Movie Review: ‘Moana’ (2026) | Moviefone

Catherine Laga'aia as Moana in Disney's live-action 'Moana'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2026 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Disney’s live-action adaptation of ‘Moana’, directed by Thomas Kail (‘Hamilton’), sails into theaters on July 10th.

The film stars newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson, (‘Black Adam’) who reprises his role as the demigod Maui.

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Moana 2’

Initial Thoughts

Scenes from Disney's live-action 'Moana'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Disney has had mixed results adapting its animated classics into live-action films, so it’s fair to approach ‘Moana’ with a healthy dose of skepticism. Fortunately, this is one of the studio’s stronger efforts.

No, it doesn’t surpass the animated original—and it never really tries to. Instead, it understands what audiences loved about ‘Moana’ in the first place and builds on that foundation. The result is a visually beautiful adventure that leans even further into Polynesian culture while reminding us why this story resonated nearly a decade ago.

The film takes a little while to settle in, but once ‘Moana’ sets sail, it finds its rhythm. From there, the story becomes less about recreating familiar moments and more about exploring its central idea of wayfinding—not simply as a means of crossing the ocean, but as a way of discovering who you’re meant to become.

Story and Direction

Behind the scenes of Disney's live-action 'Moana'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Thomas Kail approaches the material with obvious respect for the original while allowing this version to breathe in its own way. The story follows the same emotional roadmap audiences know, but the live-action format creates opportunities to spend more time with its quieter moments and cultural traditions.

What stood out to me most wasn’t a new character or a major story change. It was the way the film places even greater emphasis on Polynesian identity, ancestry, and the connection between people, the land, and the ocean. Those ideas have always been part of ‘Moana’, but they feel more present here, giving the story an added sense of purpose.

Visually, the film is gorgeous. The ocean remains one of Disney’s greatest cinematic creations, and seeing it realized in live action makes many of the film’s biggest moments feel appropriately epic without losing their emotional intimacy.

Cast and Performances

The biggest surprise of the film is Catherine Lagaʻaia.

Taking over a role so closely associated with Auliʻi Cravalho couldn’t have been easy, but Lagaʻaia never feels like she’s trying to imitate the original performance. She naturally captures the warmth, determination, and optimism that define Moana while bringing her own presence to the character.

Vocally, there are moments where she sounds remarkably similar to Cravalho, but it never comes across as an impression. More importantly, she has that difficult-to-explain quality that every great Disney Princess seems to possess. The confidence, sincerity, and quiet strength all feel effortless, making it easy to believe she’s carrying this story for a new generation.

Dwayne Johnson slips comfortably back into Maui. His chemistry with Lagaʻaia is strong from the beginning, and this version of their relationship feels slightly more mentor-driven, which complements the film’s larger themes of growth, responsibility, and self-discovery.

Final Thoughts

Dwayne Johnson as Maui in Disney's live-action 'Moana'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2026 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Live-action remakes will always invite comparisons to the films that inspired them, and ‘Moana’ is no exception. While this version never completely steps out of the animated classic’s shadow, it doesn’t have to in order to succeed.

Strong performances, breathtaking visuals, and a genuine commitment to honoring Polynesian culture make this more than a simple retelling. By the end of the film, it’s clear that ‘Moana’ isn’t trying to replace the original. It’s offering audiences another opportunity to experience a story whose message remains just as meaningful today: sometimes finding your way begins with understanding where you come from.

‘Moana’ receives a score of 85 out of 100.

Moana in Disney's live-action 'Moana'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What is the plot of ‘Moana’ (2026)?

Prompted by a summons from the ocean, Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) departs her home island of Motunui for the first time and travels past its barrier reef. Accompanied by the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), she undertakes a voyage aimed at recovering the well-being of her community.