Disney's live-action "Moana" earns low critic rating ahead of July release
The upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney's "Moana" opened with a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing it as lacking purpose and originality.
Disney's live-action version of the 2016 animated hit "Moana" is set to debut on July 10, 2026, after early reviews indicated a largely negative reception. The film holds a 38% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting mixed to unfavorable assessments from major critics.
Robbie Collins of The Telegraph compared the remake to content generated by artificial intelligence, suggesting it lacked creative effort. The Associated Press' Jake Coyle criticized the portrayal of the character Maui, describing the appearance as "purposeless" and the overall production as "pointless" and "lifeless."
Critics also noted visual differences from the original animated film, describing the live-action's background palette as less vibrant. The remake features Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui, though reviewers have commented on the styling choices for the character.
The original "Moana" was a commercial success, earning $643 million worldwide at the box office. Disney has pursued several live-action remakes of its animated catalog in recent years, with varying degrees of critical and audience response. The studio has not released official box-office projections for the new version.
The film's performance will be closely watched as Disney continues to adapt its animated properties for live-action formats.