Disney's Moana and Star Wars: the box office challenges and their impact
Intelligence Summary
- Discover how Disney's recent films, including Moana and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, underperformed at the box office.
In short
- Disney's live-action Moana and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu have both posted disappointing box office numbers.
- Moana brought in $263 million against a $250 million budget, while The Mandalorian and Grogu earned $345 million on a $165 million budget.
- Disney says ticket sales aren't the only measure of success, pointing to merchandise sales as a key factor.
GAME-scanner analysis
Disney's recent films have not delivered the financial results the company expected. The live-action version of Moana has only just recouped its production costs, while The Mandalorian and Grogu also fell short of expectations despite a relatively lower budget. This raises questions about Disney's strategy in the current film climate, where streaming services and merchandise sales are becoming increasingly important. Disney has said that, despite their box office performance, the films helped boost merchandise sales, which is a crucial part of the franchise. That could mean Disney will focus more on creating content that succeeds not just in theaters, but also at retail.
What does this mean for players?
For gamers and fans of these franchises, the news may feel mixed. While the films may not have had the impact Disney hoped for, growth in merchandise sales could lead to new products and experiences in the gaming world. Disney's focus on merchandise could also mean more crossover content, such as games inspired by the stories from these films.
Timeline
2026-08-05: Disney confirms that Moana and The Mandalorian and Grogu underperformed at the box office.
2026-08-05: Disney reports that the films contributed to a rise in merchandise sales.