With just over two weeks until it opens in theaters, Disney has released two new clips from the live-action Moana, and they give fans the most substantial look yet at how the film brings two of the original’s most beloved moments to life.
The Kakamora Attack
The first clip, shared by Entertainment Access, shows Moana facing off against the Kakamora, the iconic tribe of tiny warriors clad in coconut shell armor who terrorized Moana and Maui in the 2016 animated original. The sequence is a full action scene, showing how director Thomas Kail and the production team have translated one of the animated film’s most visually inventive set pieces into live action.
The Kakamora were a fan favorite in the original, and seeing them rendered in the live-action format is one of the more intriguing questions heading into this film. Check out the clip below:
Moana Meets Maui
The second clip, posted to YouTube, covers another pivotal moment: Moana’s first encounter with Maui, played once again by Dwayne Johnson. This scene is the heart of the entire franchise. The moment two very different personalities collide and are forced to find common ground was electric in the animated version, and the live-action take on it is one of the most closely watched questions for fans of the original.
Johnson, who voiced Maui in the animated original and now physically embodies the demigod through prosthetics and a 40-pound bodysuit, shares the scene with newcomer Catherine Laga’aia, who takes over the title role from Auli’i Cravalho. Reprising the same character from animation into live action makes his return a genuinely notable moment in Disney’s remake era.
Three Weeks Out
Live-action Moana opens in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026, coinciding with roughly the 10th anniversary of the original animated film. Directed by Thomas Kail in his feature debut from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film is rated PG and runs about two hours, roughly thirteen minutes longer than the animated original. According to Deadline, early three-week tracking had the film heading toward an $85 million domestic opening weekend, in line with last year’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
For more on the film, check out our coverage of the live-action Moana trailer and ticket information.
For the latest news and updates make sure to follow us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Threads | Instagram
