23
Credit: DisneySomething big just happened inside the world of Disney, and fans are not taking it well. The company made a move involving Moana that should have been an easy win—after all, it’s one of the most beloved modern Disney stories.
Instead, the reaction has been anything but celebratory. Social media feels like it’s on fire, fan discussions are getting louder by the minute, and plenty of longtime Disney supporters are wondering what exactly the studio was thinking. Whatever Disney expected, this wasn’t it.
The frustration didn’t appear out of nowhere. The moment the news broke, fans started pushing back, and now the conversation has snowballed into something much bigger. People who adore the Moana franchise are voicing their disappointment, confusion, and in some cases, outright outrage.
Moana Already Had an Unbreakable Bond With Fans
When the original Moana (2016) arrived, it was an instant hit. Audiences fell in love with the film’s gorgeous ocean setting, heartfelt storyline, and unforgettable music that stuck in everyone’s head for months. Moana quickly became one of Disney’s most adored heroines because she didn’t wait around for magic—she created her own.
The story still feels fresh, and when Disney announced Moana 2 (2024), excitement surged again. Fans were thrilled to return to the world they cherished. The sequel kept the energy going, proving this franchise still had more to offer. There was no drought of enthusiasm, no sense that Moana needed saving. Everything was working just fine.
And maybe that’s why the next step Disney took is hitting people so hard.
A Live Action Version With a Brand New Star
Disney then decided to move forward with a live-action remake of Moana, this time starring Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana. The choice received mixed reactions at first—not because of Lagaʻaia herself, but because fans questioned why the film needed a remake at all. Then came another major reveal: Dwayne Johnson would reprise his role as Maui in live-action form.
The cast itself wasn’t the problem. Many fans adore Johnson and were curious to see how the film would translate to live footage. But curiosity doesn’t guarantee approval, and once the marketing machine kicked in, things took a turn.
And it all escalated even more once Disney finally dropped what everyone had been waiting for.
Fans Aren’t Holding Back
Disney released the official trailer for the live-action Moana, and instead of building excitement, it did the exact opposite. Fans absolutely tore it apart.
Within minutes, the comment sections on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X filled with criticism. Some of it was lighthearted, some was sarcastic, and some came from people genuinely upset by how the project turned out.
The number of frustrated reactions continued to grow, with viewers saying the trailer felt unnecessary, uninspired, or simply too similar to the animated version. And unfortunately for Disney, that critique kept coming up again and again.
The Problem With Moana
One of the biggest complaints is the heavy use of CGI. Fans were expecting something that brought the story into the real world—but instead, many say it looks almost exactly like the animated film, just with more computer effects layered over it.
That’s a problem when a live-action remake is supposed to ground the story in reality.
Comments poured in saying the film didn’t look any more “live” than the original animated version. Despite the talent involved, the visual approach left people confused. Why recreate something shot-for-shot if the result doesn’t feel any different?
And that leads straight into the other major issue: timing.
Fans keep pointing out that Moana isn’t even a decade old yet. The original film was released in 2016—relatively recent compared to most Disney classics. People are asking why a story so new needs to be remade at all. To many, it feels like Disney is running low on ideas, reusing the same concepts, and recycling films that don’t need retelling. Sequels, reboots, remakes—fans feel like they’ve seen enough.
The Comments Say It All
Fans wasted no time expressing their true feelings. Some of the quotes spreading online are going viral on their own.
One person wrote, “Remastering something from 2016 is crazy.”
Another said, “Why does this need to exist?”
Someone else joked, “Hey Siri, generate a live-action trailer of Moana.”
And perhaps the most cutting one: “This ‘live’ action looks more CGI than the original.”
These reactions aren’t isolated complaints. They reflect the overall mood right now—disappointed, annoyed, and exhausted with Disney’s remake strategy.
Live-Action Films That Actually Make Sense
What makes the frustration even stronger is that fans aren’t universally opposed to remakes. They’re just confused why Disney keeps choosing its newer films instead of the ones people actually want to see revisited.
Many are pointing out that it’s been a full decade since movies like Tangled (2010), Hercules (1997), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), and Treasure Planet (2002) were released. These films already possess nostalgic power and built-in fan bases waiting for a new interpretation.
Instead, the studio continues circling back to recent hits—projects that don’t feel old enough to need a new version.
It’s Time for Disney to Listen
Disney has a lot riding on this live-action remake of Moana, but the early reaction is sending a clear message. Fans love the story deeply, but they aren’t convinced this reinterpretation is necessary—or even wanted. With CGI complaints, remake fatigue, and confusion over why such a fresh film needed a reboot, the backlash isn’t fading anytime soon.
Disney may still win some viewers over when the movie officially releases. Still, many fans are currently wishing the studio would stop revisiting what already works and start creating something genuinely new again.