Just days after its release, Disney’s live-action “Haunted Mansion” film is already being dubbed a flop in some circles.
Budgeted at $150 million, the movie was released this past Friday to just a third-place debut and $24 million start domestically. Internationally though, the film fared far worse – taking in just $9.1 million from 35 markets.
The worldwide start of $33 million for what is a family-friendly tentpole is being seen as a disappointing start and likely indicates it will struggle to make a profit in its theatrical run. The mixed reviews are also not helping.
In the wake of this, obvious questions are being raised with most oft-repeated one being why release this in July as opposed to October – a far more suitable time for the subject matter.
Yes, there are numerous spooky films set for the Fall this year including new “Saw,” “Exorcist” and “The Nun” sequels, the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” film and the Agatha Christie adaptation “A Haunting in Venice”.
The timing also means the film will likely be available to premiere on the Disney+ service just in time for Halloween season (a digital release date has yet to be announced).
Still, comparisons are being made to thirty years ago when Disney opened Halloween-set “Hocus Pocus” in July – leading to that film bombing at the box-office but quickly becoming a cult classic.
The film’s soft start continues Disney’s unfortunate summer this year following the costly underperformance of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and the live-action “The Little Mermaid” adaptation – both of which came up short at the box-office.
Pixar’s “Elemental” also got off to a bad start but has made a big comeback in subsequent weeks to the point that it has overtaken the fifth “Indiana Jones” and has managed to rack up $395.2 million worldwide.
James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is still, by far, the Mouse House’s biggest hit of the season and is hitting the Disney+ service imminently.
Source: Screen Rant
