Disney’s latest animated venture, “Wish,” experienced a lukewarm reception at the box office during its opening over the Thanksgiving weekend. The film’s performance continues a trend of unremarkable releases for Disney, which is currently marking a century in the film industry.
Despite expectations of a robust $45-$55 million start, “Wish” garnered a modest $19.5 million from Friday to Sunday, with a total of $31.8 million domestically over the five-day holiday period, as reported by CNBC. Moviegoers showed a stronger preference for “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” which secured $28.8 million, and the historical drama “Napoleon,” which surpassed “Wish” with a $20.4 million haul, based on figures from Box Office Mojo.
The animation joins a list of Disney’s 2023 theatrical releases that haven’t resonated with audiences as past films have. Notable titles such as “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Elemental,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” and “Haunted Mansion” also didn’t meet box office expectations.
Amid these commercial setbacks, some have critiqued Disney for what they perceive as a push of progressive politics into its traditionally neutral entertainment fare. Certain conservative voices have decried the company’s recent casting choices in remakes of “The Little Mermaid” and “Snow White,” accusing Disney of prioritizing political correctness over storytelling.
The debate intensified when Rachel Zegler, the star of the upcoming “Snow White” remake, criticized the original 1937 animated feature, leading to further discontent among some fans.
Despite these challenges, Disney has seen more successful holiday releases in recent years. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” made an impressive $63.8 million during the 2022 Thanksgiving period, while “Encanto” and “Frozen 2” brought in $40.6 million and $125 million, respectively, during their holiday debuts in previous years.
In the wake of the current climate, Bob Iger, who recently returned as CEO, expressed his intention to steer the company away from cultural controversies. At an employee town hall meeting, Iger voiced his commitment to deescalating tensions and demonstrating respect for Disney’s diverse audience, underscoring a desire to move beyond the divisive rhetoric that has engulfed the brand.