Entertainment: Originality on Ice: Why Pixar's 'Elio' and Other New Kids' Films Are Struggling at the Box Office

Why it is the topic trending: The Sequel Surge: Why Original Children's Films are Floundering While Familiar Franchises Flourish

• Pixar's Underperforming Original Film: Pixar's latest original movie, "Elio," experienced the worst box office opening in the studio's history, signaling a potential challenge for non-franchise animated films.

• Broader Trend of Original Animation Struggles: "Elio's" performance is part of a larger trend of original family animated movies failing to achieve significant box office success, indicating a possible shift in audience preferences or studio strategies.

• Success of Sequels and Established IP: In contrast, the article highlights the strong performance of children's films based on existing intellectual property, such as "Inside Out 2" and upcoming remakes, suggesting a safer bet for studios.

• Nervousness Around Original Storytelling: The piece posits that studios' hesitation to let writer-directors tell simple, fun stories might be contributing to the underperformance of original films, favoring instead complex narratives developed by committees.

Overview: The Originality Paradox: Examining the Box Office Woes of New Children's Films in an Era of Franchise Dominance

The article analyzes the disappointing box office performance of Pixar's "Elio" and other original animated children's films in 2025, contrasting it with the immense success of sequels and movies based on established intellectual property. The author suggests that while original children's content is struggling, films tied to familiar franchises are thriving, indicating a potential risk aversion from studios when it comes to untested stories. The piece delves into possible reasons for this trend, including overcomplicated plots in original films and a reliance on known quantities by audiences, particularly in the post-pandemic viewing landscape where familiarity offers a more guaranteed engagement.

Detailed findings: Decoding the Disappointment: Key Insights into the Flop of Original Kids' Films

• Pixar's "Elio" had the worst box office opening for a film from the animation studio, earning $21 million in the US and $14 million globally.

• This contrasts sharply with Pixar's previous film, "Inside Out 2," which is on track to make almost $1.7 billion.

• Recent successful family films like "Despicable Me 4," "Moana 2," "Mufasa: The Lion King," and "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" are all based on existing intellectual properties.

• Original children's films like DreamWorks' "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken," Illumination's "Migration," Disney's "Wish" and "Strange World," and Pixar's "Onward," "Soul," and "Turning Red" have underperformed or went straight to streaming.

• The underlying problem with failing family films in the 2020s is that they often lack clear and exciting plots that can grip viewers of all ages.

• "Elio's" narrative is described as rambling and overcomplicated, with too many location shifts and a confusing subplot involving a clone.

• The film's production involved multiple directors and screenwriters, potentially leading to a disjointed story.

• Animated films are expensive to produce, leading to a studio impulse to refine scenarios by adding more details through numerous writers, which can overcomplicate plots.

• British film critic Jason Solomons suggests that these films might benefit from a little "craziness" and "rough edge" instead of striving for obligatory smoothness.

• Post-pandemic viewing habits involve more phone-scrolling and chatting during movies, making familiarity with the material more crucial for audience engagement.

Key success factors of product (trend): The Franchise Formula: Why Sequels and IP Dominate the Children's Film Market

• Brand Recognition and Familiarity: Sequels and adaptations leverage existing fanbases and recognizable characters, reducing the risk for audiences and studios.

• Established Emotional Connection: Viewers often have a pre-existing emotional attachment to characters and worlds from previous installments or other media.

• Predictable Audience Expectations: Sequels generally deliver on the core elements that made the original films popular, providing a sense of comfort and predictability for families.

• Marketing Advantages: Studios can capitalize on established marketing materials, storylines, and character recognition, making promotion more efficient.

• Merchandising Potential: Films based on existing IP often have established toy lines and merchandise, creating an additional revenue stream.

Key Takeaway: Familiarity Breeds Box Office Success: Originality Faces Headwinds in Today's Children's Film Market

The key takeaway is that original children's films are struggling at the box office in 2025, while sequels, remakes, and adaptations of existing intellectual property are thriving. This suggests that in the current climate, familiarity and established fanbases are significant drivers of success in the family film market, making it challenging for new stories and characters to break through.

Main trend: The IP Imperative: Hollywood's Reliance on Franchises in the Children's Film Landscape

The main trend in the children's film industry is a strong and increasing reliance on sequels, prequels, remakes, adaptations of video games, and live-action CGI versions of existing intellectual properties, while original stories and characters are finding it significantly more challenging to achieve box office success.

Description of the trend (please name it): The Familiar Faces Phenomenon: Describing the Dominance of IP-Based Children's Films

The Familiar Faces Phenomenon: This trend describes the current dominance of children's films that are based on pre-existing intellectual property, including sequels, remakes, and adaptations. This phenomenon highlights a preference from both studios and audiences for stories and characters that are already known and loved, often overshadowing original and untested concepts in the family entertainment market.

