Moana’s Live-Action Adaptation Struggles at the Box Office
Disney’s latest attempt at a live-action remake, Moana, has stumbled out of the gate, raking in an estimated $95 (approx. Rs 26,410) million globally during its opening weekend. While this figure puts it slightly ahead of the recent Snow White adaptation, which managed only $87.3 (approx. Rs 24,270) million, it’s far from the blockbuster numbers Disney was aiming for.
The breakdown of the earnings reveals a domestic haul of about $43 (approx. Rs 11,950) million, while the international market contributed around $52 (approx. Rs 14,460) million. Despite securing the top spot for the mid-July weekend, these figures are a disappointment for the studio as they push forward with live-action versions of their classic tales.
Starring Catherine Laga’aia in the lead role as Moana, and featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprising his role as Maui, expectations were set high. Analysts had anticipated an opening weekend bringing in between $60 (approx. Rs 16,680) million to $65 (approx. Rs 18,070) million domestically and potentially as much as $75 (approx. Rs 20,850) million internationally. However, with these numbers falling short, Disney is facing a harsh reality check against a hefty production budget of $250 (approx. Rs 69,500) million.
The lackluster performance of Moana comes on the heels of Snow White’s disappointing reception last year, which reportedly led to delays in the live-action adaptation of Tangled. Fortunately, progress on Tangled has recently picked up, with new cast members being added following the success of another live-action adaptation, Lilo and Stitch.
For now, Disney shows no signs of altering its course, even as Moana struggles to find its audience. Meanwhile, Tangled is expected to hit theaters in 2028, alongside other remakes in the pipeline, including live-action versions of Bambi, Hercules, and Lilo and Stitch 2, as well as a project centered on the villain Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.
In other box office updates, the Michael Jackson biopic from Universal Pictures and Lionsgate has crossed the $1 (approx. Rs 280) billion mark globally, making it the first biopic ever to achieve this milestone. Toy Story 5 isn’t far behind, currently sitting at $879 (approx. Rs 244,360) million after its fourth weekend in theaters. On a less positive note, Supergirl has only managed to accumulate $115.4 (approx. Rs 32,080) million so far, falling short of the $200 (approx. Rs 55,600) million target that many had hoped for, signaling potential losses for Warner Bros. and their growing DC Universe.
As Moana navigates its rocky start, it appears the excitement for Disney’s live-action adaptations may need a new strategy to keep audiences engaged.
Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.