NashvilleGab - Dwayne Johnson’s live-action Moana draws some of his harshest reviews in years

Disney released its live-action Moana remake in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026, with Dwayne Johnson returning as the demigod Maui. The movie has received predominantly negative reviews, although it is not the worst-reviewed project of Johnson’s career.

The remake arrives nearly 10 years after Disney released the animated original in November 2016. That film earned more than $680 million worldwide and was followed by the commercially successful Moana 2. The new version’s reception has renewed debate over Disney’s strategy of remaking recent animated hits.

Critics pan the remake

Several major outlets sharply criticized Disney’s live-action Moana. The Associated Press described it as a “lifeless carbon copy” and argued that translating the story into live action diminished much of the animation’s imagination and charm.

The Independent criticized the remake as a largely unnecessary use of its cast and material, while The Guardian called it competent but “basically pointless and unexciting.” Reviewers frequently questioned what the new version added beyond a more realistic visual presentation.

The negative reviews commonly focused on the film’s close resemblance to the animated original, its extensive reliance on CGI, and the difficulty of recreating the animated original’s expressive characters in a live-action setting.

Rotten Tomatoes score plunges

The live-action Moana currently holds a 34% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 140 reviews. Because new reviews are still being added, that figure may change following the film’s July 10 release.

By comparison, the original 2016 animated film holds a 95% Tomatometer score. The sizable difference reflects a much weaker critical response to the remake, with many reviews criticizing its close adherence to the original and questioning the need for a live-action retelling.

The remake ranks among Disney’s less well-reviewed live-action adaptations, though its exact position can change depending on which films are included and as additional reviews affect its score.

Dwayne Johnson arrives at a movie premiere. — *Source: Image Press Agency/Depositphotos*

Johnson faces harsh backlash

Johnson received some of the remake’s most pointed criticism, with reviewers frequently comparing his live-action performance unfavorably with his energetic voice work in the 2016 animated film.

The Guardian said Johnson appeared to be “on autopilot, like a piece of software,” although the review also acknowledged some humor and a pleasant rapport between him and Catherine Lagaʻaia. The Associated Press similarly said his performance struggled to match the energy of his animated Maui.

Other reviewers focused more heavily on Johnson’s costume, prosthetics, and overall appearance than on his chemistry with Lagaʻaia. The response was not unanimously negative, but his performance became a major part of the broader critical debate surrounding the remake.

Wig becomes a running joke

Johnson’s transformation into Maui became an unexpected focus of the film’s publicity and reviews. His appearance involved a wig, prosthetics, and a tattooed bodysuit designed to replicate the animated demigod’s distinctive build and hair.

Vulture compared Johnson’s physique to a Stretch Armstrong toy, while the Associated Press referred to him as appearing with “Fabio hair.” The Independent and The Telegraph also criticized the artificial appearance of his wig and costume.

The hairstyle inspired online jokes before the film’s release, and Johnson responded with humor. Johnson has also said that his grandfather, Samoan wrestling chief Peter Maivia, helped inspire aspects of Disney’s Maui.

Fun fact: Dwayne Johnson said his grandfather, Samoan chief Peter Maivia, inspired Maui’s look.

Johnson follows The Smashing Machine with Moana

Johnson’s live-action Moana arrives less than a year after The Smashing Machine, the Benny Safdie-directed sports drama in which he portrayed mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. The film premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival and received strong notices for Johnson’s dramatic performance.

The Smashing Machine struggled at the box office, giving Johnson his weakest domestic opening as a leading actor. However, it was not ignored during awards season: Johnson and co-star Emily Blunt received major nominations, and the film also earned recognition for its makeup and hairstyling.

The two movies represent very different parts of Johnson’s career. While The Smashing Machine was a dramatic departure, Moana returned him to a familiar role and a major Disney franchise. The remake’s poor critical reception has nevertheless renewed discussion about audience fatigue with closely replicated animated classics.

Moana faces a soft opening

The live-action Moana reportedly cost approximately $250 million to produce, making it a particularly expensive Disney release. After earning about $4.5 million from domestic preview screenings, the film was projected to open with approximately $40 million to $45 million in the U.S. and Canada.

That would represent a soft start for a production with such a large reported budget. However, the film opened domestically on July 10, and its final opening-weekend total was not yet available as of July 11.

Disney will also earn revenue from international theaters and later home-entertainment distribution. The movie’s eventual financial outcome, therefore, cannot be determined from its preliminary domestic projection alone.

Some critics praise the film

Not every review of the live-action Moana has been negative. Variety called it the strongest of Disney’s live-action remakes and praised the production for rising above many of the problems associated with the studio’s previous retellings.

RogerEbert.com also offered a positive assessment, praising the film’s sincerity, humor, music, and central characters. Other favorable reviews highlighted Catherine Lagaʻaia’s performance, the Polynesian cast, and the physical detail brought to Motunui.

Those reviews remain in the minority according to Rotten Tomatoes, where the film currently has a 34% critics’ score. The divided response nevertheless indicates that some reviewers found it effective as family entertainment despite widespread criticism of its similarity to the animated original.

What comes next for Johnson

Johnson’s career is not slowing down despite the setback. He is set to star in Jumanji 4, a franchise that has performed reliably well for him in the past. That project may offer a chance to rebuild momentum after two difficult outings in a row.

The broader question remains whether Disney will rethink its remake strategy going forward. Repeated box office disappointments suggest audiences want something more than familiar stories retold with real actors. Studios may need fresh approaches to justify future live-action adaptations of animated classics.

For now, Moana stands as a reminder that nostalgia alone cannot guarantee success. Even beloved source material and a proven star cannot overcome lackluster execution. The film’s reception offers a clear signal about what audiences expect from big-budget remakes today.

Interesting fact: Maui was originally designed to be bald, like Dwayne Johnson, but Disney’s cultural advisers objected because they considered the demigod’s hair an important expression of his mana, or spiritual power. The filmmakers restored Maui’s long hair, which Johnson wears as a wig in the live-action version.

Close-up of Dwayne Johnson at an event. — *Source: s_bukley/Depositphotos*

TL;DR

Disney’s live-action remake of Moana earned Dwayne Johnson the worst reviews of his career.
The film debuted at just 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, far below the original’s 95%.
Critics mocked Johnson’s wig and called his performance flat and uninspired throughout.
The $250 million budget faces a disappointing opening weekend at the US box office.
A few outlets, such as Variety and RogerEbert.com, praised the film’s visuals and family appeal.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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