Disney is celebrating another milestone in what is proving to be an enormously successful year for the studio, with the live-action Aladdin adaptation passing the $1 billion dollar mark at the global box office.
Given the initial backlash towards the film early in its marketing campaign, and mixed reviews (at best) from critics, Aladdin has certainly defied expectations and demonstrated some impressive legs, particularly internationally.
The film is the third Disney-produced movie to hit a billion this year after Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame – the latter of which has also broken Avatar’s near-ten year record as the highest-grossing release of all time.
The Guy Ritchie-directed fantasy becomes the third of Disney’s animated reimaginings to reach the $1 billion threshold alongside Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland. They will likely soon be joined by The Lion King, which has already amassed $728.7 million since its opening this month.
A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future.
Aladdin is directed by Guy Ritchie (King Arthur: Legend of the Sword) and features a cast that includes Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Princess Jasmine), Will Smith (Genie), Marwan Kenzari (Jafar), Navid Negahban (The Sultan), Nasim Pedrad (Dalia), Billy Magnussen (Prince Anders), Numan Acar (Hakim), Alan Tudyk (Iago) and Frank Welker (Abu).
