{"id":750199,"date":"2026-07-08T09:14:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/750199\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T09:14:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T09:14:08","slug":"moana-2026-first-reactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/750199\/","title":{"rendered":"Moana 2026: First Reactions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Moana<\/a>, Disney<\/a>\u2018s latest live-action remake of one of its beloved animated classics, held its world premiere at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles on Tuesday night, and not long after the screening early reaction to the film hit social media.<\/p>\n

While official, full, critics reviews for Moana are embargoed till July 8, ahead of the film\u2019s theatrical release on July 10, press and attendees of the premiere were allowed to post brief thoughts on the film on social media, and the consensus reaction seems to be mixed, at best, and in some cases incredibly hostile, with some viewers questioning why Disney bothered making the film.<\/p>\n

Directed by Thomas Kail<\/a>, Moana sees Dwayne Johnson<\/a> reprise his role of demigod Maui from the animated hit, with Catherine Laga\u2019aia making her film debut with the role of the princess with wanderlust Moana, taking over from Auli\u02bbi Cravalho who voiced the character in the 2016 film and its 2024 animated sequel. The live-action cast also includes Rena Owen, John Tui and Frankie Adams. Jemaine Clement<\/a> also returns from the first film to voice a CGI version of the giant treasure-hungry crab Tamatoa.<\/p>\n

The live-action film follows the two animated Moana movies. The first Moana animated film, released in 2016, was a big critical (95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes) and commercial success, making $687 million at the global box office. It also later became a big success on streaming via Disney+. The animated sequel Moana 2<\/a> was released in November 2024 and was an even bigger hit commercially, garnering $1.059 billion at the box office worldwide, although it fared less well with critics (61 percent).<\/p>\n

Jared Bush, who wrote Moana (2016) and Moana 2 (2024) returns to write Moana (2026)<\/a>, penning the script with Dana Ledoux Miller. Composer Mark Mancina, who wrote the much-loved musical score for the original film and its sequel, also returns as does songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda<\/a>, and the live-action film features all the same classic tunes, including \u201cYou\u2019re Welcome,\u201d \u201cShiny,\u201d and \u201cWhere You Are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new live-action version of Moana is the latest in the series of live-action remakes of Disney animated classics, following in the footsteps of Beauty & the Beast, Snow White, Cinderella, Dumbo, The Jungle Book, Aladdin, Mulan, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and most recently Lilo & Stitch. The critical and commercial record of the remakes has been mixed with huge successes like Lilo & Stitch, Beauty & the Beast, The Jungle Book, The Lion King and Aladdin, standing in stark comparison to the big box office bombs such as Dumbo, Mulan and Snow White. <\/p>\n

Moana (2026) is released in theaters on July 10. See a selection of social media reaction to the film below.<\/p>\n

MOANA (2026) shows just how far Disney will go for a quick and easy buck, producing another unnecessary, nearly shot-for-shot, beat-for-beat live-action remake that doesn\u2019t offer anything new that wasn\u2019t already done better just ten years ago. The visuals are so flat, with a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/wU4Klj2iYn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Moana<\/a> (2026) is PATHETIC!<\/p>\n

A shot-for-shot, line-by-line remake without a single original idea. A creatively bankrupt cash grab with ZERO interesting direction. They don’t innovate; they imitate.<\/p>\n

Why watch this when Moana (2016) is on Disney+?! A soulless, miserable financial\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/HmeyrJxe3X<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonathan Sim (@TheJonathanSim) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re curious what #Moana<\/a> would be like slower, darker & less whimsical, boy, have I got a movie for you. <\/p>\n

The live-action remake captures some of what made the original so magical with its song scenes, but the rest of it never finds the right tone. Laga’aia innocent. pic.twitter.com\/XptkwT9E6p<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Honestly a little surprised to admit how much I enjoyed the live-action Moana. Catherine Laga’aia does a great job continuing the legacy (& has incredible comedic chemistry with Dwayne Johnson). There are some truly stunning shots. Gosh I love this story. #Moana<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ouaxPgTi87<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tessa Smith \u2013 Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The live-action #Moana<\/a> is\u2026 a movie. It adds nothing the animated original didn\u2019t already achieve. It often looks animated anyway, and Dwayne feels uncomfortable as Maui. Catherine Laga\u2019aia shines as Moana though, but this arrived far too soon after the animated films. pic.twitter.com\/w51NKJjOYT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MOANA (2026) takes one Disney\u2019s most vibrant films of the revival era and turns it into one of the ugliest movies of the year. The photorealistic style takes more than it gives. Worse, it just doesn\u2019t even pretend to have any new ideas.<\/p>\n

