The Little Mermaid Is a Big Hit on VOD

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Source:www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/the-little-mermaid-big-hit-on-vod-1234889977/

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‘The Little Mermaid’ Is a Big Hit on VOD
After little theatrical success, "Joy Ride" is gaining some traction as well.
BY TOM BRUEGGEMANN

JULY 31, 2023 5:30 PM


THE LITTLE MERMAID, from left: Halle Bailey as Ariel, Scuttle (voice: Awkwafina), 2023. © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Little Mermaid" ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Unlike their just opened “Haunted Mansion” ($33 million worldwide opening gross for a $150 million budget film before marketing” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” ($356 million gross, $295 million plus marketing), Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” might ultimately break even. If it does, its performance on PVOD could be make or break.

Of note, suggesting Disney’s much-revised strategy, this release came after nine weekends in theaters (60 days) and ahead of future Disney+ streaming.

With a reported production cost of $250 million and the usual added expense, its ultimate worldwide gross of $600 million, though otherwise impressive, means post-theatrical revenues need to be substantial. Opening #1 on all charts its initial week is a good first step.

What it will need is multiple weeks of strong play beyond a default first week #1. Last week “The Flash” (Warner Bros.), a far smaller performer in theaters, did debut at the top. But this week it’s only #2 on one chart (Vudu), while third and fourth elsewhere. The bounty for PVOD comes from long term, and high end charts (with the usual caveat that the revenues earned remain a mystery).

The VOD top tens otherwise changed little near the top, with five films along with “Mermaid” and “The Flash” on all three. Among $19.99 price films, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Disney), “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (Paramount), and “Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken” (Universal) repeated across the board, with $5.99 rentals “John Wick: Chapter Four (Lionsgate) and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (Universal), titles that have run longer, also placing.

JOY RIDE, from left: Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Wu, Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, 2023. ph: Ed Araquel /© Lionsgate /Courtesy Everett Collection
“Joy Ride”©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Two other new entries, both on Vudu, one each on iTunes and Google Play, debuted. “Joy Ride” (Lionsgate), the well-reviewed Asian-American friendship comedy that only managed $13 million despite a wide release, came out after only three weekends. It paid off with placing as high as #6 on Vudu. For a lower-budgeted title like this, any sustained showing could be lucrative.

“Resident Evil: Death Island” (Sony), a Japanese animated film related to the original video game rather than the movie franchise, also placed on two lists at a low $5.99 initial rental cost.

Netflix again has an above average number of non-studio released older films on its top 10. “Hidden Strike,” no an original production but not released theatrically domestically and handled by Netflix in most of the world, is #1. The Chinese-produced Jackie Chan-John Cena Middle East-set actioner was actually made in 2018, with Cena replacing the planned Sylvester Stallone. That’s tailor-made for instant success on the streamer.

It gets even more eclectic. The rest of the top six — the romance “Happiness for Beginners,” French animated “Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Movie” (with a reported $90 million budget), last week’s #1 “They Cloned Tyrone,” Japanese documentary “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case,” and German sci-fi thriller “Paradise” — are originals, with the kind of eclectic range, whatever their quality, that’s far greater than what is offered in theaters.

iTunes and Google Play rank films daily by number of transactions. These are the listings for Monday, July 31. Distributors listed are current rights owners. Prices for all titles are for rental.


iTunes

1. The Little Mermaid (Disney)- $19.99

2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99

3. The Flash (WB) – $19.99

4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99

5. Joyride (Lionsgate) – $19.99

6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99

7. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99

8. Sisu (Lionsgate) – $5.99

9. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99

10. The Covenant (MGM) – $5.99

Google Play

1. The Little Mermaid (Disney) – $19.99

2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99

3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99

4. The Flash (WB) – $19.99

5. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99

6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99

7. Resident Evil: Death Island (Sony) – $5.99

8. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99

9. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99

10. Sisu (Lionsgate) – $5.99

Vudu

Vudu ranks by revenue, not transactions, elevating premium VOD titles. This list covers July 24-30.

