‘The Little Mermaid’ Struggles at International Box Office Amid Backlash Over Black Ariel Casting

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has surpassed $326 million at the worldwide box office but is facing criticism and poor performance in some Asian markets over the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel.
The film has earned over $186 million in the U.S. and Canada but only $3.6 million in China and $4.4 million in South Korea due to negative reviews regarding Bailey's casting.
Some viewers in China and South Korea have left discriminatory comments about Bailey's skin color, contributing to poor audience ratings on sites like IMDb.
Analysts expect the film may top out at $350 million in North America but are uncertain about its final international total.
The movie has received more positive reception in other global markets but the racist backlash may significantly hurt its earnings potential in parts of Asia.