Part 6/9:
Looking back, even "Toy Story," the franchise that kickstarted Pixar in 1995, opened with $29 million—an impressive feat at the time. Now, "Elemental" is projected to struggle to hit such numbers after nearly three decades. With inflation and rising ticket prices, it’s embarrassing that a modern Pixar film might not match what was achievable almost three decades ago, reflecting a significant erosion of their audience base.
In fact, "Elemental" might only muster a weekend opening of about $25-28 million—stunningly low for an animation release in today’s market. If that occurs, it signifies a severe decline not only financially but culturally, as Disney's once-unassailable position as the leader in family entertainment crumbles.