Disney delayed the live-action Moana release because of the 2024 animated sequel Moana 2.
The live-action remake was originally planned for June 27, 2025. After Disney announced Moana 2 as a theatrical feature rather than the planned Disney+ series, the remake was moved to July 10, 2026. The change avoided placing two major Moana films too close together and gave the animated sequel room to reach audiences first.
Moana 2 opened in theaters on November 27, 2024. It follows Moana after the events of the first film as she answers a call from her ancestors and travels into distant, dangerous waters. Its story is separate from the live-action remake, which retells the original 2016 adventure with a new cast in live action.
The other options are Disney titles, but they were not the stated reason for this scheduling change. Mufasa and Inside Out 2 were released in different periods, while Frozen 3 was not the relevant 2024 sequel.