Elio, Pixar’s original sci-fi coming-of-age adventure, has stumbled out of the gate with its weakest box-office debut in the studio’s history, signaling a deeper challenge for standalone animated films.
At a Glance
- Elio earned $21 million domestically and $14 million internationally in its opening weekend, marking Pixar’s worst debut ever
- The film faced stiff competition from Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon ($37 million) and Sony’s 28 Years Later ($30 million)
- With a reported budget between $150–300 million, expectations were for a $35–45 million opening
- Despite box-office woes, critics and audiences responded warmly: Elio holds an “A” CinemaScore and 81% on Rotten Tomatoes
- After Elemental’s slow-burn success, Pixar hopes Elio may hold steady in coming weeks
Elio’s Opening Weekend Inside Look
Elio debuted June 20 to tepid numbers: $21 million domestically, $14 million internationally—a total of $35 million that places it at the bottom of Pixar openings, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. In contrast, How to Train Your Dragon topped the box office with $37 million, while 28 Years Later pulled in $30 million.
Initial projections had aimed for $35–45 million, but ticket sales suggested a quicker dip. Industry observers cited a crowded summer release schedule, high budget expectations, and a relatively muted marketing push as contributing factors, as reported by The Guardian.
Why It Mattered—and Still Could
Elio represents a bold attempt by Pixar to return to original storytelling amid a franchise-heavy marketplace. Directed by Adrian Molina, the film explores themes of family, identity, and belonging through an imaginative sci-fi lens. According to The Guardian, critics praised the film’s emotional resonance and creative ambition. Audiences awarded it an “A” CinemaScore and an 81% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, original titles like Elio, Onward, and Elemental often face challenges competing with sequels or films tied to well-established IP. After a similarly slow start, Elemental eventually grossed nearly $500 million globally, offering hope that quality storytelling can still find an audience over time.
What’s Next for Elio?
Pixar and Disney are now counting on strong word-of-mouth and limited competition in the animated market to sustain Elio through the coming weeks. According to AP News, with no major family releases on the immediate horizon, the film could mirror Elemental’s gradual rise.
Yet with a budget potentially exceeding $150 million, Elio faces a high bar for profitability. Its fate may hinge on repeat business, international performance, and eventual streaming success. For Pixar, the stakes are clear: in an era dominated by sequels, can bold originality still pay off?
