Trailer: Disney's 'Moana' Is Back — Here’s Why You Should Be Hyped

The sea is calling again. Disney’s live-action remake of Moana is scheduled for July 10, 2026 — and the first trailer has already dropped.

For those who grew up with the 2016 animated classic — and for a new generation coming after — this version promises something fresh: real waves, real stunts, real stakes.

What’s New — And What’s Familiar

• Live-action Moana: The character is now played by 18-year-old Catherine Laga'aia.

• Maui is back, baby: Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod — adding muscle, humour, and nostalgia.

• Original spirit intact: The plot reportedly retains the heart of the animated film — ocean voyages, mythic stakes, cultural lore — but with live-action grit and grounded visuals.

  
  

Disney frames this not just as a remake — but as a “human-versus-elements” adventure. That means stronger sea sequences, real-world danger, and a visceral intensity that animation can’t quite capture.

 The Numbers Back the Hype — Even for Africa

This isn’t just about nostalgia. The Moana brand has proven itself — on screens across the globe, and crucially, all the way to Nigeria.

• The 2024 sequel, Moana 2, crossed ₦300 million at Nigerian cinemas within four weeks. That shows African theatres are still eating up these big-budget animated adventures.

• Global audiences also responded: Moana 2 hit over $1 billion worldwide, signalling that despite shifting tastes and streaming wars, stories about ocean, identity and heritage still travel.

If the live-action Moana doubles down on emotion + spectacle + sea — it has a shot at becoming a pan-African blockbuster again.