A big welcome was sung loudly with a joyful tune at the majestic New York premiere of Disney’s live-action reimagined ‘Moana‘ on July 9.
Hundreds of all ages gathered at United Palace in Washington Heights for a spectacular screening event that had fans jumping out of their seats to dance in their aisle and singing out loud.
Dwayne Johnson (producer / Maui), Lin-Manuel Miranda (producer / songwriter) and Thomas Kail (director / executive producer) made their way to the historic venue alongside cast and creators behind the fantastic family adventure.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 09: Auli’i Cravalho attends Disney’s “Moana” New York Screening at United Palace Theater on July 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
Kail and Miranda kicked the night off by inviting the Nonosina dancers to the stage for a beautiful live performance that brought a Pacific village to life. Following was a giant welcome to the stage as the vibrant world of Moana become IRL for an audience that roared with screams and applause as Johnson and Miranda took the stage for a duet of Maui’s iconic song “You’re Welcome.”
It was one of those magical moments in the Big Apple that will forever captivate the heart’s of all ages who took home the sweet core memory.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 09: Dancers perform onstage during the Moana NY Screening Event at The United Palace on July 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Disney)
Producers Beau Flynn, p.g.a. and Hiram Garcia, p.g.a.; executive producer Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films Moana and Moana 2 and who performs (with Johnson and Catherine Lagaʻaia) the new original song “Along The Way” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda; choreographer and associate producer Tiana Nonosina Liufau; and associate choreographer Kayla Faʻamaligi were also in attendance at the New York celebration.
Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure tells the story of Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) as she answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 09: (L-R) Beau Flynn, Thomas Kail and Hiram Garcia attend the Moana NY Screening Event at The United Palace on July 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Disney)
Going on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people is once again is magical. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a., Beau Flynn, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, p.g.a. and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, Kail and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films.
Moana features the new song “Along The Way,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performed by Cravalho, Laga‘aia and Johnson; original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina; and an original score composed by Mancina.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 09: (L-R) Lin-Manuel Miranda and Dwayne Johnson attend the Moana NY Screening Event at The United Palace on July 09, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Disney)
Moana exclusively hits theaters July 10.
