Pixar Animation Studios has had a disappointing start with its highly anticipated science fiction film “Elio,” which earned just $21 million in the North American box office over the weekend. The low opening has raised concerns about the studio’s ability to launch successful films.
The Universal Pictures live-action remake, “How to Train Your Dragon,” continues to lead the box office, bringing in $37 million in its second weekend. This marks a potent revival of the DreamWorks Animation franchise, with a sequel already in the works for the $150 million production.
While “Elio” had expected to be one of Pixar’s biggest titles this summer, it has struggled to gain traction. The film’s opening is considered weak by industry standards, especially when compared to other Pixar films like “Cars,” “WALL-E,” and “Toy Story 4.”
The studio’s financial struggles come after a period of stabilization in their performance following the pandemic. However, with several new releases on the horizon, including live-action remakes “Lilo & Stitch” and “28 Years Later,” it remains to be seen whether Pixar can regain its footing.
In related news, Sony Pictures’ “28 Years Later” has opened with $30 million, marking director Danny Boyle’s biggest opening weekend. The film is expected to perform well internationally, with a strong start in 59 overseas markets.
As the summer box office heats up, it will be interesting to see how Pixar’s struggling franchise recovers and if other studios can capitalize on the competition.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/box-office-train-dragon-elio-28-years-06aa2cd88e9035771767dd423a02e668