The first trailer for Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana has just been unveiled. The animated original, which debuted in 2016, grossed an impressive $687.2 million Worldwide and achieved a remarkable 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although Moana 2 was originally planned as a television series, it was ultimately canceled in 2024 due to a lukewarm reception from critics, who gave it a 60% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Disney is set to revisit the beloved 2016 film with a live-action adaptation of Moana, featuring Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui. The trailer for this exciting live-action movie has just been unveiled, and it is scheduled to hit theaters in July 2026, marking a decade since it’s animated version captured hearts worldwide.
The teaser focuses on the main character, Moana, portrayed by Catherine Laga’aia, who begins to sing “I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors).” Throughout the teaser, we see various scenes from the film, including a young Moana by the ocean, with waves crashing around her.
As the music shifts into “How Far I’ll Go,” the video offers a brief glimpse of Johnson reprising his role as Maui. The demigod is depicted transforming from a beetle into his human form, alongside a scene where he leaps off a cliff and morphs into an eagle, yet the teaser only presents him from behind.
It seems that Disney is holding back on revealing him until the full-length trailer is released. Although the Moana teaser is a bit secretive regarding Maui’s appearance, it does introduce the coconut pirates called the Kakamora.
In the teaser, Moana climbs a rope on the ship in an attempt to flee from the Kakamora. The teaser concludes with Moana on the boat, passionately singing the last line of the song “I Am Moana.” Be sure to watch the teaser below.
In addition to Laga’aia and Johnson, the cast of the live-action Moana features John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen. The director is Thomas Kail, renowned for his work on the Broadway sensation Hamilton, and Johnson is also involved as a producer.
Kail is not the sole link that Moana shares with Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the mastermind behind the Broadway musical, also collaborated on the music for the original 2016 film, contributing memorable songs such as “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.”
The versatile artist is making a comeback to the Moana Universe for the live-action adaptation. His involvement with Mufasa – The Lion King kept him from contributing as the songwriter for Moana 2.
Moana is the newest animated feature to get a live-action adaptation from Disney, following in the footsteps of Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, Cruella, Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, and Lilo & Stitch.
Mark your calendars for the theatrical release of Moana on Friday, July 10, 2026.