Live-action 'Moana' sets sail with first trailer

Yup. Yup, that’s definitely a live-action Moana. It’s got everything you’d expect from a live-action Moana. Obviously there’s Moana. We hear her singing “I Am Moana,” a song that’s been stuck in our heads for nine years. We also see her island of Motunui, the sea choosing a toddler Moana to save her people, her wayfaring ancestors, and Maui transforming into a hawk.

Definitely Moana. In the exact same story—possibly beat for beat if this trailer is any indication—that has never left the public’s consciousness for the last nine years.

And it’ll probably make a gazillion dollars.

At least these recreated scenes look pretty good. (Minus the big swooping shot of Moana singing. That looks like it was filmed on a poorly lit soundstage after they ran out of money.) The only thing this first trailer doesn’t show that we expected is Dwayne Johnson’s face. Johnson (and not a stunt double with his deepfaked faced super imposed on it) is reprising his role as the arrogant demigod Maui, but we only see him from behind. We do get to see Catherine Lagaʻaia, though. She’s starring as the film’s real hero. John Tui will play her dad, Chief Tui. Frankie Adams will star as Moana’s mother, Sina. And Rena Owen will plays her Gramma Tala.

The movie comes from director Thomas Kai (Hamilton). We’ll find out if his version really is the exactly the same as the original animated film when the live-action Moana sets sail for theaters on July 10, 2026.