Disney’s live-action remake of its 1989 animated classic easily outswam the competition, bringing in $95.5 million on 4,320 screens in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.
And Disney estimates the film starring Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as her sea witch nemesis Ursula will reach $117.5 million by the time the holiday is over. It ranks as the fifth biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever.
The performance of “The Little Mermaid” represents something of a bounce-back for Disney’s animated-to-live-action remakes, and makes it likely they will keep coming indefinitely. Poor reception and the pandemic had some recent reboots either performing poorly or skipping theatrical releases for Disney +, including “Dumbo,” “Mulan” and “Pinocchio.”
Audiences thought it did deliver. The film had an A CinemaScore, and according to exit polling had more ticket buyers between ages 25 and 34 than children, suggesting nostalgic adults were essential.Critics were more lukewarm. The movie is currently at 67% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Rob Marshall with a reported budget of $250 before marketing, “The Little Mermaid” tells the story of a yearning, wayward daughter who cuts a devil’s deal to swap her fins for a pair of legs. It features the songs from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, including “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea,” that helped the original film spark a Disney animation renaissance in the 1990s.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Autistic NYC boy ‘destroyed’ after arrest over picking ‘Heathers’ film for school assignment: suitAn autistic Harlem boy was detained by the NYPD and subjected to a mental evaluation after he chose the 1989 flick “Heathers” — about a murderous teen who blows up his high school…
Read more »
Melissa McCarthy meets her match in Halle Bailey's Ariel in live-action 'The Little Mermaid'This new version of 'The Little Mermaid' combines live-action with animation to update the 1989 original.
Read more »
Melissa McCarthy meets her match in Halle Bailey's Ariel in live-action 'The Little Mermaid'This new version of 'The Little Mermaid' combines live-action with animation to update the 1989 original.
Read more »
‘The Little Mermaid’ makes a big splash at the box office“The Little Mermaid,” Disney’s live-action adaption of the 1989 movie, took home $48.3 million on its opening night Friday.
Read more »
King Charles honors the late Tina Turner with musical tribute at Buckingham PalaceThe newly crowned monarch allowed the Band of the Welsh Guards to pay tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 1989 hit “The Best” on Friday.
Read more »