Disney’s ‘Strange World’ Plummets At The Theaters, But Not All Is Lost For Disney Animation

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Animation’s latest feature film, Strange World is the heartwarming story of reconnecting with family, overcoming obstacles, and going on an adventure. Like all Disney animated features, the animation quality is superb, though the movie continues to see a lack of enthusiasm from theater goers.

In fact, Strange World is on course to lose at least $100 million during its theatrical run, according to Variety. Part of the loss can be contributed to the ongoing pandemic and financial constraints due to rising costs for everything from gas to food, where there’s not as much extra funds to go and see movies as a family. This is where Disney+, the streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, has made a huge impact on animated films. Not only has the streaming service allowed more consumers to see the films, the movies have sometimes become instant classics, like in the case of Disney’s Encanto.

Disney and Pixar animated films that underperformed at the theater before being released on Disney’s streaming service Disney+ include Encanto, which grossed $96 million at domestic box office and $230 million at the global box office, Lightyear, which grossed $118 million domestically and $218 million worldwide, and Raya and the Last Dragon, which earned $54 million at the domestic box office and $116 million at the global box office. What sets these movies apart is that all of them were fairly successful after debuting on Disney+.

Disney’s streaming service seems to be a lifeline for animated movies these days. While you likely didn’t go to a theater to see Encanto, your kids have likely been singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” on repeat since seeing the movie on Disney+.

During the pandemic, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek made the decision to move Disney and Pixar animated films—like Soul, Luca, and Turning Red—directly to Disney+ and have no theatrical release. While Turning Red became a hit with those who grew up in the 90s, Soul and Luca got less fanfare from Disney’s most loyal moviegoers.

Now that movie theaters are fully open, and Disney fans are ready to see theatrical releases again, animation still seems to be struggling. Kids are more interested in seeing their favorite super heroes, like Black Panther, on the big screen. The latest from Marvel Studios Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has grossed $367 million in North America and $675 million at the global box office.

Perhaps, this is more telling of what families want to see in a theater: movies that become a theatrical experience like super hero movies or the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel are more enticing to spend money on because the viewing experience is heightened in a real theater with dozens of other people.

Animated movies, on the other hand are viewed by millions of people everyday at home, and often time the lack of theatrical experience doesn’t seem to make a difference in at-home viewing and seeing all of the details of a movie. In some cases, viewing a movie like Encanto, at home may make it easier for those with kids, who need breaks during longer films or if parents want to skip through scenes they may deem inappropriate for their children.

With Bob Iger returning as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, he may be able to find the special sauce that brings animated movies from Disney and Pixar back to the pinnacle of what they were before the pandemic— great stories that touched people despite age, race and culture. Whether that means sticking to the idea that animated movies do better on Disney+ or having big theatrical debuts with merchandise and limited time engagements at the theme parks with characters from movies has yet to be decided.