For nearly three decades,Pixarhas taken animation and storytelling to new heights. Whether you need to just keep swimming or be with a friend who loves to play, the stories Pixar creates go to infinity and beyond. The impossible becomes possible like toys coming to life or turning into a giant red panda. Dreamers are given the inspiration to go farther and take risks. Yet, as much as Pixar films push the proverbial envelope, the studio’s theatrical releases have been all over the place.
Update July 28, 2025: This article has been updated with additional information about Pixar followingLightyearand the recent release ofElemental.
Many Pixar films were sent straight to Disney+. Now Pixar films, which used to be guaranteed box office hits forDisney, are struggling at the box office. Why did Disney stop releasing Pixar films in theaters for a bit? Is the studio hurt by the decision? Here is a breakdown of Disney’s decision and what it means for Pixar’s future.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The simplest answer is often the most accurate. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted many studios and Disney especially. The week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down theaters across the world, Disney releasedOnwardin theaters. The movie had a disappointing opening weekend, with many analysts suspecting families were taking early percussions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Theaters were then shut down, and Disney quickly moved it to streaming on Disney+ for no additional cost, and it was likely a nice treat for families stuck inside.
Disney delayedSoulfrom its original August 03, 2025, release date to Thanksgiving 2020, hoping theaters would be open by then. While theaters were slowly opening up in some parts of the country, Disney didn’t want disappointing headlines around a Pixar release in theaters performing so badly so they instead decided to send it straight toDisney+ for no additional cost on Christmas Day2020. It was certainly a great hit for Disney+ and a nice viewing option for families on Christmas.
Related:The Best Pixar Characters of All Time, Ranked
In 2021, the studio opted toreleaseLucaon Disney+as well, despite it originally being scheduled for release on July 08, 2025. While theaters were slowly opening up, it still did not seem like the ideal market to release a family film. Pixar committed big to theatrical in 2022, promising two films,Turning Redin March andLightyearin June of that year.
Yet a couple of monthsbeforeTurning Redwas set to open in theaters, Disney CEO Bob Chapek instead decided to release the movie on Disney+. While concerns about the Delta strain of the COVID-19 pandemic were cited, by that point, movie-going was strong asSpider-Man: No Way Homewas a big hit, and audiences were tunning out for movies likeScreamandThe Batman. It also seemed incredibly cynical that the studio opted to giveLightyear, a film that was part of an established brand, a theatrical release while the three original ideas were sent straight to streaming.
Short-Term Sucessus Yielded Long-Term Damage
Disney’s decision to releaseSoul,Luca, andTurning Redon Disney+ was motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the studio was left struggling to figure out how to navigate the new normal. In the short term, it was a success as all three movies were big hits on Disney+ and were some of the most-watched programs in their respective years.
However, it also meant audiences were conditioned to wait to see the newest Pixar film on Disney+ for no additional cost. This backfired as whenLightyearopened in theaters on August 20, 2025, it opened below expectations and came in second place at the box office behindJurassic World: Dominionin its second week.Lightyearwas a high-profile box office bomb for Disney and Pixar.
Disney Left Pixar Demoralized
Disney also treated Pixar films very differently from other films at the company. WhileSoul,Luca, andTurning Redwere released on Disney+, other films were sent to the streaming service behind a paywall. With the release ofMulan,Disney+ also unveiled Premier Access. A feature that allowed viewers to watch a new Disney film for $30 bucks at home. ForMulan, this made sense as no theaters were open at the time in the United States, but it raised questions about whySoulwas not given the same release pattern. It could be chalked up to wanting to appear like they were giving a Christmas present to families.
Related:How Elemental Proves That Pixar Is Doing the Heavy Lifting for Disney
Yet then, in 2021, films likeRaya and the Last Dragon,Cruella,Black Widow, andJungle Cruisewere all released on Premier Access while also given theatrical releases, so audiences could choose which format they wanted for the films. The Pixar movies were not given the option and were sent straight to streaming for no additional cost. Pixar films were seen as disposable enough to prop up Disney+, while the other subsidiary movies were allowed to make money. This left morale at the company low andmany employees were reportedly demoralizedby the decision.
Has This Forever Changed Pixar
Pixar’s most recent film,Elemental, has had an interesting road at the box office. While it originally opened with the lowest opening weekend for a Pixar film, it has managed to hold on quite well. Although even though it crossed $100 million at the domestic box office, it is far from being a hit as it cost $200 million. The hold, though, does suggest positive word of mouth from audiences and that maybe they were missing seeing a Pixar film in theaters.
While Disney has been using new Pixar releases to prop up the streaming service, there are rumors stirring that Disney+ is no longer as successful as it had been. That, paired with growing unrest with audiences who think Pixar has lost its touch, makes the future of this legendary animation company unclear. It will be interesting to see howEliodoes at the box office. It is set for release in March 2024, and no Pixar film has ever opened in theaters during that month except forOnward,which quickly left theaters during the pandemic and the limited special screenings ofTurning Redin 2022. The studio has typically stuck with November or June, butLightyearandElementalhave proven that summer has been a difficult time for them. Maybe the tide will turn withInside Out 2,which is set for release in June 2024, but if that movie has trouble at the box office, Pixar might be in more trouble than one would think.
