Disney dropped a curveball on 16 June 2026: Lin-Manuel Miranda has written a brand-new original song for the live-action Moana, titled “Along the Way,” performed by Catherine Lagaʻaia (the new Moana), Auliʻi Cravalho (the original animated voice, who is also a producer on the remake), and Dwayne Johnson reprising Maui. It’s a genuine duet between both versions of the character — something Miranda described as “a musical conversation” between the two Moanas. Johnson framed it simply: “It’s our OG Moana and your live-action Moana coming together, and then it’s your boy Maui coming in.” The song is available now on Spotify, with the full soundtrack dropping 26 June and the film opening in theatres on 10 July 2026.
It’s a smart move. And it raises the exact question this article has been asking since it was first published: is this what it takes for a Disney live-action remake to justify its existence — something genuinely new, rather than a frame-for-frame recreation? Because if so, Disney has spent the better part of a decade getting that lesson the hard way.
Disney’s Animated Legacy: Why the Bar Is So High
Since the release of its very first animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney has captured our hearts with its unique blend of catchy songs, lovable characters, and fantastical storytelling. Over the years, they’ve fine-tuned this magic formula to produce countless classics shared and loved by multiple generations. It’s not often you find someone who hasn’t been swept away by the enchanting tales of Cinderella or joined Aladdin on his exciting journey into a “whole new world”. These ageless stories are deeply woven into our collective memories, and their animated forms are widely adored. However, Disney’s increasing trend of converting these admired animated classics into live-action versions hasn’t quite left the same impression among fans.
While some fans certainly appreciate the opportunity to see their favourite stories brought to life in a new way (and it has worked for some retellings), all too frequently, these remakes fail to capture the same magic that permeates from their original animated counterparts. Take, for example, the live-action reimagining of Pinocchio.
Despite the wealth of talent in its cast (and the benefits of modern visual effects), Disney’s live-action remake of Pinocchio just felt — uhm — wooden compared to its 1940 animated counterpart. The movie received lukewarm reviews, with a dismal 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Where Did Disney’s Live-Action Remakes Go Wrong?
Well, the general consensus points towards a lack of charm and emotional depth that the original animated version so effortlessly evoked. Unfortunately, this seems to be an all-too-common theme running through a raft of recent live-action remakes.
Yes, there’s no denying that a few films, such as The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast, have managed to translate some of the charm of their original animated versions. However, sadly, this accomplishment appears to be more the exception than the norm. Many of these Disney live-action remakes often fail to live up to the magic of the original films we all fell in love with. And you can certainly understand why.
Disney Live-Action Remakes vs. the Animated Classics
It’s only natural for fans to draw comparisons when Disney recreates their classic films. The original versions have already won a special place in viewers’ hearts and are considered masterpieces. They set an incredibly high bar for any remakes. I mean, did we really need photorealistic CGI animals in The Lion King? Or an intensely realistic update of The Little Mermaid? Neither of these remakes elevated the original films, and the Purist in us will always be more enamoured with the brilliantly vibrant landscapes and characters of classic animation.
However, live-action productions that seem to strike a chord are typically those that breathe new life into the original tale rather than merely striving to mirror it. Consider films such as Maleficent, which reinvented the time-honoured story of Sleeping Beauty by delving into the backstory of the legendary antagonist. Or Christopher Robin, which ushered a darling of our childhood into the struggles of adulthood. These cinematic successes clearly convey that Disney enthusiasts are not averse to witnessing their adored characters in a live-action setting but instead prove that they crave more than mere rehashed versions of the animated classics.
That said, let’s be honest: trying to recreate treasured classics is a veritable tightrope walk for Disney. For starters, straying far from the original plot and making considerable changes could upset those passionate fans anticipating a faithful rendition. Yet, if they cling too tightly to the original script, they’re at the receiving end of disapproval for not infusing any fresh or creative elements. And then, there’s the uphill task of selecting actors who can successfully personify the animated characters’ lively and expressive nature in a live-action format. Given the portfolio of previous live-action adaptations, this feat appears challenging (although, as said before, not impossible).
It’s All Your Fault: Why We Keep Watching Disney Remakes
Of course, we must acknowledge our small role in this trend. As audiences constantly seek new and exciting movies and TV shows, the demand for fresh content is only growing. This increase, primarily due to the popularity of streaming platforms, puts a lot of pressure on big media companies to continuously produce new content. The easy answer? Reuse successful movies and TV shows.
With an existing fan base and well-known storylines and characters, Disney can not only appease their current audience but also attract a new generation of viewers through the nostalgic content they believe is engaging. But in the rush to keep up with their rivals and keep their fans engaged, Disney has sometimes taken some shortcuts. Hence, this long article about lacklustre live-action remakes that don’t do justice to the Disney classics we have come to know and love.
But don’t get me wrong. It’s not just about protecting our cherished childhood memories, although that’s certainly a valid point in itself. This issue digs a bit further. It’s about these big production companies valuing original content and offering fans fresh ideas that advance how they tell stories. So, what’s the ultimate point we’re driving at here? Simply put, if Disney persists in churning out live-action movies featuring our adored childhood characters, it would serve us better if they were original stories rather than remakes of classic tales. That’s just about it.
Does ‘Along the Way’ Change Anything? Not Quite
The live-action Moana’s “Along the Way” is the closest Disney has come to proving our point for us: the live-action that works isn’t the one that copies what came before — it’s the one that adds something the original couldn’t have. A duet between two Moanas, penned by Miranda and available on Spotify right now, is genuinely inventive. Whether the rest of the film lives up to that promise is something we’ll find out when Moana hits theatres on 10 July 2026.
For now, 2025’s Lilo & Stitch was the only live-action Disney film that delivered.
