Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui, and Disney’s ‘Moana’ trailer is a full-blown nostalgia storm

Disney just dropped the new Moana trailer, and honestly, it feels like déjà vu with a glossy, real-world twist. The ocean is calling again, Maui is flexing again, and fans are already arguing (lovingly, of course) about whether this remake will match the magic of the original.

This time, the fearless wayfinder is played by newcomer Catherine Laga`aia, stepping into some very big shoes. The trailer shows her taking on Moana’s journey with confidence, heart, and a whole lot of ocean drama.

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Right beside her? None other than Dwayne Johnson, returning as the larger-than-life demigod Maui. Yes, the tattoos, the attitude, the chaos; it’s all still there. And if his Instagram caption is anything to go by, he’s fully leaning into the hype: “The ocean chose her for a reason.”

Trailer feels like a nostalgia trip

If you’ve seen the 2016 film, the trailer will hit like a memory rewind. Moana meets Maui. The shiny-loving crab makes a dramatic comeback. The terrifying lava monster Te Kā rises again.

Even the music is pulling emotional strings. Snippets of “I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)” are woven in, giving longtime fans goosebumps. It’s clear Disney isn’t straying too far from what worked the first time; they’re just giving it a live-action glow-up.

Big names behind the scenes

The film is directed by Thomas Kail, best known for his work on Hamilton. Behind the production are heavyweights like Lin-Manuel Miranda, along with Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, and Hiram Garcia.

Let’s not forget, the original Moana was a massive hit. Released in 2016, it earned around $643 million worldwide and even scored an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

And yes, that iconic song “How Far I’ll Go” (also Oscar-nominated) still lives rent-free in everyone’s head.

The live-action Moana is set to hit theatres on July 10, 2026.

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