Diving into the depths of anticipation, Disney’s enchanting live-action rendition of “The Little Mermaid” gracefully glides into the box office with a mesmerizing $10.3 million from its previews. As the curtains rise in 4,320 theaters on Friday, the stage is set for a captivating spectacle.
Thursday’s preview performance shimmers as the seventh-highest ever for a G- or PG-rated movie, casting a spell over audiences. Even before its official debut, “The Little Mermaid” bewitched moviegoers with an additional treasure of $850,000 from Wednesday’s exclusive early access screenings.
Led by the talented singer and actor Halle Bailey, who brings the iconic Ariel to life, this new cinematic masterpiece anticipates a grand opening of $100 million during this holiday weekend. With Memorial Day extending the festivities to Monday, the four-day total is projected to surge and reach a majestic range between $120 million and $125 million.
With its majestic ambitions, “The Little Mermaid” is poised to make a triumphant splash, solidifying its place among Disney’s most successful live-action remakes. In comparison, the 2019 photorealistic and computer-animated reimagining of “The Lion King” roared onto the scene with a colossal $191 million opening, following a mesmerizing preview collection of $23 million. Ultimately, it embarked on a global voyage that surpassed $1 billion. Similarly, a few months before “The Lion King’s” release, the live-action spectacle of “Aladdin” graced the silver screen with a dazzling $117 million during the four-day Memorial Day weekend, accompanied by $7 million in previews, and enchanted audiences worldwide to the tune of over $1 billion.
However, a few remake ventures have faltered amidst Disney’s illustrious successes. “Mulan,” the live-action adaptation that arrived during the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, relinquished its theatrical premiere and opted for a release on Disney+ with Premier Access. Additionally, “Pinocchio” and “Peter Pan & Wendy” found their exclusive home on Disney+, leaving the traditional box office behind.
With a captivating budget of approximately $250 million, “The Little Mermaid” casts its net in pursuit of a return to box office glory for Disney’s beloved remakes. It effortlessly claims the crown, toppling last week’s champion, “Fast X.” The action-packed sequel from Universal, after a lukewarm $67 million debut, will drift into second place, projected to garner an estimated $27 million to $30 million during its second-weekend voyage.
As the magical ensemble takes the stage, Disney’s cast weaves their spellbinding talents into the tapestry of “The Little Mermaid.” Melissa McCarthy emerges as the nefarious sea witch Ursula, Jonah Hauer-King as the dashing Prince Eric, Javier Bardem embodies the regal King Triton, Daveed Diggs lends his voice to the wise Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay embodies the endearing Flounder the fish, and Awkwafina soars as the mischievous Scuttle the seabird.
Amidst the cinematic landscape, Lionsgate’s “About My Father,” a heartwarming and low-budget comedy starring the comedic genius of Sebastian Maniscalco and the legendary Robert De Niro, graced the screen with a delightful opening act, amassing $285,000 in previews. It is set to embark on a journey to amass $5 million during its inaugural weekend, promising laughter and joy to those in search of a different cinematic experience.
Source By: variety.com
