In a box office battle that pitted ancient myth against modern animation, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has emerged as the undisputed champion, leaving Disney's live-action Moana remake struggling to stay afloat. The epic adventure, starring Matt Damon, raked in a staggering $260 million worldwide in its opening weekend, while Moana has managed just $170 million globally since its debut—a gap of $178 million that shows no signs of closing.
Disney's decision to revisit the 2016 animated hit just a decade later—and only two years after the sequel Moana 2—has backfired spectacularly. The live-action version, featuring Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Catherine Laga'aia, opened to mediocre reviews and a tepid $43 million domestically in its first weekend. By its second frame, the film had plummeted 55%, earning only $18 million and pushing its domestic total to just over $80 million. Critics have been harsh, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding it a 31% score, while audiences have been more forgiving at 89%.
Meanwhile, The Odyssey is riding a wave of critical and commercial success. With a 95% critics' score and a 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Nolan's film has been hailed as a reinvention of Homer's classic. The consensus reads, "Reinvigorating an ancient adventure with majestic sweep and sterling work by its colossal ensemble, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey imbues myth with primal human feeling." The movie also set a record for Matt Damon's biggest opening weekend and gave Nolan his strongest global launch, surpassing even The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
Both films carried a $250 million price tag, but the returns couldn't be more different. While The Odyssey is already profitable, Moana faces an uphill battle to break even. The remake's underperformance has sparked debate about Disney's strategy of revisiting beloved animated classics too soon. As one industry insider noted, the short window between the original, its sequel, and this live-action retelling may have diluted audience interest. For a deeper dive into why some remakes fail, check out our list of pointless remakes that should have never been rebooted.
Nolan's success has also had a ripple effect on streaming. His previous film, Oppenheimer, has surged back into the iTunes top 10, while the 2004 epic Troy has seen a resurgence in viewership. For more on how The Odyssey is reshaping the landscape, read our analysis of how Nolan's epic sent Troy back to streaming glory.
As Moana struggles to find its sea legs, Disney is already looking ahead. The studio has announced a new Princess Tiana movie, penned by Colman Domingo, signaling a shift away from live-action remakes of recent hits. For now, though, the box office belongs to Nolan and his ancient mariners. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this developing story.
