Disney Delays and Removes Films from Release Calendar, Adding to Box Office Woes
Walt Disney Co. is once again facing disruptions in its movie release calendar, as it decided to delay the release of three films and remove another three altogether. This move adds to the ongoing box office challenges faced by the entertainment giant.
One of the delayed films is Snow White, a live-action remake of the beloved animated classic. Originally slated to hit theaters in 2024, it has now been pushed back a full year to March 21, 2025. Similarly, Elio, a Pixar film that was scheduled for March 2025, will now be released in June of the same year.
The setbacks in Disney’s release schedule can be attributed, in part, to recent impediments caused by screenwriters and actors. While the writers have returned to work, the actors are still in the midst of contract negotiations. This has made it challenging for studios to effectively promote their finished films, with actors unable to participate in premieres and other promotional events.
Disney’s decision to reshuffle its release calendar follows similar moves by other studios. Paramount Pictures, earlier this week, announced a year-long delay for its eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, now slated for a May 2025 release.
This year has been a tough one for Disney at the box office, with several of its releases failing to meet expectations. Films such as The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Haunted Mansion all disappointed in terms of ticket sales. In response, Disney has had to make significant adjustments to its schedule, previously delaying films tied to major franchises like Avatar and Star Wars.
In addition to the delays, Disney has also decided to remove three previously scheduled films from its calendar. Magazine Dreams, featuring Jonathan Majors, who is currently facing assault allegations, was set to premiere in December but is now without a scheduled release date. Furthermore, two untitled films, including one from Pixar, that were originally slated for 2025, have been dropped from the lineup.
These alterations to Disney’s release calendar pose yet another hurdle for theater chains, most notably AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., which are still struggling to lure back fans since the outbreak of the pandemic.
As the entertainment industry continues to grapple with various challenges, it remains to be seen how studios and theaters can adapt and find success amid these uncertain times. The hope is that the industry can bounce back stronger in the future, providing audiences with the cinematic experiences they eagerly await.
