Disney’s ‘Wish’ disappoints both critically and commercially, following ‘The Marvels’ flop
Disney’s “Wish” Fails at the Box Office Following “The Marvels” Flop
Disney’s highly anticipated animated film, “Wish,” fell short at the box office during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This disappointment comes on the heels of the massive failure of ”The Marvels” earlier this month.
“Wish” debuted in third place, earning only $19.5 million in its three-day opening weekend and $31.7 million over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. These numbers were far below expectations and nowhere near enough to cover the film’s $200 million production budget.
The fantasy musical features Ariana DeBose as the courageous protagonist, Asha, and Chris Pine as the villainous King Magnifico.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Young Asha makes a powerful wish that is answered by a cosmic force named Star. With Star’s help, Asha must save her kingdom from the evil King Magnifico and prove that the connection between a brave human and the magic of the stars can lead to extraordinary things.”
“Wish” currently holds a disappointing 49% critics review on Rotten Tomatoes, one of the lowest ratings for any Disney movie. Critics describe it as dull, uninspired, and forgettable, accusing the creators of borrowing heavily from other, more successful Disney films.
“Just like ‘The Marvels,’ ‘Wish’ is an emotionally empty and lackluster movie that seems to have been assembled without heart,” wrote Kevin Maher, a reviewer for The Times U.K.
“The movie follows the typical Disney fairytale formula: a brave heroine, a villainous magician, talking animals, and catchy songs. However, it fails to bring anything new to the table,” added a reviewer from The Sunday Times.
“Wish” has received a slightly better audience score of 81%, but this hasn’t translated into financial success.
This recent disappointment follows the disastrous performance of “The Marvels.” The latest Marvel film failed to meet expectations, earning a mere $47 million on its opening weekend and being labeled as the worst debut in MCU history.
The female-led sequel to “Captain Marvel” also proved to be a financial failure for Disney, which was attributed to superhero fatigue and the ongoing strikes in Hollywood that affected the film’s promotion.
What factors may have contributed to the underperformance of “Wish” at the box office?
Ning only $15 million over the five-day holiday weekend. This is a significant disappointment considering the buzz and hype surrounding the film prior to its release. Despite the star-studded cast and Disney’s reputation for producing successful animated films, “Wish” failed to resonate with audiences and failed to live up to its potential at the box office.
One possible reason for the underperformance of “Wish” could be attributed to the timing of its release. The film was set to compete with other highly anticipated holiday releases such as ”Encanto” and ”House of Gucci.” With these other films capturing the attention of moviegoers, it is possible that “Wish” got lost in the shuffle and was unable to grab the same level of attention and interest.
Another factor that may have contributed to the film’s lackluster performance is the negative reception it received from critics. While audience scores were generally positive, some critics found the story and characters to be lacking depth and originality. These criticisms may have deterred potential viewers from giving the film a chance, resulting in fewer ticket sales.
The disappointment of “Wish” comes shortly after the underwhelming performance of “The Marvels.” The highly anticipated superhero film, which was expected to be a box office hit, failed to live up to expectations, grossing only $55 million in its opening weekend. This disappointing result suggests that Disney may be facing challenges in sustaining the success of its franchises and maintaining the high level of anticipation that it has become known for.
The consecutive failures of “The Marvels” and “Wish” raise questions about Disney’s ability to consistently deliver successful films. While the studio has been a major player in the movie industry for years, it is possible that audiences’ tastes and preferences are evolving, and Disney may need to adapt its strategies accordingly.
It is worth noting that box office performance does not always dictate a film’s quality or success in the long run. There have been numerous instances where films that initially underperformed at the box office went on to gain a strong following and achieve success in other ways, such as through home video sales or streaming platforms.
Nevertheless, these recent disappointments serve as a reminder that even a company as powerful and influential as Disney is not immune to box office failures. It highlights the importance of continuously innovating and delivering fresh and engaging content that resonates with audiences.
Moving forward, Disney will need to reflect on these setbacks and strategize its future releases carefully. It will be interesting to see how the studio responds to these challenges and whether it can regain its footing in the highly competitive movie industry. Despite the recent setbacks, Disney’s strong track record and loyal fanbase provide hope for future successes.
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