EXCLUSIVE, late Thursday PM: Sources tell us Disney’s Rob Marshall directed The little Mermaid sings some high notes tonight $10 million+ in previews. Should that figure exceed $10.8 million, it will represent the 6th highest preview performance of PG and G rated titles in movie history. Tracking tied the Halle Bailey movie to a $120 million 4-day start over Memorial Day.
Remember, that preview money consists of fan screenings on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in 500 premium theaters and early shows that started at 3 p.m. today.
Even more impressive, Little Mermaid‘s preview figure surpasses that of Disney’s live action recording of animated tone, Aladdin, from Memorial Day weekend 2019; that picture of Will Smith doing $7 million before making $31.3 million on the first Friday for a four-day $116.8 million. Little Mermaid also easily surpasses $2.3 million (early 8 p.m.) previews of 2015 Cinderella, with a first day of $23 million and a start of $67.8 million. However, Little Mermaid swims slower than Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast of 2017, which grossed $16.3 million, for a Friday opening of $63.7 million and $174.7 million.
Female skewed movies, like Dusk for example, often get a bad reputation for leading the way. But once a massively appealing Disney princess movie starts from the opening, it won’t let go. Beauty and the Beast only eased about -2% between Thursday previews/Friday and Saturday business. Frozen 2 was +19% over a comparable period while Aladdin, starring Princess Jasmine, only dropped -4% between Thursday night/Friday and Saturday.
Although critics op Little Mermaid decreased to 68% fresh, audience on Rotten Tomatoes is very happy with 95%
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