The Little Mermaid sinks at the Chinese box office, reportedly as a result of racist backlash regarding Ariel’s casting. Pop singer Halle Bailey stars as the titular character in Disney’s latest live-action remake. Since her casting, The Little Mermaid has faced a racist backlash from some regarding Bailey’s casting as Ariel. This led to targeted attacks at both Disney and Bailey.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the live-action The Little Mermaid has bombed in China, reportedly after significant racist backlash. The remake has only grossed $3.6 million in the 10 days following its premiere, the worst release out of any Disney live-action remakes to include Mulan which received calls for a boycott. Prior to The Little Mermaid‘s release, China’s government-affiliated The Global Times ran an editorial that criticized Disney and the film, claiming the studio has an agenda of “forced inclusion,” calling the storytelling choices “lazy.”
Has The Little Mermaid Backlash Really Hurt The Film?
The Little Mermaid started off strong at the box office, accumulating $118.8 million across the Memorial Day four-day weekend. However, its second weekend saw a substantial drop of 56.7%, earning $41.3 million. With The Little Mermaid only in its second week, it is unclear if the casting backlash caused such a decline, or if other factors came into play. In comparison, Aladdin (2019) saw a 53.2% drop in its second weekend yet still earned over $1 billion.
Despite mixed critical reviews, The Little Mermaid‘s audience ratings rests at a high 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics singled out Bailey portrayal of Ariel as a highlight of the film, citing her undeniable charm and stunning vocal talent. Stating there was no agenda regarding skin color, director Rob Marshall first saw Bailey perform at the Grammy’s and was instantly captivated by the singer. He described her as angelic and recalled being brought to tears by Bailey’s audition when she sang Ariel’s memorable song, “Part of Your World.”
Although Bailey’s race clearly had an impact in The Little Mermaid‘s global market, it can not be determined if the backlash is the only factor for the film’s box office. The audience’s general pushback against Disney’s slate of remakes may also have hurt the film’s financial success. With the necessity of the studio’s live-action versions under question, only time will tell if The Little Mermaid will succeed.
