In what looks like a bit of a desperate move, Disney is taking one last plunge into the sea of theaters with a sing-along edition of its live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Scheduled for release in select theaters across the United States on August 25th, this re-release comes as an unexpected twist in the tale of a film that, despite being a commercial success, has failed to make waves akin to its Disney live-action predecessors.
Live-Action Under the Sea
The Little Mermaid (2023) allowed fans to reunite with the magic of the ocean. It was directed by Rob Marshall and featured an ensemble cast including Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder. However, although it was highly anticipated, it failed to replicate the resounding success of Disney’s previous live-action adaptations, such as The Lion King (2019), Aladdin (2019), and Beauty and the Beast (2017).
As of August 22, 2023, the film has grossed $567.51 million worldwide, a notable sum by any standard but significantly lower when compared to its live-action counterparts. With $297.19 million from the domestic market and $270.32 million from the international market, it’s clear that The Little Mermaid didn’t quite reach Disney’s expectations. However, it did turn a mild profit for the entertainment company. With an estimated budget of around $250 million, it still gave Disney a tiny financial victory.
There are several reasons for this underwhelming performance, some of which are a little questionable in their merits. The most well-known controversial subject was the backlash surrounding the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel. Some critics expressed their displeasure over casting a Black actress for the iconic role, potentially affecting the film’s reception in certain markets such as China. Second, the film’s marketing campaign failed to create the same buzz and excitement surrounding previous Disney live-action remakes. Couple these with a brutal post-pandemic audience and live-action remake burnout, and you can see why the film had a tough hill to climb.
Live-Action Little Mermaid Sing-Along
Disney’s decision to re-release The Little Mermaid as a sing-along edition appears to be an attempt to squeeze the last drops of box office revenue from the film. Disney aims to reignite interest and potentially attract new and returning audiences by putting the movie back in theaters. However, with the movie coming to Disney+ soon, it is even harder to justify heading to the theater for this experience.
The sing-along edition of The Little Mermaid builds on the success of the original animated film released in 1989. Generations of fans have grown up with the movie’s amazing music and memorable characters. The sing-along format allows fans to relive the magic of the film by belting out beloved songs like ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Part of Your World’ in the company of other people who fell in love with this reimagining.
Now Sing!🐙🗣️Experience your favorite songs all over again with Disney's #TheLittleMermaid sing-along in select theaters August 25.🫧🌊 Find showtimes on Fandango, 🔗 in bio pic.twitter.com/t6toHn476i
— The Little Mermaid (@LittleMermaid) August 21, 2023
Disney Is Desperate
Furthermore, Disney’s decision to release the sing-along edition just before the film’s streaming release is odd. The movie is already released for purchase on digital platforms and will make its way to Disney+ on September 6. The ability to sing along to a movie is not unique to this format, so it seems strange to ask audiences to shell out money when they can just wait a week and do it in the comfort of their own home with a subscription.
While the success of this last-ditch effort will likely not do much, Disney’s commitment to revitalizing The Little Mermaid reflects the studio’s desire to repaint the narrative of box office failures this year. Whether this sing-along edition can transform the tide of the live-action adaptation’s box office performance remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: both versions of The Little Mermaid contain the same fantastic music and are prime for singing-along. However, adding the “Scuttlebutt” song is still the most volatile discussion surrounding the live-action film.
