Disney’s first film with openly LGBTQ+ lead bombs at box office – and fans have a lot of thoughts

Disney’s first film with an openly gay protagonist has bombed at US box office leaving fans accusing the filmmaker of under-marketing.

Strange World follows Ethan Clade (Jaboukie Young-White) and Search Clade (Jake Gyllenhaal), as a family of explorers set out on a mission to save the planet from an ecological crisis. 

It came to cinemas on 2 November, and after suffering disappointing previews, grossing at $800,000, it only gained $4.2 million on Wednesday – a poor result for the $180 million film. 

Despite the abysmal box office figures, it has received standard mixed critical reviews and positive fan reaction across the board – leading many to question its poor performance

The LA Times praised the movie it for its “vibrant, weird, visually stunning subterranean world” and “thematic swings”. 

While Vulture criticised it, saying “Much of Strange World’s audaciousness is front-loaded into its concept, and so little of it comes through in the execution.” 



I have a lot of thoughts about Disney’s Strange World and the main one is that Ethan’s character is not only openly queer and pining after/flirting with another boy, but also has conversations with each member of his family about his budding relationship, which I fucking loved. pic.twitter.com/SeAa3PcY6G