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Elio gives Pixar its worst ever box-office opening despite positive reviews

The studio’s low point reflects a global trend in which original ideas struggle against franchises and remakes

Pixar has had its worst box office opening ever with Elio, its new, alien-themed children’s animation, taking just an estimated US$21m in North America and $14m internationally, despite generally positive reviews. Pixar, the powerhouse studio behind Toy Story, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, had been bracing for modest results for Elio as it weathers an industry-wide trend of original animations struggling to perform against franchises and remakes. On Sunday, Pixar’s corporate parent, Disney, said it was confident its latest movie would find the same longer-term success as Elemental, a sleeper hit that ultimately took almost $500m globally.

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