Disney Defends Moana Remake as “#1 Movie in the World” Amid Backlash
Disney appears to be trying to tune out the backlash surrounding its live-action Moana remake, now insisting the project is the “number one movie in the world” and claiming it’s “beloved by audiences worldwide.”
Over the last few years, Disney has drawn plenty of criticism for choices that many viewers see as questionable and overly profit-driven, and the most glaring pattern has been its wave of live-action reworks. Titles like The Lion King, Cinderella, The Beauty and the Beast, and Dumbo have all been revived through a lens that feels less like reinvention and more like recycling familiar stories.
For a while, The Lion King looked like the clearest example of Disney’s “live-action” trend, but that perception shifted after Moana arrived. The remake doesn’t introduce much that feels genuinely new, and it even brings back Dwayne Johnson to reprise the same role. Not surprisingly, early reactions from critics have been rough, but Disney seems to be betting that the noise won’t stop people from buying tickets.
Disney Says The Moana Remake Is The “Number One Movie In The World”, Despite Awful Reviews
Put Some Respect On Minions & Monsters’ Name
Earlier this week, Disney Studios’ official Twitter account posted a promotional image for Moana that leans hard on praise, calling it “beloved by audiences worldwide” and labeling it the “number one movie in the world.” The original Moana was undeniably a major hit, so the claim might sound believable—if not for the harsh critical reception and the box office figures being reported.
As previously noted, Moana’s reviews have proven even worse than the widely mocked live-action remake of Snow White. Early reporting has described the movie’s performance so far as “disappointing,” with expectations putting it in the “$42M–$46M” band. In the meantime, the actual top-grossing movie in the world is Minions & Monsters, which has already earned more than $230 million.
If Disney’s statement were only based on reality, it would be hard to back up. Still, the company’s “beloved by audiences worldwide” line does get some support from Moana’s Popcornmeter score, which currently sits at 90 percent—suggesting some viewers are at least responding positively.
It’s unclear what Disney is trying to accomplish with the mismatch between marketing and reception, but Twitter users aren’t buying it. The comments section has been filled with people pointing to the weak review scores and the reported box office results, turning the post into a viral moment for all the wrong reasons—and likely increasing attention on how the movie is actually tracking.
Cast
- Catherine Laga’aia — Moana
- Dwayne Johnson — Maui
- John Tui — Chief Tui
- Frankie Adams — Sina
A new Star Wars film is here, and somehow it still feels like nobody cares.
