The Ocean Chose Them! See the Cast of the Moana Live-Action Movie Side-by-Side with Their Animated Counterparts

The ‘Moana’ live-action film stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui

Moana is going on another ocean adventure, this time sailing from animation to live-action!

The live-action adaptation of Disney’s beloved 2016 animated film — which grossed over $600 million worldwide and received a sequel in 2024 — is slated to hit theaters on July 10, 2026. The original story follows Moana, a determined teenager from Motunui, who sets out on a daring ocean voyage to save her people and uncover what lies beyond the safety of the reef.

Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, while newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes on the starring role of Moana. The movie, which is currently filming in Hawaii, is directed by Thomas Kail, with Johnson producing alongside Moana music composer Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original lead, Auli‘i Cravalho.

In July 2024, Cravalho spoke to PEOPLE about her excitement for Laga’aia to step into the leading role, saying that she “cannot wait to see her shine.”

“When I look to a live-action film, I want her to feel like she’s that 16-year-old, young, scrappy teenager who’s going to save her island home from a manmade imbalance,” Cravalho said, adding that Laga’aia “really does represent that.”

“She’s a beautiful young woman of color. She’s so brave to be on that canoe with Dwayne Johnson,” Cravalho continued.

Here’s a look at the cast of Moana side-by-side with their animated counterparts from the original movie.