Moana (2026) Review & Behind-the-Scenes Fun Facts: Disney’s Live-Action Voyage Stays True to the Original

If you loved Disney’s original Moana, chances are you’ll love the live-action version as well. Rather than reinventing the story, the filmmakers faithfully recreate the beloved adventure while taking advantage of breathtaking real-world locations, expanded orchestral music, and an outstanding cast. The result is a beautiful retelling, with a few minor missteps.

About Moana (2026)

Disney’s live-action Moana stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as the adventurous young wayfinder who answers the Ocean’s call to save her people. Joined by the legendary demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), Moana embarks on an epic voyage filled with danger, discovery, and unforgettable music. The film also stars Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Jemaine Clement returning as the voice of Tamatoa.

What We Loved

• The expanded opening. The film opens with additional backstory surrounding Maui, Te Fiti, and Te Kā, giving the story greater weight from the very beginning. It establishes the looming darkness in a way that makes Moana’s journey feel even more urgent.

• Hawaii steals the show. One of the biggest advantages of the live-action format is the opportunity to experience the beauty of Hawaii on the big screen. The lush landscapes, turquoise waters, and sweeping vistas make you feel like you’ve been transported to the South Pacific.

• Rena Owen shines as Gramma Tala. While Gramma Tala was already a fan favorite, Rena Owen brings even more warmth and emotional depth to the role. Her relationship with Moana feels incredibly authentic and relatable in live-action as the two find kindred spirits in one another despite the generational gap.

• The music still soars. The filmmakers wisely brought back the original Oscar-nominated songwriting team of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina. The familiar songs sound wonderful in their new live-action arrangements, while Mancina’s expanded orchestral score adds even more flourish and emotional impact throughout the film.
  
• THE standout sequence in this film is “You’re Welcome,” which creatively blends live-action with stylized animated elements. It’s creative and fun, while still serving the story. Dwayne Johnson’s Maui is endlessly charming in both animation and live-action. I would buy a ticket just to see this sequence again. 
  
• Stay through the end credits for the new original song, “Along The Way,” which features a duet between the new live-action Moana – Catherine Lagaʻaia – alongside original animated Moana – Auliʻi Cravalho – with Dwayne Johnson joining in as Maui.

What Didn’t Quite Work

• Maui’s hair. While Johnson’s muscles were on perfect display here as Maui, the long, curly brown wig was a little distracting because audiences know Johnson so well with his signature shaved head. But we took it in stride, as that is the character design.

• Hei Hei and Pua. We love Moana’s sidekicks – Hei Hei and Pua – but we didn’t love their live-action portrayal. The odd CGI mix landed in an uncanny valley between the original animated characters and a realistic chicken and pig, respectively. 

Behind-the-Scenes Fun Facts

• Dwayne Johnson says Maui represents his grandfather. Maui wasn’t just another role for Johnson. He says the character was inspired by his late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, whose tattoos, build, and appearance closely resemble Maui’s design.
  
• The village of Motunui wasn’t CGI—it was a real village. The production built an enormous 10-acre village outside Atlanta over five months, complete with five massive traditional houses, more than 250 coconut palms, and an irrigation system to keep everything alive.
  
• No nails or hammers were used to build the village. The fale (houses) and canoes were constructed using authentic Pacific techniques, lashed together with thousands of yards of coconut-fiber rope under the guidance of a Tongan master lasher. 
  
• Moana’s costume secretly tells her story. The designs on her clothing weren’t decorative—they’re symbolic. Her tapa patterns represent the footprints of a seabird preparing to take flight, reflecting Moana’s desire to venture beyond the reef. Her red clothing also identifies her as the chief’s daughter (“taupou”).
  
• Over 2,000 handmade costumes were created—and no two were alike. Every background performer wore a unique costume. The costume department produced thousands of yards of custom tapa cloth and handcrafted more than 2,000 garments inspired by traditional Pacific craftsmanship.
  
• The Heart of Te Fiti was made over 150 times. The prop department experimented with many materials before settling on fluorite gemstone to achieve the right realistic appearance. They ultimately produced around 150 different Hearts of Te Fiti, including rubber stunt versions and multiple shades of green for different lighting conditions. 
  
• The production included over 200 Pacific Island actors. Beyond the principal cast, the filmmakers intentionally assembled an ensemble of more than 200 performers from across the Pacific to authentically represent the cultures that inspired the film.

• Auliʻi Cravalho became an executive producer. The original Moana helped guide the live-action film behind the scenes while also performing on the new song, “Along The Way.”
  
• Director Thomas Kail had never directed a feature film of this scale before. His background includes directing Hamilton on Broadway and the filmed Disney+ version, bringing a theater sensibility to the live-action adventure.
  
• Disney reunited the entire Oscar-nominated songwriting team:
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda – lyrics and songs
  • Opetaia Foaʻi – Pacific language lyrics and musical authenticity
  • Mark Mancina – songs and orchestral score
  • Rather than reinventing the music, the filmmakers wanted audiences to feel like they were returning to the same world—just through a live-action lens. MOANA (2026) features all-new renditions of the original songs. It’s one of the things we appreciated most while watching this movie.

Final Thoughts

Disney’s live-action Moana doesn’t try to replace the animated classic—it celebrates it. By remaining faithful to the story while embracing gorgeous real-world locations, strong performances, and the return of the original musical team, the film delivers an adventure that’s sure to delight longtime fans and introduce a new generation to Moana’s journey.

Rating: PG

Runtime: 115 minutes

Moana sails into U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026.

Will you be seeing Disney’s live-action Moana? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation with us @skywalkingpod!