"The Princess and the Frog," Disney's first film to feature an African-American princess, made $25 million its opening weekend to top the box office.
Despite that feat, "The Princess and the Frog" didn't gross as much as similar Disney ventures, according to Web site Box Office Mojo. But the film's December release date will likely allow it to generate word-of-mouth buzz, making it a sleeper hit.
"While less auspicious than the openings of 'Enchanted' and the movies from Walt Disney Pictures' 1990s traditional animation heyday, it did mark the highest-grossing start ever for an animated movie in December, a month that's more a marathon for this type of picture than a sprint," reported Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo.
Gray attributes "The Princess and the Frog's" less than stellar opening to its hand-drawn animation, which has been edged out by computer-generated animation over the past decade-and-a-half.
"'Princess and the Frog' was never going to have a huge opening, instead relying on a slower audience build-up," Gray said.
The Los Angeles Times described the film's opening as "so-so" and said that it was on the "low end of expectations." Curiously, the Times didn't specify why the film wasn't expect to be a box office smash. Is it because Princess Tiana is African American, because the film marks Disney's first return to hand-drawn animation in six years or another reason?
"The opening gross for 'Princess and the Frog' was very close to those of the last two non-Pixar Disney animated features, 'Bolt' and 'Meet the Robinsons,' both of which were financial disappointments," the Times reported.
The good news, according to the paper, is that because so many schoolchildren are on winter break, December is one of the best times to release family-oriented fare.
Also promising for "Princess and the Frog" is that market research firm CinemaScore reported that audiences gave it an average grade of A. According to distributor Walt Disney Pictures' research, 64 percent of the audience was female, 53 percent was 25 years old and younger and 81 percent were parents and their children, Box Office Mojo reported.
Of course, "Princess and the Frog" proved to be especially significant for African American film-goers. Dodai Stewart, the multiracial editor of women's Web site Jezebel, described the emotions she experienced while taking in Disney's first black princess.
"When the lights went down, I was ready to be focused, objective, critical. But the truth is this: The story swept me away," Stewart said. "The movie is Disney at its best: fun, funny, but with a lot of heart, and a message. The animation is sublime...and the characters are vibrant and lovable. ... I was moved, when I didn't think I would be, laughed more than I thought I would, and came away feeling, well, happy."
Although I reported on the criticism this film received before its release, I do hope it does well at the box office. And, if not, I hope mediocre ticket sales would not be used as an excuse to make Tiana Disney's first and last black princess.
Readers, have you seen the film? Do you plan to see it? If so, I'd love to know what you think.
Comments
We loved it! (even my 8 yr old son who’s too athletic to sit still for movies normally)
Something interesting was that pre-release criticism of the movie including chiding about the male love interest being seemingly of Latin heritage which bubbled up questions of what that meant or implied about black males.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Tiana’s father (African-American) portrayed as a strong and very loving father and husband, demonstrating great devotion to his family and ultimately teaching the most important lesson of the story.
LOVED THAT.
And about people who complained that she wasn’t human for 100% of the movie — who cares! I never forgot what her human form was like and there were other characters throughout the film who were black including her beautiful mother (my daughter whispered to me “Her mom is so pretty even though she’s old!”). And this is not the only Disney film by far that gives a lot of screen-time to animal characters, which children love and connect with.
There were so many great things about it.
The only thing I have an issue with was the very negative stereotype of voodoo/voudou portrayed, but I loved how that was balanced out with Mamie Odie’s representation of it and the message she tried to guide the characters to learn.
And the truth is that in voudou, some people do use it in negative manipulative ways, just like (arguably) most every other religion.
So really, I can’t say that I have complaints about this movie at all (other than I left the theater really craving some hot beignets!).
It was just an awesome beautiful movie and as my kids said, we can’t wait to buy it on DVD.
I have not seen this movie yet but do plan to. Especially now that my 6-yr old daughter , who was taken to see this movie by her grandparents over the weekend, raved about it. When she returned home, she could hardly wait to tell me all about it. She was so excited and proclaimed this movie to be(in her words)”The best movie ever!!!!” That said, I’m thinking this movie will do very well once children seeing the movie, tell their friends how much they enjoyed it. Plus, winter break is coming so parents will take their kids to see movies then. And,there is finally a Disney Princess who looks like African-American girls so, we will definitely want to see how we are being depicted in this film. If my little one is any indication, this movie will be a bit hit even if it is starting out slowly.
Angelique and Sharon, thanks for your feedback! I’ll probably check out the movie tomorrow.
I LOVED THE FILM.
I (and my best friend) are both seventeen and have been waiting since before Enchanted has come out for this movie – when the running title was still “The Frog Prince” and there were only concept sketches of Tiana out. I was so satisfied with the movie, I can’t even put it into words. It’s Disney at it’s finest – all the Golden Era magic packed into one new, fresh, wonderfully beautiful film. The colors were so carefully picked and worked so fell together, the designs were brilliant, characters so loveable…it was magical. And the tribute to Mary Blair with “Almost There” sent me into euphoria – a true tip of the hat to 2d film.
Yes, I’m biased. I despise 3d animated films and loathe Pixar even more but it’s mainly for the fact that there’s such a lack of MAGIC. where’s the meticulous detail? the love packed into every thousandth of a frame? It’s so generated and I find myself bored and apathetic whenever I see their movies versus involved and rooting for the characters. Ah this movie brought me back, even my boyfriend who hates cheesy “girly” things LOVED the film. It’s a classic story, sticking to the fundamentals, and worked together so beautifully. I could rave and rant on and on but in the end I can only hope that this movie brings in enough that 2D returns and there will be many more wonderful films from Ron and John and new emerging faces.
In the end this film just restored my faith in a company I have been very very unhappy with what with 3d animation and the barrage of horrible straight-to-DVD sequels that killed so many classic stories I once loved. I can only hope they make me this happy again and again in the future.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Tiana’s father (African-American) portrayed as a strong and very loving father and husband, demonstrating great devotion to his family and ultimately teaching the most important lesson of the story.
LOVED THAT.
Yea I bet you did. Because in the real world they are worthless. (African-American) Question: was he bornin Africa or America? Oh my bad we are talking about a Disney movie that has that feel good ideas.
re: TRUTH
what??
anyway, i loveeed this movie!! i’m a bit biased too cuz basically i love everything that disney has come up with. Yea cynical people call it fairytales but fairytales do happen!
if you have enough faith and if you pursue it!
Tiana is a very beautiful princess. I’m so glad that Anika Noni Rose was the voice behind her! she has such a beautiful speaking and singing voice. love her.
i love the MUSIC! i love love it.
I love the backgrounds especially the bayou scene when ray the firefly was singing with all his other firefly friends LOVE LOVE IT! it has so much details and such a beautiful sight.
I dont understand why this film did not get more than 300million gross sales. i’m very disappointed with that. it doesnt make sense. the film obviously shows that the Disney filmmakers put SO MUCH effort into making this film!! and the movie critics are…. super critical!!!! why??? they’re like comparing this movie with the “magic” of ariel, beauty and the beast, bla bla bla bla
hello? are they blind? they can’t feel the intense and loving and beautiful magic in this movie??? well then they are just the people this movie speaks to! hahahahaha ! you gotta be able to enjoy moments! tsk tsk tsk and the message behind this movie! SIGH.
i heart disney. forever.
Truth, if you’re going to be insulting and ignorant, at least TRY to write in complete sentences. Thank you!
I love the movie it was great. My 2 year old daughter wants to watch it every day lol !. We love it. And the crew. Thank you disney. Well done!!!