Taylor Swift might be the biggest pop star in the world but she’s no longer dominating the Disney Plus streaming charts. 7171o

The Eras Tour concert film debuted on the streaming platform on March 14 after a historic theater run and held on to the worldwide most-watched top spot for a while before being dethroned by an Oscar-nominated Pixar romantic dramedy.

According to FlixPatrol, 2023’s Elemental, which lost out on the golden statuette against Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and The Heron earlier this month, was the most popular film in 17 countries on Tuesday, March 26, in comparison with the 10 countries Swift’s record-breaking concert managed to capture. The two films’ numbers suffered quite a big shift from the previous days, with Elemental adding a staggering 14 number-one spots to its March 25 total, while Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour dropped from 43 to 10.

Elemental has had quite the turn-around since being released in movie theaters across the world in June of 2023. At the time, the film ed the lowest three-day opening weekend in Pixar history with a revenue of $29.5 million (in 1995, Toy Story made $29.1 million which translates to $56 million with inflation). Suddenly, however, the film began gaining steam, especially after a majorly successful run in South Korea, and finished its time in theaters with a total worldwide box office of $496.4 million. It went on to become Disney Plus’ biggest debut in 2023, earning $26.4 million views in its first five days of streaming.

In a world inhabited only by anthropomorphic elements of nature, the movie tells the story of Ember (fire) and Wade (water) who fall in love despite the existing prejudice against elements other than your own. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is the cinematic recording of her 2023–2024 concert tour, filmed during the first three of six Los Angeles shows in August 2023. Both are now streaming on Disney Plus.

Everyone’s heard about how terrible 2023 was for Disney at the box office — from Indiana Jones to The Marvels, many of the Mouse House’s seemingly surefire blockbusters failed to, well, bust blocks. That said, it wasn’t always as bad as the negative noise would have you believe. When Elemental opened to less than $30 million last June, much was made about how far Pixar had come since its glory days yada yada… But as it turned out this, the film had enough fire to weather the elements.

All in all, Elemental went on to earn around $527 million worldwide, becoming the very definition of a sleeper hit. What’s more, it’s been awarded a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. Unfortunately, it’s probably not going to its many Pixar brothers and sisters that have taken home the gong, seeing as Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron is the favorite to win, after the final Hayao Miyazaki film landed the Golden Globe. Nevertheless, Elemental is coming out tops on streaming, beating into second place another Disney 2023 release which actually was the bomb that everyone thinks it is.

Releasing in September, The Creator promised to be the next epic sci-fi actioner from Godzilla and Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, which combined an A-list cast, great visuals, and topical themes about AI. Unfortunately the John David Washington and Gemma Chan vehicle went down with humanity about as well as a real robot uprising and only brought home $104 million on the back of an $80 million budget. At least, now that it’s available on Disney Plus in many territories, The Creator is finally finding an audience. Even so, as per Flix Patrol, it’s still Elemental that is currently claiming the #1 slot on the platform.

Elemental is Disney’s biggest streaming success of 2023 45g2

Elemental‘s current Disney Plus domination is only cementing the success it’s found on streaming. Following its slow-burn theatrical earnings, the adorable animated romcom is officially Disney’s biggest streaming hit of 2023. Nielsen has compiled the top 10 biggest movies across all of streaming from last year, and Elemental came in at fourth place — having amassed a mouth-watering 8.6 billion minutes of viewing time since it hit the platform. Considering that 2016’s Moana was actually the single most-watched film of the year, there’s every chance that Elemental will continue to draw in eyes and remain on the board for 2024’s ranking too. How’s that for a sleeper hit?

The most wonderful time of the year is nigh, and we’re obviously talking about the award season. Amidst snubs, duds, and all the animated cubs, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finally announced the nominations for the 96th Academy Oscars.

Naturally, each of us had our very own predictions in this mighty race, but none of us could’ve predicted the disappointment and glee that came with each category. Amidst all the high-end frontrunners in the directorial departments, let’s pay attention to the very underrated yet highly performing nominees for Best Animated Feature.

The Boy and the Heron 2n3lt

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and adapted from the 1937 novel How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino, The Boy and the Heron stands as a frontrunner in the animated race. While it may not reach the heights of Miyazaki’s magnum opus, the film’s inclusion in the award event is further evidence of Miyazaki’s filmmaking prowess and, perhaps most importantly, his storytelling acumen.

Considered a strong contender for victory, The Boy and the Heron represents Miyazaki’s fourth nomination in the Best Animated category, with only one previous triumph. This absolute masterpiece features none other than Robert Pattinson in the English cast and to witness this cinematic gem, head over to Apple TV before the Oscars arrive.

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For the first time in the history of the Best Animated Feature category — a category that only came into existence in 2002, highlighting the long-underestimated nature of animation for decades — Disney was expected to break its streak of nominations. Enter Elemental to shatter that expectation and take us by surprise. Despite initially being labeled as a flop.

The film revolves around the story of the fire girl and water boy from the duo-player browser game Elemental. Considering this, the box office performance could’ve swung in either direction. Fortunately, the Academy recognized it as a success and for now, the film is available on Disney Plus. It’s safe to say that this year’s ceremony won’t be a Disney-less time.

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Very few animated films have experienced as many twists and turns as Nimona. For an extended period, this film, directed by Troy Quane and Nick Bruno, wasn’t even a conceivable idea. The directing duo initially faced funding issues due to the queer themes explored in the film, facing pushback from Disney, which eventually shelved the project when it was 75% complete. Fortunately, Netflix stepped in and picked it up.

Now, Nimona is nominated for an Oscar, and rightfully so. This recognition goes to show that Disney’s outdated and bigoted stances can have more economically serious consequences than they might have anticipated. This nomination marks the first for both directors and to experience Nimona in all its beautiful glory, you can watch it on Netflix.

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You might find the most surprising nomination in the entire category to be none other than the Spanish-French animated tragicomedy, Robot Dreams. Written and directed by Pablo Berger, this film is not going unnoticed in European territories, having previously earned accolades, including Best Film in the Contrechamp section of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

The story ultimately revolves around a genuine friendship between a dog and a robot in 1980s Manhattan. Despite its seemingly simple premise, Robot Dreams could be the unexpected victor in the category, especially considering its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes even five months after its release. Unfortunately, as of now, the film has no streaming or VOD release dates available.

