Moana (2026):
Spoiler-Free Summary

In Moana (2026), a determined young islander is chosen by the Ocean to voyage beyond the reef of Motunui after her community’s future comes under threat. Venturing into the vast Pacific for the first time, Moana must search for the demigod Maui, whose help may be essential to restoring balance and prosperity to her people. Directed by Thomas Kail, this live-action adaptation of Disney’s 2016 animated film blends family adventure, fantasy, comedy, and original music. Its seafaring story centers on wayfinding, cultural inheritance, and Moana’s struggle to honor her responsibilities while discovering what kind of leader she wants to become.

Who Will Enjoy Moana?

Diehard fans of the Moana franchise may appreciate seeing the Disney classic brought to life, though many will likely consider it a downgrade from the original. It may also appeal to viewers who prefer live-action over animation, as well as to younger audiences drawn to its strong story, colorful adventure, and catchy music.

Moana Spoiler-Free Review

Moana (2026) is a beat-for-beat remake of a timeless animated classic, released only 10 years after the original became a hit. As a standalone film, it has merit, but as a remake, it is a considerable step down from its source material.

Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia lack chemistry, which is a true disservice to the spirit of the franchise. Moreover, Johnson’s Maui is devoid of charm, diminishing his big, bold personality into a cowardly, mechanical husk. Laga’aia’s singing is on point, but her facial expressions and body language during dialogue often feel wooden rather than natural.

Despite filming at real locations and constructing elaborate practical sets, the digital enhancements are what stand out the most. The film is drenched in CGI, from Heihei and the sentient Ocean to Maui’s transformations and the larger fantasy environments. Heavy digital extensions, artificial lighting, and glossy compositing frequently make the film feel as though it were shot almost entirely against a green screen. It’s distracting how disconnected the characters appear from their surroundings.

As for positives, it’s a decent 4DX experience, as the misters are particularly on theme. The 3D effects are fine, but offer nothing novel. Despite DJ’s cosplay-like appearance, the authentic Polynesian costume design is impressive. As with Moana (2016), the music is the real highlight. Younger audiences, particularly children, will probably still love this version.

The film’s biggest failures stem from its lack of finesse in transforming a screenplay written for one visual medium into another. Rather than considering how to preserve the story and its vitality while adapting it for live action, the filmmakers simply took the original and “brought it to life” scene by scene.

The energy and vibrancy of the original animated movie simply did not translate to live-action. So much of Moana’s humor is rooted in exaggerated expressions and interactions that can’t look natural when reproduced through realistic human movement.

It’s a fun family film, but falls far short of the gold standard for family entertainment exemplified by Moana (2016).