Why is Disney remaking Moana so soon after the original animated film?

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Disney is remaking Moana so soon because studios are leaning on proven franchises that can generate large box-office returns and wider merchandising revenue
Disney is releasing a live-action version of “Moana” next week, roughly a decade after the 2016 animated film, and the move fits a broader pattern of Hollywood remakes built around familiar characters. The production is also framed as a way to capitalise on a bankable audience draw, with remakes offering not only cinema ticket sales but also merchandising, games, and other spin-off opportunities. The studio appetite for live-action remakes was further fuelled by the 2010 “Alice in Wonderland,” which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, and later Disney live-action remakes such as “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Lilo & Stitch” each also crossed the billion-dollar box-office mark.
The remake model is driven by proven franchise familiarity and “bankable” characters
Modern Hollywood remakes and franchises are described as a cornerstone of production because concepts and characters that viewers already recognise are treated as reliable profit-makers by studios operating under pressure. This approach is also linked to additional commercial channels beyond the film itself, including merchandising, games, and other spin-off possibilities. In that context, bringing “Moana” back through a live-action remake is presented as another use of Disney’s back catalogue.
Recent Disney live-action successes reinforced the strategy after 2010’s “Alice in Wonderland”
Disney’s broader push for live-action reworkings of animated hits gained momentum after Tim Burton’s 2010 “Alice in Wonderland” grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. The subsequent Disney live-action titles “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Lilo & Stitch” are said to have each broken the billion-dollar level at the box office. The timing of “Moana” is therefore portrayed as part of a continuing remake cycle built on prior, high-performing franchise results.
The “shot-for-shot” approach signals a focus on repeatable audience appeal
One specialist, Stephane Durand, said the biggest remake hits tend to recreate the original “almost shot for shot.” He added that while this can be “pretty poor” for storytelling, it will continue as long as films make about a billion dollars. In the case of “Moana,” the live-action version is described as a shot-for-shot rehash that retains the same songs and similar dialogue, directed by Thomas Kail.
Even weaker box-office results can still pay off through streaming
The coverage also points out that not every remake performs strongly in cinemas, citing “The Little Mermaid” (2023) as receiving a lacklustre response and “Snow White” (2025) as disappointing. However, Caroline Reid of Forbes said remakes that do not succeed at the box office can still become commercial hits via streaming, with “The Little Mermaid” given as an example. That broader revenue path helps explain why studios continue producing live-action remakes even when theatrical performance varies.

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Why is Disney remaking Moana so soon after the original animated film?

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