Moana First Reviews: Unnecessary and Faithful to a Fault, but It Has Its Charms
Critics say the live-action remake might have come a bit too soon, and it doesn't add much to the original, but Catherine Laga'aia shines in the lead.
The live-action reimagining of Moana hits theaters this weekend, and the reviews are now online. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui from the 2016 animated feature, now joined by Catherine Laga’aia as the titular Disney Princess. As with most of Disney’s live-action remakes, this one is said to be an incredibly faithful adaptation, for better or worse, but there’s arguably more charm in the physical actor performances, and the new song by Lin-Manuel Miranda is another banger.
Here’s what critics are saying about Moana:
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Is it worth seeing?
The people who love the animated version and kids who are experiencing it for the first time will absolutely adore it.
— Rachel Leishman, CBR
While it is not as amazing as the animated version (which no one expected), it is still a really fun watch.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
Watching this was not a terribly unpleasant experience… Still, it’s hard not to get frustrated by watching something so determined to be the same, just slightly different.
— Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
I so desperately wanted this movie to surprise me, to justify itself, to prove me wrong. Unfortunately…while there’s nothing horrifically wrong with the film, there’s nothing particularly excellent about it either, with most of the elements falling disappointingly flat.
— Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
It leaves you wishing you were watching the animation instead.
— Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy
The best thing you can say about the new Moana is that the long, long list of people name-checked in the closing credits got paid.
— William Bibbiani, TheWrap
How does it compare to the original?
Moana captures what made the animated film such an instant classic.
— Rachel Leishman, CBR
The original Moana represented a homogenized take on Polynesian culture, and the attempt to flesh that out this time around is certainly admirable.
— Tyler Taing, Discussing Film
For better or worse, Disney’s new Moana is exactly the same movie, just told in a new medium.
— Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
Identical to Disney’s 2016 feature in virtually every respect, it’s an endeavor designed solely to motivate kids to bug their parents into ponying up for something they’ve already seen—only this time in a more plodding, perfunctory form.
— Nick Schager, The Daily Beast
Where the original film felt vibrant and original, there seems to be no authorial voice detectable here.
— John Nugent, Empire Magazine
Everything it does well, the 2016 version already did better.
— Taylor Gates, Collider
Is it better than the other live-action remakes?
It’s the best of these movies I’ve seen.
— Owen Gleiberman, Variety
This is easily one of Disney’s best live-action remakes.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
This is perhaps Disney’s most inoffensive live-action remake.
— Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
Moana is far from the worst Disney live-action remake, but it’s arguably the most redundant.
— William Bibbiani, TheWrap
The 2026 Moana demonstrates these flashy redos routinely stifle the charm that was in abundance in the original pictures.
— Tim Grierson, Screen International
Few have felt so recent, or seemed so pointless, as Moana.
— John Nugent, Empire Magazine
At least there aren’t any dwarfs in this one.
— Jacob Oller, AV Club
Does it feel necessary?
It may not be essential as a remake, but as a celebration of Polynesian culture and people on a massive Disney canvas, it absolutely matters.
— Nagier Chambers, Big Gold Belt Media
Did we need a live-action remake? Not really. But I can’t say I am all that mad at it.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
Is being a “good cover” enough to justify a big-budget remake of a beloved movie that isn’t even that old? Probably not, but there are worse ways to spend a night at the movies.
— Michael Walsh, Nerdist
It’s wholly unnecessary and only diminishes what made the original work so well.
— Kristen Lopez, The Film Maven
This feels like a superfluous piece of monetisable content.
— Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
As purposeless as big-screen summer spectaculars get—a would-be blockbuster driven purely by financial concerns and incapable of capturing its forerunner’s buoyant spirit.
— Nick Schager, The Daily Beast
Is there anything new to the script?
I found myself laughing out loud as new jokes were introduced.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
Unfortunately, Moana doesn’t even try to pretend to have any fresh ideas.
— Tyler Taing, Discussing Film
Those familiar with the 2016 original won’t be surprised by any plot twists or turns here… A Moana that dove harder into its climate change allegory would be that much more relevant to today.
— Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
Does it bring new ideas to the material? No. Does that matter? Also no.
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
It’s so indebted to the original that watching it feels numbing, offering nothing that the original didn’t provide in 2016.
— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire
How does this version look?
Cinematographer Oscar Faura integrates live action and CGI seamlessly… The production design by John Myhre is wonderfully inviting.
— Nell Minow, RogerEbert.com
It’s brimming with visual interest, vibrant color, gorgeous design elements (the fine detailing in Liz McGregor’s costumes is exquisite) and alluring tropical settings.
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
There’s a ton of CGI in the new Moana that’s executed quite artfully, and that helps to create a buoyant atmosphere of visual vibrance.
— Owen Gleiberman, Variety
The good news is that the film’s special effects are really excellent. The CGI, including Te Fiti, Hei Hei, the conscious water, Tamatoa, and a super fun and playful “You’re Welcome” sequence, all look great.
— Michael Walsh, Nerdist
It’s at least more colorful than what we’ve come to expect from Disney.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
The Kakamora scene, especially, is egregiously brown and difficult to follow as a result. But that’s the price you pay for realism, I guess.
— Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
The climax… is one of the ugliest things I have seen in a big-budget blockbuster in recent memory.
— Tyler Taing, Discussing Film
How is Dwayne Johnson’s Maui in live action?
Animation is an incredible medium, but it cannot match the full force of [his] charisma, hamming it up to just the right degree.
— Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
The real Johnson can’t help but project a shade more edge, which is all to the good.
— Owen Gleiberman, Variety
Johnson makes a really smart choice with his performance. Rather than play up Maui’s cartoonish nature, Johnson plays up the character’s human side.
— Michael Walsh, Nerdist
The downfall ends up being Johnson’s live-action take on Maui. It is jarring how phoned-in [his] performance is.
— Rachel Leishman, CBR
Dwayne Johnson simply seems tired, which is at odds with the energy of his character.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
The movie demands the Rock but what it got was just a rock.
— David Crow, Den of Geek
What about Catherine Laga’aia as Moana?
A tremendous lead performance… Catherine Lagaʻaia is the film’s brightest reason to exist.
— Nagier Chambers, Big Gold Belt Media
Catherine Laga’aia is an able heir to Auliʻi Cravalho’s spirit.
— Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
Catherine Laga’aia is a worthy successor to Auliʻi Cravalho. While her voice is not as powerful, she still handles these incredible songs like a champ.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
Laga’aia is captivating as Moana, albeit a little shaky at the start, and she really brings to life the determination and brilliance of the character that so many fell in love with.
— Rachel Leishman, CBR
It feels as if she was instructed to not deviate too far from Auliʻi Cravalho’s vocal choices from the original movie.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
Laga’aia is fine as Moana, but doesn’t exude the same capability or agility as the character in the animated movie.
— Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
Do they work well together?
Where Laga’aia really excels is in her chemistry with Johnson’s Maui.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
Much of the enjoyment comes from the scrappy rapport of the seemingly mismatched voyagers… Johnson and Laga’aia are terrific together as the reluctant buddies.
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
Johnson’s comedic chemistry with Moana actress Catherine Laga’aia helps to make their dynamic fun to watch.
— Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
The lines, humor, and back-and-forth between Lagaʻaia and Johnson remain one of the movie’s strengths. Their chemistry helps balance scenes that might otherwise feel too visually distracting.
— Nagier Chambers, Big Gold Belt Media
Laga’aia and Johnson have a snappy rapport, even if sometimes she’s clearly responding to the insert-VFX-later gaps of modern filmmaking.
— Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle
Are there any other performances worth mentioning?
While the movie belongs to Laga’aia (whose father is of Samoan descent) and Johnson, there are invaluable contributions from Tui and Adams as Moana’s proud parents.
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
One of the film’s most emotional successes is Rena Owen as Gramma Tala… [She] brings tenderness, wisdom, and spiritual presence to the role, making those scenes feel special all over again.
— Nagier Chambers, Big Gold Belt Media
I loved Jemaine Clement reprising his role as Tomatoa. It could have been no one else.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
How is the new song by Lin-Manuel Miranda?
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s superfluous but serviceable ditty “Along the Way” plays over the closing credits instead and wasn’t randomly shoved in elsewhere, all willy-nilly.
— William Bibbiani, TheWrap
It’s an affable number, very sweetly sung by Laga’aia and original Moana actress Cravalho, but slightly tanked by a terrible rap from Johnson.
— Emma Simmonds, Radio Times
The one new song he wrote for the movie is forgettable — “Along the Way,” which comes complete with Johnson rapping once again, only plays over the closing credits. It’s also surprisingly reminiscent of the equally forgettable Moana 2 songs.
— Tasha Robinson, Polygon
The first draft-esque lyrics (“Find your strength, find that voice inside, remind yourself then find yourself along the way”) and unmemorable melody make the song feel like homework done the morning it’s due.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
Will we still enjoy the old songs?
What makes these moments special is not just hearing the songs again, but seeing them performed in live action by performers who bring real presence and cultural weight to them.
— Nagier Chambers, Big Gold Belt Media
It’s really cool to see them adapted into live-action sequences. Is this the soundtrack I will listen to over and over? No, that honor belongs to the animated film. But it does work for the film.
— Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
There are moments where the musical sequences almost elevate the remake. But they fail to stand on their own as well-done reinterpretations, because they are practically mirror versions of the original.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
The actors inject so much personality into the numbers that it seems churlish to quibble.
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
Is there a standout number?
There is one sequence in the remake of Moana that feels like it was worth all the time, effort, and money… Johnson performing Maui’s hit number “You’re Welcome” live.
— Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
Only with “You’re Welcome” does the film dare to make a visual choice of its own, taking the colorful animations from the original and amplifying them significantly.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
Tellingly, the most inspired visual moment, Johnson’s big solo number “You’re Welcome,” is the one with its foot most firmly planted in the animated world, incorporating 2D traditional mural paintings to create what amounts to a psychedelic Busby Berkeley number.
— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire
The ancestor-tribute ‘We Know The Way’ proves particularly moving, especially when performed by a huge ensemble of Pacific Islander actors.
— John Nugent, Empire Magazine
Should Disney have waited to remake Moana?
In principle, I would agree, but the new Moana is a captivating family entertainment that deserves to find an audience.
— David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
The film still carries that lingering feeling of being too soon. The animated version is not some forgotten classic in need of revival.
— Nagier Chambers, Big Gold Belt Media
There’s an argument to be made for reimagining Disney classics for a whole new generation, but the original version of Moana only came out 10 years ago.
— Tasha Robinson, Polygon
There hasn’t even been enough time for the original, as excellent as it is, to calcify into a widely recognized source of cultural longing for yesterday.
— Cody Dericks, AwardsWatch
Moana opens in theaters July 10, 2026. Get your tickets here.
