In this article, we’ll explore 5 worst-performing Disney animated movies of all time. If you want to read our detailed analysis of recent news and the market position of Disney, then check out the 15 Worst Performing Disney Animated Movies of All Time.
5. Treasure Planet
Estimated Financial Loss: $30 Million
Treasure Planet didn’t do well in theaters, making just $38 million in the U.S. and $110 million worldwide. The movie suffered significant financial losses, making it one of the major animated box office failures. Even though it got mostly positive reviews from both critics and audiences, it struggled to draw a big crowd and earn sufficient money to cover its production and marketing expenses. Despite tie-ins with McDonald’s and Pepsi-Cola, the marketing couldn’t lift its box office outcome.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
Estimated Financial Loss: $75 Million
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a 2016 American superhero movie directed by Dave Green, written by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec, and based on characters by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. Despite earning $245.6 million at the box office, it fell short due to its hefty production and marketing expenses, making the label of a box office letdown. Released in the same year as popular superhero films like “Captain America: Civil War, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and “Deadpool, the movie faced tough competition, potentially affecting its box office performance.
3. Light Year
Estimated Financial Loss: $106 Million
Lightyear disappointed at the box office, making just $51 million in the U.S. and Canada over its opening weekend. The movie couldn’t surpass other hits like Jurassic World Dominion and fell short of predictions. This led to a substantial loss of over $100 million for Disney and Pixar. Despite earning around $267 million from theater and home releases, the film’s financial outcome remained negative.
2. Mars Needs Mom
Estimated Financial Loss: $110.8 Million
Mars Needs Moms was a 2011 American 3D computer-animated sci-fi film made by Walt Disney Pictures. Surprisingly, despite being a Disney movie, it turned out to be a major flop at the box office, marking Disney’s worst financial setback. With a budget of $150 million, the film’s earnings were only $39.2 million, leading to an estimated loss of $100 million. This substantial loss earned the movie a notorious place among the biggest box office failures. Criticism was aimed at the lackluster marketing strategy for Mars Needs Moms, which failed to effectively promote the film. Unlike other Disney films, its marketing campaign wasn’t as comprehensive, which might have contributed to its poor performance.
1. Strange World
Estimated Financial Loss: $152 Million
Disney’s animated comedy adventure Strange World has captured notice due to its notable financial losses and disappointing reception. Over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, the movie only earned $18.9 million, sharply contrasting with Frozen II, which raked in $125 million during the same period in 2019. The film faced a steep decline in audience attendance, shedding 60% of viewers in its second weekend and garnering a mere $5.1 million. Consequently, due to its theatrical underperformance, Strange World transitioned to Disney+ merely a month after its release in theaters.
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