Disney’s live‑action adaptation of ‘Moana’ earned roughly $95 million globally in its opening weekend, edging out the under‑performing 2025 ‘Snow White’ release. The figure falls far short of the studio’s $250 million budget expectations, raising concerns about its live‑action rollout strategy.

Key Takeaways

  • Moana’s worldwide opening weekend gross: $95 million
  • Domestic earnings: $43 million; International earnings: $52 million
  • Performance well below the $250 million production budget

Disney’s latest live‑action remake, Moana, opened the mid‑July weekend with an estimated $95 million in global box‑office receipts. The split shows about $43 million from the domestic market and $52 million from overseas territories. While this modest lead places the film ahead of the notoriously weak $87.3 million opening of 2025’s Snow White, it remains a far cry from the studio’s internal targets.

Background and Expectations

Starring newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as the titular heroine and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprising his role as Maui, the movie entered theatres with high‑profile projections: analysts anticipated $60‑$65 million domestically and up to $75 million internationally in the first weekend. The actual numbers, however, fell dramatically short, prompting Disney to reassess the viability of its aggressive live‑action pipeline.

Financial Implications and Future Projects

According to Variety, the production cost of Moana hovered around $250 million. Recovering such an outlay from a $95 million opening is unlikely, suggesting a substantial short‑term loss. The previous year’s disappointment with Snow White reportedly delayed the live‑action Tangled adaptation, which is now slated for a 2028 release. Disney’s slate also includes live‑action versions of Bambi, Hercules, Lilo & Stitch 2, and a villain‑centric project featuring Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast.”

Industry Competition

In the same weekend, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic crossed the $1 billion global mark, becoming the first biopic to achieve that milestone. Toy Story 5 sits at $879 million after its fourth weekend, while Warner Bros.’ Supergirl managed only $115.4 million, well below the projected $200 million finish, indicating a challenging environment for franchise‑driven releases.

Critical Reception

IGN’s 6/10 review summed up the film as “a frame‑by‑frame retelling that doesn’t do enough to justify its existence.” The critique underscores a broader industry lesson: star power alone cannot guarantee box‑office success; narrative freshness and disciplined budgeting are equally vital.