Moana Is in Theaters July 10 and Thomas Kail Directed

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

A lone figure standing at the top of a volcanic cliff overlooking the ocean in a widescreen scene from Moana (2026) directed by Thomas Kail

Moana opens July 10. Thomas Kail directed. Catherine Laga'aia plays Moana and Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs.

Kail made Hamilton a cinematic event. He understood that musical theater and film are not opposites. They are the same impulse shot from different angles. That is what he is bringing to this.

For anyone who has watched the animated Moana more than twice, or anyone who watched Hamilton on Disney+ and felt the theater in it. Kail directed both. That is not an accident.

Watch the animated Moana on Disney+ before you go. Or after. The original is not going anywhere.

The family has plans July 10. The only real question is whether to get IMAX tickets before they sell out. The answer is yes.

Quick Facts

Moana Is in Theaters July 10 and Thomas Kail Directed

DirectorThomas Kail

CastCatherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams

GenreFamily, Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure

Release2026-07-10

Runtime115 min

Rated7.5/10

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Moana opens July 10. Thomas Kail directed. The same director who made Hamilton feel like theater on a screen. Family plans are set. #Moana #Backlot @therock @lin_manuel

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Moana opens July 10. Thomas Kail directed it. Same director as Hamilton. The family has plans. The only question is whether you get IMAX tickets before they sell out.

Moana opens July 10. Thomas Kail directed. Catherine Laga'aia plays Moana and Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs.

Kail made Hamilton a cinematic event. He understood that musical theater and film are not opposites. They are the same impulse shot from different angles. That is what he is bringing to this.

For anyone who has watched the animated Moana more than twice, or anyone who watched Hamilton on Disney+ and felt the theater in it. Kail directed both. That is not an accident.

Watch the animated Moana on Disney+ before you go. Or after. The original is not going anywhere.

The family has plans July 10. The only real question is whether to get IMAX tickets before they sell out. The answer is yes.