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Truthfully, here at WGTC, we can hardly pick a favorite contender for Best Animated Feature, but let’s face it, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse is surely topping our betting scorecards. Unsurprisingly, the animated Spider-Man franchise is once again nominated for an Oscar, with its first installment, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, having received a nomination and victory in 2019.

Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse had everyone hooked from the first web. Even as someone who is no longer keeping up with Marvel’s shenanigans, this franchise still has me heading to the cinema. But if you haven’t seen it on the silver screen, the film is available on Netflix.

The Oscars air on Sunday, Mar. 10, on ABC.

The year that has just wrapped up didn’t exactly go as planned for Disney, as has been made abundantly clear by the interruption of a 7-year streak of box office domination.

2023 marks the first time since 2015 that Disney did not come out on top of global ticket sales, losing out to Universal’s massively successful run. Oppenheimer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Fast X‘s bombastic performances took the production giant over the edge, suring Disney by a stingy margin of $80 million, according to Variety.

While that might not be much of a difference, the fact that this was the first time in seven years that Disney did not lead the year’s box-office numbers should be ringing the alarm at the Mouse House that things have to change. Notably, Disney’s past year was marred by consecutive disappointments — from The Marvels and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny to The Little Mermaid and Wish.

Marvel fatigue and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s inner turmoil 4v1i31

Among Disney’s many slip-ups in 2023, Marvel was the most evident. The franchise that used to smash all records had one of its worst years ever — and not just at the box office, but on the small screen and in the media as well. The Marvels and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania both had disastrous runs, with the former becoming the juggernaut’s least successful film ever.

Scathing reports of behind-the-scenes turbulence exposed Marvel Studios’ wobbly future, which has been promptly managed by reducing the yearly output of films and shows, allowing for some fine-tuning in production and planning, as well as serving as an attempt to counter market saturation. A step in the right direction, but not nearly enough if storytelling quality isn’t restored along with a more reasonable release schedule — a big-enough set of dilemmas, and that’s without mentioning Marvel’s big Jonathan Majors problem.

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Bringing back a fan-favorite property used to be a major event that people lined up to see, but when there are about 10 new reboots, remakes, or sequels announced every month, they end up losing their meaning. What’s more, these types of productions tend to lean on the popularity of their IP a little too much, failing to realize that no matter how beloved, unless a new installment lives up to what made the original special, it’s not going to go down well with the fanbase.

The Little Mermaid was a nice film that came out at the wrong time. Disney insists on producing live-action remakes of its cherished catalogue of princesses and other animated favorites, but while The Lion King, no matter how poor, was a novelty in its time, these big-budget CGI-filled live-actions are a dime a dozen these days.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny had Steven Spielberg to compete with, so the chances of it succeeding in capturing the magic of the franchise it was trying to bring back from the dead were slim to begin with. Of course, it became one of Disney’s most stunning flops in recent memory.

Disney forgot about being the biggest animation studio in the world 2e5c71

Amid all this, you ask, “I thought Disney made animated movies">is to make great movies. To tell stories that resonate, and where the ion and dedication of those involved backstage are evident in the material; where characters and plots are well thought-out and allowed to simmer, instead of being pushed out in response to tight deadlines — a prime example of which being the only Marvel success of the year, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

None of these concepts are revelations. Cinema used to be great, regardless of budget or scale, and so did Disney. It’s just a matter of believing in the potential of the medium again, and prioritizing creative voices over those whose only concern is the bottom line. If anything, Disney should regroup and go back to the essentials for the future of its flagships like Marvel and Star Wars, and while they’re at it, prioritize animation again.

Over its 30-year catalog of computer-animated features, you’ve probably noticed that there are Easter eggs that link each Pixar film together — from the many appearances of the Pizza Planet truck to the fictional mega-corporation Buy ‘N’ Large. Using these as signposts, can someone possibly watch all Pixar movies in chronological order? Enter the “Pixar Theory.”

Here is the timeline of Pixar movies, including their latest release, Elemental, and when they happen in the Pixar Universe.

What is the Pixar Theory? 4n5jk

The book The Pixar Theory, by author Jon Negroni, proposes that all Pixar films can be watched in chronological order, following an unofficial timeline of the events depicted in the films within a shared universe. While Pixar’s history dates back to 1979, Toy Story was the studio’s first foray into feature films in 1995. Pixar has produced a total of 27 feature films, and there’s an intriguing theory that links them all together in a shared cinematic universe.

The Pixar film chronology begins with 2023’s Elemental, which envisions a world inhabited solely by the elements of the Earth. Humans were introduced in this chronology in 2015 with The Good Dinosaur, which introduces an alternate universe in which the asteroid thought to have wiped out the dinosaurs es Earth. Animals exhibit advanced intelligence early on in this new timeline, eventually giving way to human dominance.

The Pixar Theory then delves into the human exodus from Earth, which leads to the rise of machines and, inevitably, the world depicted in 2001’s Monsters, Inc.

What is the order of the Pixar Theory timeline? 3v3056

Below is the order of the Pixar Theory timeline, which can be used as a guide for what to watch and when. All of these films are available to stream on Disney Plus.

