Live-Action Moana Tops Nielsen Streaming Charts
The live-action remake led streaming viewership for October 18-25, despite weak theatrical box office and critical reception.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Animation
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Nielsen ranked the live-action Moana remake as the top streaming title for October 18-25, 2026. The film had grossed about $324 million in theaters against a $250 million budget.
Why it matters
The result shows that a film underperforming at the box office can still find a large audience once it reaches the home. It also illustrates how theatrical releases can feed streaming success for studio titles.
Nielsen recorded 579 minutes of streaming for the live-action Moana remake during October 18-25, ahead of Coraline, Hocus Pocus, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The film's roughly $324 million box office gross fell short of its $250 million production budget when theatrical revenue is weighed against costs, and the extraction does not say how streaming revenue will change that picture.
The players
Moana
Disney's animated feature film that was adapted into this live-action remake and remains a major title in the studio's catalog.
Nielsen
A media measurement company that tracks streaming viewership and publishes weekly rankings used across the entertainment industry.
Disney+
The streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company, where the live-action remake is currently available to subscribers.
The details
The live-action Moana remake was released in theaters on July 10, 2026, and is now streaming on Disney+. Its 33 percent Rotten Tomatoes critics' score contrasts with an 87 percent Popcornmeter audience score, and Catherine Laga'aia made her feature film debut in the production.
Timeline
July 10, 2026: The live-action Moana remake is released in theaters.
October 18-25, 2026: The film tops Nielsen's streaming charts for the week.
November 8, 2026: Coverage of the film's streaming success is published.
Industry Dynamics
The result reflects a pattern in which theatrical releases are often given first runs to build audiences for later streaming success, a strategy studios use to extend the value of their titles. Movies that open in theaters tend to perform better on streaming than titles released directly to streaming, which helps explain why a film with modest box office can still lead the streaming charts.
The live-action Moana remake is available to stream on Disney+ for subscribers. Viewers who want to watch it can access the film through the service without a separate theatrical purchase.
The takeaway
Streaming performance can reveal audience interest that box office figures alone do not capture. For readers, a film's availability on a subscription platform may matter more than its theatrical results when deciding what to watch.
Further reading
For more on how animated and family titles are performing, see the Animation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Movieweb.
Live Poll
Would you stream a movie you skipped in theaters after it underperformed?
