Two months following its theatrical debut, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is prepared to make its digital platform debut, standing on the cusp of surpassing two significant thresholds in both domestic and international box office grossing. Though its initial box office debut in May didn’t quite make the splash expected, and its performance overseas left some a bit dubious, The Little Mermaid has nevertheless managed to sail steady in these trying times. As such, the film has proven itself to be a valuable asset to Disney, particularly in an era when numerous high-budget spectacles have met with failure.
This past weekend, The Little Mermaid reeled in slightly over $2 million in domestic box office earnings, thereby bringing its cumulative domestic revenue to a whopping $293 million. Coupled with the additional $253 million accrued from international markets, the film’s running worldwide revenue currently stands at an impressive $547 million. As the digital release draws near, the question remains: Does The Little Mermaid have enough momentum to breach the $300 million domestic and $550 million worldwide benchmarks?
Disney’s The Little Mermaid, a live-action reimagining of the beloved 1989 animated classic, made its bow in the domestic box office in late May, raking in an impressive $117 million. Interestingly, this figure closely mirrors the stateside opening of Aladdin, another live-action remake, from the same time frame four years prior. Aladdin, a remake of a much more globally recognized intellectual property, managed to keep audiences engaged throughout the summer season and ended its theatrical run with more than $300 million domestically and over $1 billion globally. By doing so, it joined the elite league of Disney’s previous successful live-action adaptations such as Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lion King.
The Little Mermaid’s inability to achieve the same feat can be attributed to a handful of factors. Firstly, the original material may not resonate as strongly in international markets. Secondly, the film has garnered a mixture of reviews. Thirdly, family audiences had other compelling alternatives, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has collected over $1.3 billion worldwide. Notably, unlike The Little Mermaid, which reportedly carried a hefty $250 million production price tag (plus additional millions in marketing), Super Mario was reportedly produced on a budget of a mere $100 million.
The Pandemic Caused Costs to Balloon
A commonly cited cause for the classification of several films as “under-performers” this year, despite their substantial box office earnings, is the inflation of budgets during the pandemic. This has resulted in films such as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, The Flash, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and this week’s Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One grappling to recover from their initial investment. Each of these films was reportedly produced on budgets ranging from $200 million to well over $300 million. While The Flash and Dial of Destiny have already been labeled flops, it’s still too early to determine the long-term performance of Dead Reckoning Part One.
Disney, having been the butt of jokes for its repeated mockery of artists fighting for their rights, will undoubtedly strive to keep costs in check moving forward. Directed by Rob Marshall—who also helmed the most expensive movie ever made at its release, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides—The Little Mermaid stars newcomer Halle Bailey in the lead role, with Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric.
In Conclusion
Disney’s The Little Mermaid has proven that even in times of uncertain global performance and inflated production budgets, it’s possible to remain afloat. Despite initial hiccups, the film has weathered the storm, crossing substantial box office milestones. As the film prepares to make its digital debut, it serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic stories and the potential of well-executed live-action remakes. However, it also highlights the need for studios to manage budgets effectively and respect the rights of their creatives, even amidst a challenging pandemic scenario.
