Disney’s live-action 'Moana' eyes $130 million global debut at the box office

Disney's live-action 'Moana' is projected to open with over $130 million worldwide during its debut weekend.

Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana is projected to make a strong debut at the global box office, with industry forecasts estimating an opening of more than $130 million worldwide during its first weekend in cinemas.

According to early tracking, the film is expected to earn over $60 million domestically, while international markets could contribute an additional $70 million to $75 million, bringing its worldwide opening to approximately $130 million or more. The film will launch in around 3,900 North American theatres, including IMAX, 3D, 4DX and other premium formats.

Directed by Thomas Kail, the remake sees Dwayne Johnson reprise his role as the demigod Maui, while Catherine Laga'aia takes over the title role of Moana from Auli'i Cravalho. The film revisits the story of Disney's 2016 animated hit, which became one of the studio's most successful modern franchises.

Despite optimism surrounding the release, industry analysts have questioned whether audiences are experiencing "Moana fatigue" following the enormous success of Moana 2, which surpassed $1 billion worldwide after its release less than two years ago. However, Disney remains confident, citing the original film's enduring popularity on Disney+, where it has consistently ranked among the platform's most-watched titles since launch.

Advance ticket sales currently suggest a domestic opening in the $60 million-plus range, slightly below earlier projections of $75 million. The film is expected to perform particularly well with families and female audiences, while key international markets include Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

If projections hold, Moana will give Disney another major box office success as the summer movie season continues to outperform last year's theatrical market.