In what appears to be a recurring theme for the House of Mouse, Disney has faced another box office bomb with its latest release, Wish. Despite the fanfare surrounding its release as part of Disney’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, the film has struggled to make a significant impact at the box office. This news, first reported on by Britta DeVore of Giant Freakin Robot, highlights the challenges Disney is facing in an increasingly competitive market.
Wish, released in late November, was expected to cap off the year on a high note for Disney. However, the film’s performance has been underwhelming, barely breaking even with its production budget. This is particularly concerning given the film’s strategic release over the Thanksgiving holiday, a period typically favourable for family-friendly films.
The Downfall of Wish
Credit: Disney
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Lacklustre Opening Weekend
During its opening weekend, Wish managed to garner only $31.7 million at the box office, a figure far below expectations for a Disney animated feature (numbers via Box Office Mojo). This disappointing start set the tone for its subsequent performance, with the film struggling to attract viewers both domestically and internationally.
Global Box Office Performance
Globally, Wish has earned $223 million, with a bleak domestic accumulation of just $63 million. These numbers are particularly disheartening for Disney, considering the film’s significant production budget and the studio’s reputation for blockbuster hits.
Disney’s Struggle at the Box Office
Credit: Disney
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A Year of Underperformers
2023 has been a challenging year for Disney at the box office. Despite owning major franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, the studio has seen several of its releases underperform. Notable examples include The Marvels and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, both of which failed to meet box office expectations.
Competition from Other Studios
Disney’s box office woes have been compounded by stiff competition from other studios. Films like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon have overshadowed Disney’s offerings, drawing audiences away from Wish and other Disney titles.
The Bigger Picture for Disney
Credit: Disney
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Re-evaluating Strategy
This latest box office bomb has forced Disney to re-evaluate its strategy. The studio is now considering re-releasing some of its animated features that never saw the big screen, such as Soul, Turning Red, and Luca, in an attempt to boost box office earnings.
Upcoming Releases and Challenges
Looking ahead to 2024, Disney faces a challenging few months due to the impact of writers’ and actors’ strikes on productions. However, the studio has a lineup of anticipated titles, including Inside Out 2 and The Lion King: Mufasa, which it hopes will turn its fortunes around.
Final Thoughts on Wish’s terrible box office performance
Credit: Disney
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Disney’s latest box office bomb with Wish is a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the film industry. Even a studio as historically successful as Disney is not immune to the challenges of changing audience preferences and fierce competition. As Disney navigates these turbulent waters, it will be interesting to see how the studio adapts its strategy to recapture its box office magic.
The performance of Wish and other titles in 2023 serves as a wake-up call for Disney, highlighting the need for innovation and adaptability in an ever-evolving market. As we move into 2024, all eyes will be on Disney to see if it can reclaim its position as a box office powerhouse.
What do you make of this news? Are you worried about the poor performances of some of Disney’s latest movies at the box office? We’d love to hear from you.
You should be able to watch Wish on Disney Plus very soon.
