Disney was reportedly dealt another blow at the box office last weekend when “Haunted Mansion” underperformed and “bombed,” according to some critics.
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The live-action remake of the 2003 classic by the same name brought in $24.2 million opening weekend, coming under the $30 million experts expected, Movieguide reported.
The Christian movie site went on to express its belief occultic content in “Haunted Mansion” played a role in why some families chose to stay away from theaters.
“The movie struggled to draw in a family audience due to its emphasis on occultism and unbiblical views on the supernatural,” Movieguide noted, adding that the SAG-AFTRA strike also likely had an impact.
Despite having significant star power, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Owen Wilson, and Rosario Dawson, among others, actors weren’t permitted to attend the movie’s premiere or promote it.
Movieguide also connected the poor performance of “Haunted Mansion” to ongoing critiques about the company’s decision to include LGBTQ themes in various TV shows and movies, among other topics.
It’s no secret Disney has been in Christians’ and conservatives’ crosshairs, with various releases reportedly struggling at the box office.
One report last month found The Walt Disney Company is hemorrhaging money, with revenue losses nearing $900 million for recent theatrical releases.
The report comes after movies like “Strange World,” “Elemental,” and “Lightyear” featured either same-sex relationships or nonbinary characters.
There’s also “Pauline,” a new Disney+ show reportedly featuring a teenage girl who falls in love with Satan. Read more about that here.
“Haunted Mansion” reportedly cost Disney $150 million before marketing costs; it’s still too early to tell if the movie will pick up steam at the box office. “Elemental,” a movie initially panned as a flop, has rebounded, with domestic and international monies totaling $400 million.
So far, global receipts for “Haunted Mansion” have brought in just under $39 million.
“Disney needs to return to creating family-friendly movies that promote strong Christian and moral values rather than continuing down the losing path it is currently on,” Movieguide concluded.
Read more about some of Disney’s box office struggles here.
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