It’s clear that Pixar’s magic lies in its ability to craft heartwarming, imaginative stories. Yet, the studio’s most recent original films, such as Elio and Elemental (2023), have struggled to capture the box office attention their sequels garnered so easily.
Despite glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike, these new films have faced an uphill battle in theaters, raising the question: Why is there such a discrepancy between Pixar’s original releases and its beloved sequels?
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The answer might lie in a frustrating reality for Pixar — while fans loudly demand more original stories, they seem hesitant to support these films when they hit theaters. Elio, Pixar’s latest adventure into uncharted territory, earned praise for its heartfelt plot and vibrant animation.
Yet, despite a solid 83% critics’ score and an impressive 91% audience score, the movie failed to perform well at the box office, marking a new low for Pixar in terms of opening weekend earnings.
The Disconnect Between Fans and New Stories
Pixar’s original films have long been praised for their creativity and innovation. Films like Inside Out (2015), Up (2009), and Coco (2017) proved that the studio was capable of not only great sequels but also groundbreaking original stories that resonated deeply with audiences.
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However, more recent releases such as Elemental and Elio have had a much harder time finding an audience.
What’s at the heart of this struggle? Despite years of criticism over Pixar’s reliance on sequels and live-action remakes, fans seem to be less enthusiastic when presented with fresh, original content. Elio tells the story of a young boy who is suddenly transported to an alien world and tasked with saving the universe.
While the movie has received strong reviews, it doesn’t seem to be striking a chord with the masses. Why is that?
The Success of Sequels: Is Nostalgia the Key?
It’s hard to ignore the fact that Pixar’s sequels consistently outperform their original counterparts. Toy Story 4 earned over $1 billion at the global box office, and Incredibles 2 made over $1.2 billion. These films were met with enormous success, driven in part by fan nostalgia and the beloved characters that audiences were eager to revisit.
But when it comes to original films like Elio, the story is different. Despite the fact that Elemental eventually made a comeback after a slow start, it took some time before word of mouth turned the tide.
There’s a part of the Pixar audience that thrives on familiarity. Characters like Woody, Buzz, and Elastigirl are fan favorites for a reason, but that doesn’t explain why films like Elio, which received praise from those who did see it, still couldn’t draw the crowds.
Related: ‘Ratatouille 2’ Reportedly in Development: Pixar Shifts Focus to Sequel Strategy
Marketing Issues: A Missed Opportunity?
Perhaps the issue doesn’t rest entirely with the fans themselves, but rather with how Pixar is presenting their films. With Elio, many fans admitted that they hadn’t even heard of the movie until its release was imminent.
This is a glaring issue, especially for a studio as established as Pixar. While Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 had years of marketing campaigns behind them, Elio was met with far less promotion in the months leading up to its release.
Disney and Pixar need to learn from this and recognize the importance of building anticipation for original stories. If fans aren’t aware of a new Pixar film in time, it’s unlikely that they’ll be excited to see it in theaters, no matter how good it is. It’s clear that the marketing push needs to be stronger for original films if Pixar wants to see a more favorable box-office outcome.
The Hypocrisy of Fans: A Double Standard?
There’s also a frustrating contradiction in the expectations of Pixar fans. For years, audiences have asked for more original stories, frustrated by the constant sequels and reboots. Yet when Pixar delivers something fresh like Elio, fans often don’t show up to the theaters.
It begs the question: are fans truly interested in new stories, or do they simply want the comfort and predictability of sequels?
Movies like Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 have earned millions, but the studio’s push for new, original content appears to be met with hesitation. While nostalgia might be a big factor in the success of sequels, Pixar’s original films deserve more attention and support from the very fans who’ve asked for them.
What’s Next for Pixar?
Looking ahead, Pixar is not giving up on its original stories. Despite the setbacks of Elio and Elemental, the studio has several new original films lined up, including Hoppers and Gatto. Hoppers promises an intriguing story about scientists who can “hop” into robotic animals to communicate with wildlife, while Gatto will center on a cat involved in a mob underworld.
While sequels like Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3 are also part of Pixar’s future, the studio remains committed to taking creative risks.
However, the success of these upcoming films will depend heavily on how Pixar markets them and how fans respond to the challenge of supporting new and innovative ideas.
It’s time for fans to put their money where their mouth is. If audiences truly want more original films, they need to support them in theaters, not just wait for them to arrive on Disney+. Waiting for films to be released on streaming only encourages the cycle of sequels, as studios are unlikely to invest heavily in new, untested content if fans aren’t willing to pay for it upfront.
Pixar’s future depends on the willingness of audiences to embrace fresh ideas. If fans continue to ignore original films and only support the familiar stories they know and love, the studio will have little incentive to invest in new concepts. The challenge now lies in whether Pixar can turn the tide and get its audience to show up for something different.
Do you think Pixar fans need to make more of an effort to support original films? Or is the issue with Pixar’s marketing and the timing of releases? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation about the future of Pixar’s storytelling.
