How to Watch Live-Action Moana on Disney+: Streaming Date, Cast, Prices and DIRECTV Options
Disney’s live-action Moana streams exclusively on Disney+ starting Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Catherine Laga’aia makes her film debut as Moana, Dwayne Johnson returns as the demigod Maui, and Thomas Kail (Hamilton) directs. The film opened in U.S. theaters on July 10, 2026.
Moana is not a DIRECTV channel title. You watch it in the Disney+ app, including on a DIRECTV Gemini device, and some DIRECTV plans already include Disney+. Here’s how to watch live-action Moana on Disney+, as of October 15, 2026.
Live-action Moana at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Disney+ premiere | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 (exclusive to Disney+) |
| Theatrical release | July 10, 2026 (U.S.) |
| Stars | Catherine Laga’aia (Moana), Dwayne Johnson (Maui), Rena Owen (Gramma Tala), John Tui (Chief Tui), Frankie Adams (Sina), Jemaine Clement (Tamatoa) |
| Director | Thomas Kail |
| Writers | Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller |
| Music | Songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina; score by Mark Mancina |
| Rating / runtime | PG; about 1 hour 55 minutes |
| Worldwide box office | About $323.7 million (Box Office Mojo, mid-October 2026) |
| On DIRECTV | Disney+ app (including on Gemini); included with some DIRECTV plans |
When does live-action Moana come to Disney+?
Disney+ announced on October 13, 2026, that live-action Moana arrives on the service on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and the film’s Disney+ title page now reads “Coming to Disney+ October 21, 2026.” It streams at no extra charge for Disney+ subscribers, with no rental or Premier Access fee.
Disney+ often adds new movies around 12 a.m. Pacific (3 a.m. Eastern), but Disney hasn’t posted an exact drop time for Moana. Search “Moana” in the Disney+ app on October 21, or add it to your Watchlist from the title page now so it appears on your home screen when it unlocks.
What is live-action Moana about?
The film is a live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2016 animated hit. Moana answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the demigod Maui to restore prosperity to her people. Pua the pig, Heihei the rooster, the Kakamora and Te Kā all return.
The soundtrack keeps classics such as “How Far I’ll Go” and “I Am Moana” and adds a new song, “Along the Way.” Disney+ flags that some flashing-light sequences may affect photosensitive viewers.
Theatrically, the film earned about $126.2 million domestic and $197.5 million international, roughly $323.7 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo. Disney executives have said the result fell short of expectations, partly because it arrived about 18 months after Moana 2, and that they expect the film to do well on Disney+, where the original animated Moana ranks among the most-streamed movies on the service.
How to watch Moana with DIRECTV
Moana won’t air on a linear DIRECTV channel at launch. DIRECTV customers watch it in the Disney+ app, either with their own Disney+ subscription or with Disney+ access included in a DIRECTV plan.
- Signature packages with a Gemini device: DIRECTV includes the Disney+, Hulu Bundle (with ads) at no extra cost; activate the benefit from your DIRECTV account first.
- MyKids Genre Pack: 14 kids and family channels plus Disney+ for $20.99 a month. See our MyKids Genre Pack guide.
- MyEntertainment Genre Pack: 60+ live channels with ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu, plus HBO Max and AMC+, for $42.99 a month.
- Your own Disney+ plan: sign in to the Disney+ app with your Disney account on any supported device.
On a DIRECTV Gemini device, press APPS on the Gemini Voice remote, open Disney+ (or install it from Google Play), sign in and search for Moana on October 21. If you’re not sure your plan includes Disney+, our guide on how to add Disney+ to your DIRECTV package walks through the options, or call 1-855-690-9884.
Kids who want more Disney in the guide can also watch Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD on DIRECTV; see what channel Disney Channel is on DIRECTV.
How much is Disney+ in October 2026?
| Plan | U.S. price (new subscribers, from Sept. 23, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Disney+ (with ads) | $12.49/mo |
| Disney+ Premium (no ads) | $21.49/mo |
| Disney+, Hulu Bundle (with ads) | $12.99/mo (unchanged) |
| Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium (no ads) | $21.99/mo |
| Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max (with ads) | $21.99/mo |
| Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited (with ads) | $35.99/mo (unchanged) |
October 21 is also the date the higher Disney+ prices start reaching existing subscribers, on a billing cycle on or after that day. Our Disney+ and Hulu price increase guide lists every old and new price. The ad-supported Disney+, Hulu Bundle at $12.99 costs only 50 cents more than Disney+ with ads alone, and DIRECTV plans that include Disney+ sidestep a separate Disney bill. For more ways to save this month, browse our October 2026 streaming deals.
Planning a family movie night beyond Moana? See what the 2026 Disney and Netflix licensing deal means for what you can stream.
Want Disney+ included with your live channels on one bill? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
When does live-action Moana come out on Disney+?
Live-action Moana streams exclusively on Disney+ starting Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at no extra charge for subscribers.
Who stars in the live-action Moana?
Catherine Laga’aia plays Moana and Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui. Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams and Jemaine Clement co-star. Thomas Kail directs.
How much did live-action Moana make at the box office?
Box Office Mojo lists about $126.2 million domestic and $197.5 million international, roughly $323.7 million worldwide, as of mid-October 2026.
What is live-action Moana rated and how long is it?
The film is rated PG and runs about 1 hour 55 minutes. Disney+ notes some flashing-light sequences may affect photosensitive viewers.
Is Moana on a DIRECTV channel?
No. Watch it in the Disney+ app, including on a DIRECTV Gemini device. Signature packages with Gemini include the Disney+, Hulu Bundle (with ads), and the MyKids and MyEntertainment Genre Packs include Disney+.
How much does Disney+ cost?
For new U.S. subscribers since September 23, 2026, Disney+ with ads is $12.49 a month and Disney+ Premium is $21.49 a month. The Disney+, Hulu Bundle with ads is $12.99 a month.
Not sure whether your DIRECTV plan includes Disney+, or want to add it before Moana arrives? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 15, 2026 from the Disney+ Moana title page and Explore Disney+ article (revised October 13, 2026), Disney’s October 13, 2026 Disney+ premiere announcement as reported by Deadline and Variety, Box Office Mojo and The Numbers box office data, Disney’s September 23, 2026 Disney+ and Hulu price announcement, live AmericanTV.com Disney+ and DIRECTV package guides and DIRECTV Gemini app notes. Release times, prices, plan contents, box office totals and app availability can change and may vary by account and address. Moana, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, HBO Max, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.