Things are going badly at Pixar, and things aren't going to improve with Elio, the latest production from the studio with the lamp. Indeed, the recently released animated film sets a sad record for the Disney-owned company.
Pixar could have done without this record with Elio
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Pixar released its new film in theaters: Elio. Although the studio decided to please fans with this tradition that has been forgotten for 24 years now, and although the reviews are quite good, the animated film seems not to be a hit. It must be said that the latest from the studio with the lamp did not benefit from a marketing campaign worthy of the name. To the point that it even seems to have been released in theaters to complete indifference. And these are the numbers that speak for themselves. Indeed, if we are to believe the information shared by the website Variety, the film Elio is far, very far, from recouping its production costs.
These are estimated at $150 million, but during its first weekend of release in the United States, the latest Pixar film struggled to become profitable. Over in the United States, Elio only managed to bring in $21 million. Worldwide, the production only earned $14 million. In short, as you can see, we're a long way from the mark.
With this dismal performance, Elio sets a record that Pixar would have been happy to do without: that of the worst opening for an animated film produced by the studio and Disney. In France, this space adventure attracted barely 28,000 spectators on the day of its release.
Elio, an industrial accident for Pixar and Disney?
Should we already say that Elio is an industrial accident? No, it's still too early to say because, as a reminder, Elementary, released in 2023, had already experienced the same difficulties. Until now, it was this production that held this sad record with $29.6 million in revenue during its first weekend in American theaters. Finally, its operation ended with $496 million in revenue. So we must hope that word of mouth will work to change the situation!
Certainly, Elio did not benefit from the same marketing campaign as the other productions of the big-eared company, but it must be emphasized that the production faces stiff competition. Currently, the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is a hit, approaching the billion mark, and the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, released a week before Elio, doesn't help matters, as the film has already grossed $358 million worldwide. But Disney really needs to change the disastrous policy it's imposing on Pixar.
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