Disney's live-action Moana opened with $45 million at the box office this past weekend, falling short of its $60 million target. Directed by Thomas Kail, the film features Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia and was released across 3,900 North American screens.
Box Office Performance and Audience Reception
The opening weekend performance of Moana is a disappointment compared to initial projections, which suggested it could reach as high as $75 million. The film received an A- CinemaScore from audiences, indicating a generally positive reception. However, it will need to attract more families in the coming weeks to recover its substantial $250 million production budget.
Internationally, Moana added $52 million, bringing its total to $97 million globally. The audience demographics show that 66% of viewers were female, and 56% were parents with children, a higher percentage than most Disney live-action remakes.
Comparison to Previous Releases
This opening weekend performance mirrors that of Snow White, which debuted to $42 million in March 2025 and earned a B+ CinemaScore. The film's struggles come at a time when Disney is reevaluating its live-action strategy, especially after the success of Lilo & Stitch, which opened to $146 million in May 2025.
