Disney's live-action Moana has officially begun its streaming redemption arc. After a theatrical run that fell far short of expectations, the film made its Disney+ debut this week and immediately shot to the top of the global streaming charts, according to FlixPatrol. It's a much-needed win for a movie that was one of the biggest box office disappointments of 2026.
The remake, which starred Dwayne Johnson and was directed by Thomas Kail, grossed approximately $324 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $250 million. That's a far cry from the original 2016 animated Moana, which earned over $600 million globally, and even Moana 2, which crossed $1 billion in 2024. Critics were not kind either, with the film holding a 33% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences have been more forgiving, giving it a solid audience score—a pattern that has followed several of Johnson's recent films.
The film's theatrical struggles were part of a broader trend for Disney in 2026. Earlier in the year, The Mandalorian and Grogu underperformed, grossing less than $350 million worldwide against a $160 million budget, making it the lowest-grossing live-action Star Wars film since Disney acquired Lucasfilm. But Moana was an even bigger miss, and its streaming success offers a glimmer of hope for the studio's strategy of pushing big-budget titles to its platform.
For Johnson, Moana continued a rough patch at the box office, following disappointments like Jungle Cruise, Black Adam, and Red One. He's hoping to bounce back with Jumanji: Open World this December, though it faces stiff competition from Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday, both releasing the same week. The actor also earned Oscar buzz for The Smashing Machine, but that hasn't translated to theatrical gold.
Despite the film's rocky start, its streaming performance suggests there's still an audience for the beloved story. The question now is whether Disney can sustain this momentum. The studio has seen mixed results with streaming revivals; some films, like Guy Ritchie's In the Grey, managed to hold the top spot for weeks, while others faded quickly.
Disney has been leaning heavily on its streaming platform to recoup losses from theatrical underperformers. With Moana now leading the Disney+ charts, the film may have found its true home. Whether it can match the longevity of other streaming hits remains to be seen, but for now, it's a welcome bright spot in an otherwise challenging year for the studio.
As the industry watches how long Moana can sustain its streaming dominance, it's clear that the film's journey is far from over. For fans who missed it in theaters, or those who want to revisit the magic, Disney+ is now the place to be. And for Disney, it's a reminder that even a box office bomb can find a second life in the streaming era.
