Walt Disney canceled plans for a 3D version of its 1989 animated hit The Little Mermaid after disappointing re-releases of Monsters, Inc and Beauty and the Beast in the format.

The film was the last of four releases for which Disney announced plans to convert some of its animated films after The Lion King generated domestic ticket sales of $94 million in 2011. Monsters, Inc, its most recent 3D conversion, had sales of only $30.6 million, according to the site Box Office Mojo.

Disney began 3D conversion of the underwater animated film in November, animated studio chief John Lasseter said in interviews in November. Conversion of existing films to 3D are considered generally inexpensive and are viewed by Disney as generating publicity to boost the DVD sales of older films.

Disney said it will release a fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie on July 10, 2015, according to an e-mail announcing its revised release schedule.

The company said it would release two of its big-budget Marvel films in 3D next year: Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Reuters