Disney's Epic 'Moana' Sails onto Streaming, Digital & Blu-Ray This Week!
Disney's live-action "Moana," starring Catherine Lagaʻaia and Dwayne Johnson, is set for its digital release on September 8, followed by physical media on October 6. Despite a moderate domestic box office opening, the film achieved over $300 million globally and secured a strong audience rating, now preparing to enchant viewers with bonus features and a potential Disney Plus release later in 2026.
Disney continued its robust box office performance in 2026 with contributions from its Marvel, Star Wars, and animated divisions, including a $1 billion hit with "Toy Story 5." The year is further anticipated to feature "Avengers: Doomsday," a significant Marvel film starring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Looking back to late 2025, James Cameron’s "Avatar: Fire and Ash" also achieved tremendous box office success as the third installment in the sci-fi saga.
Among Disney's 2026 releases, the live-action "Moana" opened in theaters on July 10, though its box office results were not as high as some of the studio's other blockbusters. Despite opening to $43.1 million domestically, the film scored over $300 million at the box office globally and garnered strong audience reception, boasting an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, solidifying its status as a fan-favorite. This theatrical strategy, keeping the film exclusively on the big screen for nearly two months, contributed to its overall performance.
The live-action "Moana" is now preparing for its home entertainment release. Disney officially announced its digital availability on September 8, allowing viewers to buy or rent the film on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango. Following this, the physical media release is scheduled for October 6, offering the film on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray, and DVD. A breathtaking 4K Steelbook edition will also be released on the same date.
Directed by "Hamilton" filmmaker Thomas Kail, the reimagining stars newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia in the titular role of Moana, alongside Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the demigod Maui from the animated original. The principal cast also includes Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams as Sina. The film's official synopsis describes Moana answering the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyaging beyond her island of Motunui with Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.
The upcoming digital and physical editions of "Moana" will include a variety of bonus materials designed to enhance the viewing experience. These features encompass a sing-along version of the film and several behind-the-scenes insights. Viewers can explore Catherine Lagaʻaia's casting process, the intricate construction of Motunui, Tiana Nonosina Liufau’s choreography, and Liz McGregor’s costume designs. Additionally, a special feature reunites Lin-Manuel Miranda with Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi to discuss their work on reworking the original film’s songs and creating the new number "Along the Way."
While the exact Disney Plus streaming release date for "Moana" has not yet been announced, its timeline will likely be influenced by its box office performance, similar to "Avatar: Fire and Ash," which arrived on Disney Plus approximately six months after its theatrical debut. Given this, the most probable window for "Moana" to join the streaming platform is late October at the earliest, extending possibly into November or December of 2026. Fans can also look forward to a three-film collection, bundling the live-action movie with the original animated "Moana" and the 2024 blockbuster "Moana 2," which became a billion-dollar success. This collection will be available digitally on September 8 and on DVD on October 6.