Disney’s live-action rendition of “Moana” premiered at the top of the North American box office, though it didn’t quite meet the anticipated figures. The film garnered $43 million across the United States and Canada during its debut weekend. Internationally, it pulled in an additional $52 million, culminating in a global opening of $95 million. This is set against a hefty production budget of $250 million.

Under the direction of Thomas Kail, the film features Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. Catherine Lagaʻaia, making her debut as Moana, has been commended for her performance. However, the movie has faced criticism for adhering too closely to the plot of the 2016 animated original. Despite these critiques, the adaptation currently holds a 34% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience reactions have been more favorable, with many families expressing a willingness to recommend the film.

Disney has experienced significant success with its live-action remakes in recent years, though some have not fared as well at the box office. The initial performance of “Moana” has drawn parallels to the live-action “Snow White,” which similarly debuted with modest earnings. Analysts suggest that the film’s opening was challenged by competition from other family-friendly movies, with several PG-rated films attracting audiences during the same period.

Even with a slower start, industry experts note that family films can often sustain a steady box office trajectory in the weeks following their release, especially when buoyed by strong word-of-mouth recommendations. As such, “Moana” could see continued interest from audiences if positive viewer feedback persists.