Elemental has defied expectations and achieved a significant milestone in the film industry. The Pixar movie has surpassed the $400 million mark at the global box office, making it the first Hollywood animated film based on original intellectual property to reach this milestone since before the pandemic. As of Tuesday, Elemental had grossed $146.2 million domestically and $257.5 million overseas, bringing its worldwide total to an impressive $403.7 million.
While Elemental’s earnings may be lower compared to many other Pixar films, it still outperformed last year’s underwhelming release, Lightyear, which only managed to earn $218.8 million globally. This success also means that Elemental, which reportedly had a production cost of $200 million, will not be a significant financial loss in theaters after all.
Initially, Elemental faced challenges at the box office, contributing to Pixar’s ongoing struggles. It opened to a disappointing $29.6 million over the June 16-18 weekend, marking it as the worst three-day weekend start in Pixar’s history since the release of Toy Story in 1995. However, the film started gaining momentum as it continued to perform well week after week, achieving one of the highest multiples of any Pixar title in North American cinemas.
Elemental’s success has also surpassed that of DC’s highly anticipated 2023 summer blockbuster, The Flash. Although The Flash had a stronger opening weekend, earning significantly higher numbers, it has since lagged behind in earnings with only $107 million domestically and $268.3 million globally.
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The film’s success isn’t limited to the domestic market—Elemental has gained immense popularity overseas, especially in South Korea. It has become a box office juggernaut in the country, with a staggering $44.8 million in earnings. According to Disney, it is estimated that 6 million admissions will be reached on Thursday, indicating that one out of every eight people in South Korea has watched the film. It has achieved several milestones in South Korea, including being the third highest-grossing animated film of all time, surpassing Walt Disney Animation’s two Frozen movies. Additionally, Elemental is the second highest-grossing release of 2023, trailing only behind the local film Round Up. It also ranks as the fifth highest-grossing Hollywood release during the pandemic era, following Avatar: The Way of Water, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
With its final major market release in Japan set for Friday, Elemental is poised to continue its box office success. The film’s ability to resonate with audiences globally, along with its positive reception in South Korea, bodes well for its prospects in Japan and potentially other international markets.
In conclusion, Elemental has proven its resilience and defied initial expectations. It has become the first Hollywood animated film based on original IP to surpass the $400 million mark at the global box office since the onset of the pandemic. Despite a slow start, the film’s consistent performance and strong international box office numbers have solidified its position as a successful theatrical release for Pixar. As it continues to expand into new markets, Elemental has the potential to achieve even greater milestones and cement its place as a beloved animated film.
