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On Friday September 5 2025, Disney broadcasts Pupstruction!

Airdog Delivery; A Beary Big Build Season 2 Episode 25 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Pupstruction,” titled “Airdog Delivery; A Beary Big Build,” promises to be an exciting adventure for the lovable pups and their friends. Set to air on Disney, this episode features Captain Airdog as he takes to the skies in his tiny plane. The pups will work hard to outfit the plane for delivering tasty pup treats to all kinds of terrains. Viewers can expect to see teamwork and creativity as the pups tackle the challenges of making sure the treats reach their destinations.

In this episode, a problem arises when all...

The excitement is building for the latest episode of “Pupstruction,” titled “Airdog Delivery; A Beary Big Build.” This episode, airing at 6:30 Am on Friday, September 5, 2025, on Disney, promises to bring a mix of adventure and creativity that fans will love.

In this episode, Captain Airdog is ready to take to the skies in his tiny plane. The Pups are on a mission to help him deliver tasty pup treats to all kinds of terrains. Viewers can expect to see teamwork and problem-solving as the Pups figure out the best ways to navigate different landscapes. The challenges they face will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

But that’s not all!

Pixar’s Elio Hits Digital Home Video After Weakest Box Office Debut In Studio History ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Pixar’s latest film, Elio, is now out on home video after an underwhelming run at the box office. The film, directed by Madeline Sharafan, grossed around $151 million worldwide per Box Office Mojo, which wasn’t enough to recover the film’s budget, which may have been approaching $200 million per The Hollywood Reporter.

Elio was directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, and starred Yonas Kibreab and Zoe Saldana in leading roles.

Despite its underwhelming box office performance, Elio was praised by critics, with the film getting an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Eliowas a 2025 offering from Pixar, a studio once seen as more or less infallible. It told the story of an orphan boy mistaken for the ambassador of Earth, and it promised to be a fun ride for alien-loving children. Yet it flopped.

But now it seems to be doing better on digital than anyone expected. Those who skipped it at the cinema are watching it at home instead. Just two days after being released for digital purchase, it's racking up view after view after view. It could be that families simply chose another film to watch at the cinema - Lilo & Stitch was the family film juggernaut at that point...

Pixar's 2025 sci-fi adventure film has just shot to the top of the VOD charts following its digital release. When it comes to animated fare for family audiences, Pixar remains a world leader, delivering a regular cadence of charming, funny, and often emotional movies that appeal to viewers of all ages.

Pixar movies like The Incredibles (2004), Monster's Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), and Toy Story (1995), among others, have all stood the test of time. The studio's films are often met with critical and audience acclaim, with praise aimed at the deep universal themes interwoven with lighthearted storytelling and stunning animation.

The last few years, however, have seen Pixar struggling to recapture some of its former glory.

Elio directed by Adrian Molina is coming to 4K Ultra HD SteelBook from Disney, September 9, 2025. This animated adventure stars Yonas Kibreab, Zoë Saldaña and Jameela Jamil in in a heartwarming sci-fi tale you'll be sure to love. The film follows Elio Solís, a space fanatic whose chance contact with extraterrestrials beams him into the Communiverse, where he must form bonds with eccentric alien life-forms and navigate an intergalactic crisis while discovering who he is. All presented in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The Elio 4K SteelBook features a variety of extras, including behind-the-scenes featurettes on the film’s characters and environments, a cast Q&a with a real astronaut, an...

It's no secret that Elio went through multiple drafts on Pixar's proverbial drawing table. The studio's summertime sci-fi spectacle experienced a number of production delays, script revisions and even a change in directors on its long road to theaters, where it met with mixed critical and commercial results. Fortunately, Pixar's crack team of archivists made sure to preserve elements from those discarded versions detailing the titular orphan's journey from terra firma to the stars and planets beyond the Milky Way galaxy.

Case in point: Gold Derby is premiering an exclusive deleted scene that's among the bonus features included on Elio's Aug. 19 release on digital platforms. Entitled "Questa's Second Test," the nearly six-minute sequence — watch it above — is part of an alternate version of the film where Elio was required to complete three tasks in order to be named Earth's ambassador to Communiverse, a galactic meeting point between alien cultures.

This week brings a fun mix of science fiction for every mood. There is a new Pixar adventure to watch at home, a dinosaur filled war story roaring into cinemas, and fresh installments of two series that lean into big ideas and bigger mysteries. You can plan a couple of nights out and still have time for some couch bound episodes.