1. Elemental (Release Date: 2023, Theory Date: Beginning of Life)
2. The Good Dinosaur (Release Date: 2015, Theory Date: Prehistoric Era)
3. Brave (Release Date: 2012, Theory Date: Medieval Era)
4. Luca (Release Date: 2021, Theory Date: 1950s and 60s)
5. The Incredibles (Release Date: 2004, Theory Date: 1950s and 60s)
6. Incredibles 2 (Release Date: 2018, Theory Date: 1950s and 60s)
7. Lightyear (Release Date: 2022, Theory Date: Early 1990s)
8. Toy Story (Release Date: 1995, Theory Date: 1995)
9. Toy Story 2 (Release Date: 1999, Theory Date: 1999)
10. Turning Red (Release Date: 2022, Theory Date: Late 1990s)
11. Finding Nemo (Release Date: 2003, Theory Date: Early 2000s)
12. Finding Dory (Release Date: 2016, Theory Date: Early 2000s)
13. Ratatouille (Release Date: 2007, Theory Date: Late 2000s)
14. Toy Story 3 (Release Date: 2010, Theory Date: 2010)
15. Toy Story 4 (Release Date: 2019, Theory Date: Early-Late 2010s)
16. Up (Release Date: 2009, Theory Date: Early-Late 2010s)
17. Inside Out (Release Date: 2015, Theory Date: Mid-Late 2010s)
18. Coco (Release Date: 2017, Theory Date: Mid-Late 2010s)
19. Soul (Release Date: 2020, Theory Date: Early 2020s)
20. Cars (Release Date: 2006, Theory Date: 2100-2200)
21. Cars 2 (Release Date: 2011, Theory Date: 2100-2200)
22. Cars 3 (Release Date: 2017, Theory Date: 2100-2200)
23. Wall-E (Release Date: 2008, Theory Date: 2800-2900)
24. A Bug’s Life (Release Date: 1998, Theory Date: 2898-3000)
25. Onward (Release Date: 2020, Theory Date: 3000-4500)
26. Monsters University (Release Date: 2013, Theory Date: 4500-5000)
27. Monsters Inc (Release Date: 2001, Theory Date: 4500-5000)

How does each Pixar movie fit into the Pixar Theory timeline? 1r5w3e

Elemental 4296j

There are two schools of thought on how Elemental connects to the rest of the Pixar canon. The first would indicate that it occurs very late in time, well after Monsters, Inc. The second hypothesis places it in the distant past when only inorganic substances such as elements ruled the Earth.

Since you can’t have life without elements, and you can’t have a universe without life, it’s safe to say that the creation of elements started this whole Pixar chain reaction.

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The events of The Good Dinosaur take place in a parallel prehistoric era, where a meteor that would have killed off all dinosaurs in our world 66 million years ago, took a different path instead. Because of these cosmic changes, it was possible for humans and dinosaurs to coexist.

Several million years later, the protagonist, Arlo, a young and timid Apatosaurus who befriends a lost cave boy named Spot, sets out on an adventure to get him back home.

The Pixar Theory proposes that the dinosaurs’ divergence from the extinction event caused by the meteor allowed them to evolve further than anticipated, leading to their higher intelligence. We can connect the universe by seeing a stuffed Apatosaurus in a child’s bedroom in Monsters University.

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Brave, which takes place in medieval Scotland, depicts the marriage of Merida to the son of a political ally of her father. This union gives rise to conflict between Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor. Following a contentious altercation, Merida solicits assistance from a sorceress, resulting in her transformation into a bear. Consequently, she is compelled to reverse the curse expeditiously to avert any irreversible consequences.

According to the Pixar Theory, it is posited that the witch uses magical abilities to bestow sentience onto animals and inanimate entities, endowing them with human-like characteristics and behavior. Additionally, the witch is said to possess the power to transform people into animals, as well as manipulate time by summoning portals via the utilization of wooden doors.

The film Turning Red exhibits a contemporary interpretation of the narrative found in the 1990s rendition while establishing links to the tale of Monsters Inc. via the use of doors as a means of accessing other realms.

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Set in the 1950s in the Italian Riviera, Luca is a sea monster that can transform into a human on land with his friend Alberto, a human youngster who is also a water monster. They spend the whole summer running about Portorosso with a young human girl named Giulia, eating spaghetti, riding Vespas, and racing in the triathlon as humans, making sure no one discovers their secret if they get wet. 

Although not definitively established, Luca perhaps establishes a link to the wider Pixar world by including sea creatures. The hypothesis is based on the foundational assumption presented in the film Monsters, Inc., which posits that creatures expelled from Monstropolis are subsequently integrated into human society, often assuming roles within human mythology, such as the Loch Ness monster.

The banished creatures, like the ones shown in the film Monsters, Inc., possess a profound apprehension towards humans and are compelled to conceal themselves in ordinary circumstances. This results in considerable disruption upon their eventual exposure. A similarity may be seen between the sea monsters shown in Luca and the evolved monsters portrayed in Monsters, Inc.

The Incredibles 5o6j57

Throughout history, superheroes have served as the custodians of global stability. However, one aspiring hero called Buddy unintentionally became the catalyst for the decline of persons with superhuman abilities. He accomplished this by presenting two significant innovations:

• Autonomous artificial intelligence robots designed for self-serving purposes, as shown by the “Omnidroid.”
• Sophisticated Zero Point Energy technology derived from the extraction and use of electromagnetic energy present in the vacuum.

This event signified a pivotal moment in history, as robots began the eradication of their only adversary – the superhumans. This is pivotal to the PIxar Theory, as we see machines emerge as a threat to humans, a theme that carries on in Wall-E and even Cars.

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Despite Lightyear being set far into the future — dealing with time travel and quantum physics — its filmmakers make it abundantly clear within the first few minutes that the movie is within a movie. In fact, the actual movie Lightyear is Andy from Toy Story’s favorite and is the basis of why he wants and gets his Buzz Lightyear action figure in Toy Story.

Thus, despite the time outlined in the far extreme future, it’s safe to say that it was planted sometime before 1995 in the Pixar Universe, right before the events of Toy Story take place.

Toy Story 5i6l20

Toy Story is a groundbreaking film that explores the concept of toys possessing feelings. In the presented film, the titular toys exhibit animate characteristics and articulate their emotions during the absence of their human proprietors.

The cinematic production is firmly situated in the year 1995, aligning with its theatrical debut, and unfolds throughout three decades after the events shown in The Incredibles.

The Pixar Theory posits that the multinational corporation BnL is shown as having developed playthings specifically engineered to exploit the potential of human emotions. These toys flourish by capitalizing on these emotions during periods of human absence.

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In the second installment of the Toy Story franchise, the toys begin to feel resentment against the people who have abandoned them and begin to doubt their purpose. Jessie has resentment against her former owner Emily for the fact that she outgrew her and then abandoned her. This leads Woody to behave similarly toward Andy for a short while out of fear that Andy would also desert him.

As a result, toys start to feel anger toward their human owners.

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While Turning Red is often interpreted as an allegory for girls’ puberty, the plot takes a mystical turn as Ming, Mei’s strict and overprotective mother, and other women in her family attempt to confine Mei’s red panda spirit within a talisman during a lunar eclipse ritual.

This ceremony suddenly transfers Mei to an astral realm, a relationship that is consistent with the Pixar Theory that connects it to Merida’s experience with the wisps in Brave.

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In Finding Nemo, a diver captures Nemo and places him in an aquarium at an Australian dentist’s office. Marlin — Nemo’s domineering and overprotective father — enlists Dory’s assistance in locating him in the Pacific Ocean. Animals detest people for destroying the environment, hunting them, confining them in cages, and experimenting on them, according to the Pixar Theory.

As experienced in Finding Nemo, sea creatures have absorbed aspects of human culture such as schools, stores, and roads.

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Finding Dory sees Dory seeking the assistance of Marlin and Nemo in order to locate her parents, whom she was separated from when she was a baby regal blue tang. Her character is presented as extraordinarily brilliant despite her short-term memory loss.

Her peculiar upbringing in captivity, as revealed in the sequel, allows her to not only adapt but also read and understand different languages, including whales. This viewpoint suggests a link between an animal’s closeness to people and its intellect.

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Remy’s culinary obsession leads to the appearance of human-like features in Ratatouille, such as walking on his hind paws, practicing cleanliness, reading, and demonstrating amazing cooking abilities. Notably, this is the first time in Pixar where a human and an animal had personal , albeit with the ulterior aim of imposing control over humans.

Remy takes over Linguini’s activities since Linguini lacks skill in a variety of areas. Remy’s rat tribe clearly has a negative attitude towards humans, expressing a combination of dread and hatred in their interactions with people.

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According to the Pixar Theory, when the toys in Toy Story reject human wrongdoing, it represents a bigger subject of inanimate things eventually asserting themselves. Toy Story 3 offers hints to the Pixar universe’s breadth, such as alluding to Pixar world’s interconnection by citing BnL batteries that power Buzz and showing a brief sight of an earlier version of Boo from Monsters, Inc.

These aspects work together to create the impression that the Pixar world is larger than what is immediately apparent in individual films.

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Toy Story 4 significantly aligns with the tenets of the Pixar Theory, emphasizing the idea that toys come to life regardless of their origin – whether they are handcrafted by a child or manufactured by a corporation. The film also provides a thought-provoking exploration of the depth of sentience in these animated toys.

Woody’s evolution into a highly sentient being over his long history with Andy underscores how deep emotional connections and shared memories contribute to the development of an inner consciousness in these characters.

In contrast, Forky, a character crafted from discarded classroom items, embodies a lower level of sentience. His childlike inquisitiveness and ceaseless questioning about the world mirror the curiosity of a human child, highlighting the versatility of the Pixar universes by illustrating the varying degrees of awareness and consciousness that animated toys can attain in their animated world.

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Up‘s protagonist Carl is compelled to surrender his home to a corporate entity, much like BnL, due to the city’s expansion. This corporation’s actions, tied to environmental pollution and unchecked technological advancement, ultimately lead to catastrophic consequences in the distant future, resulting in widespread ecological devastation.

During his journey, Carl makes a remarkable discovery: Animals possess the ability to communicate with humans. He witnesses the deep-seated resentment harbored by these creatures. In a parallel development, Charles Muntz successfully trains a formidable army of dogs.

These events mark the initial stages of a pivotal turning point in the relationship between animals and humans, as tensions escalate and the balance between the two becomes increasingly precarious.

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In the realm of 11-year-old Riley’s mind, Joy plays a crucial role as one of her primary emotions, responsible for infusing her thoughts with predominantly happy memories in Inside Out. However, Riley’s world undergoes a significant upheaval when her family relocates from their cozy Minnesota town to the bustling streets of San Francisco, California.

This event leads to the unexpected displacement of her core memories during a struggle with Joy, resulting in the disruption of her personality islands.

Riley then faces an emotional struggle as her inner world is thrown into disarray. The vital personality islands that define her being and emotional well-being become temporarily disabled, leaving her to navigate the complexities of her new life with an altered emotional landscape.

The mysterious persona Bing Bong represents Riley’s buried memory, symbolizing her long-forgotten link with the entity entrusted with extracting her happiness, a narrative thread that unfolds after the film.

This association may seem like a conceptual stretch. Still, its inclusion into the broader theory smoothly interlaces with the narrative fabric, adding an intriguing layer of complexity to a Pixar movie marathon.

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Set during Dia de los Muertos in Santa Cecilia, Coco follows Miguel, a 12-year-old aspiring musician accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead. He seeks help from a long-lost relative to return to the living and overturn a family ban on music.

Coco connects with the Pixar Theory by highlighting the power of memory, where souls persist in the Land of the Dead as long as they are ed by the living. If forgotten, they face “the final death,” akin to Bing Bong’s fate in Inside Out. This underscores the role of memory in the Pixar universe.

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In bustling New York City, Soul follows Joe Gardner, a music teacher with a ion for jazz. Joe’s life takes a surprising turn when he lands in the Great Before, a realm where souls develop personalities. Teaming up with a soul named 22, Joe embarks on a journey of self-discovery and an appreciation for life’s small moments.

Soul resonates with the Pixar Theory by emphasizing the importance of purpose and self-discovery, aligning with the theory’s exploration of memory and existential themes.

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The theory continues to discuss how as animals rebelled against humans in a bid to halt environmental degradation, the machines intervened, ultimately leading to humanity’s triumph in the conflict. However, this intervention by the machines tipped the equilibrium on Earth.

Consequently, Machines/BnL orchestrated the exodus of the remaining humans aboard a vessel named the Axiom, sending them into space. Meanwhile, all other machines remained behind to govern the planet and ensure its continued operation.

