Disney’s Live-Action Remakes: Opening Weekends
I’m a massive fan of Forbes’ coverage of entertainment, particularly Disney movies (and live-action remakes). And tonight, the good folks at the preeminent money magazine gave me a welcome respite.
Fresh from weekend viewings of Aladdin and Dumbo, I was very curious to see how the money made by the films would rank, even as I struggled (privately) to give the bunch a fan ranking.
Ticker Tape Tales
“Aladdin made financial wishes come true at the box office for Disney over the Memorial Day weekend,” wrote Simon Thompson of the live-action remake. “However, the magic lamp could have done with a more vigorous rubbing if the plan was to be the most successful debut for a reimagining of one of the studio’s classic animated movies.
“With an expected four-day debut of $105 million, a three-day domestic gross of $86.1 million, it’s far from a disappointment and ranks among the most financially potent opening weekends of Disney’s live-action reimaginings – it also exceeded the projected domestic debut of between $75 million and $85 million.”
Chump Change(?)!
My reviews of both Aladdin and Dumbo post soon. And I’ll be interested to see if everyone agrees with my humble sentiments. However, and as they say, “Money talks.” So, let’s take a look at the monetary mile chart as provided by Forbes.
9. Pete’s Dragon (Disney) 2016
Opening Weekend: $21.51 million
Total Box Office: $77.04 million
This 2016 reimagining got some strong reviews, but that didn’t translate into people turning out to movie theaters en masse.
8. 101 Dalmatians (Disney) 1996
Opening Weekend: $33.5 million
Total Box Office: $136.19 million
Glenn Close’s show-stealing turn as Cruella de Vil certainly proved popular with audiences and saw her nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and for a sequel to be greenlit.
7. Dumbo (Disney) 2019
Opening Weekend: $45.99 million
Total Box Office: $112.7 million
Although highly anticipated, Dumbo got a mixed reaction from critics and failed to hit the projected opening weekend of between $50 million and $65 million instead debuting with $46 million – that didn’t stop it topping the box office that weekend though.
6. Cinderella (Disney) 2015
Opening Weekend: $67.88 million
Total Box Office: $201.15 million
Cinderella grossed $543.5 million worldwide – $201.15 million of that was at the domestic box office. Critics and audiences both approved of the reimagining giving it a warm reception.
5. Maleficent (Disney) 2014
Opening Weekend: $69.43 million
Total Box Office: $241.41 million
Unadjusted for inflation, Maleficent is Jolie’s highest-grossing film and the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2014. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a sequel is on the way.
4. The Jungle Book (Disney) 2016
Opening Weekend: $103.26 million
Total Box Office: $364 million
Jon Favreau directed this retelling of the story of Mowgli and his animal allies and enemies. Made for $177 million, The Jungle Book grossed $966 million worldwide and, at the global box office, was the fifth highest-grossing movie of 2016 behind four other Disney movies.
3. Aladdin (Disney) 2019
Opening Weekend: $105 million
Total Box Office: TBD
Opening over Memorial Day weekend, it secured a three-day domestic debut of $86.1 million being nudged up to $105 million over the four-day weekend – Aladdin cost $183 million to bring to the big screen.
2. Alice in Wonderland (Disney) 2010
Opening Weekend: $116.1 million
Total Box Office: $334.19 million
Hitting theaters in February, Alice in Wonderland debuted with $220.1 million worldwide against a budget of $200 million – it went on to gross over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and spawned a less successful sequel.
1. Beauty and the Beast (Disney) 2017
Opening Weekend: $174.75 million
Total Box Office: $504.04 million
Grossing $1.26 billion at the worldwide box office it was the second highest-grossing movie of 2017 – losing out on the top spot to Disney’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi – and broke a slew of records including beating the take of the original film’s entire theatrical run in just six days. It’s a beast of a movie!
Speaking of cinematic beasts, The Lion King debuts on July 19. Think the above will stay static? Me neither…
Check out the full breakdown, and let us know if this financial listing matches your listing of favorite live-action remakes.