Disney’s latest animated movie, Wish, didn’t quite hit the mark. What was anticipated to earn between $40 million and $50 million during its debut raked in only $31.7 million domestically over the five-day holiday weekend. So, what really went wrong?
At the box office, Wish was up against Napoleon and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. While the former brought in an estimated $32.5 million, Songbirds and Snakes saw an impressive $42 million in its second weekend, leaving Wish significantly behind.
What led to the underperformance of Wish, a movie that was supposed to be one of the most anticipated films of the year? According to David A. Gross, the rise of streaming during the pandemic played a crucial role. Traditional release windows were blurred, leading to a damaging effect on the theatrical experience. The cast could not promote the project until November 8 due to an actors’ strike, further complicating the film’s performance.
Audiences today also have countless choices, many without the need to leave the comfort of their homes. The saturation of streaming platforms has made viewers less committed to new stories. This poses a long-term challenge for studios that have become increasingly skittish about original ideas over known properties.
Wish, while trying to play on nostalgia and originality, had mixed reviews and struggled to appeal to both adults and kids. However, there’s still hope for a happy ending, as seen in the case of Disney’s 2021 film Encanto, which gained momentum after an initially weak box office performance. Whether Wish can follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen.
Looking ahead, Disney has promising projects in the pipeline. Nonetheless, striking a balance between nostalgia-based entertainment and original concepts is crucial for avoiding stagnation. As the industry adapts to changing consumer preferences and habits, it remains to be seen how studios can continue to produce profitable content in the future.
