Part 2/8:
The year was marked by an extraordinary series of disappointments, particularly at the box office. Disney's film slate for 2023 turned out to be a string of flops, costing the company nearly a billion dollars and causing it to lose its crown as the global box office leader to Universal Pictures. This decline was emblematic of broader issues—Disney's once-unassailable dominance across multiple metrics appeared to be waning.
Industry insiders and investors alike expressed concerns that Disney was losing its grip on the magic that once made it the entertainment industry’s juggernaut. This perceived decline was compounded by what many saw as lackluster creative choices, financially irresponsible expansion, and unsuccessful projects that failed to resonate with audiences.