‘Wonka’ Kills Disney (At the Box Office)

It looks like 2023 will end badly for the Walt Disney Company. At least in terms of its box office numbers.

The Disney Christmas Movie

It’s odd for Disney not to have a blockbuster film in theaters during Christmas and New Year’s. After all, this is the time of year when many children (and parents) are off and have free time to see movies.

Related: Major New ‘Frozen’ Franchise Changes Explained

This is the time of year Disney released ALL of its Star Wars movies (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019), the original Avatar (2009), Frozen (2013), Frozen 2 (2019), and even Aladdin in 1992.

But this year, Disney will have zero movies helping bring in numbers during the holidays. There is only one major Disney release in theaters, Wish. And it currently sits at $127 million worldwide.

Which lists it as a flop, considering it cost north of $200 million just to produce. After four weeks in theaters, with little hype surrounding it, it doesn’t seem like Wish (2023) will do much better.

Related: New Disney ‘Wish’ Show Debuts at Disney Park

Also, with movies, the longer they are in theaters, the fewer screens they have as demand decreases. And Wish has already been pulled from 800 movie screens.

Many can speculate as to why the movie isn’t doing well. Whether it’s the mixed reviews, general lack of interest, Disney fatigue, or branding issues, the fact is, it remains another Disney box office flop.

Related: Disney World and Disneyland Will Suffer Because of ‘The Marvels’

It joins the group of 2023 failures, including Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Haunted Mansion, Elemental, and The Marvels.

Wonka Winning the Box Office

Meanwhile, Wonka (2023), by Warner Bros., has already hit $113 million globally. And it’s been in theaters for less than a week. Many expect it to be THE movie people will see this holiday season.

Related: All 3 Willy Wonka Movies Ranked From Worst to Best

It’s rated PG, making it family-friendly. And in terms of competition, it seems to have little. MAYBE Migration (2023).

But regardless of who takes home the trophy for the Christmas family film of 2023, it doesn’t look like it will be Disney Animation Studios (or Pixar Studios or Marvel Studios or Lucasfilm).

Why not? Where are the Disney box office blockbusters?

That’s what everyone wants to know.