Moana Box Office Opening Weekend Projections

Key Points:

• Disney's live-action "Moana" is projected to open with $60 million to $65 million domestically, slightly above the original 2016 film's $56 million debut, but some estimates predict a much lower $35 million to $40 million start, which would be problematic given its $250 million production budget.
• International markets could bolster "Moana," with an expected $70 million to $75 million debut overseas, but domestically it may rank among Disney's lower-grossing live-action remakes, similar to "Dumbo" (2019) and "Snow White" (2025), both of which underperformed financially.
• The original "Moana" (2016) was a major success, earning $680 million worldwide and gaining significant popularity on Disney+, while the 2023 sequel grossed over $1 billion globally, highlighting strong franchise potential despite concerns for the live-action version.
• Other releases this weekend include "Evil Dead Burn," expected to earn $15 million to $20 million, and A24's comedy "The Invite," aiming for $4 million to $5 million, with holdover films like "Minions & Monsters" and "Toy Story 5" continuing to perform moderately well.
• The box office is anticipating major summer releases later in July, including Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which are expected to significantly boost theater attendance.