While some of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s movies haven’t performed well in theaters recently, one of his films is now a huge hit on Disney+, becoming one of the platform’s most popular titles just two years after it first came out.
This week, the new movie Moana 2 is very popular on Disney+, ranking as the fourth most-streamed film in the United States according to FlixPatrol. It’s performing just ahead of the original Moana at number five. Both Moana films are currently more popular than other big titles like Avatar: Fire and Ash and two Spider-Man movies, as of before the release of Brand New Day this weekend.
The Moana Brand Is Fine Despite the Remake’s Failure
While Moana 2 is performing well on streaming platforms, the Moana franchise is facing challenges in theaters. The live-action remake of the original movie, released on July 10th, didn’t resonate with audiences so soon after the first film came out. It had a disappointing opening weekend and has been overshadowed by more popular movies like The Odyssey. And now, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiering this weekend, its theatrical run faces even greater competition.
Even though the recent live-action version hasn’t done well, people still love the Moana franchise overall. The two animated movies are incredibly popular, with the original from 2016 consistently ranking among the most-watched titles on Disney+. The issue isn’t with Moana itself, but with the rushed and disappointing remake that wasn’t really needed.
What’s Next for Moana?
A live-action version of Moana doesn’t seem to have a future. The recent remake, released in 2026, performed poorly at the box office, earning only $231 million worldwide and becoming one of Disney’s biggest flops. This means a live-action Moana 2 is unlikely. However, the original animated films are still worth continuing as a franchise.
Disney is currently developing a third Moana movie. Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller are writing the screenplay, and Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will reprise their roles as Moana and Maui. Details about the story and a release date haven’t been announced yet.
While Moana remains a beloved character, Disney should focus on continuing her story through animated adventures rather than live-action remakes. The original animated world captured audiences’ hearts a decade ago, and that’s where the focus should remain.
Moana 2 is available to stream on Disney+.
2026-07-29 21:39