Disney’s Latest Star Wars Film Underwhelms at the Box Office

The first Star Wars movie released in seven years opened to disappointing results, breaking box office records for all the wrong reasons. The Mandalorian and Grogu debuted on a Thursday night, raking in only $12 million—a record low for a Disney Star Wars film.

The previous low was in 2018 with Solo: A Star Wars Story, which managed a mere $14.1 million on its opening night.

To illustrate just how poorly Disney has handled the Star Wars franchise, here are some early numbers from past openings:

• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – $57 million
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – $29 million
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) – $45 million
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – $14.1 million
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) – $40 million

Star Wars: The Force Awakens set the bar high for Thursday openings, still holding the record after all these years, trailing only behind the 2019 release of Avengers: Endgame.

And now, we’re looking at a paltry $12 million.

This doesn’t just spell trouble for Star Wars; it’s also concerning news for summer blockbusters in general. Films like Eternals and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania also faced disappointing opens.

Disney had the chance to inherit an iconic franchise, with not just box office potential but also revenue from home video sales, television, and a plethora of merchandise. However, it seems they chose to undermine themselves with characters that resonate poorly with fans, such as the bland protagonist Rey. The once charming Lando Calrissian seems to have undergone a transformation into a character that many find difficult to relate to. Luke Skywalker is painted as a hermit, disconnected from the heroic narrative fans once cherished. What should have remained a vibrant journey with compelling heroes and noteworthy adventures has morphed into something more preachy and ideologically challenging.

Now, one has to wonder… can this be salvaged?

Initially, Disney disappointed its audience. Then, they alienated them, followed by outright confrontation. By labeling fans as racist and sexist, they seemingly thought it would coerce them into supporting the films. Rather than reflecting on the reception, they disregarded fan feedback, dismissing discontent as simple prejudice against female or minority-led films. Many were left feeling marginalized by the very franchise they once loved.

As it stands, The Mandalorian and Grogu are projected to earn about $90 million over the long weekend, marking another significant low point. Their break-even threshold likely sits somewhere between $450 million and $550 million globally.

Reflecting on that initial $12 million, it becomes painfully clear: in what once felt like an unshakeable fandom, Disney has done the unimaginable. They’ve alienated a once loyal audience that now seems unlikely to return.

The sentiment is evident: we don’t care.

It feels like the end of an era.