7 Major Failures In Disney History: Turning Red, Mars Needs Moms, And Others

Adm Desk Oct 23, 2024

There is no need for evidence to show that the fan base for Disney movies is unparalleled. Nevertheless, not all Disney movies have been successful in terms of box office revenue. In a surprising turn of events, many movies that were not well-received still made millions worldwide, while numerous projects turned out to be commercial failures. Let's examine the seven largest Disney failures in history that experienced major financial losses at the box office.

1. Turning Red

Disney's biggest box office flop was Turning Red, directed by Domee Shi. The story of the animated film may appear to be easily understood by viewers. The comedic drama tells the tale of a young girl who discovers a family curse that causes her to turn into massive red pandas.

It is thought that the film did not do well because the creators chose to release it in theaters and on Disney Plus. Despite generating USD 12.27 million globally, Turning Red fell short of its USD 175 million production budget, making it one of Disney's largest failures.

2. Mulan

It is a given that Disney dominates the realm of live-action remakes. Nonetheless, some ventures failed significantly; Mulan's 2020 debut is a prime example. Numerous controversies surrounding its production and release during the pandemic are among the factors that contributed to the movie's struggles at the box office.

The Niki Caro-directed film failed to make a significant impact at the worldwide box office, earning only USD 69.97 million. Mulan, funded with a budget of $200 million, experienced significant financial losses and received a varied response. It led to a major failure of a Disney film.

3. Onward

Created by Pixar and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Onward tells a touching tale about two elf siblings, Ian and Barley Lightfoot. The pair employ a mystical wand to bring back their deceased father for a day. Not only did it receive poor reviews, but it also suffered a huge financial loss and was a colossal failure worldwide.

While costing Rs 200 million, it only managed to make USD 133.35 million. Onward faced hardship when the cinemas closed for several months following the movie's release in theaters due to the pandemic.

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4. Mars Needs Moms

When talking about Disney movie failures at the box office, Mars Needs Moms is the one that stands out. It failed not just in terms of finances but also in terms of critical reception. The characters did not capture the audience's attention, and the animation was not attractive, leading to the film's poor performance at the box office. The Simon Wells film finished its worldwide release with a total of USD 39.54 million, falling short of its USD 150 million production budget.

Adapted from the book with the same title, Mars Needs Moms depicts the journey of a nine-year-old boy who sets out to rescue his abducted mother on Mars. The sci-fi film in animation format is among the least successful movies produced by Disney.

5. John Carter

Featuring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, and Mark Strong, among others, John Carter is considered one of the major box office failures for Disney. The movie experienced a deficit exceeding USD 200 million. Even though it was adapted from a grand science fiction book, John Carter received only tepid reactions.

With a budget of USD 263 million, the movie by Andrew Stanton made USD 284.1 million at the box office. It was interestingly an effort by the creators to establish a franchise, but the underwhelming results dashed any hopes for future films.

6. Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny

A follow-up to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Dial of Destiny failed at the box office. Its lackluster success was driven by average ratings. Directed by James Marigold, the action-adventure movie had an absurdly successful performance.

Produced with a hefty budget of USD 402 million, Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny managed to bring in USD 383.96 million at the global box office. The numbers show that it is one of the largest failures at the Disney box office ever.

7. Strange World

Created by Qui Nguyen, Strange World encountered tough competition from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The animated sci-fi film achieved greater success on Disney+ than in theaters.

Strange World had a disappointing revenue compared to its budget, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately USD 197 million. According to the information provided, it earned a total of USD 73.6 million globally.

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