MoanaDisney’s latest live-action remake of one of the beloved animated classics, had its world premiere at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, and soon after early reaction to the film was showing on social media.
While the official and full critics reviews for Moana Embargoed until July 8, prior to the film’s theatrical release on July 10, press and premiere attendees were allowed to post brief thoughts about the film on social media, and the consensus reaction appears to be mixed, at best, and in some cases incredibly hostile, with some viewers questioning why Disney would even bother making the film.
Directed by Thomas Kail, Moana It sees Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui from the hit animated film, with Katherine Lagaia making her film debut with the role of wanderlust-loving princess Moana, replacing Auliʻi Cravalho who voiced the character in the 2016 film and the 2024 animated sequel. The live-action cast also includes Rena Owen, John Toei 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 animation Moana films. the first Moana The animated film, released in 2016, was a critical success (95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) and commercial success, earning $687 million at the global box office. It also later became a huge streaming hit on Disney+. Animated sequel Moana 2 It was released in November 2024 and was more commercially successful, earning $1.059 billion at the worldwide box office, although it did not fare well with critics (61 percent).
Jared Bush, who wrote Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024), returns to write Moana (2026), writing the screenplay with Dana LeDoux Miller. Composer Mark Mancina, who wrote the much-loved score for the original film and its sequel, also returns, as does librettist Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the live-action film features the same classic tunes, including “You’re Welcome,” “Shiny” and “Where You Are.”
The new live-action version of Moana is the latest in a series of live-action remakes of Disney’s animated classics, Following in its Footsteps Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Cinderella, Dumbo, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, The lion king And recently Lilo and Stitch. The remake’s critical and commercial record has been mixed with massive hits such as Lilo and Stitch, Beauty and the Beast, The Jungle Book, The Lion King and Aladdinand stands in stark comparison to big box office bombs like Dumbo, Mulan and snow white.
Moana (2026) will be released in theaters on July 10. Watch a selection of social media reactions to the film below.
MOANA (2026) shows how far Disney will go to make a quick and easy profit, by churning out an almost unnecessary live-action remake that is almost shot-for-shot, offering nothing new that wasn’t done better just ten years ago. The visuals are pretty flat, with… pic.twitter.com/wU4Klj2iYn
— Matt Neilia (@NextBestPicture) July 8, 2026
#Moana (2026) is pathetic!
Shot for shot, line by line remake without a single original idea. A creatively bankrupt cash grab with no interesting direction. They don’t innovate. They imitate.
Why watch this when Moana (2016) is on Disney+?! Miserable finances without a soul… pic.twitter.com/HmeyrJxe3X
— Jonathan Sim (@TheJonathanSim) July 8, 2026
If you’re interested in what #Moana will be like, slower, darker, and less weird, boy, do I have a movie for you?
The live-action remake captures some of what made the original film so charming with its song scenes, but the rest never finds the right tone. Lajaya is innocent. pic.twitter.com/XptkwT9E6p
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 8, 2026
Honestly, I was a little surprised to admit how much I enjoyed the live-action Moana. Katherine Lagaia does a great job of continuing the legacy (and has amazing comedic chemistry with Dwayne Johnson). There are some really amazing shots. Oh my god 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 doesn’t add anything the original anime didn’t already accomplish. It often feels animated anyway, and Dwayne feels uncomfortable as Maui. However, Katherine Lagaia shines as Moana, but this arrives too soon after the animated films. pic.twitter.com/w51NKJjOYT
— Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) July 8, 2026
Moana (2026) takes one of the most colorful Disney films of the Renaissance and turns it into one of the ugliest films of the year. The realistic approach takes more than it gives. Worse still, she doesn’t pretend to have any new ideas.
Full review tomorrow for DiscussingFilm! pic.twitter.com/7klsc944rc
— Tyler “llewyn” Taing (@tylerllewtaing) July 8, 2026
The live-action #Moana is exactly what you’d expect: a carbon copy of the original, now with Dwayne Johnson’s gorgeous locks that keep you wondering, “Why don’t I just watch the animated version?”
