Rotten Tomatoes Rating for 'MOANA' Live-Action is Only 36 Percent

Kapanlagi.com - The live-action MOANA film officially premiered in theaters this weekend with high expectations as an adaptation of the Disney animated film released in 2016. Starring Catherine Laga'aia and Dwayne Johnson, the film actually began its journey with unsatisfactory responses from critics. By the time the first reviews were released, MOANA (2026) only achieved a Tomatometer score of 36 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, while the Popcornmeter remains at 0 percent because audience ratings are not yet available.

1. MOANA's Tomatometer Debuts at 36 Percent

Dwayne Johnson in MOANA (credit: Disney)

A Tomatometer score of 36 percent indicates that the majority of critics have given negative reviews to the live-action MOANA. While some consider the film still entertaining as a family watch, many reviews state that the adaptation relies too heavily on the original animated film.

Several critics also mention that this remake does not offer significant enough updates. The storyline, scenes, and presentation are deemed too similar to the animated version, which is still regarded as strong and relevant.

2. Catherine Laga'aia and Film Visuals Receive Praise

Amidst varied responses, some elements of the film still received appreciation. The visual effects, production design, and tropical scenery are the aspects most frequently praised for successfully bringing the world of MOANA to life in a live-action format.

Catherine Laga'aia's performance as Moana also garnered many positive comments. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Catherine and Dwayne Johnson as Maui is considered quite interesting, although some critics feel that Johnson has not been able to match the energy he displayed while voicing the character in the animated film.

3. Entertaining, but Lacks Reasons for a Remake

The majority of reviews conclude that the live-action version of MOANA is not a bad film, but it has yet to provide strong reasons why the story needs to be remade. The lack of changes and new ideas makes the viewing experience feel like a repetition of the animated version with a more realistic appearance.

Nonetheless, some critics still consider this film suitable for family enjoyment, especially for viewers who are new to the story of Moana or want to witness the adventure in a live-action format with more grand visuals.

4. Popcornmeter Still Awaiting Audience Ratings

Aside from the Tomatometer, the Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes is still at 0 percent because audience reviews are not yet available. This number is expected to change after more viewers watch the film in theaters.

The public's response in the coming days will determine whether MOANA can receive a more positive reception from audiences compared to critics.

(kpl/rsp)