'Moana' remake struggles as 'Michael' crosses $1bn at global box office

Moana recorded one of the weakest openings among Disney's live-action remakes, while the Michael Jackson biopic Michael has become the first biographical film to surpass $1 billion worldwide.

The live-action adaptation opened well behind Disney's biggest remake successes, as analysts suggested the film may have arrived too soon after the original 2016 animated hit and its billion-dollar sequel released in 2024.

Moana faces tough competition

Industry observers believe the remake lacked the nostalgia that helped propel Disney's live-action versions of The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Lilo & Stitch to billion-dollar box office results.

Although audiences responded more warmly than critics, Moana also faced strong competition from family films Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters.

Toy Story 5 closes in on $900m

Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 earned another $45 million internationally in its fourth weekend, lifting its global total to $879.1 million.

Universal's Minions & Monsters added $39 million overseas, bringing its worldwide haul to $280 million, while Sony's Evil Dead Burn opened with $27 million globally.

Michael makes box office history

Meanwhile, Michael crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide, becoming the first biopic ever to achieve the milestone.

The film is only the second 2026 release to surpass $1 billion globally, joining Universal's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Universal Pictures International called the film "a cultural phenomenon" as it celebrated the achievement.