‘Moana’ Failing to Make Box Office Splash With $45M Opening
'Moana' live-action remake underperforms at box office, sparking debate over Disney’s nostalgia-driven strategy
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The brief
Director Thomas Kail highlighted key differences from the 2016 original in an exclusive interview with *People.com*, while critics in the *Honolulu Star-Advertiser* and *USA Today* questioned whether nostalgia alone can sustain box office success. Coverage from *Cleveland.com* offers mixed perspectives, acknowledging potential merits for select viewers despite the underperformance.
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Quick answers
How much did *Moana* earn on its opening weekend?
According to coverage, the live-action remake opened with $45 million.
What are critics saying about the film’s reception?
Reviews emphasize a perceived lack of emotional resonance compared to the original, with some calling it 'misguided' (*Honolulu Star-Advertiser*).
Did the director address changes from the animated version?
Yes—*People.com* reports Thomas Kail discussed key differences in an exclusive interview.
Coverage (5)
- Weekend Box Office: Moana Underwhelms but Comes Out on Top Rotten Tomatoes · 6h ago
- ‘Moana’ Director Thomas Kail Reveals How Live-Action Film Is Different from the 2016 Animated Original (Exclusive) People.com · 6h ago
- 'Moana' is Disney's latest reminder that nostalgia isn't enough USA Today · 1d ago
- Review: Misguided live-action remake of ‘Moana’ missing the heart in its ocean Honolulu Star-Advertiser · 1d ago
- 3 reasons to see Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’ in theaters Cleveland.com · 1d ago
Topics
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