LOS ANGELES: Pixar’s animated movie “Elemental” took in roughly $30 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices over the weekend, the second-lowest debut in the history of the acclaimed studio behind the “Toy Story” franchise, “Finding Nemo” and other classics.
“Elemental,” a story about overcoming outward differences, added $15 million overseas for a global total of $45 million from Friday through Sunday, distributor Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said. The film opened in just three major international markets and will expand to other countries in the coming weeks.
“The Flash,” the latest DC superhero movie from Warner Bros (WBD.O), also underwhelmed at the box office. It topped the domestic charts with an estimated $55.1 million, according to researcher ComScore, at the low end of pre-weekend forecasts.
Analysts had predicted that “Elemental” would open with at least $31 million at domestic theaters. The $30 million estimate, which will be finalized on Monday, would rank just ahead of the $29.1 million for 1995’s “Toy Story,” Pixar’s first movie. “Toy Story” became a global blockbuster that spawned multiple hit sequels.
The studio is looking to rebound from the box office disappointment of its 2022 release “Lightyear,” the origin story of “Toy Story” hero Buzz Lightyear. The movie brought in an earthbound $226.7 million in global ticket sales, a fraction of the $1 billion take for 2019’s “Toy Story 4.”
The director and producer of “Lightyear” were laid off last month, Reuters first reported, as Disney shed 7,000 jobs across the company in a cost-cutting effort.
“Elemental” is set in Element City, where Fire, Water, Earth and Air characters live together. An unexpected friendship between Fire and Water borrows from director Peter Sohn’s relationship with his Italian-American wife, which he initially hid from his parents.
Tony Chambers, head of theatrical distribution at Disney, said he was disappointed by the domestic ticket sales for “Elemental,” which received positive feedback from movie critics and audiences and was heavily marketed. Audiences gave the film an “A” rating in polling by CinemaScore.
