Disney’s live-action Moana opens to disappointing box office performance.
During its opening weekend, Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Moana” emerged as the top movie at the domestic box office; however, it did not achieve a strong debut relative to its substantial production budget. The film, which reportedly cost 0 million to produce, gathered approximately million from ticket sales in the United States and Canada, according to early estimates released by the studio. When combined with its international earnings, which totaled around million from 50 global markets, “Moana” reached a gross of million worldwide.
The stakes were high for this film, given “Moana”‘s status as one of Disney’s most beloved franchises. The original animated film, released in 2016, has become the most frequently viewed title on Disney+, while its sequel—constructed from a planned streaming series—debuted with impressive figures, earning over billion globally and setting a Thanksgiving record with 5 million upon its release in 2024. This latest installment, helmed by director Thomas Kail, reintroduces Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui and features newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia in the role of the adventurous Polynesian princess. However, the film has faced criticism for being perceived as a shot-for-shot remake of its animated predecessor, which has detracted from its box office potential.
Responses from audiences have been mixed, with current ratings showing a 34% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience demographics reveal that women comprised 66% of viewers, with a significant portion expressing a willingness to recommend the film. According to PostTrak, 63% of attendees indicated they would definitely suggest it to friends, while a more favorable 78% of parents echoed this sentiment. Critically, the film received an A- CinemaScore, indicating overall positive audience feedback despite its lackluster initial reception.
In a competitive market, “Moana” debuted amidst other family-oriented films, notably Universal’s “Minions & Monsters,” which secured second place with .5 million, and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” which closely trailed with .5 million. Paul Dergarabedian, a market analyst for Rentrak, noted that the oversaturation of PG-rated films might be a factor hindering “Moana’s” performance. Despite its strong franchise backing, industry observers caution that numerous family films present a challenge for attracting audiences, with families having to make difficult choices regarding which movies to attend.
In addition to “Moana,” the weekend saw the R-rated film “Evil Dead Burn” opening in fourth place with .7 million, demonstrating the diverse offerings available to moviegoers. Other titles, such as Angel Studios’ “Young Washington” and Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite,” rounded out the weekend’s top films. With total domestic box office gross for 2023 sitting at approximately .2 billion, the market outlook remains cautiously optimistic, especially with anticipated upcoming releases like Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”
As the box office landscape continues to evolve, the performance of “Moana” and similar films will be closely monitored as factors such as competition and audience preference shape the success of cinematic releases in the coming months.
