As Elio Flops, Pixar Exec Admits It's a 'Rough Time' to Make Original Films, but Alternative Is 'Making Toy Story 27'

Pixar veteran Pete Docter has addressed the studio's current challenges in developing new films and franchises, as its latest release, Elio, faces a tough box office battle.

Emphasizing that Pixar must "discover what audiences want before they realize it," Docter noted that failing to do so means simply serving viewers "more of what they already know" — resulting in endless sequels and repetitive content.

"We'd be making Toy Story 27," Docter remarked during Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Summit, just prior to the premiere of his studio's newest film.

Internationally, Elio has brought in $14 million, bringing its global total to $34.8 million — significantly below the movie's $150 million production budget, not including marketing expenses.

"It's a rough time, and all we can do is try to make movies that I think are led by us. We have to believe in them," Docter explained. "It takes as much work and effort to make something that doesn't make money as it does for something that does. And you can't really plan on this stuff. Sometimes you just hit the right little combinations of things."

While Elio has garnered positive reviews from critics, it hasn't generated the same level of audience excitement Pixar had hoped for. This contrasts sharply with the reception to Inside Out 2, which exceeded expectations and became Disney's highest-grossing film ever after earning $1.69 billion worldwide.

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Beyond individual film performance, broader trends are also at play. Audiences remain hesitant due to lingering post-pandemic effects and have grown accustomed to animated movies becoming available on streaming services shortly after theatrical release.

To manage risk, Docter revealed that Pixar is now adhering to a rough schedule of alternating original films with sequels to past hits. Indeed, 2026 will see the arrival of Toy Story 5. While not quite the "Toy Story 27" Docter mentioned, this sequel adds another chapter to a saga many believed concluded perfectly in Toy Story 3, following the underperformance of the Buzz-centric spin-off Lightyear.

Looking ahead, Pixar's upcoming lineup aligns with Docter's strategy: a blend of original concepts and sequels. Alongside Toy Story 5, next year will introduce Hoppers, a comedy about humans swapping bodies with animals, while Gatto, focusing on cats, is scheduled for release in 2027. These titles are followed by Incredibles 3 in 2028 and Coco 2 in 2029.