Final 'Moana' Trailer
Disney unveils final 'Moana' live-action trailer, revealing ocean adventure and returning cast favorites
Key Points
Disney said the film is backed by an all-star producer team that includes Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The studio also named multiple executive producers: Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, Thomas Kail, and Aulii Cravalho—who previously voiced Moana in Disney’s animated “Moana” and “Moana 2.”
Disney’s official synopsis for the live-action version says Moana “answers the Ocean’s call” and “for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui,” framing the journey as one meant to “restore prosperity to her people.”
In promotional descriptions accompanying the trailer, Maui is characterized as a “larger than life and egotistical shapeshifting demigod named Maui,” and Dwayne Johnson is described as “charismatic and funny” in the role.
Disney dropped the final trailer for its live-action *Moana* on June 10, 2026, and tickets are now on sale ahead of the film's July 10 theatrical release. ABC News reports the film stars Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui, with Jemaine Clement back as the glitz-obsessed giant crab Tamatoa.
The trailer racked up 85 million views across all platforms within its first 24 hours, per Disney's own analytics. Director Thomas Kail helms the project, with original music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina, who also composed the full orchestral score.
Moana Voyages Beyond the Reef for the First Time
Disney's official synopsis says Moana "answers the Ocean's call" and "for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui" to restore prosperity to her people. ABC News notes the film follows the same core story beats as the beloved 2016 animated original, but with real-world ocean visuals and a photorealistic look.
The full family cast is along for the journey. Rena Owen plays Gramma Tala, John Tui plays Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams plays Sina, according to Ice Cream Convos. The trailer showcases the same themes of courage, identity, and destiny that made the animated film a global hit with $643.3 million at the worldwide box office.
Tamatoa Steals the Trailer and Clement Returns
One of the biggest reveals in the final trailer is the return of Tamatoa, the self-obsessed giant crab obsessed with shiny things. Jemaine Clement reprises the role, and Ice Cream Convos says the character was the most talked-about moment from the new footage. Fans reacted strongly online to seeing how the CGI creature translates from animation to a photorealistic style.
Dwayne Johnson's Maui is described in Disney's promotional materials as a "larger than life and egotistical shapeshifting demigod," with Johnson himself called "charismatic and funny" in the role. Johnson has said publicly, "This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people's grace and warrior strength."
Original Moana Voice Actress Now Helps Run the Show
Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in both the 2016 animated film and the 2024 sequel *Moana 2*, chose not to reprise the role on screen. Instead, she joined the film as an executive producer. Cravalho has said, "It is vital that the casting accurately reflects the characters and stories we want to tell," per Head Topics.
Catherine Lagaʻaia, the Sydney-born actress of Samoan descent who plays Moana, said in a Disney statement, "I'm honored to have this opportunity to celebrate my Pacific Islander heritage and to represent girls who look like me." Disney also embedded cultural consultants throughout production to ensure authentic Pacific Islander representation on screen.
A $250 Million Bet on Disney's Biggest Animated Brand
Industry insiders estimate the film's production budget at $200 million to $250 million, with marketing spend topping $100 million, per Head Topics. That is a major wager, but Disney has data on its side. The original *Moana* was streamed for over 11.6 billion minutes in 2023 alone, making it one of the most-watched titles on Disney+ for over four consecutive years, according to Nielsen.
Analysts say *Moana* is Disney's "safest bet" of 2026 given the character's massive streaming popularity. Producers on the film include Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film arrives in theaters worldwide on July 10, 2026.
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