Disney's The Little Mermaid was one of the latest of Hollywood's major releases to secure a release date in China, following several years of a virtual ban on western films.While getting a release date can be seen as a success on its own, recent estimates suggest the film is likely to be Disney's worst-performing Chinese release this year. According to Chinese box officer observers such as Luiz Fernando, the film earned just $13,000 from pre-sales for its opening weekend, indicating a severe lack of interest from China's moviegoers.RELATED: Little Mermaid Live-Action Clip Reveals a Feminist Change to Ariel's Motivations

For comparison, Disney's Cruella, which was the last live-action adaptation to hit Chinese theaters, was also predicted to earn low figures and ultimately grossed $1.6 million upon opening and $24 million over its entire theatrical run in China. Mulan, which was the last live-action remake released before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, grossed $307,000 in a day of presales and $23 million upon opening, leading to $40.7 million over the course of its theatrical run in China.

What appeared to be a ban on Hollywood films was lifted following the abandonment of China's strict "Zero-COVID" policy and numerous reports suggesting theaters across the country were on the verge of bankruptcy. Still, Hollywood films have struggled to see the same level of success that numerous titles saw prior to the pandemic and the centennial of China's Communist Party, which resulted in a greater focus overall on domestically produced films.

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Disney's Mistakes in China

In recent months, there has been greater scrutiny placed on Hollywood studios and their relationship with Chinese firms and, by extension, the Chinese government. U.S. lawmakers recently met with studio executives, including Disney CEO Bob Iger, to discuss these relationships. During these meetings, Iger reportedly admitted that the company had made mistakes when it came to conforming to the requests of Chinese authorities. Moreover, it was reported that the company had seen the controversies surrounding 2020's Mulan and adjusted its process for future films, though it is uncertain how exactly the process has changed.

The Little Mermaid's performance in China may be uncertain, but elsewhere it is poised to see significant success. Recent estimates suggested the Disney film is on track to earn approximately $110 million over its Memorial Day opening weekend. This would make it the eighth-best opening for the holiday, placing it behind other Disney films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and 2019's Aladdin remake.

The Little Mermaid is set to swim into theaters on May 26.

Source: Twitter