Bay Area's Pixar suffers worst box office opening in 39 years with ‘Elio'
Pixar suffered the worst opening weekend in its history with 'Elio,' the Emeryville studio's latest original animated feature, which pulled in just $21 million in North America and $14 million overseas for a global total of $35 million.
The numbers fall well below expectations and mark a troubling low for the Bay Area animation giant behind 'Toy Story,' 'Finding Nemo' and 'Inside Out.'
'Elio' now holds the record for Pixar's weakest debut, dropping below 2023's 'Elemental,' which opened to $44.5 million worldwide.
Despite strong word-of-mouth and an 'A' CinemaScore, 'Elio' failed to draw a crowd in a crowded market. Disney, Pixar's parent company, had hoped the film would at least match 'Elemental's' opening. Internal projections were lowered late last week as interest waned.
The wobbly launch comes just a year after Pixar scored one of its biggest hits with 'Inside Out 2,' which became the top-grossing animated film of all time, earning $1.7 billion globally.
'Elio,' which cost an estimated $250 million to produce and market, was outpaced by Universal's 'How to Train Your Dragon,' which remained No. 1 at the domestic box office with $37 million in its second weekend. Sony's '28 Years Later' followed with $30 million domestically and another $30 million internationally.
Pixar and Disney are banking on long-term momentum to salvage the release. 'Elemental,' despite a soft opening, eventually grossed nearly $500 million.
'Elio' will need a similar rebound — and fast — to avoid becoming one of the studio's most expensive misfires.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geek Tyrant
2 hours ago
- Geek Tyrant
TRON: ARES Heads to Hall H at Comic-Con, but the Spotlight Comes with Controversy — GeekTyrant
With Marvel Studios sitting this year's Hall H out, Disney is shifting the spotlight to Tron: Ares . According to TheWrap, the long-awaited sequel will be the company's flagship presentation at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, and that's a big deal, both in terms of fan anticipation and the complicated conversation that now surrounds the film. Tron: Ares stars Jared Leto as the titular program, and he's the face of this next chapter in Disney's decades-spanning digital frontier. But Leto's involvement now brings a heavier context. Earlier this month, AirMail published a detailed report in which multiple women accused the actor of inappropriate and sexual misconduct, including allegations that some incidents occurred when they were underage. One source told the outlet that his behavior 'has been an open secret for a long time.' Leto has denied the allegations. Meanwhile, Disney and Amazon MGM Studios, who are also working with him on Masters of the Universe , where he's set to play Skeletor, have remained silent. It's unclear whether Leto will appear on the Hall H stage, or if Disney will shift the focus to other cast members like Greta Lee, Cameron Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, and returning legacy star Jeff Bridges. Given that Tron: Ares hasn't had much marketing presence since its teaser trailer, Comic-Con would be the obvious place to drop something major, assuming Disney decides to stay the course. There's still a lot of mystery around the movie itself, but it's currently scheduled for release on October 10. With SDCC running July 24–27, we'll soon see how Disney navigates the mix of fandom hype and real-world controversy that now surrounds this title. Either way, Tron: Ares is set to be one of the biggest, and possibly most talked-about films of the convention.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
How 'Jaws' fans can celebrate 50th anniversary at Universal Studios Hollywood, Florida
It's been 50 years since 'Jaws' first terrorized a generation of moviegoers. Nowadays, fans are more likely to squeal with delight than fear over the beloved Universal franchise, which still has an entire Amity Village at Universal Studios Japan. But fans don't have to go that far to celebrate the film's golden anniversary this summer. Here's what to do at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Do they still have Jaws at Universal Studios Hollywood? Yes. There's still a Jaws encounter on the World-Famous Studio Tour. (Tip: Sit to the right of the tram for the best view.) The tour is available all year long, but guests may notice a 'Jaws' addition to the Hollywood sign replica this summer. As part of Universal Studios Hollywood's Mega Movie Summer through Aug. 10, guests can also snap photos with the park's hanging shark, which has been brought back for an anniversary photo opp, along with a new meet-and-greet with Captain Quint and Chief Brody. Guests can find these outside the WaterWorld attraction. The California park has also temporarily transformed its quick-service Hollywood & Dine restaurant into Amity Island Cafe. Its 'Jaws'-inspired menu includes a lobster roll, a vegan crab cake sandwich and an oversized donut that looks like a lifesaver. From 'Jaws' to 'The Meg': Ranking the 10 best shark movies of all time Is Jaws still at Universal Studios Florida? Universal Orlando Resort's Jaws ride retired in 2012. However, its hanging shark is still displayed year-round. In honor of the film's 50th anniversary, Universal Studios Florida has also brought out two additional photo opps tied to the former attraction: one is its original billboard; the other looks like one of the boats from the ride, being chased by a shark. Guests will find these in the park's San Francisco area through July 6, along with limited-time "Jaws"-themed snacks. Each night until Aug. 24, guests can catch CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular, on the park's waterfront before closing. The nighttime show features dancing fountains, projections, and music from some of Universal's most iconic films, including 'Jaws.' Pending weather, each day through Nov. 13, guests can also catch the Universal Mega Movie Parade, which features live characters, floats and Easter eggs from various Universal films, including 'Jaws.' Dates are subject to change. Guests should check Universal Orlando's free app for the latest updates.