Below you will find concise details that make it easy to decide what to watch right now. For each pick we have the plot essentials, the key cast and creatives behind the scenes, and exactly where and when you can see it this week.

‘Elio’ (2025) Pixar

Disney and Pixar’s ‘Elio’ follows an imaginative kid who is mistaken for Earth’s leader and whisked to the Communiverse, a council of alien civilizations. Yonas Kibreab voices Elio, with Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga and Remy Edgerly as Glordon. The film is directed by Madeline Sharafian,...

This week packs a handy mix of space adventures, franchise lore, real world investigation, and a creature feature built for the big screen. There is something new to stream at home and something to catch in theaters along with fresh episodes for two shows that keep the conversation going.

Below you will find quick rundowns with plot basics plus who is involved in front of and behind the camera. Release dates and where to watch are included so you can plan your viewing without fuss.

‘Elio’ (2025) Pixar

Pixar’s animated adventure follows 11 year old Elio Solís who is whisked into the Communiverse and mistaken for Earth’s ambassador after an accidental first contact. The voice cast features Yonas Kibreab as Elio with Zoe Saldaña as Olga along with Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa, and Remy Edgerly as Glordon. The film is directed by Adrian Molina,...

Pixar’s “Elio” is headed home.

The beloved animated studio’s latest feature, about a lonely young boy who gets abducted by aliens, will hit digital tomorrow, Aug. 19, followed by a 4K Uhd, Blu-ray and DVD release on Sept. 9. And ahead of that release, we have an exclusive deleted scene, which you can watch below.

As directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian note in the introduction, this scene was part of a version of the movie that predated their involvement. That version of the movie was very different – chiefly that it was structured around three tests that young Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) must complete after being abducted by aliens and set loose on the Communiverse, a gorgeous, swirling space station full of extraterrestrial “ambassadors.” The scene, as Sharafian notes in the clip, was “for the audience and Elio to meet the ambassadors on an individual level.” Another big difference,...

On Friday August 15 2025, Disney broadcasts Pupstruction!

Bootsy Boots; Tennis Ball Trouble Season 2 Episode 24 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Pupstruction,” titled “Bootsy Boots; Tennis Ball Trouble,” promises to bring excitement and fun to the screen. This episode is set to air on Disney and features the beloved characters in a new adventure filled with challenges and unexpected twists.

In this episode, Bobby faces a tough situation when he loses another assignment to Pupstruction. Frustrated with the outcome, Bobby’s mom decides to step in to help him. Her determination to foil the Pupstruction team’s plans adds a layer of tension to the story. It will be interesting to see how Bobby and his mom work together to overcome the Pupstruction crew’s skills and teamwork.

Meanwhile, Luna finds herself in a bit of a pickle when she accidentally creates a giant tennis ball. This oversized ball rolls away, causing...

Who’s ready to embark on an interstellar adventure? After a few short weeks since its theatrical debut, Disney and Pixar’s Elio is coming home! The animated feature, directed by Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, and Adrian Molina, comes to digital platforms on August 19, with 4K Uhd, Blu-ray, and DVD releases planned for September 9.

The latest chapter in Disney and Pixar’s storytelling legacy will fulfill your sense of wonder about outer space when alien-obsessed Elio Solís suddenly has a close encounter of the intergalactic kind. After trying everything to contact extraterrestrials, Elio is thrilled when they not only respond, but beam him up to their cosmic “Communiverse”. Imagine his surprise when other planetary powers-that-be assume he is the leader of Earth! Elio’s experience in the Communiverse not only expands his horizons but also teaches him how important it is to build connections with loved ones back on Earth.

Pixar’s space adventure Elio has fans eager for its Disney Plus debut—let’s dive into this cosmic journey with a fresh perspective!

What You Need to Know… Elio isn’t on Disney Plus yet, released June 20, 2025, with a projected 90-120 day theatrical window. Directed by Adrian Molina, it follows a boy mistaken for Earth’s ambassador by aliens. Controversy over cut LGBTQ+ and Dei elements stirred debates, with some parents boycotting Disney over those issues, putting Disney in a tough spot. Box office flop: $20.8 million opening, $130.2 million worldwide against $250 million budget. Disney’s streaming strategy for Pixar films may have softened theater turnout—let’s unpack it together!

Is Elio Available on Disney Plus Yet?

As of August 13, 2025, Elio remains off Disney Plus, having premiered in theaters on June 20, 2025. This Pixar animated tale features 11-year-old Elio Solis, voiced by Yonas Kibreab, whisked away by aliens who think he’s Earth’s leader,...

