What were the main production issues faced by Pixar's 'Elio' that contributed to its low box office opening?

Pixar's 'Elio' experienced troubled production including extensive rewrites, a director swap from Adrian Molina to Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, and delays from its original March 2024 release to June 2025. These issues, along with a budget that reportedly ballooned to $300 million, significantly affected the film's performance.

How did 'How to Train Your Dragon' perform relative to 'Elio' during the same period?

'How to Train Your Dragon' earned $37 million in its second weekend, topping the US box office and outperforming 'Elio,' which opened with $21 million, marking Pixar's lowest opening ever.

What was the financial outcome for Pixar's 'Elio' compared to other recent Pixar releases?

'Elio' had the lowest opening weekend for Pixar at $21 million and faced significant financial pressure due to its high production cost, reportedly over $150 million to $300 million, marking a challenging period compared to recent successes like 'Elemental' and 'Inside Out 2'.

What has been the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pixar's recent box office performance?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions for Pixar, leading some films such as 'Soul,' 'Luca,' and 'Turning Red' to skip theatrical releases and premiere directly on Disney+, while others like 'Lightyear' were commercial disappointments, contributing to a rough stretch for the studio before recent moderate successes.

How did audience reception and promotion efforts affect 'Elio's' performance in certain markets?

Audience reception was lukewarm, with some critics noting the film felt like a rehash of previous works and lacked innovation, while promotion efforts were minimal in markets like Mexico, contributing to low public awareness and poor box office turnout.

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6M ago

Box Office Showdown: Pixar's 'Elio' Struggles as 'How to Train Your Dragon' Soars

Pixar's 'Elio' records the studio's lowest opening at $21 million, while 'How to Train Your Dragon' leads with $37 million in its second weekend.

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Overview

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Pixar's 'Elio' opened with $21 million, marking the studio's lowest box office debut ever.

'28 Years Later' debuted with $30 million, achieving the biggest opening weekend for director Danny Boyle.

'How to Train Your Dragon' earned $37 million in its second weekend, dominating the US box office.

The film 'How to Train Your Dragon' has grossed $358.2 million globally, outperforming its competitors.

Production issues plagued 'Elio', which cost over $150 million and reflects a challenging period for Pixar.

Written using shared reports from

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources frame the box office results as a stark contrast between the success of "How to Train Your Dragon" and the struggles of "Elio." They emphasize the financial implications and production challenges of "Elio," reflecting a critical perspective on Pixar's recent performance while celebrating the triumph of the former film.

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‘How to Train Your Dragon’ soars ahead of 'Elio,' '28 Years Later' in box office

ABC News•6M ago

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ tops the US box office as ‘Elio’ marks a new low for Pixar

Associated Press•6M ago

“How to Train Your Dragon” lidera taquilla en EEUU; “‘Elio” marca el peor estreno para Pixar

Chicago Tribune•6M ago

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: Pixar's 'Elio' experienced troubled production including extensive rewrites, a director swap from Adrian Molina to Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, and delays from its original March 2024 release to June 2025. These issues, along with a budget that reportedly ballooned to $300 million, significantly affected the film's performance.
Sources:
World of Reel
: 'How to Train Your Dragon' earned $37 million in its second weekend, topping the US box office and outperforming 'Elio,' which opened with $21 million, marking Pixar's lowest opening ever.
Sources:
Animation Magazine
: 'Elio' had the lowest opening weekend for Pixar at $21 million and faced significant financial pressure due to its high production cost, reportedly over $150 million to $300 million, marking a challenging period compared to recent successes like 'Elemental' and 'Inside Out 2'.
Sources:
Animation Magazine
: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions for Pixar, leading some films such as 'Soul,' 'Luca,' and 'Turning Red' to skip theatrical releases and premiere directly on Disney+, while others like 'Lightyear' were commercial disappointments, contributing to a rough stretch for the studio before recent moderate successes.
Sources:
World of Reel
: Audience reception was lukewarm, with some critics noting the film felt like a rehash of previous works and lacked innovation, while promotion efforts were minimal in markets like Mexico, contributing to low public awareness and poor box office turnout.
Sources:
NeoGAF

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