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Disney's struggles are compounded not merely by annual box office totals but by how much money the studio spends to achieve them. Despite releasing 17 movies in 2023—fewer than Universal’s 24—the studio's big-budget productions have generally underperformed financially.
Massive Spending, Poor Returns
The trouble for Disney lies in its production costs and marketing expenses. Even its most prominent films, such as The Marvels, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and The Little Mermaid remake, failed to turn profits. The studio has amassed over $1.3 billion in losses at the box office this year alone—a staggering figure that reflects a concerning trend.