Dwayne Johnson is speaking out about the mixed response to Disney’s live-action Moana remake. The actor, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui, says he remains proud of the film despite the criticism and the disappointing box office numbers.
Johnson addressed the reception in a recent interview with People magazine, revealing that the early reviews were promising before the critical tide turned.
“Our first two reviews came out. I’ll never forget it … They were amazing. I was like, ‘Wow.’ [Then] it went another way, as sometimes happens. That’s just the way it goes because we’re in this business.”
The live-action Moana, which hit theaters on July 10, 2026, has faced a tough road since its release. Critics have been largely unkind to the remake, with the film earning a 31 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 42 percent rating on Metacritic. The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus describes the film as “an underwhelming new version of Moana, an endeavor that solidifies its animated predecessor as the superior adventure”.
Dwayne Johnson Focuses on the Bigger Picture
Johnson, who first voiced Maui in the original 2016 animated film, said he and his wife, Lauren Hashian, had many late-night conversations about the film’s reception. Rather than getting caught up in the immediate reaction, they chose to focus on the long-term impact.
“The challenge was, ‘OK, let’s remember, though, what’s going to be beyond this opening weekend. Let’s remember what’s happening right now and the noise that’s happening right now,’” Johnson said.
His message to audiences is simple and direct.
“If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem,” the actor said.
Not All Critics Panned the Film
While the overall critical reception has been harsh, some reviewers offered more positive assessments. Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “The remake of ‘Moana’ can’t, and shouldn’t, replace the original. But it earns a place alongside it”.
The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic, David Rooney, also gave the film a favorable review, calling it “one of Disney’s better live-action remakes” and describing it as “a captivating family entertainment that deserves to find an audience”.
Audience Response Tells a Different Story
While critics have been tough, audiences have been much more receptive. The live-action Moana holds an 88 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a significant gap from the critics’ 31 percent rating. The film also received an A- CinemaScore from opening weekend audiences.
This divide between critic and audience scores is not uncommon for Disney’s live-action remakes, but the gap in this case is particularly wide.
Box Office Numbers Fall Short
The film’s box office performance has been underwhelming, especially given its massive production budget. Moana has earned approximately $264 million worldwide, including about $118 million in North America and $146 million internationally.
The original 2016 animated Moana, by comparison, grossed $687 million worldwide, including $249 million in the United States and Canada alone. The live-action version cost around $250 million to produce, meaning it has barely covered its production costs and is far from profitable when marketing expenses are factored in.
According to Variety’s reporting, the film could lose at least $100 million during its theatrical run.
Disney CEO Addresses the Film’s Performance
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro acknowledged on the company’s August 5 earnings call that Moana had underperformed at the box office. However, he emphasized that the film still holds value for the company beyond its theatrical earnings.
“Even when our franchise films don’t meet our box office expectations, as with the ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ and the live-action ‘Moana,’ our investments in these core properties fuel other parts of our company,” D’Amaro said.
D’Amaro noted that the live-action Moana is “expected to be a strong title on Disney+” and will build on the success of the original animated film, which remains one of the most-streamed movies of all time.
Disney CFO Hugh Johnston echoed this perspective on the earnings call, saying, “The theatrical window in a lot of ways is just one data point, and the real value of that IP is the cumulative benefit of decades-long storytelling”.
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Cultural Representation Matters Most to Johnson
For Johnson, who is of Samoan heritage, the film’s cultural significance outweighs the negative reviews. He said what mattered most to him was that “the culture really stood up”.
“Because of me and our kids who can now look at the big screen and go, ‘That’s us for the first time on a big screen. That’s us up there. How cool is that?’” Johnson said.
The live-action film stars Catherine Laga’aia, a 19-year-old Australian actress of Samoan descent, in the title role of Moana. She was chosen from over 32,000 applicants. Laga’aia takes over from Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced the character in the animated films.
What This Means for Disney’s Live-Action Strategy
Moana joins a growing list of Disney live-action remakes that have struggled to match the success of their animated predecessors. The film’s performance raises questions about whether audiences are growing tired of the studio’s live-action adaptation formula.
Despite the disappointment, Disney remains committed to its franchise strategy. The company pointed out in its earnings release that “these franchise investments contributed to value creation beyond their theatrical releases”. This includes merchandise sales, theme park attendance, and streaming engagement.
The live-action Moana is directed by Thomas Kail and also features Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. The film is still playing in theaters, though its box office run is winding down.
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