Disney has officially set sail with the first teaser trailer for its highly anticipated live-action reimagining of Moana, and fans worldwide are buzzing about what they’ve seen. The first trailer and poster for Disney’s highly anticipated live-action reimagining of Moana, starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the trickster demigod Maui, debut today. This marks another milestone in Disney’s ongoing strategy of bringing beloved animated classics to life with real actors, stunning visual effects, and culturally authentic storytelling.
Table of Contents
Disney’s Moana Live-Action: Release Date and First Look
The wait for Moana’s live-action adventure is shorter than many fans might expect. The live-action Moana will set sail in theaters on July 10, 2026, positioning the film as a major summer blockbuster release that promises to captivate audiences during the peak moviegoing season.
Moana Live-Action Film: Key Production Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Moana (Live-Action) |
| Studio | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Release Date | July 10, 2026 |
| Director | Thomas Kail (Hamilton) |
| Screenplay | Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller |
| Lead Actress | Catherine Laga’aia as Moana |
| Returning Cast | Dwayne Johnson as Maui |
| Music | Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina |
| Original Release | 2016 (Animated) |
| Years Between Versions | 10 years |
It’s directed by Thomas Kail, an Emmy and Tony Award winner for directing both the stage and filmed productions of Hamilton, bringing a proven track record of translating beloved stories across different mediums.
Meet the Cast: Catherine Laga’aia Steps Into Moana’s Role
The most significant casting decision for any Moana live-action adaptation centers on who would embody the spirited, ocean-loving protagonist. Disney selected 17-year-old newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, whose Samoan heritage brings authentic representation to the role.
“I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites,” said 17-year-old Laga’aia. “My grandfather comes from Fa’aala, Palauli, in Savai’i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me”.
Complete Moana Live-Action Cast
| Actor | Character | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Catherine Laga’aia | Moana | 17-year-old newcomer of Samoan descent |
| Dwayne Johnson | Maui | Reprising role from animated films |
| John Tui | Chief Tui (Moana’s father) | Auckland, New Zealand native |
| Frankie Adams | Sina (Moana’s mother) | Samoan-New Zealander actress |
| Rena Owen | Gramma Tala | Bay of Islands, New Zealand |
Catherine Laga’aia, of Samoan descent, brings authenticity to the role, highlighting Disney’s commitment to inclusive and representative casting. This casting philosophy ensures that the film honors the Polynesian culture at the heart of Moana’s story while providing representation for Pacific Islander communities.
What the Moana Teaser Trailer Reveals
The newly released teaser for Disney’s live-action Moana offers viewers their first glimpse at how the beloved animated adventure translates to live-action. The trailer provides a first look at the live-action adventure, introducing audiences to the majestic island and vibrant people of Motunui; the shapeshifting demigod Maui; the intimidating yet adorable tribe of Kakamora; and Lagaʻaia as wayfinder Moana, who sings the powerful line “I Am Moana”.
The teaser takes a different approach from typical action-packed trailers. Instead, it weaves shots of Moana running her hand through the ocean and exploring the scenery of the Pacific Islands as she sings “I Am Moana”. This artistic choice emphasizes the emotional and spiritual connection between Moana and the ocean that defines her character.
“I am the girl who loves my island/ I’m the girl who loves the sea/ It calls me,” Laga’aia belts beautifully, the camera zooming in on her face at the end of the trailer as she grabs onto the sails of a ship. This powerful moment showcases both Laga’aia’s vocal abilities and her capacity to capture Moana’s determination and passion.
Dwayne Johnson Returns as Maui
One of the most exciting aspects of the Moana live-action adaptation is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s return to the role of Maui. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui—now in the flesh after having voiced the character in the original 2016 animated blockbuster and the 2024 sequel Moana 2.
Johnson’s involvement provides crucial continuity between the animated and live-action versions while capitalizing on his massive star power and genuine connection to Polynesian culture. His Samoan heritage makes him an ideal choice to bring the legendary demigod to life on screen.
The Creative Team Behind Disney’s Moana Live-Action
Thomas Kail (Hamilton) directs the live-action film from a script by original Moana scribe Jared Bush and Moana 2 screenwriter Dana Ledoux Miller. This combination of creative talent ensures that the live-action Moana maintains narrative continuity with its animated predecessor while potentially offering fresh perspectives and additions to the story.
