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Amidst this bleak landscape, the sole movie that managed to post a profit was Guardians of the Galaxy, which earned an estimated $98 million in profit. Its success stands in stark contrast to the numerous flops and indicates that franchise strength and audience loyalty still play crucial roles.

Audience vs. Critic Reception: A Widening Gap

A striking trend observed across these releases is the disparity between audience scores and critic reviews. Many Disney films in 2023 have received notably higher scores from viewers than from film critics. For instance:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Audience score of 94% versus critic score of 82%.

• The Little Mermaid: 94% audience score versus 67% critic score.