Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’ crashes to shore with an underwhelming splash at the box office

Key Points:

• Disney’s live-action “Moana” opened with $43 million domestically and $52 million internationally, totaling a $95 million global debut, underperforming relative to its $250 million production cost and following the success of its 2016 animated predecessor.
• Critics largely panned the film for being a near shot-for-shot remake of the original, reflected in its 34% Rotten Tomatoes score, but audience reactions were more positive, with 63% willing to recommend it and an A- CinemaScore.
• The crowded market of family-friendly PG-rated films, including “Minions & Monsters” and “Toy Story 5,” contributed to “Moana’s” modest opening, as families face multiple viewing options and must choose among competing titles.
• Other notable box office performances include the R-rated horror “Evil Dead Burn” opening with $13.7 million, the George Washington film “Young Washington” earning $6.4 million in its second weekend, and “Michael” crossing $1 billion globally to become the highest-grossing musical biopic ever.
• The domestic box office for 2024 is up 10.7% from last year, totaling nearly $5.2 billion, with expectations for stronger August revenues driven by upcoming releases like Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”