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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Amy Hawkins Senior China correspondent

Disney’s Little Mermaid flops in China amid racist backlash over casting

Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Some have blamed racism for the film flopping in China. Photograph: Disney/AP

The poor performance of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Chinese box office has reopened questions on Hollywood’s increasing difficulties in the world’s second-largest economy and the role racism has played in the film’s reception.

The live action remake has grossed just $3.6m (£2.9m) since its release in Chinese cinemas on 26 May, according to Box Office Mojo.

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