8 Differences in the Live-Action ‘Moana’ That You Might Miss
When Disney announced a live-action remake of Moana, fans expected the sweeping ocean adventure, unforgettable songs, and beloved characters that made the 2016 animated film an instant classic. Starring Catherine Laga’aia in the role made famous by Auliʻi Cravalho, alongside Dwayne Johnson, who returned to play Maui after voicing the character in the animated original, the film promised a faithful retelling of Disney’s modern classic. And while the new version largely delivers on that front, it also quietly tweaks plenty of small details along the way.
Some of the changes are obvious, but others are so subtle that even longtime fans may not notice them on a first viewing. From redesigned props and altered character relationships to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it visual references and updated jokes, these little differences help distinguish the live-action adaptation from its animated predecessor.
Below are several differences between the live-action Moana and the original animated film that you might have missed.
Moana, In Theaters Everywhere
Moana's first interaction with the ocean is shorter
In 2016’s Moana, a toddler version of the titular character has a magical, playful first meeting with the sea. Unlike ordinary waves, the anthropomorphized ocean actively interacts with her, parting like a curtain, making fun hairdos, giving her a bounty of seashells, and gifting her the glowing Heart of Te Fiti (that she drops). In the 2026 live-action version, the interaction is limited. No hair horns, only one shell…the charming scene of watery fun is cut down, possibly due to budget and time limitations.
There is a distinct lack of Pua
Poor Pua. Moana’s best buddy is barely in the live-action film. The lively little pig was by her side throughout the animated movie, whether she was fixing roofs or climbing cliffs. Expressive, adorable, and fiercely loyal, Pua was Moana’s ride-or-die companion. But in the new film, that’s no longer the case. Even before Moana sets sail, Pua has very little to do, with much of his role trimmed to keep the story moving.
Hammerhead instead of a Great White shark
In the animated Moana, Maui botches a shapeshifting attempt, leaving him with a man’s body and the head of a Great White shark. In the live-action remake, the joke is changed from one apex predator to another as he now has the head of a hammerhead shark instead.
The eyes of Tamatoa
OK, this one is so subtle that only die-hard Disney or David Bowie fans are likely to catch it.
In the original film, Tamatoa’s Bowie-inspired song “Shiny” featured Jemaine Clement channeling the rock icon’s signature style. Even the giant crab’s pupil asymmetry paid tribute to Bowie’s permanently dilated left pupil (not heterochromia, despite the common misconception).
In the live-action remake, Tamatoa instead has one yellow eye and one blue eye, a look that may remind some viewers of the long-standing myth about Bowie’s heterochromia.
As Lin-Manuel Miranda explained to People, he wrote “Shiny” shortly after Bowie’s death in January 2016: “The world had already been mourning Bowie. I’d been listening to Bowie on a loop. I was like, well, I’m writing a glam rock tune for this crab, this jewel-encrusted crab.”
Less interactions with the villagers
In the original film, the kooky, friendly villagers of Motunui give the island just as much color and personality as its lush flora and fauna. From the man constantly worrying about Heihei’s (Alan Tudyk) eating habits (“I’m curious about that chicken eating the rock”) to the flirty little boy taking dance lessons and the man gritting his teeth through a painful tattoo, they make the village feel lived-in and full of life. In the live-action version, however, the villagers are mostly reduced to reacting to the events unfolding around them, stripped of the quirky charm and memorable personalities that made Motunui feel so vibrant.
Friend or family?
In 2016’s Moana, Chief Tui forbids Moana from sailing because he experienced a devastating trauma in his youth. While sailing past the reef, his boat was caught in a storm, and his best friend tragically drowned. This loss instilled a deep fear in Tui and an overprotective stance regarding his daughter. In the live action, the film mentions it is Chief Tui’s (John Tui) cousin.
No "tweeting"
Some jokes just didn’t stand the test of time, and this was one of them. When Moana first meets Maui, he signs an autograph using Heihei’s beak. He mentions that when you use a bird to write with, “it’s called tweeting.” Needless to say, they scrapped that joke in the remake.
Moana's mother plays a smaller role
In the original film, Moana’s mother, Sina (Nicole Scherzinger), is an equal parent with Chief Tui (Temuera Morrison). Always by his side and a constant presence in her life, she is the supportive maternal figure and emotional anchor most Disney princesses are missing. However, in the live-action version, most of Sina’s (Frankie Adams) role is stripped down.
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I know
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I also think as a big fan of Moana , they did not need a Moana 2 animated or not Moana the first one was fine on it a own
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Lovely
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pua was highly used for advertising in the original film but barely in that movie too!
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I do not know what movie you watched but there is a reason people say more pua less stupid chicken because while ride or die pua isnt in much of moana orginally either. Even allen t whom voices hei hei is more pua less stupid chicken. Just saying. Also why is the pig and the chicken cgied can we not find pig or a chicken? Huh bc till just recently the kui kui pig modeled for pua (rip charolette) and her pal gigi where at dak w a bunch of chickens roaming.
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