Disney’s latest live-action film, Moana, has topped the North American box office charts in its debut weekend, yet its earnings of $43 million across the United States and Canada fell short of initial projections. Internationally, the movie garnered an additional $52 million, bringing its total worldwide earnings to $95 million. This comes against a substantial production budget of $250 million.
The film, directed by Thomas Kail, sees Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui, while newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia stars as Moana. Despite Lagaʻaia receiving commendation for her performance, the movie has drawn criticism for sticking too closely to the storyline of the 2016 animated classic. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 34% score from critics, though audience reactions have been more favorable. Surveys suggest that many viewers, particularly families, are recommending the film despite the mixed critical reception.
Disney has seen significant success with several of its live-action adaptations in recent years, although not all have performed equally well at the box office. Moana’s opening weekend has been likened to the modest debut of the live-action Snow White. Industry experts point to strong competition from other family-friendly films as a factor impacting Moana’s initial box office performance, with multiple PG-rated movies vying for audience attention.
Despite the slower-than-expected start, analysts are optimistic about the film’s potential longevity in theaters. Family-oriented movies often benefit from positive word-of-mouth, which can help sustain ticket sales over the weeks following their release. This trend could provide Moana with the opportunity to improve its box office numbers in the coming weeks.