LOS ANGELES: Moana box office estimates showed Disney’s live-action remake heading for a $45 million North American opening, below earlier expectations for the Dwayne Johnson film.
The Thomas Kail-directed film earned about $18 million on Friday, including Thursday previews, from 3,900 North American screens, according to the source account.
Disney had targeted at least $60 million for the opening weekend, while early tracking had suggested the film could reach $75 million.
The film stars actor Dwayne Johnson as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana. People reported that the live-action remake opened in US theatres on July 10, 2026.
The remake carries a reported $250 million production budget. The source account said it received an A- CinemaScore from opening audiences, giving Disney a possible boost in word of mouth.
Read: Toy Story 5 Box Office Hits $312 Million Worldwide
The opening comes less than two years after “Moana 2” launched as a major animated sequel, raising comparisons for Disney’s live-action strategy.
The film will next face competition from Universal’s “The Odyssey,” the R-rated Christopher Nolan film set to arrive next weekend.
Disney will need a stronger family turnout through the summer to offset the soft domestic start and support the high-budget release.
