Dwayne Johnson’s latest film “Moana” remake underperforms at the box office in early numbers, according to reports

Disney’s live-action remake of the 2016 animated film “Moana” opened to a smaller-than-hoped three-day box office total, according to a July 18 report by the New York Post. The outlet said the movie’s early run generated 43 million dollars over its first three days, framing the debut as comparatively low against the expectations typically attached to major studio releases.

The report linked those early box office figures to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who stars in the film. It described Johnson as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, while also characterizing the project as among his recent higher-profile disappointments, a comparison the outlet made using the film’s early performance and reception.

In addition to the opening-weekend numbers, the report cited a Rotten Tomatoes score of 31 percent for “Moana.” That critic-rating figure was presented in the context of the film’s early release window and as part of the outlet’s broader assessment of how the movie is landing with reviewers so far.

While the report focused on early commercial and critical indicates, it did not cite any official statement from Disney on the film’s performance or its next marketing steps. The public-facing takeaway from the July 18 publication is that, at least in the first days after release, the movie’s audience traction measured by gross and its critic response measured by Rotten Tomatoes were both on the lower end.

Johnson’s star power remains a major business factor in mainstream film production. The New York Post’s framing emphasized that his compensation level is high relative to many peers, which in turn makes early performance metrics particularly closely watched by investors, studio executives, and industry analysts as they assess the risk profile of big-budget releases.

For families and younger audiences, the report matters less for the competitive comparisons it makes and more for what the early box office can indicate about whether studios sustain broad theatrical commitments. Movies that do not clear early targets often see shifts in where screen time is prioritized, even if they continue to play in some markets.

As of July 18, the next measurable checkpoint for “Moana” will be follow-on week performance, which studios typically monitor through weekend holds and per-theater averages, along with longer-run audience response after the initial release period. Additional critical commentary and audience scores from review aggregators will also help place the early Rotten Tomatoes figure in a wider context.

Separately, any longer-term impact on future casting and project packaging decisions would depend on a complete picture of total domestic and international results, ancillary revenue, and contract structure, rather than any single weekend measure. The July 18 report, however, concentrates on the immediate figures available at the start of the film’s run.