After a strong start, the Disney formula seems to be malfunctioning.
When The Little Mermaid was released on May 26, 2023, it seemed that Disney’s remake formula was working once again.
With the film grossing $95.5 million over a three-day weekend and then increasing to $118.8 million over the Memorial Day weekend, it was almost certain that the company would continue to release live-action versions of its classics because they always make money.
Now, however, it has become clear that it was too early to lament (or celebrate, depending on your point of view) the success of the film, as it seems to be slowly sinking.
In its second weekend alone, the film dropped an astonishing 56.7% to $41.3 million, making it the fourth worst drop of any remake after Alice Through The Looking Glass, The Lion King and Dumbo.
While it may still end up being a financial success, the chances of that happening have diminished significantly. The film received a mixed reception from critics, although audiences were much more positive.
It seems that the reason for such a sudden drop, aside from the general remake fatigue, might be the runtime of the movie.
Since the main target group is obviously children, the fact that the movie is over two hours long makes it hard for them to stay interested in what is happening on screen.
However, this is also partially true for adults, as it is not the first time that a Disney remake has been filled with completely unnecessary “filler” elements that make it a bit boring, such as 2017’s Beauty and the Beast.
Fans remain skeptical that the situation will cause the company to change its strategy because, as mentioned, it’s not the first time and most likely not the last time that a remake has underperformed at the box office.
So it will take at least ten more before they stop using what appears to be a lazy scheme and finally get over it.
Source: Reddit
