Catherine Laga'aia in the live-action 'Moana.' Courtesy of Disney Moana, Disney‘s latest live-action remake of one of its beloved animated classics, held its world premiere at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles on Tuesday night, and not long after the screening early reaction to the film hit social media.
While official, full, critics reviews for Moana are embargoed till July 8, ahead of the film’s theatrical release on July 10, press and attendees of the premiere were allowed to post brief thoughts on the film on social media, and the consensus reaction seems to be mixed, at best, and in some cases incredibly hostile, with some viewers questioning why Disney bothered making the film.
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Directed by Thomas Kail, Moana sees Dwayne Johnson reprise his role of demigod Maui from the animated hit, with Catherine Laga’aia making her film debut with the role of the princess with wanderlust Moana, taking over from Auliʻi Cravalho who voiced the character in the 2016 film and its 2024 animated sequel. The live-action cast also includes Rena Owen, John Tui and Frankie Adams. Jemaine Clement also returns from the first film to voice a CGI version of the giant treasure-hungry crab Tamatoa.
The live-action film follows the two animated Moana movies. The first Moana animated film, released in 2016, was a big critical (95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) and commercial success, making $687 million at the global box office. It also later became a big success on streaming via Disney+. The animated sequel Moana 2 was released in November 2024 and was an even bigger hit commercially, garnering $1.059 billion at the box office worldwide, although it fared less well with critics (61 percent).
Jared Bush, who wrote Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024) returns to write Moana (2026), penning the script with Dana Ledoux Miller. Composer Mark Mancina, who wrote the much-loved musical score for the original film and its sequel, also returns as does songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda, and the live-action film features all the same classic tunes, including “You’re Welcome,” “Shiny,” and “Where You Are.”
The new live-action version of Moana is the latest in the series of live-action remakes of Disney animated classics, following in the footsteps of Beauty & the Beast, Snow White, Cinderella, Dumbo, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and most recently Lilo & Stitch. The critical and commercial record of the remakes has been mixed with huge successes like Lilo & Stitch, Beauty & the Beast, The Jungle Book, The Lion King and Aladdin, standing in stark comparison to the big box office bombs such as Dumbo, Mulan and Snow White.
Moana (2026) is released in theaters on July 10. See a selection of social media reaction to the film below.
MOANA (2026) shows just how far Disney will go for a quick and easy buck, producing another unnecessary, nearly shot-for-shot, beat-for-beat live-action remake that doesn’t offer anything new that wasn’t already done better just ten years ago. The visuals are so flat, with a… pic.twitter.com/wU4Klj2iYn
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 8, 2026
#Moana (2026) is PATHETIC! A shot-for-shot, line-by-line remake without a single original idea. A creatively bankrupt cash grab with ZERO interesting direction. They don't innovate; they imitate. Why watch this when Moana (2016) is on Disney+?! A soulless, miserable financial… pic.twitter.com/HmeyrJxe3X
— Jonathan Sim (@TheJonathanSim) July 8, 2026
If you’re curious what #Moana would be like slower, darker & less whimsical, boy, have I got a movie for you. The live-action remake captures some of what made the original so magical with its song scenes, but the rest of it never finds the right tone. Laga'aia innocent. pic.twitter.com/XptkwT9E6p
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 8, 2026
Honestly a little surprised to admit how much I enjoyed the live-action Moana. Catherine Laga'aia does a great job continuing the legacy (& has incredible comedic chemistry with Dwayne Johnson). There are some truly stunning shots. Gosh I love this story. #Moana pic.twitter.com/ouaxPgTi87
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) July 8, 2026
The live-action #Moana is… a movie. It adds nothing the animated original didn’t already achieve. It often looks animated anyway, and Dwayne feels uncomfortable as Maui. Catherine Laga’aia shines as Moana though, but this arrived far too soon after the animated films. pic.twitter.com/w51NKJjOYT
— Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) July 8, 2026
MOANA (2026) takes one Disney’s most vibrant films of the revival era and turns it into one of the ugliest movies of the year. The photorealistic style takes more than it gives. Worse, it just doesn’t even pretend to have any new ideas. Full review tomorrow for @DiscussingFilm! pic.twitter.com/7klsc944rc
— tyler “llewyn” taing (@tylerllewtaing) July 8, 2026