5 hours ago
How Barbara Walters struggled to balance motherhood with her career
Barbara Walters is best known as the legendary TV broadcaster who convinced world leaders, celebrities and controversial figures to bare their souls before audiences of millions. However, Walters' incredible career is only part of her story. Through new interviews and archival material, the feature-length documentary "Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything" puts the full complexity of this journalistic icon on display. That includes a major part of her private life: her relationship with her daughter Jacqueline (Jackie). The documentary "Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything" is streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. Walters joined ABC News in 1976, becoming the first female anchor on its evening news program. Three years later, she became a co-host of "20/20," and in 1997, she launched "The View." She retired in 2016 and died in 2022, aged 93. In 1968, after three miscarriages, Walters and second husband Lee Guber adopted Jacqueline (Jackie). She named her daughter after her sister, who was born developmentally disabled. In her 2008 memoir "Audition," Walters wrote that she wanted her sister to "feel that she, too, has a child, because I knew by this time she never would." In a candid 1977 hot mic moment, the documentary shows her whispering with musician Dolly Parton about her decision to adopt during an interview. "For me, it was the best thing I ever did," Walters told Parton. Despite the joy being a mother brought her, Walters acknowledged the toll her career took on her marriage -- she and Guber got divorced in 1976. "I don't think I was very good at marriage. It may be that my career was just too important," she said in the 2014 ABC News special "Her Story." "It may have been that I was a difficult person to be married to and I wasn't willing perhaps to give that much." Her career created parenting challenges as well. "Today, people are more accepting. You can bring your kid to the office. In those days, if I had brought Jackie into the studio, it would be as if I had brought a dog who was not housebroken," Walters said during the "Her Story" special. That led to challenges when Jackie was a teenager, Walters said in the 2008 ABC News special "Audition." "I didn't realize how tough it was because she had a mother who was a celebrity. We struggled through schools, and then finally at one point when she was 16, I guess, she ran away," she said. "And finally when I found out where she was, I had someone pick her up and take her to an emotional growth school, which is what it was called. She was there for three years." Broadcaster Oprah Winfrey, a friend of Walters, spoke in the new documentary about the "charged, complex relationship" between mother and daughter. "I remember her telling me once that there's nothing more fulfilling than having children, and you should really think about it. And I was like 'OK, but I'm looking at you. So no,'" she said. Winfrey said their challenging relationship that may have been part of the price Walters paid to become a legend. "You are a pioneer in your field, and you are trying to break the mold for yourself and the women who follow you, then something's going to have to give for that," she said. "And that is why I did not have children. I knew I could not do both well." Winfrey noted that Walters' ambition was a factor -- she was always chasing the next big interview. "Both are sacrifices, sacrifice to do the work, and it's also a sacrifice to be the mother and to say no, let somebody else have that," Winfrey said. "And at no time have I ever heard a story, read a story, and based on what I know of Barbara Walters, at no time has Barbara Walters ever said 'No, let someone else take that story.'" Former "Nightline" and ABC News correspondent Cynthia McFadden noted in the documentary that Walters wasn't raising her daughter alone. "It's important to say Jackie had a father. And Jackie had a governess. So it wasn't like Jackie was left alone in a playpen," she said. "Barbara articulated many times that she had made mistakes as a mother, that she had made choices for herself, for her work." Jackie spoke to McFadden about her upbringing and the challenge of fitting into Walters' for 2001 ABC special "Born in My Heart: A Love Story," which looked at families with adopted children. McFadden -- herself an adoptee -- asked Jackie which was more challenging -- being adopted or being a famous woman's child. "Oh, being the child of a famous woman, hands down," she said. In the documentary, McFadden said Walters' ambition and Jackie's noncompetitive disposition accounted for some of the friction between them. "I've said I'm sorry for so many things. I've put her through all that torture," Jackie said in 2001. "I was sorry for my whole teenage years. It was awful." Walters felt that the relationship grew "shaky" again as she got older, according to McFadden. Despite her legendary status, Walters expressed sadness about the sacrifices she made in the 2004 ABC News special "Art of the Conversation." "I have a friend for example, who's got four children and 11 grandchildren, and she says 'Look at your life,' she said. "And I said 'Look at your life. I mean, how rich you are, four children, 11 grandchildren -- that's richness.' But I don't have that. I didn't take that path."
