Walt Disney Studios released the first teaser trailer and promotional poster for the live-action remake of Moana on Monday. The footage offers the first official look at Dwayne Johnson physically reprising his role as the trickster demigod Maui, complete with animated tattoos, alongside 17-year-old newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia in her feature film debut as the titular hero.
The studio confirmed the film will be released exclusively in theaters on July 10, 2026, aligning with the 10th anniversary of the original animated feature. The promotional drop was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes featurette titled “Artistry of Moana,” which showcased costume design, choreography, and the directorial process.
The ensemble cast includes John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as her mother, Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Tony Award-winner Thomas Kail makes his feature film directorial debut with the project. Original Moana voice actor Auli’i Cravalho serves as an executive producer alongside Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Disney’s live-action strategy continues to pull heavily from its established catalog, a major driver in the global entertainment market. The original 2016 animated Moana generated over $643 million at the worldwide box office. The franchise recently expanded with the animated sequel Moana 2, which released theatrically in 2024 after initially being developed as a streaming series.
Johnson first announced the live-action adaptation in April 2023 from Hawaii. Principal photography concluded in late 2024 in locations including Georgia, following industry-wide production pauses tied to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes.