Pixar Movies 2023 Release Schedule and Titles
In 2023, Pixar Animation Studios released one feature film titled Elemental, which premiered in U.S. theaters on June 16, 2023. The film was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and marked the studio's first theatrical release of the year. Box Office Mojo tracked Elemental as the sole Pixar theatrical title for the calendar year, with a global rollout spanning multiple markets over the summer and fall. The production was handled internally by Pixar, with Walt Disney Studios overseeing marketing and distribution logistics worldwide.
Elemental is set in a world where fire, water, land, and air residents coexist, following a romance between a fire element named Ember and a water element named Wade. The film was directed by Peter Sohn, with Denise Ream serving as producer. The story explores themes of identity, cultural expectations, and connection across differences. The screenplay was written by John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, and Brenda Hsueh, with original music composed by Thomas Newman. The film runs approximately 109 minutes and was rated PG by the MPA for mild thematic elements and some action.
Box Office Performance and Financial Results
Elemental earned an estimated $496 million worldwide during its theatrical run, according to The Numbers. Domestic gross accounted for roughly $198 million, with international markets contributing the remainder. The production budget was reported by Deadline Hollywood at approximately $200 million, making it a financially modest release relative to other Pixar titles. The film opened in second place at the U.S. box office behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse during its first weekend, with an opening domestic figure of about $29.5 million.
Despite a strong opening, Elemental saw a steep second-weekend drop and did not match the sustained legs of earlier Pixar hits like Inside Out 2 or Toy Story franchises. Analysts at Bloomberg noted the result reflected broader challenges for mid-budget animated films in a post-pandemic theatrical market. The film's performance was compared against other summer 2023 animated releases and was considered below Pixar's historical average for original titles. Total global revenue, including home entertainment and streaming, was not disclosed by Disney as of the latest public filings.
Upcoming Pixar Projects and Franchise Outlook
Following Elemental, Pixar has several projects in various stages of development, though no additional 2023 theatrical releases were announced. The studio's next confirmed feature is Toy Story 5, currently scheduled for release in 2026. Other projects in development include a new film inspired by the classic tale of Rapunzel and an original untitled film.