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In Cars 2, Lightning McQueen and his friends become embroiled in a global espionage adventure. The film explores themes of friendship and the power of teamwork, aligning with the Pixar Theory’s emphasis on interconnectedness and cooperation within the Pixar universe as machines take over global domination.

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Lightning McQueen — the iconic race car — struggles with the racing world’s progress in Cars 3. New, high-tech racers challenge his dominance. McQueen must discover his inner strength and resilience to face obsolescence. He meets Cruz Ramirez, a lively trainer, who becomes his mentor and buddy.

The film’s themes of endurance, personal development, and torch-ing match the Pixar Theory. Lightning McQueen’s path in Cars 3 emphasizes the need for adaptability and mentoring, echoing other Pixar characters’ changes and life obstacles.

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BnL’s dominance over global governments started in the 1950s, making Earth uninhabitable for generations. WALL-E is the only machine on Earth, surviving thanks to his love of human culture and his surprising relationship with a resilient cockroach. These partnerships preserve his character and purpose.

Robots and machines aboard the Axiom — a starship that left Earth decades ago — have grown and developed a deep sense of purpose from human dependence on them. WALL-E and EVE, his love interest, save humanity and start a new life on Earth.

In WALL-E, the final credits feature a shoe with the last plant life. It grows into a beautiful tree, symbolizing rebirth and connectivity in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.

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In the charming world of A Bug’s Life, an industrious colony of ants, led by the diligent Flik, must contend with a relentless group of grasshoppers. This delightful film delves into themes of unity and resilience, as the ants learn to come together and stand up against their oppressors. The ants discover the strength in their collective action and find the courage to challenge the status quo.

These themes of unity and the power of collaboration resonate deeply with the Pixar Theory, which underscores the significance of interconnectedness and shared efforts within the vast Pixar universe. In A Bug’s Life,  just as in other Pixar films, the characters’ ability to overcome adversity and achieve their goals is intrinsically tied to their willingness to work together.

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Some Pixar fans may not immediately see the connection between Onward and the rest of the Pixar canon. Its distinct combination of fairy tale fantasy and present-day themes make it a bit confusing to categorize.

The Pixar Theory, on the other hand, suggests that the anthropomorphic elves and other animals in Onward bridge the gap between the underpopulated Earth and the fascinating world of monsters shown in Monsters, Inc.

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In the centuries following the events of WALL-E, the animal kingdom underwent a transformation, driven by radiation attributed to BnL’s actions. Over time, these animals evolved into creatures that came to be known as monsters, inadvertently leading to the disappearance of humans from the planet.

Monsters University, a pivotal institution in the monsters’ realm, was established in the year 4533, and marked according to the monsters’ calendar. This significant time reference places it nearly 1,400 years after the events depicted in A Bug’s Life.

Within the halls of Monsters University, a narrative unfolds where monsters are falsely taught that humans are toxic entities hailing from another dimension. This misconception stems from the monsters’ profound fear of being erased from existence and tampering with the course of history.

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According to the Pixar Theory, the magical doors that connect to the human world serve as portals, allowing for travel to various locations and periods within human history. A compelling deduction made by the theory suggests that Boo, the young girl from Monsters, Inc., grows up to become the enigmatic witch in Brave.

After the heartfelt separation from Sulley at the end of Monsters, Inc., Boo, now an adult, opens the door to her closet only to find it empty, yearning to reunite with Sulley, unaware that he hails from the future. Ultimately, Boo realizes that the magical doors were the key to her earlier encounter with Sulley. Using the mystical power of the will-of-the-wisps, she harnesses the ability to create doors, facilitating time travel.

This connection explains the presence of a tribal drawing of Sulley and a wooden carving of the Pizza Planet truck in the witch’s cottage in Brave. It also clarifies why Merida, the heroine in Brave, could not locate the witch during the film’s climactic moments. The Pixar Theory intricately weaves these narrative elements together, showcasing the interwoven threads that connect various Pixar films within a shared universe.

So what do you think about the Pixar Theory? Is it too far-fetched? Or is it just so crazy that it actually makes sense? Either way, by watching Pixar films in chronological order, you explore the Pixar universe and gain new insights into your favorite characters and stories.

Pixar’s intricate storytelling, clever references, and creativity are highlighted by all these meticulously detailed strokes of art and brilliance. Go for the binge, and happy watching!

With the pumpkins a-glowing and everyone ready to don their costumes; it’s the most spooktastic time of the year! That’s right, Halloween is right around the corner, but we all know that it’s more of a spooky season that we exist in, and when lovers of all things frightful and those more on the delightful side think ahead to costumes for the memorable holiday, Disney looks are a must!

With the Walt Disney Company celebrating 100 years this year, there will be no shortage of costumes that honor the best and most beloved in the Disney and Pixar realm, and luckily for you, there’s still enough time to put together a look that will be as captivating as it is magical. Think Beauty and the Beast, Up, or Monsters Inc. — no matter what your favorite Disney film is, there’s a character that you can channel on Halloween this year.

Of course, some of the most fun costumes to have are couples costumes, and that’s in both a romantic and friendship way of speaking. Dres with those you love is one of the most exciting ways to conjure up some magic on the day when the spooky and the not-so-haunted come together in a glorious show of all things scary and otherworldly beautiful. From the best couples in the Disney realm to the characters who show children and adults alike what the true meaning of friendship is, here’s to another holiday made brighter by Disney magic.

Can’t decide which Disney character to channel this Halloween? We’ve compiled a list of couple costumes for Disney fans and added a few that you can don with your besties instead because platonic love is just as important as romantic love.

Carl and Ellie 371x6l

It goes without saying that Carl and Ellie were the couple we all hope to be a part of, falling in love when they were young and making plans for a grand adventure together. Ellie got sick, and their plans together changed, but she left Carl the most incredible gift when he looked upon a scrapbook she’d made of their life together, realizing they’d been on a grand experiment the entire time.

You could play a younger or older pair with your costumes, and either way, it would be a hit! Also, be prepared to hand out tissues to people you encounter; some of us get really emotional about Up. It’s me, hi… I’m the emotional one; it’s me.