1. The Little Mermaid (Disney) – $19.99

2. The Flash (WB) – $19.99

3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99

4. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99

5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99

6. Joy Ride (Lionsgate) – $19.99

7. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99

8. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99

9. Resident Evil: Death Island (Sony) – $5.99

10. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99

Netflix Movies

Most viewed, current ranking on Netflix’s daily chart on Monday, July 31. Originals include both Netflix-produced and acquired titles it initially presents in the U.S. Netflix publishes its own weekly top 10 on Tuesdays based on time viewed

1. Hidden Strike (2023 Netflix original)

2. Happiness for Beginners (Netflix original)

3. Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Movie (Netflix French animated original)

4. They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix original)

5. Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case (Netflix Japanese original documentary)

6. Paradise (Netflix German original)

7. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022 theatrical release)

8. The Out-Laws (Netflix original)

9. Ride Along (2014 theatrical release)

10. Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine (Netflix original documentary)

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Source: screenrant.com/the-little-mermaid-remake-vod-digital-release-success/

The Little Mermaid Dominates VOD Charts After Digital Release
BY
RYAN NORTHRUP
PUBLISHED 18 MINUTES AGO
After its somewhat underwhelming box office performance, The Little Mermaid has made a big splash on digital platforms and is dominating VOD charts.


Halle Bailey as Ariel looking at Sebastian in The Little Mermaid.

SUMMARY
The live-action Little Mermaid remake is performing well on VOD platforms, topping the charts on iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
Despite more mixed reviews from critics, the film proved generally more popular with audiences, which is contributing to its PVOD success.
Despite decent domestic box office numbers, the film was a disappointment internationally, and a strong VOD performance could help to make up for this.

The Little Mermaid is now available to watch on digital platforms, and VOD charts show that the film is making a big splash. The latest in a long line of Disney live-action remakes, The Little Mermaid serves as a re-imagining of the studio's 1989 animated classic, with Halle Bailey stepping into the role of Ariel. The remake earned mixed to positive reviews from critics and was something of a disappointment financially, ending its theatrical run with $564 million against a production budget of $250 million.

Now, following The Little Mermaid's release on digital platforms, IndieWire reports that the film is proving to be a popular home-viewing choice. The VOD charts put the new Disney live-action remake at the number one spot on iTunes and Google Play, which rank by number of transactions, and Vudu, which ranks by total revenue. The film, which is currently priced at $19.99 for a rental, beats out several other recent releases across all three platforms, including The Flash, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

The Little Mermaid's VOD Success Explained


Kiss-The-Girl-The-Little-Mermaid

While the critics' response to the film was generally positive, it was definitely more of a soft positive, with The Little Mermaid's Rotten Tomatoes score, for example, currently sitting at 67%. The audience score, on the other hand, sits at a lofty 94%, suggesting the remake was generally quite well received among more casual moviegoers. Despite a disappointing international box office performance (the film was a major flop in China), the domestic total for the remake is $289 million, which handily beats other recent releases like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ($167M) and Fast X ($145M).

All of that is to say that, generally speaking, The Little Mermaid was quite well-received in North America. This reception is definitely a contributing factor to the film's current VOD performance, with younger audiences who saw and liked the film in theaters now able to rewatch it with their parents at home. In addition, audiences who didn't get a chance to experience the movie in theaters can now experience the remake for the first time.

Considering the film's disappointing international performance, revenue generated from PVOD sales could end being a crucial factor in terms of The Little Mermaid's larger success. Unfortunately, revenue generated from PVOD and VOD sales isn't generally publicly shared, so it will likely remain unclear how the film's charting on digital platforms is actually affecting its bottom line.

Source: Indiewire

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Source: thedirect.com/article/little-mermaid-2023-disney-plus-release-streaming-shift

Disney Plus' Frustrating Little Mermaid 2023 Release Marks Big Shift in Streaming Strategy
By Klein Felt Posted: August 01, 2023


Little Mermaid Disney+

The Little Mermaid's frustrating Disney+ release could be a bellwether for things to come for Disney's overall streaming strategy.