Disney’s live-action #Moana is visually stunning. #CatherineLagaaia and #DwayneJohnson’s chemistry is the heart of the film, carrying audiences through the journey, while Lin-Manuel Miranda’s unforgettable soundtrack pulls you back into this reimagining. Despite some performances… pic.twitter.com/MTBDLO3R0P
— Klepcx (@Klepcx) July 8, 2026
The live-action #Moana is exactly what you expect: a carbon copy of the original, now with Dwayne Johnson’s luscious locks constantly making you wonder, “Why am I not just watching the animated version?” At the very least, Catherine Laga‘aia is charming! I hoped for more… pic.twitter.com/MKcAglzefs
— Zach Pope (@ZachhPope) July 8, 2026
MOANA is the same as the animated. Which is what I've always wanted from these. For the most part it is fun! Got me at the same parts & Lin-Manuel Miranda's music is sublime. Catherine Laga'aia is a perfect Moana but the Rock is out shined by her at every point. Not enough Pua. pic.twitter.com/doZXh2p4Jg
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 8, 2026
Moana is ok at best. It isn’t a disaster like other Disney adaptations but it isn’t a great adaptation either. It is the most copy and paste Disney remake yet, repeting exact lines and shots from the original, but never reaches the brilliance and excellence of the animated movie. pic.twitter.com/KPQaaM2960
— fabricio (@fabriciogiraob) July 8, 2026
MOANA isn’t going to surprise anyone. To put it plainly, maybe just stick to the original animated movie for this one. pic.twitter.com/a5RRzOgYY8
— Russ Milheim – The Direct (@RussMilheim) July 8, 2026
Disney’s live-action Moana was just as solid as the original animated film. Fair to say that if you liked one, you’d like the other equally. I still think it’s too soon tho, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun watching this version. The songs still slap.#moana pic.twitter.com/13X8AbrZVS
— Rama's Screen 🔜 SDCC2026 (@RamasScreen) July 8, 2026
Everything I like about #Moana is because I love Moana. Catherine Laga'aia holds her own against a nippleless Dwayne Johnson playing the role that was made for him, but the wayfaring scenes are distracting and uncanny compared to the gorgeous animation of the original. pic.twitter.com/gOV8hjmFWE
— BJ Colangelo (@bjcolangelo) July 8, 2026
Disney truly brought the spirit of Moana to life in the live-action remake! It stayed true to the original, delivered incredible visuals, and followed through on the humor and emotions. The music was fantastic, the cast was great, and the story was retold almost to perfection. pic.twitter.com/bhkwi6DtGH
— Richard Nebens (@RichardNebens) July 8, 2026
#Moana live-action genuinely surprised me with how good it was. It stayed faithful to the original while adding meaningful moments. Catherine Laga’aia is captivating as Moana. The chemistry between her & Dwayne Johnson is fantastic. Their dynamic feel so natural and heartfelt pic.twitter.com/zUuW5uGUWO
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) July 8, 2026
MOANA is better than expected. It has more heart and emotional pull than many recent live action Disney remakes. It’s essentially a shot for shot recreation of the animated film and it’s weird that this is being made just a few years after the last Moana movie, but the… pic.twitter.com/aTje6fNa7q
— The HoloFiles – Movie/TV News & Reviews (@theholofiles) July 8, 2026
The LA #Moana is unnecessary, but they do enough great things visually in the first and third act to justify its existence (the second act, not so much🤮). As such, it's definitely one of the better Disney LA remakes (not saying much but it's true). pic.twitter.com/o4MzcvW0G0
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) July 8, 2026
#Moana follows the Live-Action Disney Adaptation formula for better and for worse. First off Catherine Laga'aia comes into her own as the title character and I really liked her chemistry with The Rock. Some of the musical sequences are effective and will bring back the magic. pic.twitter.com/itYmitM0uW
— Sam Bussell (@BussellSamuel) July 8, 2026
I spent 80% of Moana thinking I should’ve been watching the animated version, and 20% watching (digitally) animated scenes that are best parts. The story’s charm does a lot of heavy lifting where the visual effects and performances drop the ball. Fine, but frustrating. pic.twitter.com/A6zxmDhlin
— Brandon Lewis (@blewis1103) July 8, 2026
Disney's Moana remake is, at best, a cheap imitation and, at worst, weaker in every conceivable way. Two decent performances from Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson allow the film to ride on the success of its original, but as with every Disney remake, I ask: what's the point? pic.twitter.com/baTg6xqSLQ
— Cole Groth (@cole_groth) July 8, 2026
#Moana might be one of Disney’s best live-action remakes yet. The performances are genuinely great and it carries all the heart, fun, and humor of the original. The story beats hit pretty close to the animated film with fresh dialogue and jokes sprinkled in, but it’s hard not to… pic.twitter.com/OmhTqWSd4Z
— Guy At The Movies (@GuyAtTheMovies_) July 8, 2026
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