Disney Downplays Box Office Disappointments with Focus on Long-Term Value

Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro acknowledged on the company's latest earnings call that 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu' and the live-action 'Moana' remake underperformed at the box office this summer.

Despite failing to meet expectations, the films still contributed to merchandise sales, theme park attendance, and streaming engagement for Disney. The company's CFO Hugh Johnston noted that theatrical performance is just one data point in the film industry, and the real value of intellectual property lies in its cumulative benefits over time.

'The Mandalorian and Grogu' opened with $81 million at the domestic box office during its debut over Memorial Day Weekend, but went on to earn only $345 million worldwide. The live-action 'Moana', featuring Dwayne Johnson as Maui, has earned $262 million worldwide on a reported production budget of $250 million.

D'Amaro praised Disney's Marvel Studios for the success of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', which is co-owned with Sony Pictures. He noted that the movie's success bodes well for Disney's upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday' film, set to release on December 18th.