Just when audiences thought they were getting the hang of things in this new streaming world, Disney and the studios of Hollywood decided to change things up.

After years of rampant streaming spending and dwindling box office numbers, Disney is hellbent on trying to reverse the effects of quick-to-Disney+ release plans.

And 2023's The Little Mermaid remake is just the latest indicator of this, as the movie still has no Disney+ release date in sight.


The Little Mermaid's Disney+ Release Signals Key Change


Little Mermaid 2023
Disney

Disney's The Little Mermaid may be the first indication that the studio is shifting towards a wider window for their Walt Disney Pictures films and their eventual releases on Disney+.

Now, just over two months out from Little Mermaid's theatrical debut, the film still does not have a Disney+ release date, despite coming to digital storefronts more than a month ago.

This marks a distinct shift in how Walt Disney Pictures handles its original movies on the streamer.

Over the past couple of years (COVID releases aside), the studio has kept shorter windows for its films before they appear on Disney+. Movies like Lightyear and Strange World hit the service a meager 47 and 30 days, respectively, after their theatrical releases.

At the time of writing, it has been more than 65 days since The Little Mermaid hit theater screens around the world, and it is not on Disney+. For comparison, those other recent Disney-produced releases had theater-to-streaming windows well short of 50 days.

See the list of notable titles since 2022 below:

Encanto - 30 days
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - 47 days
The Bob's Burgers Movie - 47 days
Lightyear - 47 days
Thor: Love and Thunder - 62 days
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - 82 days
Strange World - 30 days
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania - 89 days

Given that The Little Mermaid's physical release is coming on Tuesday, September 19 - along with Disney's recent propensity for lining up physical and Disney+ releases - this could mean the movie will not arrive on the studio's streaming platform until mid-to-late September.

This also comes as Disney pivots from releasing many of its original films straight to streaming with the likes of Disenchanted, Hocus Pocus 2, Pinocchio, and so many more all forgoing the theaters, releasing on Disney+ first.


What Does Disney's New Streaming Strategy Looks Like?

This shifting in Disney+ strategy is going to leave many guessing when they are going to be able to take in Disney's latest aquatic adventure, but there may be some method to the studio's Disney+ madness.

After a similar shift took place with the studio's MCU projects as of late, a pattern has seemingly emerged and could be replicated on the Walt Disney Pictures side of things as well.

The last two Marvel Studios releases came to Disney+ 89 days after its theatrical debut.

There is still plenty of time for Little Mermaid to follow a similar 90-day plan. If the movie were to stick to that same 89-day mark that would put its Disney+ release on Friday, August 23.

Wither wat, this shift is likely just the beginning for Disney releases, with the likes of Elemental, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Haunted Mansion all likely getting wider theatrical to streaming windows of their own.

The Little Mermaid is available on digital storefronts now, with a physical release set for Tuesday, September 19.

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Source: www.cbr.com/little-mermaid-tops-vod-charts-disney/

Disney’s Live-Action Little Mermaid Makes a Splash on VOD Charts
By
Jodee Brown
Published 1 day ago

Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid soars in the video-on-demand market following its solid yet unspectacular box-office run.


Ariel singing to Prince Eric after she pulled him to the shore in Disney The Little Mermaid 2023

Though The Little Mermaid hasn't made the biggest critical and commercial splash, the Disney live-action remake stays afloat thanks to surging video-on-demand (VOD) sales.

Per IndieWire, The Little Mermaid has become a popular viewing choice for movie lovers since its home video release, topping the VOD charts on iTunes and Google Play, which rank by the number of transactions made, and Vudu, which sets its order by revenue. Additionally, The Little Mermaid beat several notable summer blockbusters across all three platforms including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Flash, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

The Little Mermaid's home-video performance is encouraging following a solid yet unspectacular theatrical run. The live-action adaptation of the titular 1989 animated movie earned $564 million worldwide on its $250 million production budget. The film was more popular domestically, with $297 million of its overall take coming across North American cinemas, a higher local gross than Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ($167 million) or Fast X ($145 million). While the film reportedly broke even, substantial VOD returns could help the film's profit margin.


