Remember when Disney could do no wrong? From Beauty and the Beast to Aladdin, every live-action remake felt like a box office spell. But lately, the shimmer is starting to flicker. With recent flops making headlines and fans questioning the studio’s next move, things feel a little shaky in the kingdom. Is the nostalgia not hitting the same? Or is the spell finally wearing off? Could a fresh story turn it all around? 

What is brewing behind the scenes? With unexpected wins and high-profile fumbles, Disney’s game board is shifting fast. 

Mufasa: The Lion King may have opened quietly in December 2024 with just $35.4 million, but it did not stay quiet for long. As reported by Deadline, it launched alongside Sonic 3 and quickly gained steam over the holidays. Fans loved the emotional backstory of Mufasa and Scar, the return of iconic characters, and teases of Kiara’s future.  According to Box Office Mojo's account, Mufasa crossed $721.6 million globally, crushing its $200 million budget and finishing among the year's highest-grossing films of 2024.   

While Snow White opened stronger at $42.2 million, it fell hard in its second week, losing momentum quickly. By the time Snow White flopped, Mufasa: The Lion King had already become a word-of-mouth favorite, defying early projections with box-office thunder. International box office figures reported Mufasa made over $460 million overseas, versus Snow White's weak $91.3 million. In the battle of the remakes, Disney fans clearly crowned Mufasa the real king.

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While one pride roared louder than ever, not every fairytale is getting its crown moment. Just as Disney fans cheered one surprise win, another long-awaited reimagining quietly slipped into the shadows. Could the kingdom be rethinking its magic touch? One beloved fairytale may be stuck in the tower for now.

Looks like Rapunzel will not be letting down her hair just yet. Disney has officially put the brakes on its live-action Tangled remake, as The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported. With The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey attached to direct and Thor: Love and Thunder’s Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script, the project had some serious buzz. But after Snow White flopped both critically and at the box office, it seems Disney is taking a breather before jumping into another fairy tale fix.

The timing is no coincidence. Disney’s live-action empire has hit both highs and lows, with Mufasa climbing up globally after a slow start, and Snow White struggling with both critics and audiences, earning all-time low ratings. With a reported leadership shake-up this year and big remakes like Lilo & Stitch and Moana on the way, Tangled might need a fresh brush-through before climbing back into the spotlight.

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What do you think, is Disney’s live-action magic dwindling, or did Mufasa prove there is still some left in the game? Let us know in the comments below!