Description of consumers article is referring to: Who's Choosing the Cinema Content? Describing the Audience for Children's Films

• Likely families with young children (toddlers to teenagers): These are the primary target demographic for children's films.

• Possibly nostalgic adults: Some adults may be drawn to remakes or sequels of films they enjoyed in their childhood.

• Busy parents seeking reliable entertainment: Familiar titles may represent a safer bet for a positive family outing.

• Viewers accustomed to franchise-driven content: Raised on sequels and adaptations, they may have a higher awareness and expectation for these types of films.

• Audiences influenced by marketing and hype: Big-budget franchises often have extensive marketing campaigns that can drive attendance.

• Who are them: Primarily families with children of various ages, along with potentially some nostalgic adults, who are seeking entertainment options at the cinema. They may be drawn to familiar characters and stories, possibly due to a desire for reliable and enjoyable experiences for their families.

• What kind of products they like: They prefer films featuring characters and worlds they already know and love from previous movies, TV shows, books, or video games. They also likely appreciate animated films and family-friendly content with clear, engaging stories.

• What is their age?: The audience includes young children, teenagers, and their parents, spanning a wide age range.

• What is their gender?: The appeal of children's films generally cuts across gender lines.

• What is their income?: Families of varying income levels attend children's movies, making it a relatively accessible form of entertainment. However, the cost of cinema tickets can be a factor in their choices.

• What is their lifestyle: They are likely looking for shared family experiences and ways to entertain their children, especially during school holidays or weekends. Convenience and a guaranteed enjoyable experience might be key factors in their choices.

• What are their shopping preferences in the category article is referring to: They are more likely to choose movies with familiar titles or characters, potentially leading to higher attendance for sequels and adaptations.

• Are they low, occasional or frequent category shoppers: Families with young children might be frequent attendees of children's films, while others might go more occasionally.

• What are their general shopping preferences - how they shop products, shopping motivations): They may rely on reviews, recommendations from other parents, and the general buzz around a film to make their decisions. They are likely motivated by the desire to provide enjoyable and age-appropriate entertainment for their children.

Conclusion: The primary audience for children's films in 2025 seems to be gravitating towards familiar stories and characters from established franchises, potentially due to a desire for reliable entertainment and a lower risk of disappointment, making it challenging for original films to gain traction.

What is consumer motivation: The Comfort of the Known: Why Audiences Favor Familiar Children's Films

• Reduced Risk of Disappointment: Audiences are more likely to choose films based on existing IP because they have a better idea of what to expect and are less likely to be disappointed.

• Nostalgia and Emotional Connection: Familiar characters and worlds evoke nostalgia and tap into pre-existing emotional attachments.

• Ease of Engagement: Sequels often don't require as much effort to understand or follow, as the audience is already familiar with the lore and characters.

• Marketing Influence: Franchises often have significant marketing power due to their established recognition.

What is driving trend: Studio Strategy and Post-Pandemic Viewing Habits

• Studio Risk Aversion: Given the high cost of animated films, studios are understandably hesitant to invest heavily in original, untested properties.

• Post-Pandemic Caution: After the pandemic, there might be a greater reluctance among audiences to take risks on unfamiliar entertainment.

• Success of Past Franchises: The consistent success of sequels and adaptations reinforces the studio strategy of relying on existing IP.

• Established Merchandising Potential: Franchises offer a more predictable and lucrative avenue for merchandising and other ancillary revenue streams.

What is motivation beyond the trend: The Search for Reliable Family Entertainment

• Providing Enjoyable Experiences for Children: Parents want to take their kids to movies they know will be entertaining and age-appropriate.

• Shared Family Experience: Familiar franchises can offer a common ground for family members of different ages to enjoy together.

• Predictable Quality and Content: Sequels often adhere to a formula that parents trust for providing suitable content for their children.

Conclusions: The Familiarity Factor: Original Children's Films Face an Uphill Battle in the Current Box Office Climate

The current trend in the children's film market indicates a significant preference for sequels, remakes, and adaptations of existing intellectual property over original stories. This is driven by a combination of audience familiarity, studio risk aversion, and the need for reliable family entertainment, creating a challenging environment for newly conceived animated films to achieve box office success.

Implications for brands: The Power of the Familiar: Lessons for Studios and Content Creators

• Focus on Building Strong Franchises: For long-term success in the children's film market, studios should prioritize creating compelling original stories that have the potential to become lasting franchises.

• Consider a Phased Approach for Original Content: Perhaps introduce new characters or stories through shorter formats or streaming platforms to build familiarity before a big-budget theatrical release.

• Balance Originality with Established IP: A diversified slate that includes both familiar favorites and carefully chosen original projects might be a more sustainable approach.

