Disney is bringing another beloved animated classic to life with Pocahontas: Live Action (2025), set for release in November 2025. With a stunning $200 million budget, this visually breathtaking epic aims to deliver a historically immersive experience while staying true to the heart of the 1995 animated film. Starring Zendaya as Pocahontas and Jason Momoa as Chief Powhatan, the film features a star-studded cast, Oscar-worthy cinematography, and a powerful musical score. Directed by Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, Eternals), the film blends historical accuracy with a modern storytelling approach, ensuring that it resonates with both new and longtime fans.
The original Pocahontas (1995) was a box office success, grossing over $346 million worldwide and winning two Academy Awards for Best Score and Best Original Song (“Colors of the Wind”). Despite being a controversial yet beloved entry in Disney’s animated lineup, the film remains a cultural touchstone. The live-action adaptation aims to correct historical inaccuracies while maintaining the emotional core of Pocahontas’s story. With the success of live-action remakes such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, Disney expects Pocahontas (2025) to be a major global hit. Early footage from test screenings has received rave reviews, praising Zendaya’s performance, the breathtaking visuals, and the powerful reimagining of classic songs.
Filmed across Virginia, Canada, and New Zealand, the movie brings stunning natural landscapes and indigenous culture to the forefront. The film’s production team collaborated with historians and Native American consultants to accurately portray the Powhatan people and their traditions. The new musical score, composed by Alan Menken and Ludwig Göransson, reinvents classic songs while introducing new emotional ballads. Disney has also committed to culturally authentic casting, with many supporting roles played by Native American actors.
In this reimagined adaptation, Pocahontas (Zendaya) is not just a peacemaker but a warrior and leader. The film explores her internal struggle between duty and love as she fights to protect her people from encroaching settlers. Unlike the animated film, John Smith (Austin Butler) is not the primary love interest, and the story focuses more on her true historical relationship with John Rolfe (Dacre Montgomery). A powerful new antagonist, Governor Ratcliffe (Javier Bardem), schemes to exploit the land’s resources, leading to an intense battle between the Powhatan tribe and the English settlers. In a heart-wrenching yet inspiring climax, Pocahontas must make a decision that will forever change the fate of her people.