The highly anticipated film, Elemental, continues to make waves in the entertainment industry. Recently, it made history with the highest streaming debut for a movie on Disney+. This is a significant achievement for the film, considering its rocky start at the box office, where it had the worst opening for a Pixar movie. However, Elemental proved to have strong legs and went on to earn an impressive $484 million globally.
Disney announced that Elemental garnered 26.4 million views worldwide in its first five days of streaming on Disney+. To put this number into perspective, it is equivalent to the viewing time of that many complete showings of the movie. Disney, much like its streaming competitor Netflix, measures viewership by dividing the total viewing time by the title’s run time. In comparison, Disney last week celebrated the live-action version of The Little Mermaid, which received 16 million views on its first five days on the platform. The debut episode of the Star Wars series Ahsoka also attracted 14 million views over five days. While Disney did not provide specific data for Turning Red, they did mention that Elemental had the highest opening for an animated movie since the former, which debuted directly on Disney+ in March 2022.
Directed by Peter Sohn, Elemental takes place in Elemental City, a vibrant metropolis inhabited by residents of the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Leah Lewis lends her voice to the lead character Ember, while Mamoudou Athie voices Wade. The star-studded cast also includes Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara, Mason Wertheimer, and Joe Pera.
For Disney and Pixar, Elemental’s success was a much-needed win. The studio had experienced a setback with their previous release, Lightyear, and industry observers questioned whether the decision to release animated titles directly on Disney+ during the pandemic would impact box office potential. However, Elemental’s impressive performance on the streaming platform has put those doubts to rest.
The film’s triumph on Disney+ highlights the growing influence and popularity of streaming services in the film industry. With millions of viewers tuning in to watch Elemental, it is evident that streaming platforms have become a significant avenue for movie consumption. This shift in consumer behavior has forced studios to rethink their distribution strategies and adapt to the changing landscape of the industry.
Elemental’s success story also reflects the enduring appeal of animated movies. Despite the challenges faced by the industry in recent times, audiences still have a strong connection to animated films that tell captivating stories and showcase breathtaking animation. Pixar, with its reputation for delivering heartwarming and visually stunning movies, has once again demonstrated its ability to captivate viewers and create memorable cinematic experiences with Elemental.
Looking ahead, Elemental’s triumph on Disney+ sets a promising precedent for future animated releases on streaming platforms. As audiences increasingly turn to streaming services for their entertainment needs, the demand for high-quality animated content will continue to grow. This presents exciting opportunities for filmmakers and studios to explore new creative frontiers and reach a global audience with their animated creations.
In conclusion, Elemental’s journey from a disappointing box office opening to a record-breaking streaming debut on Disney+ is a testament to its enduring appeal and the power of streaming platforms in the modern film industry. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film has captured the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide and continues to solidify the position of animated movies in the realm of cinema. With its success, Elemental has not only restored faith in Disney and Pixar’s animated releases but has also paved the way for future animated films to thrive on streaming platforms. The movie industry has undoubtedly entered a new era, where streaming services play a crucial role in delivering captivating stories to audiences around the world.
