Elemental is a 2023 American animated romantic comedy-drama film created by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Peter Sohn, the screenplay was co-written by Sohn, John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, and Brenda Hsueh. Elemental couldn’t score big at domestic Box Office despite it’s strong run at International market.
The narrative unfolds in a world where anthropomorphic elements of nature coexist, centering on fire element Ember Lumen (voiced by Lewis) and water element Wade Ripple (voiced by Athie) as they navigate their relationship while attempting to save a convenience store owned by Ember’s father, Bernie (voiced by Del Carmen).
The journey of creating Elemental began when Sohn proposed the idea to Pixar, exploring the possibility of a connection between fire and water. Drawing from his own experiences as the son of immigrants in 1970s New York City, the film reflects the city’s rich cultural and ethnic tapestry.
The production of Elemental spanned seven years, taking place both in the studio and at the filmmakers’ homes, with an estimated budget of $200 million. The score was composed by Thomas Newman, while Lauv contributed the song “Steal the Show.” The film is a tribute to Pixar animators Ralph Eggleston, Amber Martorelli, J. Garrett Sheldrew, and film editor Thomas Gonzales, all of whom passed away in 2022.
Elemental premiered out of competition as the closing film at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 27, 2023, and made it’s U.S. debut on June 16 in RealD 3D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema formats. It received nominations for multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