Ready to blast off into space with Elio? Great, because the 2025 animated Pixar film will soon be headed to a home near you on digital. Elio follows an 11-year-old boy named Elio Solís (Yonas Kibreab), who has a difficult time making friends at school. One day, he is abducted by aliens, and the intergalactic creatures become his new friends. But there is only one problem: he becomes mistaken for Earth’s new leader, and he is in no way prepared to take on such a huge role.

Pixar announced that audiences will have a chance to watch Elio on digital on August 19, and it will also be available to purchase on Blu-ray on September 9. According to the official press release, Pixar stated:

"The digital and Blu-ray offer hours of exclusive bonus content including astronautic and artistic featurettes plus a gag reel, deleted scenes and a peek at Pixar’s Easter Egg inclusions.

Pixar's "Elio" was the unfortunate victim of bad marketing, which led to a lackluster box office performance. Though the studio has gotten back on its feet in recent years after a tough early era on Disney+ (and during the Covid-19 pandemic), with major hits like 2023's "Elemental" and 2024's "Inside Out 2," Pixar has still struggled to find the consistent financial wins that used to be a guarantee. Most of that has little to do with the quality of the studio's films, however, which have remained fantastic, and more to do with how Disney has positioned the animation powerhouse, as well as the larger film and streaming landscape. Elio is a great example -- a fun movie that flopped at the box office despite earning strong reviews from critics and viewers alike.

If, like most people, you missed the film at the box office, you'll soon have the opportunity to catch up at home.

After a lukewarm theatrical run, Pixar's Elio has revealed its digital release date. Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina, Elio is an animated sci-fi adventure following an alien-obsessed boy (Yonas Kibreab) who finds himself navigating a crisis of intergalactic proportions when he is mistaken for the ambassador of Earth. The film was released in theaters on June 20, 2025.

Elio received positive reviews, earning a strong 83% Tomatometer and 90% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the Pixar original was a box office disappointment, grossing $148 million against a budget of $150-200 million. While the space-set adventure didn't quite soar at the box office, fans will soon be able to experience the film from the comfort of home.

Now, Disney has announced that Elio will be available on digital platforms on Aug. 19, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, as well as on physical formats like 4K Uhd, Blu-ray,...

Ready to get beamed up with “Elio?”

Pixar’s latest animated feature will arrive on digital on Aug. 19 and on physical media on Sept. 9.

The film has not yet set a Disney+ streaming release date, but that will likely come after the Blu-ray release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIJobTh_Xfs

If you didn’t see “Elio” in theaters, it follows a lonely young boy named Elio (Yonas Kibreab), who feels like he doesn’t fit in and dreams of being abducted by aliens – until one day he does. He’s transported to the Communiverse, a kind of Un for intergalactic dignitaries, and meets a whole host of fascinating creatures. The movie was directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi from a screenplay by Julia Cho, Mark Hammer and Mike Jones. It was produced by Mary Alice Drumm.

The 4K Uhd release will be a fully tricked-out, limited Steelbook edition featuring,...

In the exciting Season 2 Episode 24 of “Pupstruction,” titled “Bootsy Boots; Tennis Ball Trouble,” viewers are in for a wild ride. This episode airs on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:30 Am on Disney. The story promises to deliver plenty of fun and unexpected twists.

In this episode, Bobby finds himself in a tough spot once again. After losing another assignment to the Pupstruction crew, he feels frustrated. His mom decides to step in, determined to help him turn things around. However, her well-meaning intervention might just create more chaos than Bobby expected. The dynamics between Bobby and his mom add a humorous touch to the episode, showcasing the lengths parents will go to support their kids.

Meanwhile, Luna, one of the talented pups, accidentally stumbles upon a big mishap. While working on a project, she creates a giant tennis ball that quickly rolls away, causing a ruckus in town. The sight of...

Pixar has once again launched audiences into a dazzling universe only they could imagine, this time with a spaceship and an intergalactic misunderstanding that catapults Earth’s most unlikely ambassador into the center of a cosmic council. 'Elio' is an ambitious, vibrant, and emotional addition to the Pixar universe. It mixes otherworldly wonder with grounded emotional truth. At its heart, 'Elio' isn’t just about realizing we aren’t alone in the universe. It’s about realizing we aren’t alone in our lives. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment,...

On Friday July 18 2025, Disney broadcasts Pupstruction!

