In recent years, Pixar has mostly shifted its focus from completely original films toproducing sequels of their beloved classicsbut one sleeper hit from 2023 deserves to be the next sequel they release. It’s understandable why the studio has chosen to make so many sequels since they typically bring in the biggest box office.Toy Storyis preparing for its fifth installmentwhileInside Out, Cars,andThe Incrediblesare among its current franchises.
However, it’s actuallyElementalthat should be the next sequel the studio puts out. The film is classic Pixar, telling a touching and heartwarming story in the middle of a unique world.Elementalis set in a world populated by elements of nature, like fire and water, who are anthropomorphic, and follows two characters from different sides of that world coming together. It turned out to be a bigger hit than expected.
Elemental Was Pixar’s First True Sleeper Hit
Elemental Picked Up Steam After A While
It’s hard for a studio like Pixar to put out a sleeper hit. Based on name value alone, the films they produce tend to be hits as even their lowest-grossing films have surpassed $300 million outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. However,the pandemic is exactly whyElemental’s success was so surprising. During that time, Pixar movies struggled withSoul, Luca, andTurning Redall grossing under $125 million thanks to simultaneous releases on Disney+.
Even 2022’sLightyeardisappointed despite being connected to theToy Storybrand. So an original story likeElementalseemed bound to struggle and initially, it did. Coming in under projections in its opening week,Elementalended up catching on due to word of mouth. The film saw surges in later weeks andElementalended up grossing nearly $500 million, proving that it had legs.
Pixar Must Make Elemental 2 Part Of Its Upcoming Slate
It’s The Perfect Sequel To Produce
A criticism often lobbied at Pixar sequels is that many of them haven’t been necessary or don’t add much to the overall story. That was the case for maligned releases likeCars 2and even well-received ones likeToy Story 4, given that the third entry ended perfectly. That wouldn’t be an issue withElemental 2,though, because the world of the film is ripe with so many stories to tell.Ember and Wade’s life beyond the limits of Element City is interesting, as would be a story where they’d be brought back for a crisis.
Pixar will need sequels of later movies andElemental’s box office run proved it has an audience thatTurning RedorLucadoesn’t seem to.
Pixar has relied on sequels in recent memory, but they also can’t keep going back to their early hits forever. There’s already concern about whyToy Story 5is happening, whileIncredibles 3will even have a different directorbehind it.Coco 2is exciting but Pixar will need sequels of later movies andElemental’s box office run proved it has an audience thatTurning RedorLucadoesn’t seem to. That makesElemental2almost a no-brainer for Pixar’s near future.