Implication for society: The Risk of Creative Stagnation: The Importance of Nurturing Original Storytelling

The dominance of franchises raises concerns about the potential for a lack of fresh, innovative stories and characters in children's media, which can limit creativity and imagination.

Implications for consumers: A Diet of the Known: The Limited Choices for Original Family Films

Families might find their options for new and original animated stories at the cinema increasingly limited as studios lean towards safer bets with sequels and adaptations.

Implication for Future: The Franchise Forecast: Expect Continued Reliance on Established IP

Given the current box office trends, it is likely that the children's film market will continue to be dominated by sequels, remakes, and adaptations in the foreseeable future.

Consumer Trend: The Sequel Dependence:

• Name: Franchise First

• Detailed description: Audiences, particularly for children's films, are showing a strong preference for movies based on existing intellectual property over original stories.

Consumer Sub Trend: Comfort in the Familiar:

• Name: Known Quantities

• Detailed description: When it comes to family entertainment, there's a tendency to gravitate towards content with recognizable characters and storylines.

Big Social Trend: Risk-Averse Entertainment Choices:

• Name: The Safety Net of Familiarity

• Detailed description: In the current media landscape, audiences might be more inclined to choose entertainment options that come with a perceived lower risk of disappointment.

Worldwide Social Trend: Global Appetite for Franchises:

• Name: IP Reigns Supreme (Global)

• Detailed description: The dominance of franchise-based films in the family entertainment market is not limited to the US, with similar trends observed globally.

Social Drive: The Quest for Guaranteed Entertainment:

• Name: Reliable Fun

• Detailed description: Parents, in particular, are motivated by the desire to provide enjoyable and age-appropriate entertainment for their children with a high likelihood of success.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025:

• Familiarity is a Powerful Draw: Leverage existing characters and stories when targeting family audiences.

• Original Content Faces an Uphill Battle: Be prepared for a greater challenge in attracting audiences to entirely new concepts.

• Build Strong IP for Future Growth: Focus on creating original content that has the potential to become a successful franchise.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025:

• Balance Original Projects with Franchise Development: Don't abandon originality entirely, but invest strategically in building new, engaging worlds and characters.

• Consider Multi-Platform Rollouts: Introduce original content through streaming or shorts to build audience familiarity before a major film release.

• Focus on Clear and Engaging Storytelling: Ensure that original films have compelling narratives that are easy for viewers of all ages to follow.

Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article (which is a summary of all trends specified), and what brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it.: The Sequel Saga Continues: Original Children's Films Struggle as Familiar Franchises Lead at the Box Office, Urging Studios to Strategically Balance New Ideas with Established Success

The core trend is the dominance of sequels and adaptations in the children's film market over original stories; brands and companies in 2025 should strategically balance the production of familiar franchises with the careful development and introduction of compelling new intellectual property to ensure both immediate box office success and long-term creative growth.

Final Note:

• Core Trend: Franchise Dominance in Kids' Films - Sequels and adaptations are significantly outperforming original animated movies.

• Core Strategy: Balance Familiarity with Innovation - Studios need to strategically manage their film slates, nurturing both established IP and promising new concepts.

• Core Industry Trend: Risk-Averse Content Production - The high cost of animation is leading to a more cautious approach towards unproven stories.

• Core Consumer Motivation: Reliable and Familiar Entertainment - Families often prefer movies based on known characters and storylines for a safer and more predictable experience.

Final Conclusion:

The current box office performance of children's films paints a clear picture of an industry leaning heavily on the safety and familiarity of established franchises. While this strategy provides a degree of financial predictability, the struggles of original films like "Elio" raise important questions about the future of creativity and storytelling in the family entertainment genre. For studios in 2025 and beyond, the challenge lies in finding a sustainable balance between capitalizing on the proven success of existing intellectual property and fostering the development of truly original and innovative stories that can capture the imaginations of future generations and potentially become the beloved franchises of tomorrow. The key may lie in understanding audience preferences while also strategically nurturing and supporting bold, new creative visions.

Core Trend Detailed: The Originality Obstacle: Box Office Blues for Fresh Kids' Films in a Franchise-Focused Era

The core trend is the pronounced challenge that original children's animated films are facing in achieving box office success in 2025, especially when compared to the overwhelming dominance of sequels, prequels, remakes, and adaptations of established intellectual property. This trend signifies a potential risk aversion from both studios and audiences towards new characters and narratives in the family film market. The underperformance of Pixar's "Elio," despite the studio's strong track record, underscores a broader pattern where familiarity and pre-existing fan bases appear to be significant determinants of success in this genre. This creates a hurdle for filmmakers attempting to introduce fresh and innovative stories to young viewers, suggesting a potential shift in the landscape of animated entertainment for families.

