The Pixar magic may be fading as “Elio” opens to the lowest box office numbers in the studio’s history—what on earth went wrong?

At a Glance

• Pixar’s “Elio” gathers just $21 million domestically, $35 million globally on its opening weekend.
• This underperformance is the worst in Pixar’s 30-year history, falling far short of past openings.
• “Elio” cost over $250 million, leading to concerns over Disney’s faith in the Pixar brand.
• Audience tastes are shifting away from Pixar’s traditional storytelling formula.

A Historical Low for Pixar

Pixar’s “Elio” has stumbled dramatically at the box office, gathering a meager $21 million domestically and a total of $35 million globally. This staggering figure cements its place as the worst opening weekend in the company’s illustrious thirty-year history. By comparison, previous Pixar releases routinely amassed over $180 million during their opening weekends. This marks an alarming decline in audience engagement and raises eyebrows over Pixar’s once-peerless formula.

Despite the opening weekend bombshell, Disney maintains guarded optimism that “Elio” could pull a surprise turnaround at the box office over time. However, given early signs and the film’s current trajectory, emulating the gradual success of “Elemental” seems an ambitious hope. Even with an A CinemaScore, which usually translates to steady box office gains, many critics and viewers alike labeled “Elio” as lackluster and uninspiring, voicing skepticism about its long-term prospects.

A Costly Attempt at Original Storytelling

While “Elio” was Mardi Gras-style bannered as Pixar’s bold return to original storytelling, the story has turned more cautionary than celebratory. The film’s production cost has been widely reported at $150 million, but insider sources suggest it tiptoed closer to $300 million, attributed to extensive rewrites and production delays. This fiscal shocker now stands out not only for its lackluster box office returns but also as an example of poor strategic decision-making amid shifting audience tastes.

Despite this dismal performance, industry veterans, like David A. Gross, are quick to note that such numbers might be considered respectable for other original animated films. However, when dissected under Pixar’s historically shining spotlight, they appear downright weak, prompting a reexamination of their cherished storytelling template. It appears the Pixar brand alone is no longer the massive crowd puller it once was, hinting at a possible paradigm shift in family entertainment preferences.

The Erosion of an Empire

The letdown of “Elio” isn’t an isolated case. Recent Pixar titles such as “Lightyear” and “Onward” also underperformed relative to the studio’s typically high benchmarks. The struggle to launch new, original narratives is palpable, especially when even a compelling film fails to translate into substantial ticket sales. Meanwhile, “Elio” got overshadowed by high-performing competitors like DreamWorks’ live-action “How To Train Your Dragon” and the sequel “28 Years Later,” casting a longer shadow on Pixar’s current predicament.

“would be solid numbers for another original animation film, but this is Pixar. By Pixar’s remarkable standard, this opening is weak.” – David A. Gross

With anticipation waning and box office numbers rolling backward, it’s clear Pixar faces a critical choice: rethink and regenerate their storytelling approach or risk diluting their once-sparkling brand identity. The megahit model that catapulted countless Pixar projects to stardom seems passé. As audiences grow weary of familiar formulas, a reassessment of the route to revitalize Pixar’s unique storytelling essence may very well be in order.