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Disney’s live-action Moana is already in theaters. Released in the U.S. on July 10, 2026, the PG action-adventure reimagines the 2016 animated film with Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana, Dwayne Johnson as Maui, and Thomas Kail directing. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes. No official Disney+ or digital release date has been confirmed.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | Moana live-action reimagining |
| U.S. release date | July 10, 2026 |
| Current status | Released theatrically; local availability depends on theater listings |
| Rating | PG |
| Runtime | 1 hour 55 minutes |
| Director | Thomas Kail |
| Moana | Catherine Lagaʻaia |
| Maui | Dwayne Johnson |
| Type | Live-action action-adventure and family film |
Disney’s live-action Moana opened exclusively in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026. It is a reimagining of the 2016 animated adventure, not a sequel: Moana still leaves Motunui, crosses the reef, teams up with the demigod Maui, and attempts to restore prosperity to her people.
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Moana | $9.96 | Buy on Amazon |
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Moana Double Feature 2-Movie Collection [DVD, Region Free] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Moana 2 | $14.96 | Buy on Amazon |
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Moana | $16.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Moana Double Feature 2 Movie Collection Bundle (1 & 2) [Blu-Ray, Region Free] | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The new film stars Catherine Lagaʻaia in her feature-film debut and brings Dwayne Johnson back as Maui. Thomas Kail directs, while Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller are credited as screenwriters. The movie is rated PG and runs 1 hour 55 minutes.
When was the live-action Moana released?
The U.S. theatrical release date was Friday, July 10, 2026. Disney’s international project profile also lists July 10, 2026 for the United Kingdom. Release dates and theater availability can differ in other territories, so viewers should check local listings.
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- The main character will be Moana Waialiki, a sea voyaging enthusiast, and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her family needs her help, she sets off on an epic journey. The film will also include demi-gods and spirits taken from real mythology.
As of August 12, 2026, Disney’s confirmed distribution information covers the theatrical release. The studio sources reviewed do not confirm a Disney+ premiere, digital rental or purchase date, or Blu-ray and DVD release date. Any predicted streaming date should therefore be treated as speculation rather than an announcement.
For current local availability, check Moana showtimes and tickets through a reputable theater or ticketing service. A film’s presence in theaters varies by city and can change as the theatrical run continues.
What is the live-action Moana about?
The film follows the same broad story as the animated original. Moana, the daughter of Motunui’s chief, feels drawn beyond the island’s reef despite her father’s warnings. When her people’s future is threatened, she sets out across the ocean and encounters Maui, a powerful but self-interested demigod.
The pair must work together on a voyage connected to the restoration of prosperity for Motunui. The adaptation retains the central themes of courage, stewardship, identity, family responsibility, and the relationship between people and the natural world.
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Live-action Moana cast
- Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana: Lagaʻaia is described by Disney as a Sydney, Australia, newcomer making her feature-film debut in the title role.
- Dwayne Johnson as Maui: Johnson returns to the character after voicing Maui in the 2016 animated film. He is also a producer on the live-action movie.
- John Tui as Chief Tui: Tui plays Moana’s father and the chief of Motunui.
- Frankie Adams as Sina: Adams plays Moana’s mother.
- Rena Owen as Gramma Tala: Owen plays Moana’s grandmother and spiritual guide.
Disney says the production included more than 200 actors from the Pacific. The five names above are the principal cast members identified in the official project materials reviewed for this guide; a complete public cast list should not be inferred from that figure.
Is Auliʻi Cravalho in the live-action film?
Auliʻi Cravalho, who voices Moana in the animated films, does not play live-action Moana. She serves as an executive producer on the new film. The live-action title role belongs to Catherine Lagaʻaia.
Director, writers, producers, and music
Thomas Kail directed the film. Disney’s project profile lists Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda as producers. Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, and Auliʻi Cravalho are listed as executive producers.
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Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller are credited as screenwriters in Disney’s 2024 casting announcement. The music credits include original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina, with an original score by Mancina.
Disney’s behind-the-scenes production material says the live-action version reworked its musical presentation. Among the changes described in that material are a new duet concept involving Moana and Maui and a new song intended to give the adaptation its own musical identity. Those changes do not make the film a wholly new story: its central voyage remains the one established by the animated movie.
Watch the official Moana trailer
Disney’s official movie page lists several promotional videos, including the teaser, official trailer, and final trailer. The approximate running times are:
- Official Teaser: 59 seconds
- Official Trailer: 2 minutes 19 seconds
- Final Trailer: 2 minutes 8 seconds
- “Catherine is Moana” featurette: 2 minutes 6 seconds
- “Dwayne is Maui” featurette: 1 minute 9 seconds
- “Along the Way” featurette: 2 minutes 13 seconds
The page also lists promotional videos titled “Music of Moana,” “Sisterhood,” “Kids Love Moana & Maui,” and “Global Phenomenon.” For the most reliable version, use Disney’s official movie page or Disney-hosted video rather than a re-upload. Trailers can reveal story beats, so viewers avoiding spoilers may prefer the short teaser.
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- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
How does it differ from the animated Moana?
The live-action movie is designed as a reimagining of the 2016 film, but its broad plot, principal characters, and central ocean voyage are familiar. The most clearly documented changes concern the production itself and the musical presentation rather than a wholly different premise.
