Disney has dominated the movie box office for years, but it appears that legacy is coming to an end. In 2023, none of the studio’s films grossed as much as expected, and despite one hit or another, the overall bottom line was negative for a company used to being at the top.
Disney’s latest debut on the big screen, “Wish”, is an example of this: released during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, the production ranked third among those that attracted the most audiences over the weekend.
Disney in 2023
Previous years and competition
The apparent decline is unusual for Disney. In 2019, the company was at its peak and had seven releases exceeding $1 billion (R$4.89 billion), including “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Lion King.” The furor over studio productions of Mickey Mouse suggested that any work with the most famous film label would be successful, but this was not quite the case.
From 2022 to date, “Avatar: The Way of Water” has reached $283 million (R$1.3 billion). So, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” grossed $214 million (R$1.04 billion). “Indiana Jones and Destiny’s Call” dropped further ($174 million/R$852.07 million) and the numbers have only declined since then.
In 2023, another studio dominated cinemas: Warner Bros., which produced “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” grossing $1.4 billion (R$6.85 billion) and $950 million (4 R$.65 billion). Universal also came out on top with “Super Mario Bros,” earning $1.3 billion (R$6.36 billion). Disney didn’t even come close.
Why the fall of Disney?
According to Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at Boxoffice Pro, Disney set the bar so high that it would eventually see “the well run dry,” as evidenced by the year-over-year decline in movie sales at the box office.
Other analysts believe Disney+ is one of the culprits. The reliance on streaming, both by the public and the company, has led Disney to focus on the digital business, and those who want to see a release can wait and watch from the comfort of home.
Another possible cause could be the Disney films themselves. The exorbitant budget of the productions, which rarely falls below $200 million (R$979.4 million) (not counting marketing costs), means that projections increase to compensate for the amount spent, which does not has been proven true. In comparison, other works that cost less, when they collect similar amounts, are already considered a success.
Future
All of this leaves an air of doubt about Disney’s future, especially as major productions and releases approach. It remains to be seen how “Inside Out 2,” “Frozen 3” and the sequel to “The Lion King” will fare.
The post End of Disney Domination in Cinemas? Studio films that grossed less than expected in 2023 appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
