Megan Basham

Well, I'll tell you, the words epic flop come to mind. It opened to a dismal $43 million domestically and only $87 million worldwide. And that's against a reported $270 million budget. So the numbers are still being finalized, but what that means is it's vying for the title of worst opening for a Disney live action remake ever.

Well, I'll tell you, the words epic flop come to mind. It opened to a dismal $43 million domestically and only $87 million worldwide. And that's against a reported $270 million budget. So the numbers are still being finalized, but what that means is it's vying for the title of worst opening for a Disney live action remake ever.

All weekend, people were posting viral videos of empty theaters for this film and investors seem to be watching closely. Disney stock dipped 3% Monday morning. So why did audiences reject it? Well, I would say that the overarching theme here is that Disney took a classic tale of romance and true love, and they turned it into one of self-empowerment.

All weekend, people were posting viral videos of empty theaters for this film and investors seem to be watching closely. Disney stock dipped 3% Monday morning. So why did audiences reject it? Well, I would say that the overarching theme here is that Disney took a classic tale of romance and true love, and they turned it into one of self-empowerment.

Now, a lot of people have been pointing the finger at lead actress Rachel Zegler for her political commentary, things like saying after the election that she hopes Trump supporters never know peace, and then also comments on the red carpet like this from last year.

Now, a lot of people have been pointing the finger at lead actress Rachel Zegler for her political commentary, things like saying after the election that she hopes Trump supporters never know peace, and then also comments on the red carpet like this from last year.

But I want to defend her a little bit because while this was off-putting to a lot of people, it is actually the content of the film, so she wasn't misrepresenting it. One of the most iconic songs of the original, Someday My Prince Will Come, that was cut. Instead, Disney offered a new song that's about not needing a prince for rescue.

But I want to defend her a little bit because while this was off-putting to a lot of people, it is actually the content of the film, so she wasn't misrepresenting it. One of the most iconic songs of the original, Someday My Prince Will Come, that was cut. Instead, Disney offered a new song that's about not needing a prince for rescue.

So the lyrics there, if you couldn't quite make them out, no more sending whispers to the water because you were everything you were wishing and waiting for. Someone fearless, someone fair, someone brave. It's worth noting that Prince Charming is quite literally not Prince Charming here because he's not a prince.

So the lyrics there, if you couldn't quite make them out, no more sending whispers to the water because you were everything you were wishing and waiting for. Someone fearless, someone fair, someone brave. It's worth noting that Prince Charming is quite literally not Prince Charming here because he's not a prince.

He's been swapped out for a Robin Hood style bandit who steals from the evil monarchy. I saw one comment from a woman online who said, I can't help but think that people, not just women, are growing weary of stories where they have to be their own hero because, dang, life is hard. And that really captured it for me.

He's been swapped out for a Robin Hood style bandit who steals from the evil monarchy. I saw one comment from a woman online who said, I can't help but think that people, not just women, are growing weary of stories where they have to be their own hero because, dang, life is hard. And that really captured it for me.

And I'll also add that the movie performed pretty evenly in both red and blue counties. So it wasn't just conservatives who didn't like it. Critics and audiences across the political spectrum have been giving it low marks. Reviews sit at a tepid 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. Opening weekend exit polls from ordinary moviegoers showed only a C-plus cinema score. So really hardly a ringing endorsement.

And I'll also add that the movie performed pretty evenly in both red and blue counties. So it wasn't just conservatives who didn't like it. Critics and audiences across the political spectrum have been giving it low marks. Reviews sit at a tepid 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. Opening weekend exit polls from ordinary moviegoers showed only a C-plus cinema score. So really hardly a ringing endorsement.

So how do you think Disney is going to respond to this feedback? Well, I think to start, they're going to be less willing to reimagine these classic films, because for the most part, these live action remakes have been a cash cow. The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, for instance, each raked in over a billion dollars, but they stayed very true to the originals.

So how do you think Disney is going to respond to this feedback? Well, I think to start, they're going to be less willing to reimagine these classic films, because for the most part, these live action remakes have been a cash cow. The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, for instance, each raked in over a billion dollars, but they stayed very true to the originals.

Those where Disney tries to update for modern sensibilities tend to get rejected by audiences. And there we can look at not just Snow White, but also the underwhelming performance of last year's Little Mermaid, But I also think while there's a lot of talk about the politics of Snow White, I also think there's an element here of fans simply getting tired of remakes.

Those where Disney tries to update for modern sensibilities tend to get rejected by audiences. And there we can look at not just Snow White, but also the underwhelming performance of last year's Little Mermaid, But I also think while there's a lot of talk about the politics of Snow White, I also think there's an element here of fans simply getting tired of remakes.

So this could push Disney to rethink its strategy.

So this could push Disney to rethink its strategy.