Disney is officially opening the wayfinding path early. Tickets for Moana are now on sale, and the studio marked the moment with an all-new trailer that gives audiences another look at Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana, Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui, and the welcome return of Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa. That last detail alone gives this latest push a little extra sparkle, because bringing back the giant, glam-obsessed crab helps tie this live-action reimagining even closer to the animated film fans already love. With the July 10 release closing in, Disney is clearly positioning Moana as a full theatrical event built on music, spectacle, and one of its strongest modern heroines.
The Ocean’s Call Gets Bigger
The new trailer keeps the focus where it should be, on Moana’s journey. In this version, she answers the Ocean’s call and sails beyond the reef of Motunui for the first time, setting out with Maui on a mission to restore prosperity to her people. That story already had real heart in animated form, but the live-action scale gives Disney another chance to make the voyage feel even bigger, more tactile, and more immersive on the big screen.
Tamatoa’s return also helps. He is one of the most memorable supporting characters from the original film, so bringing Jemaine Clement back to voice him again adds a fun bit of continuity while giving the new movie another familiar note of personality. It is a smart reminder that this reimagining is not just revisiting the broad shape of the story, it is bringing back some of the specific flavor that made the first one connect.
The Moana Cast and Creative Team Built to Sell the Journey
Lagaʻaia and Johnson remain the core draw, but the wider cast gives the film a strong family anchor too. Rena Owen returns as Gramma Tala, with John Tui as Chief Tui and Frankie Adams as Sina. That supporting lineup should help keep the emotional center of Moana intact, which matters just as much as the visual scale.
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Behind the camera, Thomas Kail directs, with Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda producing. The film also features original songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi, and Mark Mancina, with Mancina handling the score. That creative continuity is a big part of why Moana still feels like one of Disney’s strongest live-action bets. The music, the family dynamics, and the mythology all need to work together, and the team here suggests Disney knows that.
The Voyage Begins in July
Moana sails exclusively into theaters on July 10, 2026. Tickets are on sale now, and audiences can catch the new trailer ahead of the film’s theatrical debut next month.
Featured in: What Can I Say Except NO (Topic of discussion.) , Top 100 Animated Characters of All Time (Moana of Motunui is #63.)
Remake of: Moana (This is an live-action remake of the feature)
Are you grabbing tickets for Moana right away? Does Tamatoa’s return make this new trailer even more fun for you? Which part of Moana matters most to you, the music, the adventure, or the emotional heart of the story? Share your thoughts in the comments or @me.
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