Cinema VinesDisney’s live‑action adaptation of Moana fell short of the studio’s expectations, receiving a low 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42% on Metacritic, and earning just $266 million worldwide, including $119 million in North America. The 2016 animated original had pulled in $687 million globally, with $249 million in the United States and Canada alone.
Despite the lukewarm critical and commercial reception, star Dwayne Johnson has defended the film. In a recent interview with People, the actor explained that the first two reviews were “amazing” and that he and his wife often discussed the movie late at night after the children were asleep. Johnson said the initial buzz was encouraging, but “it went another way, as sometimes happens,” and that the focus should be on the long‑term response rather than the opening weekend.
Johnson, who portrays the demigod Maui, emphasized that the film’s value goes beyond box‑office numbers. “Let’s remember what’s happening right now and the noise that’s happening right now. If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem,” he told the magazine, urging audiences to look past early reactions.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro acknowledged that the movie did not meet financial expectations. He noted that even when franchise titles underperform, the investments still support other parts of the company, citing the Mandalorian and other core properties as examples.
While some critics, such as Owen Gleiberman, acknowledged that the remake should not replace the original, they also recognized it as a worthy companion. The film also stars Catherine Laga’aia as the titular heroine, but the overall consensus remains that the live‑action version does not match the charm of its animated predecessor.
