Elemental (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Elemental is a 2023 animated drama directed by Peter Sohn, starring Mamoudou Athie as Wade, Shila Ommi and Innocent Ekakitie. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $496.4 million worldwide on a $250,000 budget. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Peter Sohn
- Original language
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English
- Budget
- $250K
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Elemental About?
The premise of Elemental without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In Element City, where residents of fire, water, earth, and air live separately, a fiery young woman named Ember challenges her community’s beliefs when she unexpectedly connects with Wade, a laid-back water element. Their unlikely friendship blossoms into a journey of discovery, questioning the long-standing boundaries between the elements and ultimately redefining what it means to belong.
Elemental Cast & Characters
Mamoudou Athie leads the cast as Wade, with Shila Ommi as Cinder and Innocent Ekakitie as Marco and Polo Ripple. Directed by Peter Sohn; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Peter Sohn
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Mamoudou Athie as Wade -
Shila Ommi as Cinder -
Innocent Ekakitie as Marco and Polo Ripple -
Wendi McLendon-Covey as Gale
Also Starring in Elemental
· 6 more- Catherine O'Hara Brook
- Joe Pera Fern
- Matthew Yang King Alan, Lutz, Earth Pruner
- Mason Wertheimer Clod
- Leah Liang Lewis
- Ronaldo Del Carmen
Elemental Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Elemental 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 79/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Elemental Echo Score Breakdown
Elemental delivers strong visual appeal but uneven narrative depth. The animation and production design consistently draw praise for their vibrant colour palettes and fluid movement, while critics and viewers note that the underlying plot leans on familiar themes and occasionally falters in coherence. Emotional moments such as the cross-cultural romance and family dynamics resonate, yet the allegorical elements feel unevenly integrated. On balance, the film stands out for its artistry and heart but is hindered by a basic storyline that limits its overall impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 90
In terms of art and craft, the film excels with its vibrant colour palette and fluid animation. Critics and audiences alike highlight the production design’s intricate elemental motifs and seamless editing transitions. The direction lends a clear visual identity that remains consistent throughout the film. This aspect stands out as the project’s primary strength, delivering memorable and polished visual craftsmanship.
- Character & Emotion 75
In terms of character and emotion, the film offers a blend of heartfelt moments and relatable relationships. The central romance between the protagonists provides emotional warmth, while familial bonds add depth to the narrative. Some viewers find the emotional arcs understated compared to previous entries, yet the chemistry and expression of cross-cultural themes foster genuine empathy. Overall, character work contributes positively to the audience’s engagement.
- Story & Flow 60
When it comes to story and flow, the film presents a straightforward narrative that divides opinion on its originality. The pacing is generally measured, supporting clear progression of the elemental world, but the central allegory can feel overly familiar or simplistic. Critics note occasional lapses in cohesion and clumsy metaphorical transitions, while some audiences appreciate the multilayered themes on subsequent viewings. Ultimately, the plot offers an accessible but uneven engagement.
- Sensory Experience 85
In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers impressive audio-visual cohesion through its bold soundtrack and dynamic visual style. Viewers praise the stirring musical themes that underscore emotional peaks, while the layered sound design accentuates the elemental world’s textures. The consistent colour schemes and stylistic synergy between score and visuals create an immersive atmosphere. This synthesis of sight and sound stands as a compelling sensory achievement.
- Rewatch Factor 70
When considering rewatch value, the film offers several layers that invite repeat viewings. The nuanced world-building and thematic allegories reveal new insights on subsequent watches, especially in the exploration of cultural dynamics and family relationships. However, some narrative elements remain straightforward, which may limit the depth of rediscovery for certain viewers. On the whole, the film provides moderate replay appeal anchored by its exploratory motifs.
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IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 73% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 93%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 76% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
1175217 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
Elemental Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Elemental from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Fire elements Bernie and Cinder Lumen embark on a journey as they immigrate from Fire Land to Element City, only to confront the challenges of xenophobia from other elemental beings. Their story takes a turn with the birth of their daughter Ember, for whom they establish their own traditional outlet, the Fireplace, embodying their heritage with their signature Blue Flame. However, as time passes and Bernie expresses his desire to retire, he has one condition: Ember must learn to manage her fiery temperament before she can take over the store.
Full summary
The whole story of Elemental, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Elemental Box Office & Budget
Elemental grossed $496.4 million worldwide on a $250,000 budget. $154.4 million came from the US and Canada and $342 million (69%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$496.4M
- US & Canada
- $154.4M
- International
- $342M
- Budget
- $250K
Elemental Awards & Nominations
Elemental won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 2024, with 1 win from 1 nomination.
1 win6 nominations6 ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2024 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language
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Critics' Choice 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best Animated Feature
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Artios Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Animation
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Saturn Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best Animated Film
Show all 6 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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BAFTA 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Best Animated Film – Peter Sohn
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Oscars 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Animated Feature Film – Peter Sohn
Elemental Trailers & Videos
12 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers and 7 clips.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser Tickets on Sale!
- Teaser Iconic Pixar Moments
- Teaser Disney+ Date Announce
How Well Do You Know Elemental?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What significant event does Carl Frederickson receive a call about?
Elemental Also Known As
40 alternative titles, including “Disney and Pixar's Elemental” and “Elemental de Disney y Pixar”.
- Also known as
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- Disney and Pixar's Elemental
- Elemental de Disney y Pixar
- مدينة العناصر لديزني وبيكسار
- मौलिक
- エレメンタル
- Stichijos
- Стихии
- Elementy
- Elementi
- Xứ Sở Các Nguyên Tố từ Disney & Pixar
- 疯狂元素城
- 元素大都会
+28 more Show fewer
- 元素方城市
- Էլեմենտար
- Między nami żywiołami
- Elementos
- Elementāri
- بنیادین
- عناصر
- آب و آتش
- Elementaarne
- Στο στοιχείο τους
- אלמנטלי
- Élémentaire
- 엘리멘탈
- Xứ Sở Các Nguyên Tố
- Mezi živly
- Стихії
- เมืองอลวนธาตุอลเวง
- マイ・エレメント
- Elemi
- Elemental: Doğanın Güçleri
- 元素大都會
- مدينة العناصر
- Elementärt
- Elementært
- Элементарно
- Елементал
- Elementar
- المنتال, ელემენტები
Seen Elemental?
Elemental FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Elemental, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Elemental?
Elemental runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Elemental released?
Elemental was released on June 16, 2023.
Who directed Elemental?
Elemental was directed by Peter Sohn.
More films by Peter Sohn Who is in the cast of Elemental?
Elemental stars Mamoudou Athie as Wade, Shila Ommi as Cinder and Innocent Ekakitie as Marco and Polo Ripple, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Elemental make at the box office?
Elemental grossed $496.4 million worldwide ($154.4 million domestic, $342 million international) on a budget of $250,000.
How is Elemental rated?
Elemental has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Letterboxd.
What awards did Elemental win?
Elemental won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language at the Golden Globes 2024.
Does Elemental have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Elemental has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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