The Little Mermaid Was Met With Buzz and Controversy Upon Release

Considerable buzz and controversy surrounded The Little Mermaid before and after its release. Starring award-winning singer Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid princess Ariel, the movie faced racially insensitive commentary from fans who objected to Bailey's casting as the film's lead, with IMDb having to issue a warning regarding potential review bombing shortly after its premiere. Additionally, it received criticisms for its alleged "whitewashing" of history and for promoting outdated themes. The musical romantic fantasy film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie has a 94% audience score on the review aggregator website, showing how much it holds weight with moviegoers.

The live-action version of The Little Mermaid puts a bit of a twist on the original as it sees Ariel long to see what life is like beyond the sea, visiting the surface and falling for the human prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). However, to further her growing bond with Eric and explore life on land, she makes a deal with the mischievous sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), putting herself and her loved ones at risk. The movie also stars Javier Bardem as Ariel's father, King Triton, and Noma Dumezweni as Eric's adoptive mother, Queen Selina.

Disney is currently developing Ariel for Disney Jr., a live-action spinoff series based on The Little Mermaid that's set to debut in 2024. Meanwhile, there is no confirmation as yet from Disney whether The Little Mermaid will receive a sequel.

The Little Mermaid is now available on VOD as well as on digital.

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Source: movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-vod-charts/

The Little Mermaid Swims to the Top of VOD Charts
By
Jeremy ****
Published 2 days ago

Disney's Little Mermaid remake is topping the VOD charts after its digital release.


Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Ariel has become a part of our world with the continued success of The Little Mermaid. The Disney remake performed well in theaters, managing to surpass $564 million at the global box office with expectations of reaching $600 by the end of its run. After the film was made available for digital download on July 25, it has found more success with viewers at home, winding up at the top of the lists of the digital charts.
Close

Per IndieWire, The Little Mermaid is in the No. 1 spot on the digital charts for iTunes, followed by The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Flash in second and third. The top two are the same on Google Play, though Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 pushed The Flash down to No. 4 on that list. Meanwhile, The Little Mermaid is No. 1 on Vudu's digital chart as well, while The Flash and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts respectively make up the rest of the top three.

The Little Mermaid has been pulling in some big bucks in theaters, though the ultimate success of the film will come down to how much extra it will get from its digital sales. While it's projected to reach around $600 million, the film had a budget of $250 million and reported marketing costs of around $140 million. With added revenue coming in from at-home viewing, the film is still expected to be a success for Disney, though not quite as much as some of the House of Mouse's other live-action remakes, with Aladdin and The Lion King both surpassing $1 billion in theaters.

The Little Mermaid Is a Hit on VOD


Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney Studios

Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in the new version of The Little Mermaid, joined by Jonah Hauer-King as Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, and Jacob Tremblay also respectively provide the voices of Sebastian, Scuttle, and Flounder. Rob Marshall directed the feature film with a screenplay by David Magee. Original composer Alan Menken returned to create new music for the remake alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda.

For the home media release, a new sing-along version was also created for The Little Mermaid. That will allow viewers of all ages to sing along to their favorites songs with lyrics displayed on the screen. The special features will also include song breakdowns along with other featurettes and bonuses providing a deeper look behind the scenes. That goes from recreating the classic tunes from the animated version up to casting the film's cast of characters, including the story of how Bailey secured her casting very early on as the first person to audition for Ariel.

Now available digitally, The Little Mermaid is set to be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on Sept. 19, 2023. As for when the film might be streaming on Disney+, no date has been announced, but it's not expected to arrive on the service until after the release of the home media version, based on previous releases.

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