Moana (2026 film)

Moana is a 2026 American musical adventure film and a live-action adaptation of Disney Animation's 2016 film. As the overall third installment and the first live-action film in the Moana franchise, the film was directed by Thomas Kail and written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. It was produced by Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film stars Johnson (reprising his role as Maui from the animated films), Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, Jemaine Clement (reprising his role as Tamatoa from the animated films) and Catherine Laga'aia in her film debut as the title character. Development of a live-action Moana film was announced by Johnson in April 2023, with Kail hired as director in the following May. Laga'aia was announced in the title role in June 2024, along with the main supporting cast. Principal photography occurred in Atlanta and Hawaii between July and November 2024. With a production budget of $250 million, Moana is one of the most expensive films ever made. Moana was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States on July 10, 2026. The film has grossed $261 million worldwide, and received generally negative reviews from critics, with most deeming it an unnecessary remake.