The highly anticipated Pixar film of 2025 Elio has graced theaters for four weeks, yet it has only garnered $120 million in that span. Given that several of Pixar’s recent releases, such as Inside Out 2, have achieved monumental success, it’s important to consider what might have contributed to the underperformance of this latest animated venture.
When considering the entire collection of Pixar films, it’s clear that the successes far outweigh the disappointments. This studio has produced some of the most cherished animated movies ever, with original creations such as Ratatouille and Up achieving remarkable Box Office success.
Regrettably, there isn’t a straightforward formula for achieving Box Office success. Many outstanding films in 2025 truly deserved more recognition at the Box Office, as evidenced by critically acclaimed hits like Thunderbolts* that struggled to make an impact.
Nevertheless, this year has seen its share of triumphs, and examining the specifics might shed light on the shortcomings of this recent Pixar endeavor.
The Dynamics of Box Office Revenue Have Shifted
Pixar has faced significant challenges at the Box Office, largely due to the studio’s approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Onward had a modest opening for Pixar, the film exemplified a strategy that ultimately harmed the studio by swiftly transitioning to streaming just weeks after its theatrical release.
| Pixar Movies | Worldwide Gross |
| Elio | $120 million+ |
| Inside Out 2 | $1.69 billion |
| Elemental | $474 million |
| Lightyear | $218 million |
This action was essential, as theaters were shutting down because of the pandemic, marking a significant shift for Pixar in their approach to original projects. In the years that followed, Pixar conditioned audiences to anticipate swift releases on Disney+ by debuting outstanding films such as Soul, Turning Red, and Luca directly on the streaming platform.
Since then, viewers have shown a diminished interest in watching Pixar’s original films in theaters. Elemental made a notable recovery following a disappointing launch, yet it still fell short of achieving the success of several of Pixar’s most popular sequels.
In today’s environment, promoting an original film is quite challenging, and this has had a considerable impact on their most recent project.
Elio’s Reviews Were Decent, Yet They Didn’t Quite Reach The High Standards Typically Associated With Pixar
Elio debuted with just $43 million globally and has struggled to make an impact at the Box Office in the weeks that followed. Several factors contribute to this situation, but the film’s reception plays a significant role. Even though it boasts a solid 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the acclaim it has received has been rather lukewarm.
Overall, Elio has received positive feedback from both critics and viewers, yet there hasn’t been much about the film that justifies a trip to the theater. With the complete Pixar collection accessible on Disney+, and the studio’s new streaming series Win or Lose, the necessity of going to the cinema has diminished.
Given its quality, Elio is bound to succeed when it debuts on Disney+, yet there lacks sufficient motivation for viewers to watch it in theaters. The film’s reception has not generated any sense of urgency to catch it on the big screen, and the intricate landscape of theatrical releases in 2025 has further complicated matters.
Elio Was A Notably Subdued Release During The Peak of Summer Blockbusters
There are numerous factors contributing to why Elio experienced Pixar’s least successful opening weekend, and these aspects have become increasingly significant over time. The movie has encountered tough competition in the current theatrical environment.
With a challenging economy and escalating expenses, many families find it hard to go to the movies frequently, compelling them to make thoughtful decisions about what films to watch.
With movies such as Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon having been released earlier, and titles like Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman set to debut in the upcoming weeks, there are simply too many major films for viewers to focus on.
After facing delays and what appeared to be a lackluster promotional campaign, Elio was largely overlooked, going unnoticed by the audience.
Is There Still Hope For Elio To Achieve Box Office Success ?
Elemental has emerged as a significant benchmark following the disappointing debut of Elio. Although Elemental started with a lackluster opening, it ultimately grossed $496 million. Given this context, many are optimistic that, since audiences seem to enjoy Elio, it might replicate that success, particularly with students now on summer break.
Regrettably, the outlook appears grim. Elemental made a modest recovery during its second weekend, yet it still experienced a remarkable 38% decline, bringing in $18.4 million. Elio, on the other hand, saw a more moderate 31% drop in its fourth week, but when compared to its initial earnings, this does not bode well for the film’s prospects. If this trend continues, Elio may find it challenging to reach even $100 million in total earnings at domestic.
What Elio’ Box Office Indicates About Pixar’s Future ?
The Box Office performance of Elio is expected to influence Pixar’s future strategies. The studio has been shifting it’s focus towards producing more sequels, alternating between a Pixar sequel and an original film, which makes this trend increasingly important.
Consequently, there are growing worries that the number of original Pixar films may decline even further in the future. Fortunately, it seems that this is not the situation at present. Pixar understands the necessity of introducing new franchises through original films to ensure their sustainability.
Insights from Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, as reported by Fast Company, indicate that this approach is unlikely to shift in the near future.
According to Pete Docter, “These are challenging times, and our only option is to create films that we truly believe in. We must have faith in our projects. The amount of work and dedication required to produce a film that fails to generate profit is equal to that needed for a successful one. We need to discover what audiences desire before they even realize it. If we merely provided them with more of what they are already familiar with, we would end up producing Toy Story 27.”
Several additional elements will play a crucial role in guaranteeing the success of upcoming Pixar films. The films need to create a greater sense of urgency for audiences to watch them in theaters, and it may be necessary to prolong the theatrical release period.
Thankfully, Pixar appears committed to securing a sustainable future for their studio, focusing on both franchise projects and original films. Elio is a powerful film, and its lackluster performance at the Box Office reflects the evolving landscape of theatrical releases.
This outcome indicates that Pixar may need to consider some strategic adjustments for their upcoming original projects. It will be fascinating to observe how the studio tackles their next major original film, Hoppers, set to release next year.