Live-Action Remake Among Weakest for Disney

Key Points:

• Disney’s live-action remake of “Moana” opened at number one domestically with $43 million but fell short of projections and is considered a box office disappointment given its $250 million production budget and additional marketing costs.
• The film also underperformed internationally, earning $52 million for a global total of $95 million, and is on track to potentially lose around $100 million during its theatrical run, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the similarly struggling “Snow White” remake.
• Critics largely rejected the live-action “Moana,” which holds a 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences gave it an “A-” CinemaScore; the film’s close release timing to the recent animated sequel likely impacted its appeal.
• Other family-friendly releases like “Minions and Monsters” and “Toy Story 5” performed better, with “Toy Story 5” nearing $1 billion globally, while Warner Bros.’ “Evil Dead Burn” opened modestly but is expected to recoup its $20 million budget.
• Despite recent box office disappointments including “Moana,” the overall summer season remains strong, poised to surpass $4 billion in revenue, with upcoming releases like Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” expected to boost attendance.