Is Disney's Wish a Box Office Success or Flop?

The Journey of Disney's Wish

Disney's latest animated movie, Wish, has been on an eventful journey since its release on November 22, 2023. Meant to commemorate Disney's centennial, the film aimed to revisit the studio's animated roots by presenting a simple origin story for the Disney wishing star. Featuring the vocal talents of Ariana DeBose and Chris Pine, Wish's opening weekend faced challenges, as it garnered $19.7 million. This performance drew comparisons to last year's Disney box office disappointment, Strange World, which had a lackluster opening with just $11.9 million.

Asha and Valentino looking shocked and Star smiling from Disney's Wish.

Despite tough competition from other films like Ridley Scott's Napoleon, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and the animated picture Trolls Band Together, Wish was projected to have a bleak second weekend after its underwhelming start. However, the latest reports from The Numbers reveal a surprising turn of events. Wish has surpassed $100 million worldwide, reaching an all-time global box office of $105.5 million, with $56.1 million coming from international markets. This achievement is significant considering the film's production budget of $200 million. While Wish had a slow start, it has shown promise by reaching halfway to breaking even.

Disney's Animated Challenges

The journey of Wish is not an isolated case in Disney's recent history of animated releases. The box office performance of Strange World, Lightyear, and Elemental also faced challenges. Lightyear, released in June 2022, had a modest opening and encountered a significant drop in its second weekend, akin to Pixar's Onward during the pandemic's onset. Elemental, another Disney Pixar movie, experienced a historically low domestic opening before gradually earning $486.7 million worldwide with an extended theatrical run.

While the theatrical releases of recent Disney movies have been disappointing, the streaming success of these films on Disney+ paints a different picture. Despite underwhelming box office numbers, the streaming metrics indicate a shift in the definition of success for Disney. Many recent theatrical flops have become sleeper hits on Disney+, suggesting that Wish might find success on the streaming platform, even if it falls short of breaking even during its theatrical run.

The Future of Wish and Disney's Strategy

Despite the challenges faced by Wish at the box office, its recent uptick in global box office earnings indicates potential for higher numbers as the animated musical continues its theatrical run. The upcoming streaming release on July 8th provides an additional opportunity for Wish to attract audiences and achieve new milestones. Disney's strategic decisions regarding the film's theatrical run and potential extensions, similar to those for Elemental, suggest a commitment to giving Wish the best chance to succeed, both in theaters and on Disney+. While the film's theatrical success remains uncertain, the recent performance of Disney's movies indicates a promising future for Wish, especially once it debuts on Disney+ next year.