Moana (2026) review roundup: critics sink Disney's live-action remake, but audiences love it

Disney's live-action Moana opened in cinemas on 10 July 2026, arrived to buy and rent digitally on 8 September and streams on Disney+ from 21 October. It is directed by Thomas Kail, who filmed the stage hit Hamilton, from a script by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. It took about $323 million worldwide at the box office.

What critics liked

Almost every review singles out Catherine Laga'aia, who makes her film debut as Moana. Deadline called her the film's sole source of real life, and POC Culture's Ron Seoul-Oh praised her charm, charisma and outstanding voice, as well as the warm casting of Moana's family, with John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owen. The songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa'i are still a highlight.

Where it falls short

The main complaint is that the remake adds very little. The Associated Press's Jake Coyle described it as an often shot-for-shot, note-for-note copy of the original, and Empire's John Nugent called it a low point in Disney's run of live-action remakes. Several critics also found the CGI creatures, including the rooster Heihei and the giant crab Tamatoa, less convincing than their animated versions.

The performances

Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, this time in the flesh, and he is the most criticised part of the film. Deadline found him oddly flat, as if he had left his usual charm in the voice booth, and the AP felt he struggles to match the verve of the animated character.

Should you watch?

Audiences have been far kinder than critics, with an 87% Popcornmeter and an A- CinemaScore. Families who love the songs will enjoy it on Disney+, but critics say the animated original remains the better film.