Why Pixar Should Finally Make an Animated Movie for Grown-Ups After Elio

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Animation is typically associated with creating “children’s films.” The vibrant hues of animated imagery do suit the types of narratives that resonate best with younger viewers. Consequently, when a prominent animation studio like Disney, Pixar, or Dreamworks launches a new movie, it’s primarily assessed in terms of its appeal to kids rather than any other demographic.

Guillermo Del Toro often reminds us that animation is just a tool, not a type of story. Great movies like those from Pixar and other top animated productions can resonate with a broad range of viewers. There’s no inherent rule that says these films must be for children, and there are certainly plenty of animated projects that cater to or even primarily target adult audiences. This brings me to wonder: Could it be the right moment for Pixar to create a film tailored specifically for mature viewers?

Pixar’s Audience Seems To Be Getting Older

In contrast to many animation studios, Pixar stands out due to its singular focus on computer-generated animation since its inception. Despite being under the umbrella of Disney, which predominantly produces live-action films over animated ones, Pixar has never been compelled or encouraged to venture beyond its area of expertise.

Primarily concentrating on its strong points, it has earned a reputation as one of the most prosperous movie studios across all categories within the film industry. Four of the top ten highest-earning animated films in history are from Pixar, including the record-breaking box office hit Inside Out 2, which surpassed all other animated films last summer to become the highest-grossing one yet.

A significant number of Pixar’s top-performing films are sequels, which could be due to the dominance of franchise filmmaking, or it might indicate that the typical Pixar moviegoer is maturing. Initially, the core audience for Pixar movies was children, but as time passes, these kids have grown up and their preferences have influenced much of Pixar’s storytelling. Today, Toy Story films are more geared towards the adults who watched the original when they were children.

Pixar’s Elio Is Strongest When It Focuses On Characters Other Than Elio

The latest Pixar film is titled “Elio.” From the trailer, it’s clear that the movie revolves around a youth who struggles to find his place on Earth and aspires to be taken by aliens, believing that life might be easier elsewhere. However, only half of his plan comes to fruition.

But there’s more to Elio than meets the eye. It’s also a tale that delves into the complexities of parenthood, particularly the struggle to be a good parent when you’re not quite sure how to go about it. In this film, Zoe Saldana lends her voice to Olga Solis, who steps in as Elio’s guardian after his parents’ untimely demise in an accident. A significant part of the movie focuses on Olga, whose aspirations of becoming an astronaut were dashed when she took up the role of a parent, thus altering her life’s course.

As a parent who enjoys Pixar movies and occasionally questions my decisions, the portrayal of the unnamed adult character in Elio particularly resonated with me. I found this aspect of Elio’s story to be more compelling than the events involving the child character. I believe this part could have benefited from more screen time for a more developed narrative. If given the chance, I would have preferred a movie focused on the adult character titled Elio, but with the child as the subject rather than the main focus.

Pixar Has Shown An Ability To Tell “Adult” Stories Before

In contrast to many Pixar stories that feature child or ageless characters, Elio marks a shift towards mature protagonists and narratives. Movies like Soul and Up! also focus on adult characters grappling with grown-up problems, even if they are accompanied by young characters to make the film more relatable for younger viewers.

According to Director Brad Bird, “Incredibles 2” isn’t just a children’s movie. It seems likely that his vision for “Incredibles 3” would align with this perspective as well, given its action-packed nature might be too intense for younger audiences.

In various scenes throughout films like Inside Out, Turning Red, and Finding Nemo, we’ve had a glimpse into the minds of the parent characters. Mei’s mother plays a significant role in Turning Red, while in Finding Nemo, the story revolves around the father of Nemo rather than Nemo himself. However, these stories primarily focus on parents coming to understand their children, not necessarily themselves.

2023’s “Elemental” might be considered Pixar’s most mature film due to its focus on a romantic drama between two young adults. This plotline might not resonate deeply with many children, which could potentially explain why the movie underperformed at the domestic box office. However, I personally found it to be an outstanding film, largely because of the compelling character development in “Elemental”.

I’d Love To See Pixar Make An Animated Movie Specifically For Adults

Essentially, when I express my desire for Pixar to produce adult animation, I’m not advocating for explicit content like adult language, violence, or sexual themes. However, I’m not ruling out such elements completely either. What I’m suggesting is that I’d be intrigued to witness a narrative tailored explicitly for a mature audience, one that isn’t primarily designed to also captivate younger viewers.

I’m intrigued by the idea of what Pixar might create if given the freedom to explore a story with a unique focus, rather than their typical family-friendly fare. Considering their remarkable ability to craft deep and moving narratives in limited time frames, one wonders what masterpiece they could produce with a full 100 minutes. Might it be fascinating to see Pixar delve into a more mature drama or romantic comedy, a genre that may not be suitable for younger viewers but still captivating for an older audience?

Regardless of my personal desires or the success of a potential change, I’m not advocating for Pixar to abandon the beloved films that the public cherishes. Truth be told, I adore those movies as well and wouldn’t want them to disappear. However, I can’t help but ponder if Pixar could reach even greater heights with their creativity.

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2025-06-22 22:08