The Best Trending Movies of 2024 Show Pixar’s Remarkable Comeback After Four Years of Disappointment

Pixar’s animated film Inside Out 2 has not only achieved remarkable box office success but also revitalized the studio’s reputation. As we venture into 2024, it’s clear that the cinematic landscape is shifting, showcasing a resurgence of Pixar’s impactful storytelling. In the past, although Pixar consistently earned praise from critics, its financial returns have not always reflected that acclaim. The disappointing performance of 2015’s The Good Dinosaur exemplified that challenge, as it fell short of both audience and critical expectations. This trend continued, particularly as the 2020s began to unfold with a series of setbacks.

The onset of the pandemic brought additional complications. The 2020 release, Onward, starred box office draws Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, yet managed to collect only $142 million against its hefty $175 million budget. While the pandemic’s disruption undoubtedly affected its performance, the studio’s challenges persisted. Turning Red, released in 2022, saw a dismal box office showing of just $21 million on a similar budget. These outcomes sparked concerns about Pixar’s ability to connect with modern audiences.

Inside Out 2: Dominating Google Trends in 2024

Fortunately for Pixar, 2024 has marked a significant turnaround, primarily due to the astounding performance of Inside Out 2. The film has amassed over $1.69 billion globally, securing its position as the highest-grossing animated film ever. This success has propelled Inside Out 2 to the top of Google’s search trends for movies in 2024, outperforming major competitors like Dune: Part Two, Twisters, and even the anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. Remarkably, it even overshadowed several indie films, including Terrifier 3 and Saltburn.

This resurgence bodes well for Pixar, especially following the turbulent patch it experienced in recent years. Although the pandemic contributed to poor box office performance, it cannot be seen as the sole culprit for films like Turning Red and Lightyear, which struggled to achieve financial success despite garnering generally favorable reviews. The latter, meant to extend the Toy Story franchise, did not meet expectations, raising alarms regarding Pixar’s direction amidst a markedly changing landscape.

Understanding Pixar’s Recent Struggles

Onward’s Disappointing Performance and Its Ripple Effects

Despite critical acclaim, Elemental struggled to resonate with audiences.
Turning Red achieved success among critics but faced severe financial obstacles.
Lightyear, despite strong reviews, fell victim to market trends.

The landscape for animated films has seen dramatic shifts, as evidenced by Elemental, which received unfavorable comparisons to Pixar’s earlier masterpieces. Even as Elemental ultimately grossed nearly $500 million—a respectable sum—it was a clear indicator of the difficulties faced by the studio. The stark contrast between Pixar’s iconic films and their recent output raises questions about its relevance. Traditionally, Pixar was synonymous with both critical acclaim and substantial box office receipts, but that balance seems to have faltered in the past few years.

Google’s Top 5 Trending Movies of 2024
Movie	Box Office
Inside Out 2	$1.699 billion
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice	$451 million
It Ends with Us	$350 million
Saltburn	$21.1 million
Dune: Part Two	$714.4 million

Historically, films like Incredibles 2, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4, Finding Dory, and Up, among others, have placed Pixar firmly among the highest-grossing animated franchises in cinematic history. This raises an intriguing question about why Pixar sequels, typically immune to diminishing returns, have struggled in recent years. The disappointing response to Lightyear marked a significant concern, especially with Toy Story 5 already in pre-production.

The Future: Can Pixar Sustain Its Momentum?

The triumphant release of Inside Out 2 has reinvigorated hopes for Pixar’s future. However, while this sequel has proven the studio’s capability to generate box office hits, the pressing question remains regarding new original content.

Looking forward, Pixar’s upcoming project, Elio, set for a June 2025 release, will be a critical barometer for the studio. Unlike Inside Out 2, Elio does not have a prior franchise to build upon, challenging Pixar to capture the same magic with a fresh narrative. The story follows young Elio Solis as he finds himself acting as Earth’s Ambassador after being abducted by aliens, introducing him to a vast Communiverse filled with diverse extraterrestrial life.

Whether Elio can replicate the success of Inside Out 2 will be pivotal in ascertaining if the latter’s performance was purely an anomaly or a sign of an enduring resurgence for Pixar.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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