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Disney’s centennial film “Wish,” designed to be a landmark in the studio’s storied history, has unfortunately not met the high expectations set at the global box office. Released in a less popular late November slot in the Chinese mainland and during Thanksgiving weekend in North America, the film’s performance has been underwhelming in both markets.
In the 11 days following its premiere, “Wish” earned a modest 38.07 million yuan (approximately $5.38 million) in the Chinese mainland, with its worldwide earnings totaling only $83.446 million. This lukewarm reception is particularly striking given the film’s significant production budget of an estimated $200 million. Despite initial high hopes for the film, it appears to be struggling to achieve its financial targets.
Critical reception has been equally tepid. “Wish” holds a modest 48 percent freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.7/10 score on China’s Douban platform, signaling a downturn in Disney’s reputation for animated film excellence. This is surprising, especially considering the involvement of Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, the duo behind the immensely successful “Frozen” series, which garnered billions in global box office revenue.
When comparing “Wish” to its successful predecessors, the contrast becomes stark. For instance, “Frozen II” grossed a total of 860 million yuan in the Chinese mainland upon its release in 2019. In contrast, the screening rate of “Wish” dropped significantly from 12.4 percent at its premiere to just 2 percent by the following Monday. This decline indicates a challenging path ahead for the film’s commercial success.
The film’s lackluster performance during the crucial Thanksgiving weekend in North America is reflective of broader challenges facing Disney’s film business in recent years. While some industry analysts suggest that the rise of streaming services during the pandemic has impacted theater attendance, the primary issue with “Wish” seems to be its own lack of appeal, underscoring Disney’s struggle to maintain compelling IP production.
“Wish,” despite drawing from Disney’s classic storytelling formulas, fails to recreate the enchanting magic that defined hits like “Frozen.” The film’s reliance on clichés, a simplistic transformation of the antagonist, and predictable plot developments render it a standard fairy tale, lacking the depth and character development seen in earlier Disney classics. The villain’s transformation, for example, lacks the subtlety and complexity necessary to convey a meaningful character arc.
In recent years, Disney’s film output has been criticized for resembling assembly line products, with a focus on remakes and sequels rather than original, captivating storytelling. While “Wish” boasts high-quality animation, it falls short in delivering the magical narrative moments that Disney was once renowned for.
As Disney commemorates its 100th anniversary, it faces a reflective moment, marked by recent releases that have not lived up to the studio’s historical successes. Iconic IPs like Mickey Mouse, Disney princesses, Marvel heroes, and Pirates of the Caribbean have not seen a similarly impactful animated successor since “Frozen” in 2013. Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, in a candid admission, recognized a shift in the studio’s approach, prioritizing quantity over quality, particularly during the pandemic.
This trend is evident in Disney’s 2023 releases, including “Indiana Jones 5,” “The Marvels,” and “Wish,” all of which have received lukewarm reviews and disappointing box office figures. This downturn in performance, irrespective of the pandemic’s impact, has led to Disney’s global box office revenue falling below $1 billion for the first time since 2014.
As Disney celebrates its centennial, the magic of the “Wishing Star” seems to be fading, with the studio’s aspiration for a cinematic resurgence remaining, for now, an unfulfilled wish.
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