A Fin-Tastic Box Office Triumph: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Swims Past $118M+ With an Epic Memorial Day Premiere

In an enthralling display of box office power, Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, starring the talented Halle Bailey as Ariel, is set to achieve an extraordinary feat this holiday weekend! Get into the historic box office numbers inside…   The Little Mermaid is making quite a splash at the box office! With an estimated domestic debut of $118 million, Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is poised to secure its place as the fifth-biggest opening of all time during the Memorial Day weekend, according to studio projections. The three-day gross is estimated to reach an impressive $96 million, contributing to a global launch of $185.8 million through Monday! While initial estimates suggested a potential $125 million haul over the extended holiday weekend, domestic projections have since shifted.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey)   However, overseas reception has been a bit of a rocky sea for the beloved tale.  According to Deadline, The Little Mermaid started its international journey with a disappointing $68.3 million from 51 markets, including China, where the film struggled with a meager $2.5 million launch. Industry analysts speculate that the social media campaign against casting a Black actress as Ariel may have impacted the film's performance in Asian markets and beyond. Hmph. Despite this hiccup, The Little Mermaid has managed to captivate audiences in North America. With a promising A CinemaScore, the film has become the first summer tentpole of 2023, specifically targeting female viewers, who accounted for a remarkable 68 percent of ticket buyers. What's more, the film has attracted an ethnically diverse audience, with 35 percent of ticket buyers identifying as Black, followed by white viewers at 33 percent, Latinos at 23 percent, and Asian/Other viewers at 9 percent. According to industry estimates, the mermaid film made a splashy $30 million on Saturday, on par with Disney's Aladdin on its Saturday over Memorial Day weekend. With revised outlooks predicting a three-day total of $95.5 million and a four-day total of $117.5 million, it's important to remember that these slight fluctuations are common when projecting a four-day weekend.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey)   Undeniably, The Little Mermaid has made a splash not only on the silver screen but also in the world of marketing. With the most extensive global promotional partner campaign for a Disney branded live-action title (excluding Lucasfilm and Marvel Cinematic Universe films), valued at an estimated $80 million, the film has been at the forefront of a captivating and immersive promotional journey.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey)   As The Little Mermaid continues its box office voyage, enchanting audiences young and old, it is evident that this magical remake is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. With its mesmerizing performances, stunning visuals, and a tale as old as time, the film solidifies its place as a cherished addition to Disney's esteemed live-action catalog. Photo: Loredana Sangiuliano/Shutterstock