Disney’s live action remake of Moana premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Tuesday which gave critics and attendees their first look ahead of its July 10 release.
While full reviews remain under embargo, those who attended the premiere were allowed to share their initial thoughts online. Judging by the early buzz, opinions are sharply divided. Some praised newcomer Catherine Laga’aia for stepping into Moana’s shoes while others questioned why Disney chose to remake a film that was released less than a decade ago.
Moana: Critics Say The Film Feels Too Familiar
One of the biggest complaints surrounding the remake is that it sticks too closely to the 2016 animated original. Many critics described it as a near scene-by-scene recreation that brings very little that iss new.
Jonathan Sim from ComingSoon didn’t hold back and called the film “PATHETIC!” and describedt as “a creatively bankrupt cash grab with ZERO interesting direction.” He added, “Why watch this when Moana (2016) is on Disney+?!”
#Moana (2026) is PATHETIC!
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.
Why watch this when Moana (2016) is on Disney+?! A soulless, miserable financial… pic.twitter.com/HmeyrJxe3X
— Jonathan Sim (@TheJonathanSim) July 8, 2026
Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture shared a similar review, saying the remake feels like “another unnecessary, nearly shot-for-shot, beat-for-beat live-action remake” that doesn’t improve upon the original.
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’t offer anything new that wasn’t already done better just ten years ago. The visuals are so flat, with a… pic.twitter.com/wU4Klj2iYn
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) July 8, 2026
Visual Effects Receive Mixed Reactions
The film’s visuals have also divided opinion.
Some critics argued that the heavy use of CGI and green screens makes the movie feel artificial with a few even saying the photorealistic approach takes away the charm that made the animated film so memorable.
Tyler Taing of DiscussingFilm wrote that the remake turns one of Disney’s most colourful modern classics into “one of the ugliest movies of the year” and added that it “doesn’t even pretend to have any new ideas.”
MOANA (2026) takes one Disney’s 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’t even pretend to have any new ideas.
Full review tomorrow for @DiscussingFilm! pic.twitter.com/7klsc944rc
— tyler “llewyn” taing (@tylerllewtaing) July 8, 2026
Germain Lussier of Gizmodo felt the film loses much of the original’s playful energy, saying the remake is “slower, darker & less whimsical” than its animated counterpart.
If you’re curious what #Moana would be like slower, darker & less whimsical, boy, have I got a movie for you.
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
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 8, 2026
Catherine Laga’aia Wins Over Viewers
While the movie itself has received mixed reactions, Catherine Laga’aia’s performance has emerged as one of the biggest positives.
Several critics praised the newcomer.
Peter Gray of The AU Review felt Laga’aia shines in the lead role and even suggested she outperforms co-star Dwayne Johnson.
The live-action #Moana is… a movie. It adds nothing the animated original didn’t already achieve. It often looks animated anyway, and Dwayne feels uncomfortable as Maui. Catherine Laga’aia shines as Moana though, but this arrived far too soon after the animated films. pic.twitter.com/w51NKJjOYT
— Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) July 8, 2026
Rachel Leishman of Collider agreed called Laga’aia “a perfect Moana” and added that Johnson was “out shined by her at every point.”
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
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 8, 2026
Dwayne Johnson’s Return Divides Critics
Johnson reprises his role as Maui after voicing the beloved demigod in the animated films but reactions to his live action performance have been mixed.
Some reviewers felt his trademark charisma didn’t translate as well on screen this time.
Not everyone shared the criticism.
Tessa Smith of Rotten Tomatoes admitted she was pleasantly surprised by the remake, writing, “Honestly a little surprised to admit how much I enjoyed the live-action Moana.” She also praised the chemistry between Laga’aia and Johnson and added that the film features “some truly stunning shots.”
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 pic.twitter.com/ouaxPgTi87
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) July 8, 2026
What To Expect From The Film
Directed by Thomas Kail, the live action adaptation stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui. The cast also includes Rena Owen, John Tui and Frankie Adams while Jemaine Clement returns to voice Tamatoa.
Moana sails into theatres on July 10.
