Disney just unveiled the first trailer for Moana, the live-action remake of its 2016 hit animated film. Scheduled for release in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026, the feature film stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as Maui. Interestingly, the actor never appears face-on in this first video.
In this first trailer for the film directed by Thomas Kail, Disney immerses us in the reimagined world of Motunui, introduces the fearsome Kakamora tribe, and brings back the faithful HeiHei. We also see Moana preparing to answer the ocean’s call and cross the reef’s borders for the first time, accompanied by the demigod Maui.
John Tui and Frankie Adams play Vaiana’s parents in the cast, and Rena Owen plays Gramma Tala, the young navigator’s revered grandmother.
A mixed reception from fans
Disney hoped these first images would generate buzz, but online reactions have been mixed. Many fans feel that this adaptation is coming too soon, especially after the 2024 release of Moana 2, and that Disney should have waited longer before revisiting the story.
Others are skeptical of the special effects and regret that many shots were filmed on green screens rather than in natural settings. Some wonder if a film entirely generated by CGI can truly captivate audiences, even if it remains faithful to the original universe.
Despite these reservations, Disney hopes to capitalize on
Moana‘s success. For reference, the
second film generated over $1 billion at the box office. Will the
live-action film be able to repeat this feat? We’ll find out in
July 2026.
