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The live-action Moana began filming in Atlanta in July 2024 and wrapped in Hawaii in November 2024, director Thomas Kail said later. That production update came before the animated sequel Moana 2 opened in U.S. theaters on November 27, 2024. Disney lists July 10, 2026, as the live-action film’s U.S. theatrical release date—a date that has now passed.
When did the live-action Moana start filming?
Disney announced on June 12, 2024, that filming would begin that summer. In a later interview, director Thomas Kail said the shoot started in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 2024. The announcement also introduced the principal cast and confirmed that Dwayne Johnson would return as Maui.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Moana | $9.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Moana 2 | $14.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Moana Double Feature 2-Movie Collection [DVD, Region Free] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Disney's Moana 1 & 2 Double pack [DVD] | $21.75 | Buy on Amazon |
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Moana | $3.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Where did filming take place, and when did it wrap?
Kail said production moved from Atlanta to Hawaii, where filming wrapped in November 2024. His account establishes the month, but not the exact day, so a more precise wrap date is not confirmed by the cited interview.
Kail also described a practical detail of filming Maui’s scenes: the production used multiple suits so Johnson could switch between water and dry settings. In the same interview, Kail denied earlier reports that Disney planned to use an AI-generated Johnson as a stand-in; that is his statement about those reports.
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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.
Who is in the live-action Moana cast and crew?
Catherine Lagaʻaia plays Moana, and Johnson reprises Maui. Disney’s June 2024 announcement named John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller are the writers named in that announcement.
Thomas Kail directed the film. Disney’s film page lists Lin-Manuel Miranda, Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia among the producers. Disney lists the film as PG with a runtime of 1 hour 55 minutes.
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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 the filming timeline relate to Moana 2?
The two films are distinct: Moana 2 is an animated sequel, while the live-action film reimagines the original animated adventure. Their U.S. dates, alongside the live-action production milestones, make the sequence clear:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2024 | Disney announces the live-action cast and says filming will begin that summer. |
| July 2024 | Filming begins in Atlanta, according to director Thomas Kail. |
| November 2024 | Filming wraps in Hawaii, according to Kail; no exact day is stated. |
| November 27, 2024 | Moana 2 opens in U.S. theaters, according to Disney. |
| July 10, 2026 | Disney lists the live-action Moana for U.S. theatrical release. |
The release dates here are for the U.S. market, not worldwide dates. Disney’s current film page lists July 10, 2026, for the live-action movie; that date is in the past as of October 8, 2026. The available sources establish the release date, but do not establish current streaming or home-video availability.
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- Family, animation, comedy
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