Key Characteristics of the Core trend: Unpacking the Underperformance: Key Traits of Original Animation Flops

• Lower Box Office Returns: Original animated films are generally earning significantly less revenue at the box office compared to their franchise counterparts, making it difficult for them to recoup their often substantial production budgets.

• Complex or Rambling Narratives: Many of the underperforming original films are cited for having convoluted plots that struggle to maintain the engagement of viewers across different age groups and attention spans, as exemplified by the multiple narrative threads in "Elio."

• Production Challenges: Some original films may face difficulties during their creation process, such as changes in directors or multiple writers, potentially leading to a less cohesive and focused final product.

• Absence of Pre-existing Fanbase: Unlike sequels or adaptations, original films lack the built-in audience and brand recognition that can drive initial interest and ticket sales.

• Hesitation from Studios: Studios may be more cautious and less willing to invest heavily in the marketing and distribution of original animated films due to the higher perceived risk compared to established IP.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend: The Known is King: Signals Pointing to Franchise Favoritism

• Consistent Success of Sequels and Adaptations: The continuous strong performance of films based on familiar characters and stories demonstrates a clear audience demand and reinforces studio strategies to prioritize these projects.

• Extensive Marketing and Merchandising Opportunities: Sequels and adaptations often come with readily available marketing materials and established toy lines, providing additional revenue streams and promotional advantages.

• Audience Familiarity and Comfort: Viewers often gravitate towards what they already know and enjoy, especially in the family entertainment sector where parents seek reliable and age-appropriate content.

• Post-Pandemic Viewing Habits: The article suggests that changes in cinema-going habits might favor familiar content that requires less focused attention, making well-known franchises a safer choice for a family outing.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior: Scrolling Over the New? How Familiarity Shapes Family Film Choices

• Families are increasingly prioritizing movies based on recognizable characters and storylines when choosing entertainment options at the cinema.

• There may be a reluctance among viewers to spend money on tickets for original films with unknown plots or characters, opting instead for the perceived safety and enjoyment of a known franchise.

• Viewing habits in theaters might be shifting towards a more casual and less attentive experience, making familiar narratives easier to follow amidst potential distractions.

• Parents may be more likely to choose sequels or adaptations based on positive past experiences with the franchise, ensuring a predictable and enjoyable outing for their children.

Implications Across the Ecosystem:

• For Brands and CPGs: Merchandise and promotional tie-ins associated with established children's film franchises are likely to continue to be highly successful due to their built-in audience.

• For Retailers: Stores can expect strong sales of toys, apparel, and other products related to popular animated sequels and adaptations.

• For Consumers: Families may have fewer options when it comes to seeing original animated stories on the big screen, potentially leading to a sense of creative stagnation in the genre over time.

Strategic Forecast: The Predictable Picture: Forecasting the Future of Family Film at the Box Office

• The trend of franchise dominance in the children's film market is likely to persist in the near future, driven by financial incentives for studios and audience preference for familiar content.

• Studios may become even more selective and cautious when greenlighting original animated features for theatrical release, potentially favoring projects with clear franchise potential or those that can be co-produced with stronger international partners.

• Original animated stories might increasingly find their primary release platforms on streaming services, where the pressure for immediate box office success is less intense.

Areas of innovation: Sparking Fresh Ideas: Potential Paths for Originality in Children's Animation

• Developing Original Concepts with Strong Franchise Potential: Studios could invest more time and resources in nurturing original stories and characters that have the inherent qualities to resonate with audiences and spawn successful franchises over time.

• Utilizing Streaming Platforms as Incubators for New IP: Releasing original animated shorts or series on streaming services could serve as a way to introduce new characters and build a fanbase before investing in a full-length feature film.

• Embracing Diverse Storytelling and Animation Styles: Supporting a wider range of creative voices and animation techniques could lead to more unique and compelling original films that stand out in the market.

• Strategic Marketing to Highlight the Unique Appeal of Original Films: Studios could develop innovative marketing campaigns that effectively communicate the excitement and heart of original stories, enticing audiences to take a chance on something new.

• Collaborations with Independent Animators and Storytellers: Partnering with creators outside the traditional studio system might bring fresh perspectives and more unconventional narratives to the forefront of children's animation.

Final Thought: The Enduring Quest for New Tales: Finding Light in the Shadow of Familiar Franchises

While the current box office landscape for children's films undeniably favors the comfort and predictability of established franchises, the enduring human need for new stories and imaginative worlds remains. The struggles of original films like "Elio" serve as a reminder of the challenges involved in breaking through the noise of familiar intellectual property. However, the potential for groundbreaking and beloved animated films still lies in the power of fresh ideas and compelling storytelling. The industry must continue to seek innovative ways to nurture originality, connect new narratives with audiences, and ensure that the next generation of moviegoers has the opportunity to discover the magic of entirely new characters and adventures on the big screen.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250624-elio-and-the-problem-with-todays-kids-films