Moana Live-Action vs. Animated: The Biggest Shot-for-shot Moments Revealed

Disney has finally dropped the first teaser for its upcoming live-action Moana remake, giving fans an early look at how closely the 2026 film mirrors the beloved 2016 animated classic. With Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga'aia taking on the role of Moana, the live-action adaptation arrives on July 10, 2026—just months before the original film’s ten-year anniversary.

Like many Disney remakes, Moana appears to follow the approach of Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, recreating iconic visuals almost frame-for-frame rather than reinventing the story. Despite being only 50 seconds long, the teaser trailer showcases several familiar moments that longtime fans will instantly recognize.

Below are four standout shots and how the live-action versions compare to their animated counterparts.

Moana’s First Connection With the Ocean

One of the most memorable scenes in the original film is young Moana meeting the ocean, moments after helping a baby turtle reach the water. The live-action remake stays faithful to the emotional beat but adjusts a key detail—Moana appears slightly older, more like a young child than a toddler. The ocean is rendered with highly photorealistic waves and lighting, suggesting the new film may deepen Moana’s early connection and possibly her memory of the encounter.

The Kakamora Reveal

Moana and Maui’s first major threat in the animated movie comes from the Kakamora, the mischievous coconut pirates. The remake recreates the dramatic reveal of the Kakamora ship emerging through the fog. However, the live-action version features a noticeably larger vessel, hinting that the filmmakers may be planning a more intense or expanded action sequence to suit real-world scale and stunt choreography.

Song of the Ancestors Reimagined

“I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)” marks a defining emotional moment in the original story. Moana embraces her identity as both a leader’s daughter and a voyager, surrounded by glowing spirit ships that illuminate the dark ocean. The live-action film seems to replicate this imagery closely, though with a slightly greener color palette. Interestingly, the teaser pairs this visual with the melody of “How Far I’ll Go,” blending two key emotional moments for dramatic impact.

Hei Hei’s Iconic Scream

No Moana experience is complete without the lovable—and loudly confused—Hei Hei. The teaser ends with a near-identical recreation of the animated chicken’s famous panic scream after realizing he’s stranded at sea. Alan Tudyk returns to voice Hei Hei, and the updated design preserves his goofy expressions while adding realistic texture to his feathers. Fans are now eagerly waiting to see whether the remake will go hyper-realistic with Tamatoa, the giant crab, in the next trailer.