Walt Disney Studios confirmed on Saturday that its live-action adaptation of 'Moana' has officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office, making it the latest entry in the studio's extraordinarily profitable strategy of reimagining its animated classics. The milestone was reached just over three months after the film's wide release, with strong holdover performance in international markets including China, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The film, directed by Thomas Kail and starring Dwayne Johnson reprising his voice role as Maui alongside newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, has been praised for its spectacular visual effects and faithful yet expanded retelling of the 2016 animated original. Johnson, who also served as a producer, celebrated the achievement on social media, calling it 'a victory for Pacific Islander storytelling on the biggest stage in the world.'

Domestically, 'Moana' has earned approximately $410 million, while its international gross has surpassed $600 million. The film performed particularly well across the Asia-Pacific region, where it benefited from cultural resonance and Disney's aggressive marketing campaign that included partnerships with tourism boards in Samoa, Fiji, and Hawaii. IMAX and premium large-format screenings accounted for a significant share of revenue, with many locations extending their runs well into March.

Industry analysts at Comscore noted that the billion-dollar milestone places the live-action 'Moana' alongside 'The Lion King' (2019), 'Aladdin' (2019), and 'Beauty and the Beast' (2017) in the elite tier of Disney remakes. 'Disney has essentially cracked the code,' said senior analyst Paul Dergarabedian. 'They have a built-in audience, nostalgia-driven demand, and the star power to make these films event-level releases every single time.'

Disney has already greenlit development on additional live-action projects, with remakes of 'Tangled' and 'Hercules' reportedly in advanced pre-production stages. Meanwhile, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs for the animated 'Moana,' contributed two new tracks for the live-action version, both of which have been performing well on streaming charts and are expected to factor into the 2027 Academy Awards conversation.

The studio's stock rose modestly on Friday ahead of the official announcement, as Wall Street continues to view Disney's theatrical slate as a stabilizing force amid ongoing challenges in its streaming and parks divisions.