Disney recently disclosed that it incurred a staggering $965 million loss due to four major film and streaming flops in 2023.
Since the return of Bob Iger as the company’s CEO in November of the previous year, Disney has been on a mission to cut costs across the board. Iger stressed the need to reduce expenses, acknowledging that while they are proud of their screen offerings, the budgets have become exorbitant.
Typically, specific budget details for movies and shows are kept confidential, with studios consolidating costs. However, an exception lies with productions made in the UK. Disney has been taking advantage of cash reimbursements of up to 25% for expenses incurred in the UK. Consequently, they filmed four of their costliest productions in the UK, which also turned out to be their most underwhelming releases.
Marvel’s bomb
The first disappointment came in February with Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Despite spending a whopping $193.2 million on pre-production and filming, the movie received lukewarm reviews and earned less than its predecessors, grossing $476.1 million worldwide.
The Little Mermaid
In May, the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid struggled to make waves. With an expenditure of $265.5 million, the film faced criticism for its modernized approach and questionable CGI, though it managed to be profitable.
Indiana Jones
The much-anticipated Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiered in June. Although the de-aged Harrison Ford impressed in the trailers, the movie came with a hefty price tag of $294.7 million, and with a box office return of $357.9 million, it may end up as a loss for Disney.
Disney+
Finally, Disney+ saw its own letdown with Secret Invasion. Despite a $211.6 million budget, the show received criticism for its lackluster CGI and plot holes, leading to a dismal 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
