Disney made waves this morning, releasing the full official trailer for its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Moana, set to arrive exclusively in theaters on July 10. Alongside the trailer, the studio simultaneously unveiled a new poster and a behind-the-scenes featurette, delivering the most comprehensive look yet at what may be one of the most-watched films of the summer.
Catherine Lagaʻaia steps into the title role of Moana, the determined wayfinder from the island of Motunui who answers the ocean’s call and sets sail beyond the reef. The young actress, making her major film debut, brings a palpable energy to the role that fans of the animated original will find familiar. The original voice of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho, chose not to reprise the role in live-action, a decision she made publicly to open the door for another Pacific Islander performer to claim the part. Cravalho remains connected to the project in a meaningful way, serving as an executive producer on the film.
Dwayne Johnson returns as the boisterous, hook-wielding demigod Maui, the role he originated in the original animated feature. The trailer gives audiences their fullest look yet at Johnson’s live-action portrayal of the character, complete with the elaborate tattoos and larger-than-life presence that made the character iconic. The supporting cast rounds out Moana’s world with John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as her mother Sina, and Rena Owen as the wise and mystical Gramma Tala. The trailer also offers a glimpse of the villain Tamatoa, the giant, glittering crab who made such an impression in the original film.
The film is directed by Thomas Kail, the Emmy and Tony Award-winning director best known for his celebrated stage and screen work on Hamilton. His connection to the material runs deep, as Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs for the animated feature including the Oscar-nominated “How Far I’ll Go,” returns here as both producer and songwriter. The screenplay was penned by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, who together wrote the script for Moana 2. The original score is composed by Mark Mancina, alongside music from Opetaia Foaʻi and Miranda.
The production carries a notable distinction in the Disney live-action remake canon: it arrives just shy of the tenth anniversary of the original animated film, making it the shortest gap between an animated Disney feature and its live-action counterpart in the studio’s history. The original Moana grossed more than $600 million globally on its 2016 release, and Moana 2 surpassed that performance considerably, crossing the billion-dollar mark. The first film also became one of the most-streamed titles in Disney+ history, reportedly accumulating over 1.4 billion hours of viewing time.
Disney’s live-action remake strategy has delivered several billion-dollar box office wins over the past decade, with Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King each crossing that threshold. More recently, the live-action Lilo and Stitch became one of the biggest surprises of the year, earning over one billion dollars and triggering a sequel greenlight. The studio is widely expected to replicate that performance with Moana, which faces its most direct competition in the form of the next Minions installment, opening nine days prior.
Reaction to this morning’s trailer has been swift and, as is common with Disney’s live-action remakes, divided. Some critics raised concerns about the visual effects and a perceived lack of originality in adapting a film not yet a decade old. Others pointed to the promise of Catherine Lagaʻaia’s performance and the excitement of seeing Pacific Islander representation on a major theatrical scale. What is not in dispute is that the trailer has landed with significant cultural impact and that Disney has put the full weight of its marketing machine behind the July release.
Moana opens exclusively in U.S. theaters on July 10.
