Disney didn’t just roll out the red carpet for the world premiere of its live-action Moana. The studio transformed one of Los Angeles’ most iconic venues into a massive celebration of Polynesian culture, music, and the world of Motunui.
The live-action adaptation of Moana made its world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl, where thousands of guests gathered for an event that went far beyond a traditional Hollywood screening.
According to Page Six, the massive premiere welcomed roughly 4,000 guests and featured an evening packed with immersive experiences, special performances, and one very unique way to experience the film: with its score performed live by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The evening brought together the film’s stars, filmmakers, Disney executives, and celebrity guests to celebrate one of Disney’s biggest theatrical releases of the year.
Director Thomas Kail and producer Lin-Manuel Miranda helped introduce the film before stars Catherine Laga‘aia and Dwayne Johnson took part in a traditional Pacific ceremony alongside the Nonosina Dancers.
For Laga‘aia, who takes on the title role of Moana, the evening marked a major moment as she celebrated her first major film premiere on one of Hollywood’s biggest stages.
Johnson, who returns as Maui after voicing the demigod in Disney’s 2016 animated film and its sequel, called the Hollywood Bowl event a night he would never forget.
The screening itself became part movie premiere and part live concert. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Sarah Hicks, performed the film’s music live as the movie played across the Hollywood Bowl.
The celebration continued through the closing credits, which featured a fireworks display accompanied by the new song “Along the Way.”
Disney also filled the venue with themed experiences and promotional activations for guests, including Dole Whip, custom keychain crafting, and a life-size LEGO version of Moana.
The Hollywood Bowl premiere arrives just days before Disney’s live-action Moana sails into theaters on July 10.
The film stars Catherine Laga‘aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, alongside John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, and Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa.
With one of Disney’s most ambitious premieres in recent memory now complete, all eyes turn toward the box office as audiences prepare to return to Motunui.
Disney’s live-action Moana arrives exclusively in theaters July 10, 2026.
Source: Page Six
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