Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana" earned $4.5 million [1] from Thursday preview screenings ahead of its official U.S. release.

The film's opening performance is critical for Disney to recoup a high production budget and prove the viability of its live-action remake strategy.

Catherine Laga'aia stars as the title character, while Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the demigod Maui. The movie is projected to open to between $60 million and $65 million [2] domestically. However, other industry projections are more conservative, with some estimates placing the U.S. opening between $40 million and $45 million [3].

This range of expectations highlights the volatility of the current theatrical market. The studio invested $250 million [4] into the production of the film. To achieve profitability, the movie must maintain strong momentum beyond its initial weekend, a challenge facing many big-budget studio releases.

Thursday previews serve as a primary indicator of audience interest and early word-of-mouth. While the $4.5 million [1] start provides a baseline, the final weekend total will determine if the film can overcome its significant costs.

Disney has not commented on the specific preview figures. The company continues to rely on established intellectual property to drive theater attendance in a competitive summer window.

“Disney's live-action adaptation of "Moana" earned $4.5 million from Thursday preview screenings”

The discrepancy between the $40 million and $65 million opening projections suggests significant uncertainty regarding the film's appeal. With a $250 million budget, the movie requires a massive global multiplier to be profitable, meaning a modest domestic opening could signal a financial struggle for the studio despite the brand's existing popularity.