“The Little Mermaid” Movie Makes $10.3 Million in Previews On Friday, Set To Make Box Office No.1

Despite having massive dislikes on its trailer launch, Disney’s movie remake of “The Little Mermaid” is starting its box office launch with $ 10.3 million in previews after it opened in 4,320 theaters on Friday.

Thursday’s preview haul was the seventh-highest ever for a G- or PG-rated movie. “The Little Mermaid” also racked up $850,000 from Wednesday’s early access screenings.

With singer and actor Halle Bailey starring as Ariel, the new movie is forecasted to open with $100 million this holiday weekend – with Memorial Day on Monday, its four-day total could see between $120 million and $125 million.

“The Little Mermaid” is expected to become one of Disney’s most successful live-action remakes. In comparison to Disney’s most recent remake, the 2019 animated “The Lion King,” saw $191 million opening from $23 million in previews. It made over $1 billion globally.

Months before “The Lion King” was released, the live-action “Aladdin” opened with $117 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend (from $7 million in previews) and also cracked $1 billion worldwide.

“The Little Mermaid,” which had a budget of around $250 million, is fishing for a return to box office glory for Disney’s remakes, and it will easily take the No. 1 spot from last week’s champion, “Fast X.” The Universal action sequel, after its soft $67 million opening, will drift into second place with an estimated $27 million to $30 million in its second weekend.

The Little Mermaid cast includes Melissa McCarthy as the evil sea witch Ursula, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder the fish and Awkwafina as Scuttle the seabird.