Elemental (2023 film)

Elemental is a 2023 American computer-animated romantic comedy fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by Peter Sohn, it is based on Sohn's childhood in New York City and inspired by elements.

The film is set in Element City, a metropolis inhabited by anthropomorphic personifications of the four classical elements: fire, water, earth, and air. The story centers on Ember Lumen, a fiery young woman, and Wade Ripple, a go-with-the-flow water-being, who discover how much they have in common, even though their elements are not supposed to mix.

The development of Elemental began shortly after the release of The Good Dinosaur (2015), which Sohn also directed. The film explores themes of cultural differences, immigration, prejudice, and the search for common ground. The visual design and animation of the characters and the world posed significant technical challenges for Pixar's animators.

Elemental premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival as the closing film on May 27, 2023, and was released in the United States on June 16, 2023. It initially received mixed reviews, but positive word-of-mouth and strong box office performance led to a more favorable reception over time.