Disney set for 2026 live-action Moana with near-identical plot
Thomas Kail's film keeps the 2016 animated story, while emphasizing ocean visuals, tropical landscapes and Motunui cultural details.
Disney will bring "Moana" to theaters in a live-action version in 2026, taking an approach that stays very close to the 2016 animated film. The Thomas Kail production follows Moana, played by Catherine Lagaʻaia, as she sails from Motunui Island to find Maui and restore the heart of Te Fiti to save her island. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, alongside John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina and Rena Owen as Tala. According to an Antara review, many scenes, the story structure and dialogue are kept almost identical to the animated version. The main changes are in the live-action presentation, from sweeping seas and tropical landscapes to costumes, music and island cultural elements rendered more realistically.