Pixar’s latest release, “Elio,” has opened to the lowest box office numbers in the studio’s history, earning just $34 million in its opening weekend. Despite this financial disappointment, the film has received exceptional audience feedback, boasting a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This audience score places “Elio” above many beloved Pixar classics, including “Toy Story 3” (90%), “Up” (90%), “Monsters Inc.” (90%), “Finding Nemo” (86%), and “The Incredibles” (75%). Critics have also responded positively, giving the film an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore.
Industry analysts point to several factors contributing to the film’s poor box office performance. “Elio” suffered from minimal marketing compared to other Pixar releases and lacks the benefit of being attached to an established franchise. Additionally, the film faces stiff competition from several high-profile releases currently in theaters.
The crowded box office includes “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” with Tom Cruise, “28 Years Later” from Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” remake, and Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” remake, which topped the domestic charts with $37 million.
With a reported production budget of $150 million, “Elio” will need strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest to recover from its disappointing start. The film’s excellent audience reception may help its box office performance in the coming weeks, though the initial poor showing will be difficult to overcome.
“Elio” continues Pixar’s tradition of creating critically acclaimed films, with Collider’s review noting that it represents “the imagination, inventiveness, and emotion that the studio has become well-known for.”
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