Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’ Tops Box Office, But Opening Falls Short of Recent Remakes

(WS News) – Disney’s live-action remake of “Moana” opened at the top of the domestic box office with a $43 million debut, though the launch came in well below the studio’s recent live-action blockbusters as it faces a crowded July field.

A Modest Opening by Recent Disney Standards

The remake’s debut falls well short of the $146 million Memorial Day opening posted by “Lilo & Stitch” and the $191.7 million July debut of “The Lion King” remake, despite arriving on the heels of “Moana 2” surpassing $1 billion worldwide. Directed by Thomas Kail and starring Catherine Laga’aia in the title role, with Dwayne Johnson reprising Maui, the film features new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda alongside songs from the original animated version.

Stiff Competition in a Crowded Month

“Moana” had to fight for attention against Disney’s own “Toy Story 5,” along with “Minions & Monsters,” both of which remain in the top five domestically after multiple weeks in release. “Toy Story 5” has climbed past $400 million domestically and nearly $880 million worldwide, while “Minions & Monsters” has topped $280 million globally.

What Comes Next

Whether “Moana” can sustain a long theatrical run in the mold of past Disney live-action hits like “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid” will depend heavily on word of mouth and how well it holds up against the rest of a packed summer slate.