The movie Strange world, by Don Hall, became Disney’s worst opening in decades over the weekend. To the surprise of analysts and the specialized press, the study’s ecological epic failed miserably. According to Varietythe movie collection the disappointing sum of $18.6 million dollars. Disney estimated that the anime, which opened in 4,174 theaters in North America, could fetch between $30 million and $40 million in its big-screen debut.
But not only did he not do it, but he also made it clear that the company is going through a difficult time. Disney, which used to be the natural choice for instant Christmas hits and a sure bet on animation, faces a second notorious flop.
This year, lightyear it became a box office disappointment and the center of an awkward debate about the content of the studio’s films. The expected spin off of one of PIXAR’s most beloved franchises had a release below Disney’s expectations. But, even worse, it received criticism for its content, premise, and even the way of telling the beloved protagonist’s story.
Strange world deepens the decline of Disney
Something more complicated seems to have happened with Strange world. The film, which showcased Disney’s efforts to reinvigorate its animated storylines for a new generation, was deemed “dull and uninteresting.” In fact, most of the specialized critics highlighted its visual achievements, but pointed out its shortcomings as a narrative. Despite telling a story that promised to explore a new universe.
the script of Strange worldRecounting the Clade family’s astonishing journey into unimaginable new frontiers, is a combination of adventure and ecological drama. And if that wasn’t enough, the film includes the vocal talents of Jake Gyllenhaal, Lucy Liu and Dennis Quaid. It also has a rich section of references to science fiction cinema, which gives a curious personality to the production. Plus, it’s Disney’s most inclusive movie yet. With an interracial family and an openly gay character, the studio showed a new commitment to scripts with a more contemporary tone.
But despite everything Strange world disappointed. So much so that there are serious doubts that you can recover even half of your budget investment. With $180 million in production costs, the movie could be a massive loss for Disney. The second in less than a year and also the most notorious. The studio, which is usually the natural choice for families and a bulk of the general public, received considerable rejection at the box office.
What happens so that Disney is no longer the immediate choice for a specific audience? The answer is much more complicated than disinterest in history. From the company’s inability to become a fresh option, to awkward content debates. The productions of the studio do not seem to find their place after the health emergency of the pandemic. A moment that meant a before and after in the profitability of the brand’s productions.
The high cost of visual experiments
strange worldOr it could cost Disney at least $100 million in losses if it doesn’t pick up steam in the coming weeks. Something that seems unlikely after the indifference that the public showed in an emblematic weekend at the US box office. The four days of Thanksgiving holidays are usually the ideal time for family movies. Specifically, they have always been a privileged space for a good part of Disney productions.
The resounding failure of Strange world calls into question the studio’s ability to link its major productions to a new generation. Charm It premiered on the same date in 2021 and already at that time it surprised its collection of $40.3 million, when it was expected to be at least triple. Finally, he was able to overcome the $100 million dollar barrier thanks to the international market. But the poor performance of the award-winning celebration of Latino culture left doubts about the solidity of Disney’s proposal.
Hall’s film finds itself in an even more complicated situation than Charm. Much of the critics doubt that it can reach a level of recovery in the international market that can allow some return on investment. In the same way that it happened with lightyear, Strange world You are on tricky terrain. Despite its extraordinary visuals, the film’s greatest strength lies in its complicated plot. Which makes it more difficult for Disney’s children’s audience to bond with the story.
At the same time, with a bland and ordinary script, it lacks sufficient interest for adults. Finally, the arrival of the film on Disney + just 45 days after its premiere can discourage the public. Strange world seems not to be consistent enough to entice the captive studio audience to a movie visit. Which could also be a determining factor in such a notorious failure.
More diversity, less audience
The various problems of Strange world they also seem to have a direct relationship with the general climate in North America and the rest of the world. always agree with Variety, Thanksgiving weekend 2022 saw an overall drop of 10% from last year. According to the publication, the growing inflation in the US market may affect the decision to go to the movies.
But Strange world You also have to deal with the fact that its notorious attempt to be more inclusive and contemporary works against it. With an openly gay character, his release in large markets such as Asia and the Middle East is ruled out. In the North American market, the decision could also have caused considerable problems during the premiere of Strange world. With lightyear, Disney faced public criticism for the inclusion of a family with same-sex mothers. Something that sparked a confrontation with the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis.
Date of high in disneyplus now and save thanks to the annual subscriptionwith which you can enjoy its entire catalog of series and films, access to the latest releasesto the catalog of stars and the best documentaries from National Geographic.
In fact, the altercation became a topic of debate in various media. In the end, also a possible reason for part of a conservative audience to turn their back on the film. This is a fundamental blow to several strategic decisions of the studio regarding the representativeness of its productions. One so noticeable that it could affect his productions in the future.