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Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Moana has officially sailed into theaters, bringing a fascinating divide between box office expectations, critical reviews, and actual audience reactions.
Related – Disney’s Live-Action Moana Brings Massive $40 Million Dollar Economic Boost to Hawaii
The Opening Weekend Box Office Numbers
On the financial side, the film is hitting a bit of a bumpy wave. Early domestic industry tracking estimates put the live-action Moana on track for a $42 million to $46 million opening weekend. The movie secured the number one spot at the box office, pulling in roughly $18 million on its opening Friday and preview screenings.
While a number one debut is always a win, the total lands noticeably below the $60+ million expectations analysts predicted just a week ago and sits quite a bit under the numbers put up by last year’s massive animated hit Moana 2. With a production budget estimated at around $200 million to $250 million, Disney will be looking heavily toward steady week-to-week holds and global turnouts to build long-term momentum.
Critics Slam It But Fans Make It Verified Hot
While film critics have been largely unenthusiastic—landing the movie at a soft 33% critical approval score on Rotten Tomatoes—everyday Disney fans are telling a completely different story.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the live-action Moana has officially been branded “Verified Hot” by general audiences. With well over 500 verified ratings submitted by real theatergoers, the movie is holding onto a stellar 90% audience score.
A quick look at the user reviews shows that families and major fans of the original story are heavily supporting the film. Many reviews mention that it is a beautiful, heartwarming watch to experience with the kids, highlighting that the public’s deep love for these characters is translating perfectly to the big screen. CinemaScore polls echo this fan praise, awarding the movie a solid A- grade. Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia’s performance as the titular princess and Dwayne Johnson’s return as Maui have also continued to serve as a major high point for viewers.
Ultimately, even if the opening weekend box office numbers did not break studio records, the strong word-of-mouth and the “Verified Hot” seal from fans could give this tropical adventure the staying power it needs throughout the summer movie season.
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