‘Moana’ Live-Action Teaser Sets New Record
Disney’s live-action Moana teaser has made a big splash online, earning 182 million views in its first 24 hours, according to reports. That makes it one of the most-watched Disney live-action trailers ever, second only to the 2019 The Lion King teaser, which hit 225 million views.
Among all movie trailers released this year, the Moana teaser ranks third on its first day, behind Fantastic Four: First Steps with 202 million views and The Devil Wears Prada 2, which earned 185 million views in 24 hours, according to Deadline. The film is set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, and Disney clearly hopes it will be another major box office success.
The live-action adaptation is directed by Tony winner Thomas Kail and stars newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana.
#Moana, arriving only at #DolbyCinema July 10, 2026 🌊 Watch the new teaser now! pic.twitter.com/M8oc2SGI4P
— Dolby (@Dolby) November 20, 2025
Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui. The story follows Moana as she answers the ocean’s call, leaving her island of Motunui for the first time with Maui to go on a dangerous and exciting quest to save her people. Fans will also meet the Kakamora, a tribe that is both intimidating and adorable.
Despite the record-breaking views, the trailer received mixed reactions on social media. Many questioned why Disney would remake Moana so soon after the original 2016 film. One fan wrote, “Didn’t Moana literally just come out or something? Aren’t they working on Moana 3 or something? There is 0 reason this needs to exist.”
Others criticized the CGI, saying it looked cheap for a so-called live-action film. “Looks like the typical cheap CGI, green screen slop we’ve been getting out of these remakes. This one in particular had the chance to look really gorgeous, but Disney just can’t help themselves,” another fan posted.
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