Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” has made a big splash at the box office in the United States, earning $95.5 million in its opening weekend. However, its international performance tells a different story. The film garnered only $68.3 million overseas, which is relatively low for a Disney production, bringing its global total to $163.8 million.
While the movie was expected to perform well domestically, it faced challenges internationally. Several markets, including France, Korea, Germany, and others, experienced negative reviews and lower box office numbers. Online review platforms like IMDb had to issue warnings about the unusually high number of negative reviews for the film.
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Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel, the main character, received racist backlash when her casting was announced. However, her performance has received widespread acclaim from critics for her vocals and acting skills. Bailey’s role as one of the first Black live-action Disney princesses has also brought much-needed representation to audiences worldwide.
Unfortunately, some audiences have brought their negative biases and animosity to what should be an inspiring children’s film. France’s AlloCine had to advise viewers to form their own opinions about the movie despite the negative reviews.
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Internationally, “The Little Mermaid” had a modest turnout in China, earning only $2.5 million, with an expected total of $4 million for the weekend. The film performed better in Mexico, grossing $8.5 million. Other top international markets included the UK with $6.3 million, Italy with $4.7 million, Brazil with $4 million, and Australia with $4 million.
Directed by Rob Marshall, the film also features Melissa McCarthy as the popular villain Ursula, along with Simone Ashley, Daveed Diggs, and Jonah Hauer-King in the ensemble cast. Despite the international challenges, the movie continues to be screened in theaters worldwide.
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In conclusion, while “The Little Mermaid” has achieved success at the domestic box office, it has faced difficulties internationally, with negative reviews and lower ticket sales. Halle Bailey’s performance and the film’s representation have been praised, but racist backlash and biases have affected its reception. The film’s director, Rob Marshall, and producer, John DeLuca, have shared insights in interviews regarding the movie’s creation and production.
