Moana Lights Up the Miami Sky: Disney’s Drone Show Sets Sail for the Live-Action Voyage
A one-night-only drone show over the coast of Miami traced Moana imagery and a castle across the night sky, celebrating Disney’s live-action Moana ahead of its July 10, 2026 theatrical release. The film stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, directed by Thomas Kail.
Ahead of its voyage into theaters, Disney's live-action Moana got a spectacular send-off in the night sky. A one-night-only drone show lit up the coast of Miami, sketching icons from the film — and even a castle — in the air above the water, roughly a week before Moana sails into theaters on July 10, 2026.
Key Details
- Event: One-night-only Moana drone show
- Where: Off the coast of Miami, Florida
- Length: About 12 minutes
- Film: Moana, Disney's live-action reimagining
- In theaters: July 10, 2026
A 12-Minute Show Above the Water
The roughly 12-minute presentation played out over the water near Miami, with a fleet of drones forming symbols and imagery from Moana — capped by a shimmering castle to open the show. The whole spectacle unfolded behind a boat floating offshore, evoking the very kind of canoe Moana sails across the Pacific, and was set to a medley of music tied to the film. It's the kind of splashy, share-worthy marketing moment Disney increasingly uses to turn a movie release into an event.
Everything to Know About Live-Action Moana
Disney's live-action Moana is a reimagining of the Oscar-nominated 2016 animated hit. Newcomer Catherine Laga'aia stars as Moana, with Dwayne Johnson returning as the demigod Maui — a role he originated in the animated film. The supporting cast includes Rena Owen as Gramma Tala, John Tui as Chief Tui, and Frankie Adams as Sina.
The film is directed by Emmy and Tony winner Thomas Kail (Hamilton), and produced by Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. In the story, Moana answers the Ocean's call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui alongside Maui on a journey to restore prosperity to her people. Production filmed primarily in Oahu, Hawaii, and Atlanta, Georgia.
The Buzz
Drone shows have become a go-to for viral movie marketing, and this Moana spectacle is exactly why: a glowing, sea-set light show that doubles as a countdown to release. With the animated original beloved by families and a live-action voyage now days away, fans are sharing the footage and buzzing about how the reimagining will translate Moana's world to the screen.
Why Fans Are Buzzing
The animated Moana became a modern Disney staple — a chart-topping soundtrack, a blockbuster sequel, and a heroine embraced worldwide. A live-action take carries big expectations, and a drone show over the Miami skyline is the perfect way to build anticipation. If the aerial preview is any indication, Disney is betting big on Moana's return. Audiences can set sail when the film reaches theaters on July 10, 2026.