Disney's The Little Mermaid: Box Office Success or Flop?
Disney's latest release, The Little Mermaid, is making waves at the box office with promising opening numbers Despite mixed reviews, the classic tale of love and sacrifice is captivating audiences and proving to be a success for the studio
The live-action remake of the beloved 1989 animated classic, The Little Mermaid, has finally hit theaters over the Memorial Day weekend after years of anticipation. Despite mixed reviews from critics, with some commending Halle Bailey's standout performance as Ariel and the updated songs, while others criticized the CGI and character designs, the film has shown promise at the box office. According to THR, The Little Mermaid is currently estimated to make $118 million during the four-day weekend, making it the fifth highest-grossing release of the holiday. However, its international debut has not been as successful, with a disappointing $68.3 million opening and a mere $2.5 million debut in China.
The Little Mermaid's Box Office Outlook Explained
The Little Mermaid's box office performance in North America exceeded expectations, but fell short of its projected weekend earnings of around $100 million. Despite predictions of making over $125 million during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the film failed to reach that mark. Additionally, the movie's international box office earnings were lackluster. While some attributed this to social media campaigns against Bailey's casting, others pointed to the mixed reviews the film received. Currently holding a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Little Mermaid received slightly better reviews than Peter Pan & Wendy, but not as positively as other Disney remakes like Beauty and the Beast and Mulan. Nevertheless, past Disney remakes have been able to overcome negative critical reception, leaving the exact cause of The Little Mermaid's mixed box office performance uncertain.
The critical reception of the 2019 remakes of Aladdin and The Lion King may not have been stellar, but their box office success proved otherwise, collectively earning over $1 billion in theaters worldwide. The upcoming release of The Little Mermaid, however, may not reach the same financial heights, as its international appeal appears to be lacking in comparison to previous Disney remakes. Only time will reveal the true box office outcome as the film continues its theatrical run.
