Summary (tl;dr)

Disney has released the first full trailer for its upcoming live-action "Moana" movie, starring Dwayne Johnson as Maui, driving significant public interest, especially following the immense box office success of the animated sequel, "Moana 2," which premiered in late 2024.

Essential Background

The original animated film "Moana" was released in 2016 and quickly became a highly successful Disney production. A live-action adaptation was announced in April 2023, with Dwayne Johnson confirming his return as the demigod Maui. In a surprising move, Disney also released an animated sequel, "Moana 2," in theaters on November 27, 2024, which was initially planned as a Disney+ series but was repurposed for a theatrical release due to its impressive quality. "Moana 2" went on to gross over $1 billion globally and became available on Disney+ in March 2025.

The Full Story

Today, Monday, March 23, 2026, Disney officially released the first full trailer for its highly anticipated live-action "Moana" film. The trailer offers a detailed look at Dwayne Johnson reprising his iconic role as Maui and introduces Catherine Laga'aia as the titular heroine. This release has ignited fresh excitement and discussion across social media, leading to a surge in searches for "Moana live action," "Dwayne Johnson," and "Moana 2" as fans revisit information about the entire franchise. The live-action film, directed by Thomas Kail, completed principal photography in Atlanta and Hawaii between July and November 2024 and is slated for a theatrical release on July 10, 2026.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords reflect significant public anticipation for Disney's continued expansion of the "Moana" franchise. The immediate popularity of the live-action trailer underscores the cultural impact of the original film and the widespread appeal of its characters, particularly Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of Maui. The back-to-back releases and successes of both an animated sequel ("Moana 2") and an upcoming live-action remake demonstrate Disney's strategy to maximize engagement with its beloved intellectual properties across multiple formats, ensuring the story's continued relevance and profitability. The strong interest also indicates a potential for both films to perform well, with the live-action version following in the footsteps of other successful Disney remakes.

Geographic Location

• Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Headquarters, Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, United States (trailer release and distribution for Moana live-action and Moana 2)
• Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States (principal photography for live-action Moana occurred between July and November 2024)
• Pokai Bay, Waianae, Oahu, Hawaii, United States (live-action Moana filming in November 2024)
• Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute, Kapolei, Hawaii, United States (Moana 2 world premiere on November 21, 2024)
• Virtual/Online (release of the official trailer for the live-action Moana movie)