Mike Wazowski and Celia Mae f6b2k

Mike and Celia aren’t exactly Disney royalty, but their the kind of couple as iconic as the costumes would be! They’re fun, hilarious, not too “perfect” to be annoyed with one another from time to time, and one of the most relatable Disney/Pixar couples of all, which is ironic as they’re monsters!

Dres as Mike and Celia would be a sure way to be the talk of the party, bonus points if you bring something that occasionally covers Mike’s face!

Jack and Sally 2e4861

Would it even be Halloween if we didn’t mention this film? Dres as Jack and Sally is as romantic a notion as it is spooky, and we can’t think of a better couple to take on if you’re celebrating spooky season. Their story is rooted in all things horror meets Christmas, and during this time of the year, those holidays are all we’re thinking about anyway!

If you have a dog, you could dress them up as Zero; it would be the cutest.

Tiana and Naveen 47192g

These costumes would be rather iconic to don on Halloween night as either their royal versions or Tiana and Naveen as frogs. Tiana is one of the most beautiful and down-to-Earth Disney princesses we’ve adored, and Naveen is a gentleman, even as a frog. The Princess and the Frog doesn’t get near enough credit, so why not celebrate it during the most fun season of all?

How perfect would it be to dress up as them as royals and keep little fake frogs on your shoulders?

Kida and Milo 704l2w

It’s time to set sail to Atlantis for this one; we know in many places, Halloween is quite chilly, but there are always versions of Kida’s attire that you could pull off even if you’re celebrating somewhere where winter coats are necessary. Milo and Kida have a friendship-turned-romance, and it’s truly something special. They’re not a couple you think of immediately when you think of Disney pairs, either, so you’d certainly be a trendsetter this year.

Troy and Gabriella 1r5j4g

Stepping away from the animated and into the realm of iconic Disney Channel movies, what better way to channel your inner teen romance than dressing as Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical? Their love story might not have panned out how they hoped in their youth, but they’re still a pretty important piece of Disney history for fans.

Plus, you could return to some pretty neat (and somewhat questionable) style choices as you enjoy the Halloween celebration!

Giselle and Robert 125m4g

Did we initially just add this to our list to get to share a video of McDreamy… er… Patrick Dempsey? We can neither confirm nor deny that, but how out-of-the-box and still very Disney would it be to show up as one of the cutest couples in the Disney realm? Giselle is magical and a little out of the ordinary, and she shows up in Robert’s life at just the right time.

They have some great style choices that you could choose from, too, something fancy or something a little dressed down; either way, you’d have a ball – quite literally!

Rapunzel and Flynn 141v28

Rapunzel and Flynn, need we say more? They’re quite the pair, and while their love story starts off kind of rocky, they eventually get it right. Flynn makes Rapunzel believe in herself while she gives him a taste of what a life with a little more joy and magic could look like; plus, how cute would their costumes be?

Alisha and Kiko Hawthorne 586r2z

While their time on screen together was short, Alisha and Kiko had quite a love story; they found one another in an out-of-this-world way, and they formed a family, giving Kiko a lifetime of memories to look back on fondly. As characters who worked in space, dres as this pair would be pretty iconic. The jacket, the official look of it all, and the color scheme – talk about stunning!

Mickey and Minnie Mouse 1vj5p

Minnie and Mickey, you can’t go wrong dres as one of the most fundamental pairings in Disney history! Their story needs no introduction or summary; they’re just the pair you love to love!

Not in a couple? Don’t fret; we’ve also got a few ideas for you and your besties this Halloween because, let’s face it, sometimes the most profound relationships you’ll ever have are with your friends and family.

Elsa and Anna 6sq2l

Anna and Elsa grew up together, and while their lives stopped “crossing paths” for a while, they never truly gave up on one another and never will!

Remy and Alfredo Linguini 52162z

Remy and Alfredo! How cute would it be to dress up as this pair? They’re besties; they believe in one another, and while their friendship got off to a rocky start, they truly bring out the best in one another.

The Sanderson Sisters 3e2641

Would it even be Halloween if we didn’t include the Sanderson Sisters?

Joy and Sadness 6a5l3z

Joy and Sadness are among our favorite friendships in Disney/Pixar history, and these costumes would be adorable.

Mickey and Pluto 441l3g

Just like Mickey and Minnie, Mickey and Pluto are quite the pair!

Lilo and Stitch 422k12

Lilo and Stitch are best friends-turned-family, and you can consider yourself lucky if you’ve found a friend like that!

Even as Disney has been recovering from what can only be described as a rough year at the box office, Pixar can hold its head high since the underrated Elemental can finally quench the flames of the film’s naysayers. That is because the animated film now boasts the incredible record of being the most-watched movie premiere on Disney Plus of 2023, beating out the previous champion, The Little Mermaid, by a country mile.

In its first five days since it debuted on Disney Plus, Elemental has generated 26.4 million views, according to TV Line. That not only makes Elemental have a good 10 million view lead on 2023’s Disney Plus movie debut runner-up, the live-action The Little Mermaid remake (which generated 16 million views for its premiere), but it also places the Peter Sohn-directed film as one of the all-time top 10 Disney Plus movie premieres.

As someone who missed Elemental in theaters but ended up contributing to one of its Disney Plus views during a recent family movie night, I will it the movie surprised me. Granted, I didn’t think the movie would be bad, per se, but so much publicity surrounding the movie apparently flopping at the box office tampered with my expectations quite a bit. With that said, I knew the Pixar magic was back (or never left, really) when the fiery Ember (Leah Lewis) touched hands for the first time with the watery Wade (Mamoudou Athie), creating an unforgettable sizzle at their point of .

While it is true that Elemental‘s $30 million opening domestic weekend on July 16 was seen as a disappointment, the movie’s staying power in theaters proved not totally to be dead in the water in the long term. All in all, Elemental gained a $484 million worldwide haul. That’s nothing to scoff at but is slightly less impressive when considering the movie’s $200 million production cost. Hopefully, Elemental‘s Disney Plus success can contribute to an overall financial positive for the company, as the film truly deserves recognition.

