The final Moana live-action trailer has dropped and I still don’t quite know what to think about it.
We have the iconic songs that made the animation a global phenomenon but this live-action version just feels a little hollow and I’m not sure what bodysuit Dwayne is wearing but he looks more like a Samoan Sherman Klump than a demi-god.
Something just feels off about the whole thing ahead of its July release and I’m sure it’ll do well at the box-office but people won’t be going to see it based off the trailers that have been published so far that’s for sure.
Moana fans will see it out of curiosity, soundtrack fans will see it for the musical numbers alone but one things for sure, I’m very curious as to what the reviews are going to be like on this one.
The fascination with live-action remakes continues to baffle me as the box-office especially in 2026 has proven that remakes, sequels and nostalgia reliance is being buried by original ideas and unique creativity.
It all just feels very cash grabby to me and that’s a real shame. I long for the days when companies like Disney focus their attention back on original ideas and stop milking their previous successes. Do better Disney!
Disney’s reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films “Moana” and “Moana 2.” “Moana” features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, and an original score composed by Mancina. Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” exclusively in cinemas July 10, 2026.
Check out the live-trailer below and see what you think.
