Disney’s animated adventure “Elio” failed to impress audiences, further highlighting Pixar’s struggles to launch original films. The studio has found success with sequels, but its attempts at new storytelling have been met with disappointing box office numbers.
In contrast, Pixar’s sequels have consistently performed well, such as “Inside Out 2,” which opened to $154 million domestically and grossed $652 million globally. This year’s release of “Elio” fell short, earning only $21 million domestically and $35 million globally. Analysts attribute the poor performance to an unfavorable release date and competition from established family films.
Pixar’s dominance has been affected since the pandemic, with several titles sent directly to Disney+ while cinemas recovered. This led to audiences expecting Pixar movies at home rather than in theaters. To regain momentum, Pixar must create distinctive yet marketable films that appeal to a broad audience.
The studio’s recent efforts have shown promise, but improvement in quality has not translated to box office success. “Elio” is an example of this, with strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth contributing to a steady but limited box office run. To succeed, Pixar must balance production costs and marketing strategies to appeal to younger audiences.
A potential solution lies in extending the marketing runway for its next project, “Hoppers,” which teases a new animated film scheduled for 2026. However, this requires finding an appealing premise that resonates with young viewers. With “Toy Story 5” on the horizon, Pixar’s reliance on sequels may be a temporary fix.
Disney’s struggles to launch original films are not unique, as the company has faced similar challenges in live-action and animated productions. The studio’s recent successes, such as “Frozen,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” and “Zootopia,” have been built upon existing franchises rather than creating entirely new stories. This diminishing return highlights the need for Pixar to reassess its approach to original storytelling.
The article concludes that while Pixar has shown promise in recent years, its struggles with original films are a pressing issue. To regain momentum, the studio must focus on developing distinctive yet marketable ideas that appeal to a broad audience, rather than relying solely on sequels and established franchises.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/elio-box-office-flop-pixar-original-movies-fail-1236437644