Full review tomorrow for @DiscussingFilm<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/7klsc944rc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 tyler \u201cllewyn\u201d taing (@tylerllewtaing) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The live-action #Moana<\/a> is exactly what you expect: a carbon copy of the original, now with Dwayne Johnson\u2019s luscious locks constantly making you wonder, \u201cWhy am I not just watching the animated version?\u201d<\/p>\n

At the very least, Catherine Laga\u2018aia is charming! I hoped for more\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/MKcAglzefs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zach Pope (@ZachhPope) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MOANA is the same as the animated. Which is what I’ve always wanted from these. For the most part it is fun! Got me at the same parts & Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music is sublime. Catherine Laga’aia is a perfect Moana but the Rock is out shined by her at every point. Not enough Pua. pic.twitter.com\/doZXh2p4Jg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Moana is ok at best. It isn\u2019t a disaster like other Disney adaptations but it isn\u2019t a great adaptation either. It is the most copy and paste Disney remake yet, repeting exact lines and shots from the original, but never reaches the brilliance and excellence of the animated movie. pic.twitter.com\/KPQaaM2960<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 fabricio (@fabriciogiraob) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MOANA isn\u2019t going to surprise anyone. <\/p>\n

To put it plainly, maybe just stick to the original animated movie for this one. pic.twitter.com\/a5RRzOgYY8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Russ Milheim \u2013 The Direct (@RussMilheim) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Disney\u2019s live-action Moana was just as solid as the original animated film. Fair to say that if you liked one, you\u2019d like the other equally. I still think it\u2019s too soon tho, but I\u2019d be lying if I said I didn\u2019t have fun watching this version. The songs still slap.#moana<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/13X8AbrZVS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rama’s Screen \ud83d\udd1c SDCC2026 (@RamasScreen) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Everything I like about #Moana<\/a> is because I love Moana. Catherine Laga’aia holds her own against a nippleless Dwayne Johnson playing the role that was made for him, but the wayfaring scenes are distracting and uncanny compared to the gorgeous animation of the original. pic.twitter.com\/gOV8hjmFWE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BJ Colangelo (@bjcolangelo) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Disney truly brought the spirit of Moana to life in the live-action remake! It stayed true to the original, delivered incredible visuals, and followed through on the humor and emotions. The music was fantastic, the cast was great, and the story was retold almost to perfection. pic.twitter.com\/bhkwi6DtGH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Richard Nebens (@RichardNebens) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Moana<\/a> live-action genuinely surprised me with how good it was. It stayed faithful to the original while adding meaningful moments. Catherine Laga\u2019aia is captivating as Moana. The chemistry between her & Dwayne Johnson is fantastic. Their dynamic feel so natural and heartfelt pic.twitter.com\/zUuW5uGUWO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MOANA is better than expected. It has more heart and emotional pull than many recent live action Disney remakes. It\u2019s essentially a shot for shot recreation of the animated film and it\u2019s weird that this is being made just a few years after the last Moana movie, but the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/aTje6fNa7q<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The HoloFiles \u2013 Movie\/TV News & Reviews (@theholofiles) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The LA #Moana<\/a> is unnecessary, but they do enough great things visually in the first and third act to justify its existence (the second act, not so much\ud83e\udd2e). As such, it’s definitely one of the better Disney LA remakes (not saying much but it’s true). pic.twitter.com\/o4MzcvW0G0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Moana<\/a> follows the Live-Action Disney Adaptation formula for better and for worse. First off Catherine Laga’aia comes into her own as the title character and I really liked her chemistry with The Rock. Some of the musical sequences are effective and will bring back the magic. pic.twitter.com\/itYmitM0uW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sam Bussell (@BussellSamuel) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

I spent 80% of Moana thinking I should\u2019ve been watching the animated version, and 20% watching (digitally) animated scenes that are best parts. The story\u2019s charm does a lot of heavy lifting where the visual effects and performances drop the ball. Fine, but frustrating. pic.twitter.com\/A6zxmDhlin<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brandon Lewis (@blewis1103) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Disney’s Moana remake is, at best, a cheap imitation and, at worst, weaker in every conceivable way. Two decent performances from Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson allow the film to ride on the success of its original, but as with every Disney remake, I ask: what’s the point? pic.twitter.com\/baTg6xqSLQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Cole Groth (@cole_groth) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Moana<\/a> might be one of Disney\u2019s best live-action remakes yet. The performances are genuinely great and it carries all the heart, fun, and humor of the original. The story beats hit pretty close to the animated film with fresh dialogue and jokes sprinkled in, but it\u2019s hard not to\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/OmhTqWSd4Z<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Guy At The Movies (@GuyAtTheMovies_) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n