You can catch Elemental on Disney Plus now.

Elemental might not be Pixar’s best film, or even belong in a serious conversation about their Top 10 best movies. But it’s earned its reputation as an affable underdog since releasing in June to the very dire count of $29.6 million but steadily hanging on at the box office to pull in nearly $500 million worldwide, thanks to good word of mouth.

Sure, the movie’s world of segregated elements doesn’t feel as fresh as the mythology of something like Monster’s Inc. or even the beguiling afterlife of Soul. And yes, the movie is essentially a simple romantic comedy dressed up as Zootopia for Naturally Occurring Stuff Outside.

But the movie has pep, solid humor, and animation that’s refreshingly liberated from the boundaries of solid lines. There’s a reason Elemental didn’t crash and burn like everyone thought it would: Sometimes you just need to look past the surface of things.

How long is Elemental? 4z381q

Elemental is officially listed as running 1 hour and 42 minutes, which is blissfully short compared to most of this year’s summer releases. If you tried to watch Across the Spider-Verse, Oppenheimer, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 in the same day, you’d only have time left to eat a meal and go to bed.

But Elemental is a perfect length for little ones, and for adults nostalgic for the shorter runtimes of yore. The film moves at a pretty brisk pace as well, so nobody should be tempted to check their phones or calculate how old they’ll be by the time the seventh post-credit sequence rolls around. (Don’t worry — Elemental isn’t part of an extended universe either, so it doesn’t have to waste narrative real estate setting up spinoffs like other Disney franchises do.)

The film is currently available to stream on Disney Plus for free, as long as you’re a subscriber who pays their $7.99 to the Mouse House each month. In addition, Elemental will be available to buy on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD starting Sept. 26.

Pixar launched itself into animation history with the release of Toy Story in 1995, and has built a name for building bold, unique worlds with curious yet deep takes on the real world we live in. Whether it be exploring the ocean in Finding Nemo, where the monsters in our closets live in Monsters Inc., or even a world run by the elements in Elemental, we’re transported to a world beyond our own, even if it doesn’t seem that different.

So it should come as no surprise that the internet has been trying to connect these worlds together for years now. It all starts with a 2013 blog post from theory creator Jon Negroni, where he argues that the Pixar films are all tied together, starting with Brave and ending with Monsters Inc. 13 Pixar films have been released since that initial theory was launched, and while Negroni has moved on from the theory in recent years, many other content creators have come to fill that hole.

As Elemental flows to Disney Plus for its streaming debut, many are wondering where exactly the latest Pixar jaunt fits in with the grand Pixar Theory. Thankfully, YouTube duo SuperCarlinBrothers have an idea of exactly where the fiery film fits.

Love is energy 5e5r1o

As explained by J in the above video, the main factor connecting all the Pixar films in energy. This energy is powered by memory and emotions. It’s the reason we have sentient cars, toys, and bugs, the reason we have superheroes, and the reason humans turn into monsters in the Pixar world. However, Elemental shows us that it goes deeper than just emotion and memory creating this powerful energy.

The main plot of Elemental is Wade (Mamoudou Athie) and Ember (Leah Lewis) working together to help prevent Ember’s dad’s shop from being shut down. In the process, the two end up falling in love, and Ember starts to realize that the dream her parents set up for her is not the dream she wants to live. In a lot of ways, Elemental mirrors Inside Out as similar to Joy’s journey, as Ember realizes that she doesn’t have to follow the stereotypes of fire and can be who she wants.

Thus, she and Wade go on a journey of emotions throughout the film as their relationship blossoms. However, when the two get “love tested” by Ember’s mother, the smoke from their “essences” forms what appears to be a DNA chain. As J explains, the “reaction” that occurs when Ember and Wade touch is that pure energy that is the basis for the memories and emotions that power the Pixar universe. Since it’s two different elements reacting to each other, it’s essentially a chemical reaction created by love.

The beginning of time (before dinosaurs) 6d4ef

Since Elemental shows us exactly how the energy that powers the Pixar universe is created, it’s clear it’s now the first film in the Pixar theory timeline. Originally, this spot was held by The Good Dinosaur as of course, the film that takes place during the Jurassic Age is the beginning of time. While this would still make that film the second film in the timeline, Elemental is essentially the Big Bang of the Pixar theory timeline, as it shows exactly how the universe we know is created: by elements coming together and forming a reaction.

Some argue that 2020’s Soul is actually the beginning of the timeline, since that film introduces us to Pixar’s version of the afterlife and therefore a potential version of God. But the film never directly addresses how the universe was created, so most Pixar theory fans put that film later in the timeline, closer to films like Toy Story and Turning Red. So thanks Pixar, for finally explaining that the energy that makes toys come to life is just water and fire reacting to each other.

Disney Pixar’s latest animated venture Elemental has been a sleeper hit for the movie giant. Initially a box office bomb, the family fantasy film earned just $29.6 million in its opening weekend. However, thanks to good word of mouth and a strong summer for theaters, the movie has now grossed $484 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

How to watch Elemental 5u961

Elemental is only currently available to stream on Disney Plus from Sept. 13th, available to watch for free for all subscribers. Currently, Disney+ is $7.99 a month in the U.S., but the streaming service will be available to new customers for $1.99 for a limited time only.

Elemental has been available for digital since August 15th on Disney Plus, which is partially why the film had such a strong resurgence after its initially disappointing opening. The movie will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray, Blu Ray 4K Ultra HD, and DVD from Sept. 26th, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Customers who bought the standalone movie will be able to access deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and featurettes, as well as the accompanying Pixar short Carl’s First Date, based on the popular Pixar movie Up (2009). Disney Plus s will be able to see these bonus features in the “extras” section when they select a movie. Carl’s First Date will most likely be, as many shorts on Disney Plus are formatted, featured on the streamer separately.

Currently, Elemental is not available for purchase or rental on streamers that typically offer the option to purchase or rent movies, such as Amazon Prime Video. This may change in the future, however.

