Critics Savage The Walt Disney Company’s ‘Wish,’ Described As “Most Aggressive Piece Of Disney Propaganda In Years”

Film critics did not hold back in their criticism of The Walt Disney Company’s upcoming animated feature Wish. One top critic even described it as the “most aggressive piece of Disney propaganda in years.”

SPINNING A YARN – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” sharp-witted idealist Asha (voice of Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful, it’s answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Asha’s new ally communicates in creative ways, making captivating use of a magenta ball of yarn. Helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, “Wish” features original songs by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice. The epic animated musical opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

The movie currently has a 50% rotten score on the Tomatometer. It has received an average score of 5.9 out of 10 from 80 reviews. There are 40 fresh reviews and 40 rotten reviews.

Looking at the Top Critics score, the film has an atrocious 33% with an average rating of 5 out of 10. There are 7 fresh reviews and 14 rotten reviews.

Wish Top Critics score on Rotten Tomatoes

Here’s what some of the critics on Rotten Tomatoes are saying:

Robert Kojder on Flickering Myth  gives the movie a rotten 2.5 out of 5. He writes, “There is a startling lack of the emotional storytelling, rich characters, and catchy songs that have allowed Disney to stick around for 100 years.”

Alachia Queen gives the film a C-. She writes, “It was wishful thinking that Disney thought it could tackle themes about challenging established order into a film with singing squirrels and talking bunnies.”

Mark Dujsik at Mark Reviews Movies gave the film a 2 out of 4. He stated, “Wish barely possesses a story, characters of note, or a theme that goes beyond the famous music that plays under the studio’s introductory logo.”

I’M A STAR – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” sharp-witted idealist Asha (voice of Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful, it’s answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, “Wish” features original songs by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and musician Benjamin Rice. The epic animated musical opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Michael O’Sullivan at The Washington Post gave the film a fresh 2 out of 4 score. He wrote, “It all feels familiar, which is another word for comforting. And Wish, however recycled it may be, is at least that: warm, funny-ish and with its heart in the right place.”

Devan Coggan at Entertainment Weekly gives the film a C. He states, “Wish is so obsessed with the past that it fails to add anything new of its own. If you’re going to pay tribute to 100 years of Disney magic, you can’t forget to save a little magic for yourself.”

A.A. Dowd at The Daily Beast gave the movie a rotten rating. He wrote, “But as a piece of storytelling, Wish is as flimsy as a star decal stuck to a wall. It’s high on complicated magical rules and low on genuine magic.”

RULER OF ROSAS – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is set in Rosas, a magical kingdom where wishes really do come true. The ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico, is the sole keeper of hundreds of wishes entrusted to him by people from all over the world. Featuring the voice Chris Pine as Magnifico, the all-new musical-comedy is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes (“Encanto”). “Wish” opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Grace Randolph at Beyond the Trailer gave the film a fresh rating. She said, “Sure, it has lots of problems and feels half baked – but that Disney magic is powerful stuff. Fans of Disney animation will find it fun, largely thanks to great performances by Chris Pine & Ariana DeBose. “This Is The Thanks I Get?!” is a great song.”

Lindsey Bahr at Associated Press gives the movie a rotten 2 out of 4 rating. She says, “Wish is harmless holiday programming for the family, but it’s strange to watch a movie about celebrating the individual ‘star’ in everyone that feels like it was made by mandate, not a dream.”

Rachel LaBonte at ScreenRant gives the movie a fresh 3.5 out of 5. She says, “Disney’s Wish acts as both an homage to the company and a new original story, though the success of the latter isn’t quite as strong as the former.”

BEST WISHES – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is set in Rosas, a magical kingdom where wishes really do come true. The film introduces Asha, a sharp-witted idealist who’s invited to see first-hand where King Magnifico keeps the wishes of those who’ve entrusted him with their deepest desires. Featuring the voices of Academy Award® winner Ariana DeBose as Asha and Chris Pine as Magnifico, the all-new musical-comedy is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes (“Encanto”). “Wish” opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Brian Tallerico at RogerEbert.com gives the film a rotten 2 out of 4. He states, “Disney’s Wish is the most aggressive piece of Disney propaganda in years.”

Ross Bonaime at Collider gives the film a rotten C-. Bonaime states, “Disney Animation’s 62nd film tries to remember the magic of the past. The result is one the worst animated Disney films in years.”

Carlos Aguilar at IGN gives the film a rotten 5 out of 10. He says, “Wish’s visually appealing celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary mostly lacks inventiveness and gravitas but features some memorable music.”

SORCERER KING – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” King Magnifico has the magical ability to grant wishes. But when 17-year-old Asha is compelled to challenge the powerful sorcerer, Magnifico turns to a forbidden resource. Featuring the voices of Chris Pine as King Magnifico and Academy Award®-winning actress Ariana DeBose as Asha, the epic animated musical “Wish” hits the big screen on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Carla Hay at Culture Mix gives the film a rotten review. She says, “As a Disney animated film, Wish is more forgettable than iconic. Even with a talented cast, the movie’s plot, characters, and songs are generic and derivative. Its references to other Disney movies look more like shameless shilling than fond reminiscing.”

David Crow at Den of Geek gives the film a fresh 3 out of 5. He said, “The music in Wish has the flatness of Top 40 radio, and is ultimately the albatross around the film’s neck that prevents it from ever going supernova.”

Alan Ng at Film Threat gives the film a rotten 3 out of 10. He says, “The biggest misstep is the story itself. The narrative foundation is flawed between the concept of wishes and dreams.”

EVERYONE HAS A WISH – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” Asha’s pet goat, Valentino, is among the first to experience the magic of Star, a little ball of boundless energy inadvertently summoned by Asha. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actress Ariana DeBose as Asha and Alan Tudyk as Valentino, the epic animated musical “Wish” hits the big screen on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

These critic scores are an ill omen for the film that was already tracking for an abysmal $40 million to $60 million opening weekend according to Box Office Pro. Its 5-day opening projections have declined to $57 million to $86.8 million.

And those projections are already in decline. The outlet previously shared at the end of October that they believed the film would bring in between $45 million and $65 million. They previously indicated its 5-day projections would be between $64 million and $94 million.

THIS WISH – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” Asha is invited to see where King Magnfico keeps all of the wishes given to him by those in his kingdom. Featuring the voices of Academy Award®-winning actress Ariana DeBose as Asha and Chris Pine as King Magnifico, the epic animated musical “Wish” hits the big screen on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

These projections are much lower than recent Disney princess films like Frozen II. That film released in 2019 and had an opening weekend of $130.2 million. It went on to gross $477.3 million at the domestic box office.

Moana, which released at Thanksgiving in 2016 had an opening weekend of $56.6 million. It’s 5-day opener was $82 million. It went on to gross $248.7 million. Adjusting for inflation, Moana’s opening weekend would have been $72.5 million in 2023 dollars. Its 5-day would be $105.1 million.

Brave grossed $66.3 million back in 2012 and raked in $237.2 million in its entire domestic run. In 2023 dollars that would be an $88.8 million opening weekend and a $317.8 million domestic run.

VERY VALENTINO – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” Asha’s pajama-wearing goat Valentino follows her wherever she goes. Adorable and wise, Valentino could teach humans a thing or two about perseverance. And when his wish to speak comes true—everyone is surprised, especially Valentino. Featuring the Alan Tudyk as the voice of Valentino, the epic animated musical opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023. © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

What do you make of what the critics have to say about Wish?

NEXT: Disney’s ‘Wish’ Tracking For Abysmal $50 Million Opening, Could Do Even Worse