Disney's Live-Action Moana Earns $4.5 Million in Thursday Preview Screenings

Disney's live-action Moana opened to $4.5 million in U.S. Thursday previews, though early critical reception is mixed.

Disney's live-action remake of Moana brought in $4.5 million during Thursday night preview screenings in the United States, marking the film's first box office data point ahead of its wide opening weekend. The preview figure gives an early indication of audience turnout for the adaptation, which follows the animated 2016 original. Thursday preview earnings are typically used as a leading indicator for a film's full opening-weekend performance. Early critical reception has not been universally warm. At least one reviewer described the film as a waste of time, while the same roundup highlighted lesser-known releases — listed as Redux Redux and Wardriver — as more worthwhile options for moviegoers this weekend. Other films in wide release or newly available this weekend include Evil Dead Burn in theaters, The Furious available for rental, and Faces of Death streaming on Shudder.

Why it matters

The live-action Moana is one of Disney's major theatrical releases of the season, and its opening weekend performance will signal how audiences are responding to the studio's ongoing slate of live-action animated remakes.

What's next

Full opening weekend box office figures for Moana will be reported after Sunday, providing a clearer picture of the film's commercial performance.

Key facts

• Disney's live-action Moana earned $4.5 million in U.S. Thursday preview screenings
• The film is a live-action remake of Disney's 2016 animated feature
• At least one critic called Moana 'a waste of time' in early reviews
• Other new releases this weekend include Evil Dead Burn (theaters), The Furious (rental), and Faces of Death (Shudder streaming)
• Smaller films Redux Redux and Wardriver were highlighted as alternative recommendations by one outlet

Bias & framing notes

Deadline focused strictly on the box office preview number with no critical commentary, while Yahoo's roundup took a negative editorial stance on Moana itself and pivoted to promoting alternative titles — a framing shaped by its 'what to watch' format rather than straight news reporting. The two sources cover different angles of the same release weekend rather than directly conflicting on facts.

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