Disney is experiencing a starkly divided year at the cinema, with massive hits clashing against significant franchise disappointments. While some animated sequels thrive, major live-action projects and Star Wars entries are struggling to find footing in theaters.

The $340 million Star Wars slump

The Star Wars franchise is facing a potential historic low following the underwhelming performance of The Mandalorian and Grogu. According to the report, the film has earned approximately $340 million so far, a figure that places it on track to become the lowest-grossing entry in the entire series. This projected decline would even see it fall below the earnings of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

This lack of momentum for the Star Wars brand stands in sharp contrast to the massive success of Toy Story 5. While the Star Wars installment struggles, Toy Story 5 has become a global juggernaut, grossing more than $800 million. This disparity highlights a growing gap between Disney's most beloved animated properties and its struggling sci-fi epics, which may be losing their "must-see" theatrical status.

Moana's $250 million budget vs. a $100 million opening

The 2026 live-action Moana remake is struggling to justify its massive production costs at the box office. Despite a staggering $250 million budget, the film earned less than $100 million during its opening weekend. This performance represents a significant financial hurdle for Disney, especially given the high stakes of its live-action reimagining strategy.

This struggle is not an isolated incident for Disney's recent live-action slate. The report notes that Snow White was also reported to be a financial loss, suggesting that the company's strategy of translating animated classics into live-action spectacles is facing increasing resistance from theatrical audiences.

The Disney+ popularity paradox

Audience behavior is shifting toward Disney+ for specific types of Disney content, creating a disconnect between theater attendance and streaming demnd. While Moana failed to capture the box office, it quickly became one of the top five most-watched titles on the Disney+ platform after a special look was released. This trend suggests that viewers may no longer view certain franchise films as "event cinema," but rather as content better suited for home viewing.

This shift reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry where the line between theatrical releases and streaming exclusives is blurring.. As audiences increasingly wait for films to arrive on Disney+, the traditional blockbuster model—which relies on massive opening weekends to recoup high production costs—is being put under immense pressure.

Will the Snow White loss signal a remake crisis?

Several critical questions remain regarding the long-term viability of Disney's current production model. First, it is unclear if the company will adjust its spending to avoid another $250 million budget mismatch like the one seen with Moana. Additionally, the report does not clarify whether the streaming success of these films will eventually translate into enough subscription growth to offset their theatrical losses.

There is also the question of whether the Star Wars brand can recover its prestige. If The Mandalorian and Grogu indeed becomes the lowest-grossing film in the franchise's history, Disney will need to address whether the brand's core audience has moved away from the big screen entirely. Finally, it remains to be seen if Disney can find a way to bridge the gap between the massive success of Toy Story 5 and the underperformance of its other major franchises.