Disney’s latest live-action remake appears headed for a disappointing financial performance despite opening at the top of the domestic box office.
The live-action version of Moana, starring Dwayne Johnson, debuted with approximately $43 million over the weekend. While that was enough to claim the No. 1 spot, the opening has raised questions about whether the film can recover its enormous production and marketing costs.
According to Variety, the movie carried a production budget of roughly $250 million. Marketing expenses reportedly added at least another $120 million, bringing the total investment to more than $370 million before theaters take their share of ticket sales.
Those figures mean the film would need a very strong global run to approach profitability.
One factor working against the remake may be timing.
Unlike many of Disney’s live-action adaptations, Moana returned to theaters only two years after the release of Moana II. Some industry observers have argued that audiences had not been away from the animated franchise long enough to create significant demand for a live-action retelling. Others have suggested Disney might have been better served by continuing the animated series with a third installment instead of revisiting the original story so quickly.
The remake itself also offers audiences a familiar experience. Critics have noted that it closely follows the 2016 animated film, with many scenes recreated almost shot for shot rather than substantially reimagined.
That approach has produced mixed results for Disney in recent years.
The studio has enjoyed major successes with some live-action adaptations. In 2025, Lilo & Stitch surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, demonstrating that audiences remain willing to embrace updated versions of Disney classics when the timing and execution resonate.
Other remakes, however, have struggled.
Last year’s live-action Snow White became one of Disney’s biggest financial disappointments. The film earned roughly $205 million worldwide against reported costs exceeding $400 million. Before its release, the production was dogged by months of controversy surrounding casting decisions, public comments from its lead actress, and broader debates over the studio’s creative direction. Industry estimates ultimately projected losses of at least $170 million.
Moana has not faced the same level of off-screen controversy, but it has encountered another challenge: critical reception.
The film debuted with a 35 percent critics’ score, and analysts repeatedly lowered opening weekend projections in the weeks leading up to its release as expectations softened.
Even so, Disney does not appear ready to move away from one of its most successful franchises.
The company has already confirmed that an animated Moana III is in development, signaling continued confidence in the property’s long-term appeal despite the uncertain outlook for the live-action adaptation.
