Pixar’s latest release, “Elio,” has had a disappointing opening weekend at the box office.
#Elio is "one of the studio's most poignant films". 🤩
See it in theaters & 3D NOW! pic.twitter.com/4NMmw0UpGK
— Pixar (@Pixar) June 23, 2025
The film earned just $21 million in the US and $35 million globally, making it the studio’s worst ever debut. The numbers are especially concerning given the movie’s $150 million budget.
However, the film’s poor performance is not due to negative reviews. “Elio” has been well-received, with an 84% critics’ score and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many believe that the main issue is a lack of sufficient marketing from Disney.
Giving the people what they want… BLOOPERS! 🎬
Go see #Elio in theaters & 3D now! pic.twitter.com/wZoB7fs098— Pixar (@Pixar) June 22, 2025
Final opening wknd #boxoffice for #Elio came in a bit below estimates at $20.8M. Lowest EVER for #Pixar and well below its last original toon Elementals ($29.6M). Compared to rival DreamWorks Animation, it's in same range as Turbo ($21.3M) and Abominable ($20.6M).
— Gitesh Pandya (TikTok @gitesh.pandya) (@GiteshPandya) June 23, 2025
Some have suggested that there is a cyclical problem where studios are investing less in advertising original films due to lower audience turnout, which in turn leads to even lower awareness and attendance. Numerous people have mentioned that they were unaware of the movie’s release.
Pixar’s rough box office weekend
One person shared, “Everyone I’ve talked to about it had no idea it existed or that it was released.
NEW WKND #BoxOffice Chart
▶️ #HowToTrainYourDragon repeats at #1
▶️ 2nd place opening for #28YearsLater
▶️ #Elio sinks to Pixar's lowest debut ever
▶️ TOP 10 did $120.6M, -19% vs last year when Inside Out 2 held at #1NEW WKND chart at: https://t.co/Bddzz9HNCr
— Gitesh Pandya (TikTok @gitesh.pandya) (@GiteshPandya) June 22, 2025
Because the movie itself is great and anyone who has seen it seems to have good things to say about it.”
Pixar veteran Pete Docter has discussed the company’s current struggles in creating new films and franchises. He said that the alternative to making original movies was just feeding audiences “more of what they know,” leading to endless sequels.
“We’d be making Toy Story 27,” Docter remarked. To mitigate risks, Docter indicated that Pixar would now stick to a rough schedule of one original film followed by a sequel to a past hit. Pixar’s future slate reflects this strategy, with a mix of original ideas and sequels planned for the coming years.
“Elio” tells the story of a young boy who accidentally becomes Earth’s intergalactic ambassador after making contact with aliens and being beamed up to space. The voice cast includes Zoe Saldaña, Jameela Jamil, and Matthias Schweighöfer. The film is currently playing in theaters.
