The first reviews for Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid have been rolling in, and they’ve turned out to be better than expected, which is good news considering the review-bombing is set to start imminently.
Director Rob Marshall’s aquatic adventure is also heading for an opening weekend at the domestic box office north of $100 million, so it’s virtually guaranteed to make a ton of money, too. However, despite such positivity coming right out of the gate, the do-over is still heading for the company’s worst debut of the year in China.
The Mouse House has been slowly but surely edging its way back into the Chinese market recently, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol .3 enjoying a strong first frame, but according to the latest estimates The Little Mermaid is on track to bomb in the nation. In fact, it’s going to tank pretty spectacularly after racking up just $13,000 in ticket sales ahead of its impending debut.
The last live-action remake to roll off the production line to be awarded a Chinese theatrical rollout was Cruella, which opened to a measly $1.6 million and limped out of multiplexes with only $24 million in the coffers. Mulan fared a little worse with $23 million, but The Little Mermaid is tracking below both of them when it comes to pre-sales.
At the end of the day, it won’t matter should the rest of the world propel it to phenomenal heights and ensure the film becomes immensely profitable, but it could be a sign of things to come that The Little Mermaid is taking the good with the bad before its even been made available to the world.