3 key reasons Disney's 'Moana' flopped in its box-office debut
Disney's live-action remake of 'Moana' underperformed at the box office, raising questions about the studio's reliance on remaking animated classics. Analysts suggest the film's lack of originality and stiff competition contributed to the disappointing debut.
Why it matters
The failure of a major franchise film suggests a potential shift in consumer appetite and challenges Disney's long-standing strategy of recycling intellectual property.
The live-action remake of "Moana" didn't draw as many fans from the couch as expected. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Disney Disney's new "Moana" movie fell flat in its box-office debut. The movie avoided controversy, but didn't excite audiences. It also faced competition from "Toy Story 5" and "Minions & Monsters." "Moana" bellyflopped in its box-office debut, and the miss should provide Disney film executives with some hard-earned lessons. Disney's new live-action remake about the uber-popular Polynesian princess failed to bring audiences aboard, with a $43 million domestic opening that was only slightly above the disastrous start for the "Snow White" remake last year. "'Moana's' performance this weekend certainly has everyone questioning the animation-to-live-action strategy often employed by Disney," said Paul Dergarabedian, the head of marketplace trends at media research firm Rentrak.
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