A Stunning Number of People Watched the First Trailer For Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’
After the massive success of Lilo & Stitch earlier this year, Disney is getting back into the live-action remake business with its upcoming release of Moana.
Set to hit theaters 10 years after the original animated film was released, Disney’s live-action Moana will see Dwayne Johnson reprise his iconic role as Maui. The titular wayfinder, however, will not be portrayed by Auli’i Cravalho, but by newcomer Catherine Laga’aia.
Photo: Disney
Joining them will be John Tui as Moana’s father, Chief Tui; Frankie Adams, who portrays Moana’s mother Sina; and Rena Owen as Moana’s Gramma Tala.
The First Teaser Was Released Earlier This Week
After touting the film for years, Disney finally shared a first look at the live-action Moana earlier this week in the form of a new teaser trailer.
In the clip, audiences get a first look at the island of Motunui, see Maui’s entrance, meet the Kakamora, and finally, come face to face with Laga’aia’s Moana.
While the teaser offered only a glimpse of what is to come, it has clearly resonated with fans.
Record-Breaking Viewership
According to a new report from Deadline, the first live-action Moana trailer garnered 182 million views in its first 24 hours.
Scenes from Disney’s live-action MOANA. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
That gave the film the second-most viewed trailer ever for a Disney live-action remake, behind only 2019’s The Lion King.
Additionally, the Moana trailer’s 24-hour views trailed only The Fantastic Four: First Steps (202 million) and The Devil Wears Prada 2 (185 million) among all 2026 trailers.
Another Disney Blockbuster?
While trailer views do not necessarily equate to box-office success, it is clear that there is plenty of buzz surrounding Disney’s live-action Moana.
Catherina Laga’aia as Moana in Disney’s live-action MOANA. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
After the teaser was released, social media was abuzz with praise for the film’s cinematic landscapes and faithfulness to its source material.
By the look of things, Disney will soon have another live-action blockbuster on its hands.
Photo: Disney
Moana will hit theaters on July 10, 2026.
