The Walt Disney Company’s live-action remake of Moana debuted as the number one movie at the North American box office, but the results were disappointing. The film earned approximately $43 million in ticket sales in the US and Canada over its first three days, which is about 30 percent less than Disney had expected. Globally, the movie took in $95 million against a reported production budget of $250 million.
Released 10 years after the original 2016 animated hit, the remake's performance is considered a huge blow for the studio as fierce blockbuster competition looms. This opening weekend haul is a stark contrast to the franchise's history of delivering strong profits for Disney’s film studio and consumer products division.
The production brings back Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui and introduces Catherine Lagaʻaia as the adventuring Polynesian princess. Despite praise for Lagaʻaia, the film set sail on a wave of dismal reviews from critics who claimed the movie was essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the original.