“Elemental” has one of Pixar’s lowest box office debuts in 30 years, matching “Toy Story”

Pixar’s latest film, Elemental, has become a talking point in the entertainment industry due to its underwhelming box office performance, marking one of the studio’s lowest debuts in the three decades since the groundbreaking release of Toy Story.

Elemental tells a captivating love story set in Element City, where two contrasting elements, fire and water, strive to coexist. The film follows the journey of Ember Lumen, portrayed by the talented Leah Lewis, and Wade Ripple, played by Mamoudou Athie, as they navigate their blossoming relationship amidst societal disapproval, inherent elemental differences, and the weight of familial expectations. Despite tackling poignant themes and offering a unique narrative, Elemental has not achieved the commercial success that many have come to expect from Pixar.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Elemental opened with a lackluster $11.8 million on its Friday debut and is projected to earn between $28 million and $32 million throughout its opening weekend. This places the film at risk of recording the studio’s lowest-earning opening weekend since the $29 million garnered by the original Toy Story in 1995. It is worth noting that Toy Story’s box office performance has not been adjusted for inflation, further highlighting the disappointment surrounding Elemental’s financial figures.

To understand the reasons behind Elemental’s shocking box office disappointment, we must consider the context of Pixar’s recent struggles. The film followed Lightyear, a highly anticipated release that failed to meet expectations and resulted in several key Pixar executives being let go. With Elemental being positioned as the studio’s potential redemption, the critical response it received after its screening at Cannes was a significant blow. Although subsequent screenings slightly boosted its Rotten Tomatoes score to a respectable 75 percent, the film’s massive $200 million budget places Pixar in a challenging position, as it must now strive to recoup its substantial investment.

Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that Elemental is only the second Pixar theatrical release in recent years, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the release plans for several other highly anticipated productions, including Turning Red. While films like Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water, and John Wick: Chapter 4 showcased the potential for box office success in the post-pandemic era, concerns lingered regarding the viability of animated movies. However, those concerns were somewhat assuaged when The Super Mario Bros. Movie surpassed the $1 billion mark, shattering box office records and reaffirming the appeal of animated films to global audiences.

In light of these successes, Elemental’s early failures have left industry insiders perplexed. The film has garnered positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting a commendable 91 percent audience rating at the time of writing. To transform these favorable reviews into tangible box office success, Elemental needs to attract a larger theatrical audience before it faces the risk of becoming another Lightyear—another costly misstep for Pixar.

As the studio contemplates its next steps, the film industry eagerly watches the fate of Elemental, questioning the factors that contributed to its lackluster performance despite positive critical reception. It remains to be seen whether Elemental will rally and prove its mettle or if it will be remembered as a missed opportunity for Pixar in their pursuit of captivating storytelling and commercial triumph.

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