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.