It’s official, a live-action Moana movie has not only been filmed, but is getting ready to hit theaters. In a little over six months, the remake, starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprising his role as demigod Maui, will be splashing into theaters on July 10, 2026. And while the first trailer for the movie, which was released on November 17, 2025, promises stunning sights and an impressive reconstruction of the hit animated film, the trailer is begging the question: When is too soon for a live-action remake?
The ‘Moana’ Live-Action Will Come Out Less Than 10 Years After the Original
If it seems like the live-action of Moana is coming out close to the original, it’s because, well, it is. The first movie, which went on to earn a whopping $687.2 million at the box office worldwide, was released on November 23, 2016. This means that the live-action remake will be released just a few months shy of 10 years since the original. And while 10 years is certainly a good chunk of time, it’s not enough to establish the animated film as a true classic, let alone one that is worthy of a remake.
In the past, live-action remakes have been done for movies that have been out for decades. In 2022, Disney remade Pinocchio after 82 years from the original 1940 classic. 2015’s Cinderella, starring Lily James, was released after 65 years from the original 1950 fairy tale. And while some movies have shorter original-to-live-action time gaps, like The Lion King‘s 25 years or Mulan‘s 22 years, all these remakes follow a pattern: there are decades between the original and the live-action remake. By doing so, Disney not only ensures that the beloved stories get to be loved and viewed by a whole new generation of young fans, but that the films can be told and delivered in a way that feels fresh and different.
The 2024 Release of ‘Moana 2’ Only Highlights the Issue
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Of course, the issue of time is especially the case when we consider Moana‘s sequel, Moana 2, which came out last year on November 27, 2024. Starring most of the original cast, including Auliʻi Cravalho in the role that put her on the map, Moana 2 followed Moana in another dangerous sea adventure. The sequel, which churned out a massive $1.05 billion worldwide, was a clear box office hit, but still doesn’t justify the live-action. 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. By doing so, Disney risks leaving a sour taste in the mouths of even the biggest longtime fans.
Plus, it also means that movies that might’ve gotten fans excited about live-actions again didn’t make the cut. Films like Treasure Planet, Emperor’s New Groove and Lost City of Atlantis, for instance, would benefit from having their stories retold, and would win over a whole new generation of kids. Instead, Moana will still cater to the same original generation, only nine and a half years later. As a reminder, live-action remakes of Bambi, Hercules, and Tangled are all reportedly in the works, but still far away from being released.
The Team Behind the ‘Moana’ Live-Action Are Standing Behind It
While the comment section of the live-action’s trailer agrees that the movie is coming out too early, the team behind it is standing by the project. In a recent chat with Variety, co-writer Dana Ledoux Miller said the 2026 version will bring a new layer to the original story. “There’s a 16-year-old girl who is on the open water embarking on a dangerous journey. The visceral nature of that really comes through with live action,” Miller told the outlet. “It gives the movie a real human vulnerability that will make it feel fresh.” The remake was also written by Jared Bush and was directed by Thomas Kail.
With all that said, while fans may be scratching their heads watching the newly released trailer for the Moana remake, there’s nothing anyone can do to stop its release. By July 10, 2026, Disney will have officially released the third Moana movie in one decade, and the second Moana movie in two years. It runs the risk of being repetitive and unnecessary, but chances are it’ll still be a box office hit.
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