The Walt Disney Corporation is perhaps the most recognizable brand in the world. Their success is mainly due to their high quality animated films designed to entertain children and their parents. Because of this, they have managed to stand the test of time and continue to captivate new generations decades after their first release.
However, this was not always the case. Many films considered classics by Disney failed to make a profit, and some even received poor reviews from critics and audiences. There are several reasons for this, including changes in sensitivity, high production costs, or poor timing.
‘Pinocchio’ (1940)
Disney’s second feature film was a big step up from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They adapted the puppet character Carlo Collodi, who dreamed of becoming a real boy. With the help of his conscience, Jimmy Cricket, he tries to navigate the world and avoid trouble while learning life lessons about being brave, truthful, and selfless.
While many people love this film for its innovative animation techniques and memorable story and characters, it was a disaster upon release. The outbreak of World War II cut off Disney’s overseas market, and they were only able to make $1.6 million on a $2.6 million budget. Luckily, it sold well on VHS and DVD in the 80s and 90s.
‘Fantasy’ (1940)
After Snow White made her studio famous, Walt Disney wanted to push my animators and see what they can do. His highest concept film included the fusion of Disney animation with classical music. The results ranged from detailed stories with heroes and villains to abstract forms dancing to the beat of the music.
Unfortunately, the cost of installing the Fantasound technology, the expensive road show, its high concept, and World War II meant that the film barely recovered its 2.2 million production costs. It shattered Walt’s dreams of making another movie like Fantasy, although he experimented with titles such as Make my music as well as Melody time. Thankfully, the power of music transcends generations and it is now considered one of Walt’s best films.
“Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
When the good times returned in the 50s, Disney began work on an adaptation Lewis Carol Alice in Wonderland. As young Alice chases after a white rabbit to ask where he is going, she encounters one strange thing after another, like talking flowers, a caucus-racing dodo, and the magical Cheshire Cat. Each creature is brought to life by one of Disney’s finest animators, resulting in a mosaic of different animation styles.
Upon release, Alice was a major disappointment, earning $2.1 million on a $3 million budget. Walt reportedly disowned the film due to its callousness caused by its animators trying to outdo each other in their scenes. However, when re-released in the 70s, it found a new audience among college students and psychedelic drinkers.
‘Sleeping Beauty’ (1959)
The evil fairy Maleficent curses the little princess Aurora to prick her finger on her spinning wheel and die on her sixteenth birthday. The three good fairies try to prevent the curse by raising her in the forest and changing the curse to put her in an immortal sleep. However, Maleficent sends her spies to hunt down the girl and ensure her curse is fulfilled.
sleeping Beauty was the company’s most expensive film at the time, costing $6 million. With only 5.3 million returned, Disney was forced to switch to Xerox technology to speed up the animation process and cut costs. Luckily, the re-releases will eventually make their money back and the film will be properly appreciated for its art style and characters, especially Maleficent.
“Black Cauldron” (1985)
A pig farmer named Taran is tasked with guarding a pig that can see the future. He loses her to the Horned King’s minions who want to use her to find an artifact called the black cauldron. Now Taran must find the cauldron before the Horned King can raise an undead army.
black cauldron suffered from studio interference and being much darker than the usual Disney stories, so it failed to recoup even half of its $44 million budget. It was so bad that Care Bears the film grossed more domestically. Over the years, he has garnered a small cult following among fans of 1980s sci-fi films thanks to his art style and dark imagery.
‘Rescuers Downstairs’ (1990)
A boy named Cody rescues a giant golden eagle named Marahout and is shown an eagle’s nest in gratitude. On his way home, he is captured by an eagle hunting poacher. Luckily, his capture was seen by a mouse who sent a message to the Rescue Aid Society so they could rescue him.
Although the production cost was never revealed, the film was considered a flop when it grossed $27.9 million domestically. It came out the same week as Alone at home, so Disney cut their losses and pulled the film’s commercials. However, it’s worth checking out his great animations, especially during the flight scenes, and the funny acting of the villain from George S. Scott.
‘Hercules’ (1997)
After success on Mermaid as well as Aladdin, John Musker as well as Ron Clements wanted to work on their favorite project. However, they were tasked with making another commercially viable film before release. treasure planet. They chose to adapt the story of Hercules, created by the mortal god of the underworld, Hades, who must become a true hero in order to regain his divinity.
The film only grossed $100 million domestically against an $85 million budget. This was due to how unfocused the film was due to the combination of elements of what was popular at the time, including rocky,Superman, as well as Michael Jordan. Through gospel-inspired songs and James Wood as Hades, he managed to win over a fan base.
“Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001)
Michael J. Fox plays Milo, an underrated scientist who believes he will find the lost city of Atlantis. One day, a friend of his grandfather approaches him with a magazine containing a map of a lost civilization and the crew of a high-tech submarine. Milo joins the expedition as an expert on Atlantis, but no amount of money or knowledge can prepare them for what they find.
Unfortunately, 2001 meant that Disney competed with shrek as well as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. They didn’t have a chance at the box office and only grossed $186 million worldwide on a budget of $120 million. However, the film is fondly remembered for its unique art style, more mature storytelling, and surprising cast of secondary characters.
Treasure Planet (2002)
When a dying alien lands at the Benbow Inn, Jim Hawkings is given a map that leads to the hidden treasure of the galaxy’s greatest pirate. A family friend helps hire a ship and crew to find him, and Jim is turned into a cabin boy serving the ship’s cook. Unbeknownst to Jim, Silver and the crew are planning to take over the ship and take the treasure.
In order not to compete with Lilo and Stitchthe film was released in December, which meant that it was destroyed Harry Potter And The Chamber of secrets. What’s more, a poor marketing campaign and an odd balance in the film of science fiction and Georgian-era clothing made the film Disney’s biggest financial loss among their animated films. However, for those who have seen it, the film is beloved for Jim’s storyline and the father-son bond between him and Silver.
“Meet the Robinsons” (2006)
Hubert is a genius child trying to find his mother, who abandoned him as a baby. To do this, he builds a machine that can use his deepest memories, which he presents at the school’s science fair. Unfortunately, the man in the bowler hat from the future wants to use Hubert’s invention for his own success, and the only one who can help him is the boy with the time machine.
The film went through many rewrites when Pixar John Lasseter took over production, resulting in a budget of $150 million. The film grossed $169 million but gained a cult following due to its emotional basis and heartfelt ending. It also includes a strong emotional quote related to Walt himself.
Source: Collider
