Disney Plus Sets Release Date for Live-Action Moana

Disney’s latest live-action adaptation is making its way to streaming after a lackluster theatrical run. Just over three months since its debut, the film Moana will be available on Disney Plus starting October 21.

The live-action Moana opened to a disappointing $43 million during its opening weekend in the U.S., a significant miss given its hefty $250 million budget. Although it eventually grossed around $323.6 million globally, films typically need to earn at least double or 2.5 times their production costs to break even, indicating this was likely a major setback for Disney.

Critics were quick to point out that the film struggled to carve out its own identity compared to the beloved 2016 animated version, and audiences appeared similarly indifferent to a live-action remake of a film that was released just a decade ago. Unlike many of Disney’s other live-action reboots, which often revisit classics from decades past, this one felt too soon.

The original animated Moana and its upcoming sequel, set for 2024, are cherished musicals that celebrate Polynesian culture and were both massive successes. The first film boasts a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned $687.2 million against a budget of $150-175 million. While the sequel, Moana 2, received mixed reviews from critics, it outperformed expectations at the box office, raking in over $1 billion on a $150 million budget. These films highlight the audience’s appetite for quality stories that showcase diverse cultures.

Despite a few box office misfires, including The Mandalorian and Grogu alongside Moana, Disney remains one of the few studios to surpass $4 billion at the global box office in 2026. Toy Story 5 emerged as the studio’s top performer, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, while The Devil Wears Prada 2 also did well with $692 million. However, even with these successes, Disney’s financial challenges led to layoffs at Pixar earlier this year. The studio has more projects in the pipeline, including what could be its biggest hit of 2026, Avengers: Doomsday.

In hindsight, Disney might have been better off waiting longer than a decade before reimagining Moana.