Disney's Live-Action Movie Bombs, 1979-2019

This insightful deep dive chronicles Disney's most notorious live-action box office failures across four transformative decades, from the post-Walt identity crisis of the late 1970s to the franchise-dominated 2010s. Author Tyler Mattis meticulously reconstructs the journey of each film, from the initial decision to greenlight the project through the casting process and turbulent production details, right up to its ultimate financial collapse. The analysis spans a fascinating range, from ambitious sci-fi like Tron to seasonal fare like Hocus Pocus, films that found cult followings despite their initial commercial disappointment.

What sets this exploration apart is its focus on the "why" behind the failures, using these financial missteps as a lens to examine the larger corporate identity crisis unfolding at the studio. Mattis doesn't just list flops; he connects them to a narrative of a company struggling to find its footing without its visionary founder, making it a compelling read for film buffs and business strategy enthusiasts alike. The result is a surprisingly poignant and cautionary tale about the film industry, proving that even the biggest magic-makers can have their spells fail.