“We were all kind of gut punched”: Pixar’s Worst Box-Office Disaster Made Studio Believe They Were Finished Before Putting All Their Hopes on Inside Out 2
Pixar, the animation giant behind favorites like Toy Story and Finding Nemo, has hit a bump in the road recently. Some of its latest movies haven’t been big hits, and decisions like putting films online instead of in theaters haven’t been popular.
With ticket sales lagging, Pixar is looking to bounce back by revisiting some of their most beloved characters through sequels and reboots. The Incredibles, the Parr family’s superhero adventures, and Finding Nemo, the heartwarming tale of an overprotective clownfish, are at the top of the list.
Pixar Bets on Sequels After Elemental‘s Disappointing Debut
Pixar’s latest film, Elemental, hit theaters last year in June. While it grabbed the number two spot at the box office, it wasn’t quite the blockbuster debut the studio is used to. With earnings around $29.6 million (Box Office Mojo), Elemental actually holds the record for Pixar’s lowest opening weekend ever. Over this, Pixar’s president Jim Morris told Bloomberg:
We were all kind of gut-punched, and it was tough on morale. I thought it was a good film with a Pixar feel, so when it didn’t work, that was like, ‘Whoa.’ I was thinking, ‘Do people just not want to see the kind of film we make anymore? Is that done?’
The reboot approach, though, makes sense. Looking back, five of Pixar’s last six films – Elemental, Turning Red, Luca, Soul, and Onward – were all original stories. While some, like Lightyear (a Toy Story spin-off), found success, many didn’t grab audiences’ attention as much.
On the other hand, sequels like Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4 were huge hits, making over a billion dollars each! This shows that people really love seeing their favorite characters return for new adventures.
Pixar’s Future Hinges on Inside Out 2 Success
Pixar’s next film, Inside Out 2, is poised to be a major test. The studio hopes that the sequel to the beloved 2015 film will be a big success and get them back on track.
There are a few reasons why Inside Out 2 could be a game-changer for Pixar. First, it’s a sequel to a movie that people already loved. This means people are already familiar with the characters and story, and they might be more likely to go see it.
Second, Pixar seems to be focusing on films with broad appeal. Instead of highly personal stories from directors, they’re creating themes that everyone can relate to. Finally, they are going back to releasing their movies mostly in theaters instead of online. They believe that the big-screen experience is important for their films.
If Inside Out 2 is a hit, it could mean a brighter future for Pixar. They could continue making sequels to other popular movies, and they could also find success with new, original stories. It could also show that there’s still a place for heartwarming and thought-provoking animated movies in theaters.
Inside Out 2 is scheduled to release on June 14!
