It's National Princess Day, and Disney Is Recycling Another Movie

Happy National Princess Day! Is anyone doing anything fun to celebrate this year? Let me know in the comments. I wanted to take this time to discuss the new teaser Disney released yesterday for their upcoming Moana remake, which now has a release date of July 10, 2026. This remake was announced in 2023, but many of us were hoping it would fall under the radar in favor of more original works. Last year's Moana 2 was a step in the right direction. Though still a sequel, it at least told an original story and introduced some new characters to the franchise. This live-action remake appears nearly identical to the original film, with nothing new to offer.

Polynesian actress Catherine Laga'aia takes on the mantle of the ambitious young voyager and is a dead ringer for the animated heroine right down to her curly hair, which was made straighter for the remake to many fans' dismay. She is such a great match for the character that many shots from the teaser appear to have been lifted directly from the 2016 animated movie. Is this a good thing? The original Moana will not even hit its ten-year anniversary when this remake sails into theaters next summer. With the animated version so fresh in people's minds, wouldn't it make more sense to do an anniversary rerelease that will evoke the same sense of nostalgia without the copy-and-paste aesthetic?

All of the remakes that Disney released leading up to this film were based on traditionally animated stories. The live-action and accompanying CGI imagery at least added a new layer of depth and realism to them that some moviegoers appreciated, at least an alternative aesthetic to the original art form. Moana, on the other hand, was created with CGI from the very start, making the effects and assets in the remake practically identical to the original film. Fans have always had problems with shot-for-shot remakes that evoke an effect that's almost-but-not-quite the same as watching the original, so is the solution really to create something even closer?

The Little Mermaid went for something a little different with the Caribbean setting and Halle Bailey's soulful voice that breathed new life into Ariel's character. Catherine Laga'aia has a beautiful singing voice, but it is strikingly similar to Auli'i Cravalho. Even her outfit looks almost identical to the CGI islander outfit that Moana wore in the original film. The 2015 Cinderella remake had many elements in common with the 1950 animated classic, but still holds a special place in many fans' hearts for its reimagined ballgown covered in butterflies and color-shifting blue fabric. Here, they didn't even try to create something new.

As we celebrate all things that make princesses unique for National Princess Day, it's hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu with Disney's upcoming Moana remake. With a release date set for July 10, 2026, it's clear that the studio is banking on nostalgia, but it's unclear what new this film brings to the table. Given the original's recent release and the similarities in storytelling, visuals, and even casting, one can't help but wonder if this remake is necessary. Hopefully, Disney will surprise us with a fresh take or new story, but for now, it seems like it's sailing into familiar waters.