- New live-action performances: Catherine Lagaʻaia takes over the title role, while Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui in a different format.
- A new production context: Disney has emphasized collaboration with Pacific talent and says the ensemble includes more than 200 Pacific actors.
- Musical adjustments: Disney has described a new Moana-and-Maui duet concept and a new song for the live-action version.
- A longer runtime: The live-action film runs 1 hour 55 minutes. The runtime alone does not establish which scenes were added or removed.
It is safer to describe the movie as a faithful live-action adaptation than to claim that every scene is identical or that particular changes occur unless they are confirmed by the finished film, an official interview, or clearly visible trailer material.
Where can you watch the 2026 Moana movie?
The confirmed viewing option is a movie theater. Disney’s official materials reviewed for this article do not provide a confirmed home-viewing date. That means there is currently no verified Disney+ date, digital rental date, electronic sell-through date, or physical-disc date to report.
Streaming availability is also likely to vary by country and could be announced after the theatrical run. Until Disney publishes a date, avoid treating online countdowns or prediction articles as official information.
Reception and box-office context
Early reaction was mixed. In Rotten Tomatoes’ July 8, 2026 first-reviews roundup, the film was described as highly faithful to the animated original, with critics questioning how much new material the adaptation adds. That roundup displayed a 32% Tomatometer score and an 88% audience score at the time of its update. Rotten Tomatoes scores change as more reviews and audience ratings are added, so those numbers should be rechecked before publication or used as a permanent verdict.
The Associated Press reported after opening weekend that Moana opened at number one domestically but had an underwhelming result relative to expectations discussed at the time. The report also noted criticism that the film was close to a shot-for-shot remake.
Rank #4
- The main character will be Moana Waialiki, a sea voyaging enthusiast, and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her family needs her help, she sets off on an epic journey. The film will also include demi-gods and spirits taken from real mythology.
The Numbers listed an estimated domestic opening of approximately $43.14 million and an estimated worldwide figure of approximately $104.07 million in its franchise-history data. These are database estimates, not a substitute for a final studio-reported total.
Those figures do not by themselves prove that the film was profitable or unprofitable. A commercial judgment would require a current worldwide gross, the confirmed production budget, marketing and distribution costs, and the terms of the film’s theatrical release.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteShould families buy Moana merchandise or books?
For children who enjoy the characters, the official Moana merchandise category is the most direct place to look for licensed dolls, plush toys, costumes, apparel, and accessories. Disney Store’s category page referenced live-action-film merchandise and listed more than 100 products when reviewed, but stock and product selection can change quickly. Some items are tied to the 2016 animated film rather than the 2026 adaptation, so check the product description before buying.
A lower-cost reading option is the Moana Little Golden Book. It is a physical hardcover children’s book based on Disney’s Moana; it is not a novelization or home-video edition of the 2026 live-action film. Availability and seller details should be checked at the time of purchase.
Amazon Music also lists the 2026 original motion-picture soundtrack, released June 26, 2026. The listing reviewed was a digital music product, so it should not be described as a CD or vinyl edition without separate confirmation.
What is confirmed—and what is still unknown?
| Confirmed | Not confirmed in the reviewed sources |
|---|---|
| July 10, 2026 U.S. theatrical release | Disney+ streaming date |
| PG rating and 1-hour-55-minute runtime | Digital rental or purchase date |
| Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana | Blu-ray or DVD release date |
| Dwayne Johnson as Maui | A sequel announcement |
| Thomas Kail as director | A complete public cast list |
| Official teaser, trailer, and final trailer | Final profitability or loss |
Bottom line
The 2026 Moana is a released, PG live-action reimagining built around the same voyage as Disney’s animated original. Its main points of distinction are the new cast—particularly feature-film newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia—the Pacific-focused production ensemble, and revised musical material. Early reviews were divided, with praise for Lagaʻaia but criticism that the adaptation adds little to the original. It is currently a theatrical title; Disney has not confirmed when it will become available to stream, rent, buy digitally, or own on disc.
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When was the live-action Moana released?
The live-action Moana was released in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026. Disney’s international project profile also lists July 10 for the United Kingdom, while dates elsewhere may vary.
Who plays Moana and Maui in the live-action movie?
Catherine Lagaʻaia plays Moana, and Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui. John Tui plays Chief Tui, Frankie Adams plays Sina, and Rena Owen plays Gramma Tala.
Does Auliʻi Cravalho play live-action Moana?
No. Auliʻi Cravalho, the animated voice of Moana, is an executive producer on the live-action movie. Catherine Lagaʻaia plays live-action Moana.
When will the live-action Moana stream on Disney+?
The movie is currently confirmed as a theatrical release. Disney has not confirmed a Disney+ date, digital rental or purchase date, or physical home-video date in the sources reviewed.
What is the rating and runtime of live-action Moana?
The film is rated PG and has a runtime of 1 hour 55 minutes.
The Bottom Line
In short: Disney’s live-action Moana was released in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026. It stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, runs 1 hour 55 minutes, and follows the animated film’s core story. Check local theaters for showtimes; no official Disney+ or digital release date has been confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
