Moana
NZ release: 10 July 2026
Parental guidance recommended for younger viewers Rated on: 16 June 2026
Moana Live Action / Moana (2026)
What’s it about?
Moana voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Māui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.
The facts
- Directed by Thomas Kail (Fosse/Verdon)
- Starring Dwayne Johnson (Moana), Catherine Laga'aia, Rena Owen, Jemaine Clement (Moana), and Frankie Adams (The Expanse)
- English language
- Runtime: 115 minutes
- A live-action remake of the 2016 animated Disney musical
Why did it get this rating?
This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.
Scary scenes
The film is essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the original animated Moana, so for viewers who have seen that, there shouldn’t be too many surprises. Scary scenes can feel more intense in live action compared to animation, so that is something to be aware of. However, the film’s scary moments are mixed in with humour and bravery.
Some of the strongest scenes include:
- The setting of Lalotai, the realm of monsters, is dark and spooky. It’s where Tamatoa, the massive, glow-in-the-dark crab who sings “Shiny”, lives. To access it, Moana and Māui have to jump into a deep dark, glowing hole.
- Cute but violent coconut pirates shoot poisoned arrows at Moana and Māui
- Te Kā is a lava monster, a massive, fiery figure at the island of Te Fiti. She is consumed by rage, and the ultimate obstacle for Moana. Her face has glowing holes for eyes and a mouth, and may be the most frightening image in the film.
Coarse language
A character says, "You son of a...", but another character finishes the sentence with "... beach". Characters use words like “butt” and “dumb”.
When content stays with you
We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.
Further information
- Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
- Moana – the original film
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