When we look back at the cinematic landscape of 2023, one word defines the House of Mouse: transition. For decades, Disney dominated the global box office with a foolproof formula of live-action remakes, Marvel superheroes, and Pixar tear-jerkers. However, 2023 was a year of seismic shifts. Strikes halted promotion, audiences became pickier about streaming, and several "sure things" underperformed.
If you rank strictly by revenue:
The Verdict: It isn't Ratatouille, but it is a return to form for Pixar after the misfire of Lightyear. It is the ultimate "date night" animated film of 2023. disney movies 2023 top
A live-action musical adaptation of the 1989 animated classic, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. It featured new songs co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda alongside the original Alan Menken score. Performance: Grossed over $569 million Beyond the Box Office: Ranking the Top Disney
) about Richard Montañez, the janitor who claimed to have invented the iconic Flamin' Hot Cheeto. Highest grossing Disney film of 2023 (domestic and global)
After a slow start, it became a "sleeper hit" through strong word-of-mouth, eventually reaching $496 million
Why it matters: Wish failed because it was too safe. The villain wasn't scary, the songs were forgettable (a shocking miss for Lin-Manuel Miranda-lite), and the animation style tried to blend 2D and 3D in an uncanny way. It proved that "nostalgia bait" no longer works. You cannot remind audiences of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast while delivering a plot that feels like a corporate retreat exercise.