Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 18, Pixar's new animated feature film, whose release had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will hit French theaters. Disney has just lifted the critics' embargo, and the first press reviews are finally being broadcast by our colleagues across the Atlantic on social media. Find out below if the film is worth a watch!
Forget sequels and franchises, Elio is a new Pixar original
The studio with the lamp, creator of Toy Story and Finding Nemo, is back with a brand new adventure for children - and adults. Pixar's latest film, Elio, will be released in theaters this Wednesday, June 18th in France, with the added bonus of a return to a fan-favorite tradition. The plot follows the cosmic adventures of an 11-year-old boy with a vivid imagination and a passion for space, who inadvertently finds himself teleported to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization composed of representatives from far-flung galaxies. The latter mistakenly identify him as Earth's ambassador: Elio is anything but prepared for such pressure - nor for the threats awaiting him at the ends of the universe. Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina, Elio is supposed to be a heartfelt, fast-paced comedy with a polished aesthetic... But what's the reality? The first reviews of Elio are here. Disney recently lifted the embargo on Elio a few days ago. Since then, the first reviews of the new Pixar film have finally appeared on X, posted by our colleagues across the Atlantic. Aside from rare negative comments, opinions are mostly enthusiastic!
It's Wish all over again. Elio is the worst animated film in Pixar history. More to come on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/DXW4wNtm6A
— Alan Ng @ Film Threat (@mypalal) June 17, 2025
It's Wish again. Elio is the worst animated film in Pixar history. More information coming Wednesday.
#Elio fills the void of loneliness and grievance with the colors and wonders of the universe, using stellar animation (great in 3D!) to tell a rich story about how feeling truly seen and understood helps us grow as humans. Great original movie. pic.twitter.com/9Fw6AKbZ4W
— fabricio (@fabriciogiraob) June 17, 2025
Elio fills the void of loneliness and grief with the colors and wonders of the universe, using stellar animation (great in 3D!) to tell a rich story about how feeling truly seen and understood helps us grow as human beings. An excellent original film.
#Elio might just be the best Pixar film since Inside Out. It's often funny, very thrilling and has moments that are very moving. It shows that even the biggest outsider can find community and that our complications make us who we are. Okay bye I love you. pic.twitter.com/U3dwNU6WIN
— Paul Klein (@paulkleinyoo) June 15, 2025
Elio might be the best Pixar film since Inside Out. It's often funny, very gripping, and has some very moving moments. It shows that even the biggest outsider can find community and that our complications make us who we are.
#ELIO is ambitious and gorgeous in a way you'd ideally expect from a Pixar film - unfortunately it seems the movie has spent too much time being reworked. As it is, it has five too many ideas going on, but is sincere enough to stand apart from Disney's recent output. pic.twitter.com/PVuXXtALJO
— tyler "llewyn" taing (@tylerllewtaing) June 17, 2025
Elio is ambitious and beautiful in the way you'd ideally expect from a Pixar film—unfortunately, it feels like the film spent too much time being reworked. As it stands, it has five ideas too many, but it's sincere enough to stand out from Disney's recent output. a stunning space whimsy that delivers on the adventure of what's out there beyond the stars as a love letter to the genre... but deep at its core it's a poignant look at loneliness, being different, grievance & not feeling like you belong! Pixar delivers heart once again pic.twitter.com/Y97PgTRmuX
— Zach Pope (@popetheking) June 17, 2025
Elio is a stunning space fantasy that offers the adventure of what lies beyond the stars in the manner of a love letter to the genre... but at its heart, it's a poignant look at loneliness, difference, heartbreak, and feeling out of place! Pixar once again delivers a beautiful message.
#Elio is a cosmic coming-of-age story packed with heart, color, and imagination. A vibrant tale about not fitting in - and why that might be your greatest strength. Warm, weird, and wonderfully original - a truly out-of-this-world Pixar adventure! pic.twitter.com/bHQZkeZJAu
— Justin Lawrence | Geekcentric (@helloimjlaw) June 11, 2025
Elio is a cosmic coming-of-age story full of heart, color, and imagination. A vibrant tale about not fitting in—and why that can be your greatest strength. Warm, strange and wonderfully original - a truly out-of-this-world Pixar adventure! Turning Red.
— Gavin Spoors (@supergavigator) June 15, 2025
Whilst fairly predictable in plot and themes, this sci-fi adventure is still tons of fun, visually inventive, and packs an emotional punch.
Bring the tissues. You've been warned. pic.twitter.com/0vXmlstCbL
Elio is Pixar's best film since Red Alert. While the plot and themes are fairly predictable, this sci-fi adventure is still a lot of fun, visually inventive, and emotional. Bring your tissues. You have been warned.
#Elio will hit you hard in the feelings with intergalactic look at loneliness & belongingness. Such beautiful animated storytelling with a heartfelt & comedic voice performance from Yonas Kibreab. This is absolutely one of Pixar's best film yet & space nerds this film is for you! pic.twitter.com/pPGI7lXA1Z
— aisha (@evanslarsons) June 16, 2025
Elio will hit you hard with its intergalactic take on loneliness and belonging. A beautifully animated film with the voice of Yonas Kibreab, who is both heartfelt and comedic. It is absolutely one of Pixar's best films to date. Space lovers will find their happiness in this film!
#Elio presents a lot of creativity in its alien worlds, but its story of a child who feels isolated and finds comfort in an interest he loves is what truly makes it resonate and I imagine many will relate to its title character. pic.twitter.com/Dl9Qkf4VKK
— Stefan Ellison (@MisterCoat) June 16, 2025
Elio displays great creativity in his alien worlds, but what particularly resonates is the story of this child who feels isolated and finds comfort in a passion he loves. I imagine that many people will identify with its main character.
Good news for Pixar fans, tired of the numerous sequels and their lack of original projects... And that's good, because the studios have already planned the post-Elio with another new film!
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