The decision to bring back Jared Bush, who co-wrote and co-directed the original animated Moana, demonstrates Disney’s commitment to preserving the spirit and themes that made the first film resonate with audiences worldwide. Meanwhile, Dana Ledoux Miller’s involvement brings insights from Moana 2, released in 2024, ensuring the live-action film benefits from the most recent storytelling developments in the franchise.
The first teaser trailer, released in November 2025, offers vivid imagery of Moana’s island home and glimpses of Maui’s shape-shifting powers, set to reimagined music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and an enriched score by Mark Mancina. The return of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina ensures the musical legacy of Moana continues in the live-action format.
The Debate: Is Disney Remaking Moana Too Soon?
The announcement and subsequent teaser release have sparked considerable discussion about Disney’s timeline for live-action remakes. First announced at a shareholder meeting in April 2023, the live-action “Moana” marks the tightest turnaround between an animated Disney film’s original release and the live-action remake: The original “Moana” will be barely 10 years old when the live-action reimagining hits theaters July 10, 2026.
This unprecedented quick turnaround has generated mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. With less than 10 years since the original movie, the live-action Moana is missing the mark, some critics argue, suggesting that audiences haven’t had enough time to develop the nostalgic longing that typically drives demand for remakes.
The timing is particularly noteworthy given that Moana 2, the animated sequel, just released in 2024. After all, while fans have proved their love for Moana both times in theaters, having a third Moana movie come out in a span of a decade, and a second come out in two years, is not only confusing, but repetitive to viewers.
However, Disney’s confidence in the property speaks to Moana’s extraordinary success. The original 2016 film earned $643 million worldwide, and its soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon, dominating Billboard charts for extended periods.
Auli’i Cravalho’s Involvement and Perspective
While Catherine Laga’aia takes on the titular role in Disney’s live-action Moana, original voice actress Auli’i Cravalho remains connected to the franchise. Cravalho voiced the franchise’s titular character in both animated films, but while she does not reprise her breakout role in the live-action, she is on board as an executive producer. “When I was cast as Moana at 14, it wonderfully changed my life and started my career,” she said in a 2023 Instagram video shortly after the remake was announced.
Cravalho’s involvement as an executive producer ensures that the spirit of the original character remains intact while allowing a new performer to bring her own interpretation to the live-action version.
Visual Effects and Production Challenges
Bringing Moana to live-action presents significant technical challenges, from recreating the ocean as a living character to realizing Maui’s shape-shifting abilities and the mythical creatures of Polynesian legend. The teaser trailer gives us our first glimpses of the island, Maui, the Kakamora, and Heihei, offering early looks at how these fantastical elements translate from animation to live-action.
What This Means for Disney’s Live-Action Strategy
Disney’s commitment to live-action adaptations of its animated classics shows no signs of slowing. The Moana live-action film continues a trend that has included successful remakes of The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and many others.
While the strategy has proven financially lucrative for Disney, the shortened timeframe between Moana’s original release and its live-action remake represents a new phase in this approach.
Read More: Knives Out 3 Release Date Confirmed: Wake Up Dead Man Brings Benoit Blanc’s Darkest Case Yet
FAQs
When does Disney’s live-action Moana release in theaters?
Disney’s live-action Moana releases in theaters on July 10, 2026. The film will be a theatrical-exclusive release before eventually becoming available on Disney+ streaming platform at a later date.
Who plays Moana in the live-action movie?
Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old newcomer of Samoan descent, plays Moana in the live-action film. Her authentic Polynesian heritage aligns with Disney’s commitment to culturally representative casting for this adaptation.
Is Dwayne Johnson playing Maui again in live-action Moana?
Yes, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui in the live-action Moana. He previously voiced the character in the 2016 animated original and the 2024 sequel Moana 2, and now brings the character to life in physical form.
Who directed the live-action Moana movie?
Thomas Kail directed the live-action Moana. Kail is an Emmy and Tony Award winner best known for directing both the stage production and filmed version of the Broadway musical Hamilton.
Will the live-action Moana have the same songs as the animated version?
Yes, the live-action Moana will feature reimagined versions of the beloved songs from the original animated film, with music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mark Mancina returning to provide new arrangements of iconic songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.”
