Disney’s animated musical “Wish” has faced a challenging road in theaters, lagging behind in box office earnings. The film, which was expected to be a major hit, earned a modest $31.7 million over the Thanksgiving weekend. This performance falls short when compared to most of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ previous releases, highlighting a shift in audience preferences in the 2020s. With the rise of streaming services, the urgency to watch Disney’s latest releases in theaters has diminished, as home viewing becomes an increasingly appealing option.
Disney’s Strategy: Balancing Theatrical Releases with Disney+ Streaming
Disney has been navigating the changing landscape of movie distribution, especially since the launch of Disney+ in 2019. The streaming service has seen various release strategies for Disney and Pixar films. While some movies like “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Soul” were released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+, others like “Lightyear” and “Elemental” had longer theater-to-streaming windows. “Elemental,” the only other animated Disney movie released in 2023 alongside “Wish,” achieved substantial worldwide box office success, contrasting with “Wish’s” performance. This disparity raises questions about the appropriate streaming release strategy for “Wish.”
Wish discs would stay in their lane and never herniate pic.twitter.com/4eKjaY7Zlw
— Oren Gottfried, MD (@OGdukeneurosurg) December 2, 2023
Predicting “Wish’s” Disney+ Debut: A Balancing Act for Disney
The lackluster box office performance of “Wish” could influence its Disney+ release timeline. Disney CEO Bob Iger’s push for giving theatrical releases more time to earn revenue suggests that “Wish” might follow a similar path to “Elemental,” potentially debuting on Disney+ around 90 days post-theatrical release. However, considering its underperformance, Disney might opt for a quicker streaming release, possibly around 70 days after its theatrical debut. This accelerated strategy aligns with Disney’s approach for animated films before 2023 and could place “Wish’s” premiere on Disney+ as early as the end of January.
Disney+ as a New Horizon for “Wish”: A Potential Streaming Success
Despite its theatrical struggles, “Wish” may find a more receptive audience on Disney+. The pandemic-era shift to direct-to-streaming releases has redefined what constitutes a successful Disney movie. Films like “Elemental” have shown that a slow start at the box office doesn’t preclude success on streaming platforms. Given the appeal of Disney’s animated movies, especially those with catchy songs and rewatchability, “Wish” could replicate the streaming success of its predecessors. As Disney navigates this new landscape, balancing theater and streaming releases, “Wish” might emerge as a testament to the evolving dynamics of movie consumption.
“Wish” continues its theatrical run worldwide, with its streaming debut on Disney+ eagerly anticipated by fans and industry observers alike.
