first place, it at least succeeds as entertainment.”

IGN’s Hanna Flint reached a similar conclusion, giving the film a 6 out of 10. “’Moana’ offers a visually pleasing live-action outing for the Polynesian heroine while being constricted by its faithfulness to the original storyline and camera beats.”

Perhaps the most scathing review came from Robbie Collin of the UK’s Daily Telegraph, who rated the film two out of five stars, commenting, “…there is barely a moment in it which feels as if it couldn’t have been achieved by typing: ‘What if this scene from ‘Moana’ was remade in live action?’ into a video generator’s prompt box.”

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 35% critics score based on 57 reviews. Audience reactions have yet to stabilize, so this score may fluctuate once the movie premieres in theaters and more reviews come in.

‘Moana’ is set to hit U.S. theaters on July 10. While Disney hopes that the beloved story and strong family appeal will boost its box office performance, the early critical reception indicates that this remake may find it challenging to win over reviewers as the original animated classic did.

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