To say the least, Catherine Lagaia is charming! I was hoping for more… pic.twitter.com/MKcAglzefs
— Zach Pope (@ZachhPope) July 8, 2026
Moana is the same anime. This is what I always wanted from them. For the most part it is fun! She got me in the same parts and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music is great. Katherine Lagaia is the perfect Moana but the Rock shines in her at every point. Not enough boa. pic.twitter.com/doZXh2p4Jg
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 8, 2026
Moana is okay at best. It’s not a disaster like other Disney adaptations but it’s not a great adaptation either. It’s the most copy-and-paste Disney film to date, replicating exact lines and shots from the original, but never quite reaching the brilliance and distinction of the animated film. pic.twitter.com/KPQaaM2960
— Fabricio (@FaricioGiraub) July 8, 2026
Moana won’t surprise anyone.
To be clear, you should probably just stick to the original animated film for this one. pic.twitter.com/a5RRzOgYY8
– Russ Milheim – Live (@RussMilheim) July 8, 2026
Disney’s live-action Moana was every bit as solid as the original animated film. It’s fair to say that if you love one, you’ll love the other just as much. I still think it’s too early, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy watching this version. The songs still slap.#moana pic.twitter.com/13X8AbrZVS
– Rama Screen 🔜 SDCC2026 (@RamasScreen) July 8, 2026
Everything I like about #Moana is that I love Moana. Katherine Lagaia holds her own as a dreamless Dwayne Johnson in the role she was set up for, but the flight scenes are distracting and weird compared to the original’s gorgeous animation. pic.twitter.com/gOV8hjmFWE
— BJ Colangelo (@bjcolangelo) July 8, 2026
Disney has brought Moana to life in the live-action remake! It stayed true to the original, provided stunning visuals, and continued the humor and emotions. The music was great, the cast was great, and the story was retold almost to perfection. pic.twitter.com/bhkwi6DtGH
— Richard Nebens (@RichardNebens) July 8, 2026
The live showing of #Moana surprised me with how good it was. It stayed true to the original while adding meaningful moments. Catherine Lagaia is captivating as Moana. The chemistry between her and Dwayne Johnson is amazing. Their dynamic feeling is so natural and sincere pic.twitter.com/zUuW5uGUWO
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) July 8, 2026
Moana is better than expected. It has more emotional and heartfelt appeal than many of the live-action films Disney has remade recently. It’s basically a re-creation of the animated film and it’s odd that it was filmed only a few years after the last Moana film, but… pic.twitter.com/aTje6fNa7q
— The HoloFiles – Movie/TV News and Reviews (@theholofiles) July 8, 2026
LA #Moana is unnecessary, but they do enough visually cool things in Act 1 and 3 to justify its existence (Act 2, not so much 🤮). As such, it’s definitely one of the best Disney films ever remade Los Angeles (I’m not saying much but it’s true). pic.twitter.com/o4MzcvW0G0
– Color Nerds (@TheNerdsofColor) July 8, 2026
#Moana follows the Live-Action Disney Adaptation formula for better and for worse. Firstly, Katherine Lagaia comes in as a main 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 have watched the animated version, and 20% watching the animated scenes (digitally) which are the best parts. The magic of the story does a lot of the heavy lifting as the visual effects and performances drop the ball. Fine, but frustrating. pic.twitter.com/A6zxmDhlin
— Brandon Lewis (@blewis1103) July 8, 2026
Disney’s remake of Moana is, at best, a cheap imitation and, at worst, weaker in every conceivable way. Decent performances from Katherine Lagaia and Dwayne Johnson allow the film to capitalize 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 may be one of Disney’s best live-action remakes yet. The performances are truly amazing and carry all the heart, fun and humor of the original. The story comes very close to the animated movie with new dialogue and interspersed jokes, but it’s hard not to… pic.twitter.com/OmhTqWSd4Z
— Guy At The Movies (@GuyAtTheMovies_) July 8, 2026