At a time during which audiences have grown accustomed to streaming new releases from the comfort of their homes, the year 2023 has ushered in a long-awaited transformation. The extraordinary efforts of filmmakers have reignited the magic of the big screen, reminding everyone of the unparalleled allures of the theatrical experience. As we enter the final months of 2023, it’s time to evaluate the numerous releases this year has bestowed upon audiences.

Boasting an eclectic blend of highly anticipated sequels, trailblazing originals, and cherished classics reimagined for a new era, 2023 has unfolded as a spectacular year for cinema. This year’s cinematic landscape has showcased an impressive diversity, from technologically enhanced animated marvels to emotionally charged, dialogue-driven narratives. Here are the top 10 movies of 2023, ranked according to their global box office earnings (data via Box Office Mojo).

10. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania 6bp51

Despite a higher opening than the two preceding Ant-Man films, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ended up cashing in less than its peers after its entire theatrical run. The Paul Rudd-led superhero flick could not impress the audience with Ant-Man’s face-off against Kang the Conqueror, and ended up comparable to Disney’s pandemic-era Marvel movies. However, the $476 million worldwide gross still earned the film a place among the highest-grossing films of 2023.

9. Elemental 583353

From being labeled a box-office bomb to securing the ninth place among 2023’s highest-grossing films, Elemental has sealed its name as a miraculous sleeper hit. Pixar’s experimental animated romantic comedy has crossed $480 million worldwide, despite opening below projections. The cinematic forces of nature worked their magic and conspired in favor of this touching love story between water and fire elements. The film’s final box-office figures have justified the five-minute standing ovation it received at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.

8. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One 2xv6i

Tom Cruise’s seventh outing in the Mission: Impossible film series faced tough competition after Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer captured all IMAX theaters. However, the film still managed to have a successful run and crossed the half-a-billion mark. Ethan Hunt’s high-stakes face-off against the Entity earned a positive reception from fans and critics alike, who lauded it as a pinnacle of Hollywood action filmmaking. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One added $563 million to the franchise’s gross and helped it officially hit the $4 billion mark.

7. The Little Mermaid 5a3f6s

Disney’s yet-another-live-action experiment The Little Mermaid proved to be a departure from a string of underperforming remakes in recent years. Though it was the second-most-expensive readaptation to date, The Little Mermaid ended up in seventh place as far as this year’s box office winners go. The innovative and revolutionary approach to the original fairy tale garnered attention and praise, but the visual effects and character designs fell short of impressing critics. The Little Mermaid finished up its theatrical run with a $569 million worldwide earning.

6. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 4u173z

Sony Pictures achieved a milestone with the release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, as the animated masterpiece soared past Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation to claim the title of the highest-grossing animated film distributed by the studio. The film opened to unmatched critical success and amassed $689 million worldwide despite facing bans in several countries. It also led the Spider-Man franchise to $10 billion gross, making it the third film franchise to ever do so.

5. Fast X 2a401p

2023 saw the release of numerous sequel films, paving the way for more to come next year. The crown for highest-grossing non-superhero action film this year went to the 10th main installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast X. Led by Vin Diesel, this high-octane thrill ride revved its way to a staggering $704 million worldwide on an estimated production budget of $340 million. The success of Fast X also made Fast & Furious the seventh film franchise to gross $7 billion.

4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 4q342f

MCU’s beloved rag-tag family said their goodbyes to global audiences with a blast, earning a staggering $845 million worldwide. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked the third and final installment in James Gunn’s superhero trilogy and followed the Guardians’ final battle with the High Evolutionary. The film received praise for shedding light on animal rights issues while also keeping up with Marvel’s hallmark action and comedy.

3. Oppenheimer 3e103z

Oppenheimer might have lost the Barbenheimer war, but it has still outdone all of Christopher Nolan’s previous features in over 50 overseas markets. Bringing in a total of $890 million worldwide, J. Robert Oppenheimer’s biographical epic defeated James Gunn’s superhero flick at the box office substantially. It has also etched its name in history as the highest-grossing World War II film of all time, while also sitting right behind 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody under the biopic category.

2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 24p5e

The first film based on a video game to gross $1 billion worldwide, The Super Mario Bros. Movie stood tall as the year’s highest-grossing film before the theaters were painted all pink. The Italian-American plumbers’ alternate world travel earned $1.36 billion worldwide, earning it the number two spot in the top 10. Setting a record-high earning for Illumination Studio, Mario and Luigi’s adventure in the Mushroom Kingdom also broke the record for the highest-grossing opening for an animated film worldwide.

1. Barbie 6f112z

The year’s biggest hit so far, Greta Gerwig’s proudly feminist Barbie movie is ruling over the 2023 box office, amassing a staggering worldwide gross of $1.40 billion. Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the movie has also claimed the title of the highest-grossing comedy film of all time, suring The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It remains on a record-breaking trajectory, paving the way for innovative filmmaking that addresses real-world issues while also delivering top-notch entertainment.

Even though it can’t be argued that Disney is on one of its most disastrous runs of the modern era when it comes to nothing but cold, hard box office bombs, Elemental has continued proving that maybe anointing any movie as a flop after its opening weekend is jumping the gun ever so slightly.

After all, the most recent fixture from animated powerhouse Pixar only rustled up $29.6 million through its first three days in domestic theaters, which marked the lowest launch for any of the studio’s features dating all the way back to 1995 and its first-ever, and even at that Elemental only exceeded Toy Story by a few hundred thousand dollars.

And yet, it’s been showing incredible legs to continue racking up additional revenue every single weekend since first releasing all the way back on June 14, to the extent that it’s now overtaken a pair of high-profile comic book adaptations both internationally and on a global scale.

Having crossed $478 million this weekend, Elemental has now exceeded the lifetime gross of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, with an international haul of $325 million taking it beyond the overseas earnings of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Not bad for an acclaimed original that was being proclaimed as a money-losing misfire just days after it was made available to the world. Sure, Disney has still experienced more misses than hits over the last couple of years, but it just goes to show that you can never write anything off as a failure until the project in question has had a chance to prove itself.