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boxofficeSaturday, July 11, 2026·2 min read

Moana Disappoints at Box Office with $40M-$45M Opening

Moana's live-action remake underperforms at the box office

An animated doll head on a desk with a retro alarm clock and camera.
Photo: khezez | خزاز

The live-action remake of Moana has underperformed at the box office, opening with a lower than expected $40M-$45M in the US. Despite receiving an A- CinemaScore and a 63% definite recommend from audiences, the film's opening is considered a disappointment. The shortfall is attributed to the film's release timing, which coincides with other family films such as Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters.

## What happened The live-action Moana was expected to open with a $70M-$80M opening, but ultimately fell short. The film's release date was chosen to avoid being sandwiched between other big openings, but it still faced stiff competition from other family films. The film's marketing campaign and presales were strong, but ultimately did not translate to a strong opening. The film's performance is also compared to its predecessor, Moana 2, which grossed over $1B globally. ## Why it matters The underwhelming opening of the live-action Moana has significant implications for Disney and the film industry as a whole. It highlights the challenges of releasing a film in a crowded market and the importance of timing. The film's performance also raises questions about the viability of live-action remakes and the impact of audience fatigue.
+ Pros
  • The film received an A- CinemaScore and a 63% definite recommend from audiences
  • The film's marketing campaign and presales were strong
  • The film's performance is still considered a success by some metrics
Cons
  • The film's opening is considered a disappointment
  • The film faced stiff competition from other family films
  • The film's release timing may have contributed to its underwhelming performance
## How to think about it When evaluating the performance of a film, it's essential to consider the broader market context and the film's release timing. The live-action Moana's underwhelming opening serves as a reminder that even with strong marketing and presales, a film's performance can still be impacted by external factors. ## FAQ
What was the expected opening for the live-action Moana?+
The live-action Moana was expected to open with a $70M-$80M opening.
What contributed to the film's underwhelming performance?+
The film's release timing and competition from other family films are considered contributing factors to its underwhelming performance.
What are the implications of the film's underwhelming opening?+
The underwhelming opening of the live-action Moana has significant implications for Disney and the film industry, highlighting the challenges of releasing a film in a crowded market and the importance of timing.

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Sources
  1. 01‘Moana’ Lost At Sea With $40M-$45M U.S. Opening – Box Office Update
  2. 02Box Office: 'Moana' Disappoints With $40M-$45M U.S. Opening
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