Disney Wish Falls Short at Holiday Weekend Box Office
In the wake of the underwhelming performance of Disney Animation’s sci-fi adventure “Strange World” last year, the studio had high hopes for its latest venture, “Wish,” especially during its centenary year. Positioned as a fairy-tale tribute to Disney’s animated classics, “Wish” was anticipated to cast a spell on audiences and carry the studio to new heights.
While “Wish” has fared better than its predecessor, “Strange World,” which struggled to reach a $73.6 million global lifetime total, it hasn’t fulfilled the grand aspirations of Disney’s executive team. The estimated five-day opening of $49 million in North America, securing a third-place position, coupled with $17.3 million from 27 first-wave international markets, leaves much to be desired.
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Directed by the duo behind the successful “Frozen” films, Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, “Wish” inevitably draws comparisons to its blockbuster predecessors. However, the bar set by “Frozen,” with its $1.33 billion worldwide earnings, proves a formidable challenge for “Wish” to reach. A more fitting comparison may be “Encanto,” released in 2021, which has amassed $256.8 million to date.
In North America, “Encanto” opened on Thanksgiving weekend two years ago with a robust five-day total of $40.6 million, surpassing “Wish” by 28%. While the international launches of the two films followed different patterns, Disney estimates that “Wish” and “Encanto” are on par in foreign markets released so far.
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China leads the international box office for “Wish,” with an estimated $3.5 million, followed by the UK/Ireland ($3.0 million), Mexico ($2.1 million), and Spain ($1.5 million). Several key markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil, are yet to release, with staggered dates strategically aligned with local holidays.
Animated and family films released in November traditionally benefit from strong sustains, fueled by the start of school holidays and the festive season. Disney remains optimistic that “Wish” will prove to be a marathon at the box office, hoping for a sustained and successful run rather than a mere sprint.
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