Live-Action ‘Moana’ Unveils First Teaser Trailer

Live-Action ‘Moana’ Drops First Teaser Trailer, Introducing Newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia as the Wayfinder Heroine

Disney has unveiled the first teaser trailer for its live-action adaptation of ‘Moana’, officially setting sail on the studio’s latest reimagining of one of its most beloved modern classics. The teaser opens with newcomer ‘Catherine Laga‘aia’—the newly cast Moana—singing against sweeping shots of the ocean and lush island landscapes, offering a first look at the film’s grounded yet mythic aesthetic.

‘Dwayne Johnson’ returns as Maui, reprising the role he voiced in the 2016 animated hit. The teaser includes a brief glimpse of the shapeshifting demigod launching skyward with the help of his magical fishhook, signaling that many of the character’s signature moments will carry over into the live-action version.

Directed by Thomas Kail (‘Hamilton’, ‘In the Heights’), the live-action ‘Moana’ features John Tui and Frankie Adams as Moana’s parents, Tui and Sina, with Rena Owen portraying her grandmother, Tala. Lin-Manuel Miranda — who contributed to the original score — also returns as part of the creative team.

Originally released in 2016, the animated ‘Moana’ became a global sensation thanks to its blend of Polynesian mythology, musical storytelling, and a heroine defined not by royal lineage but by destiny and courage. The film followed Moana, a young voyager chosen by the ocean, who teams up with Maui to restore balance to her endangered home. Its soundtrack—especially “How Far I’ll Go”, an Academy Award nominee—became an enduring part of Disney’s modern musical canon.

With a worldwide box office take of more than $680 million, Moana established itself as one of Disney’s most influential contemporary titles. Its meticulous world-building, built through extensive cultural research and collaboration with Polynesian creators, helped cement the franchise as both artistically and culturally significant — a foundation that naturally paved the way for a live-action retelling.

The teaser also offers flashes of several iconic sequences: young Moana’s first encounter with the ocean, a glimpse of the mischievous ‘Kakamora’, scenes of Moana navigating the open sea, and Maui’s high-flying transformations. According to Disney, the live-action film aims to faithfully preserve the original’s musical-adventure framework while expanding its emotional texture through practical locations and a more tactile cinematic style.

‘Moana’ is set to hit U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026.