The Petsburg Kite Festival; Muddy Buddies Season 2 Episode 21 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Pupstruction,” titled “The Petsburg Kite Festival; Muddy Buddies,” promises to be an exciting adventure for the lovable pups and their friends. This episode will air on Disney, and fans are eager to see what challenges the team will face.

In the first part of the episode, the scene is set at the vibrant Petsburg Kite Festival. Bobby, one of the main characters, finds himself in a tricky situation when he gets swept away by the wind while flying a kite. The Pups will spring into action to help Bobby, showcasing their teamwork and problem-solving skills. This part of the story is sure to be filled with fun and laughter as the pups navigate the colorful festival and work together to bring Bobby back safely.

The second part of the episode...

Elio has risen up the chart of Pixar's 2020s output for the first time since its debut. The 2025 animated movie follows Elio (Yonas Kibreab), an 11-year-old who is obsessed with aliens and finds himself mistaken for Earth's ambassador by an extraterrestrial organization called the Communiverse.

Although the movie earned a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 82%, the Elio release started off with a whimper, with a 3-day opening weekend gross of $20.8 million marking the worst domestic debut ever for Pixar. Their previous low was their first-ever release, 1995's Toy Story ($29.1 million).

Per Variety, as of Sunday morning, Elio is projected to take in a 3-day total of $4 million at the domestic box office by the end of its fourth weekend in theaters, with a narrow week-on-week drop of roughly 32%. This will push its cumulative domestic total to $63 million.

In addition to making Elio the 16th release of 2025 to pass the $60 million domestic milestone,...

The excitement is building for the upcoming episode of “Pupstruction,” titled “The Petsburg Kite Festival; Muddy Buddies.” This episode, which is set to air on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 6:30 Am on Disney, promises fun and adventure for everyone.

In the first part of the episode, the Pupstruction team heads to the annual kite festival. Bobby, the enthusiastic pup, finds himself in a bit of trouble when a strong gust of wind sweeps him away. The other pups will need to rally together to come to his rescue. Viewers can expect teamwork and clever solutions as the pups navigate the challenges of the festival.

The second part of the episode takes a different turn. Pupstruction is tasked with building a house made entirely of mud. However, things get tricky when a clean neighbor complicates the project. This part of the episode will showcase the pups’ creativity and problem-solving skills as they...

This past weekend, theaters buzzed with excitement as families, thrill-seekers, and movie lovers packed screenings for the Fourth of July holiday. A mix of heart-pounding action, family adventures, and dramatic stories ruled the charts, showing there’s something for everyone at the cinema right now.

From fresh franchise entries to reimagined classics, these films are pulling in big crowds and bigger bucks. Let’s break down the top 10, starting from the bottom and climbing to the top spot.

10. Ballerina (2025) Thunder Road

‘Ballerina’ (2025), a John Wick spin-off from Lionsgate, grabbed $725,000 in its fifth week, sitting at number 10. Its domestic total is $57.3 million, but a 66.9% drop signals it’s losing steam across 923 theaters.

Ana de Armas shines as a vengeful assassin in this action-packed flick. While it carries the Wick name, it’s struggling against summer heavyweights, making its global $92 million feel modest.

9. Materialists (2025) A24

A24’s romantic drama ‘Materialists’ (2025) earned $1.3 million in its fourth week,...

This hasn't been the best year for Pixar. The animation studio's latest release, Elio, has failed to leave a mark at the box office, and even though critics and fans agree that the movie is worth your time – it landed an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a whopping 91% audience score – insiders are new revealing the chaotic circumstances in which the Disney movie was brought to life.

Last week, The Hollywood Reporter unveiled some details from Elio's early days of production, and professionals who abandoned the project revealed that one of the aspects that was cut from the story was the fact that Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) was originally a queer-coded character. However, Disney executives reportedly weren't too happy with that, and the title character started to get more masculine with each revised version. Again, according to insiders, that started to happen when test screenings indicated that audiences...

Disney and Pixar’s newest movie, Elio, which follows a young boy who connects with aliens after being mistaken for Earth’s ambassador, features a secret cameo from a groundbreaking Star Trek captain.Elio, which is currently Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 82% critic score and a 91% audience score, stars Yonas Kibreab as Elio and Zoe Saldaña as his Aunt Olga.

At the beginning of the movie, audiences may recognize a familiar voice. It is that of Kate Mulgrew, who portrayed Captain Kathryn Janeway throughout all seven seasons of Star Trek: Voyager.She broke ground as the first female captain to lead a Star Trek series.

Mulgrew can be heard in the first scene in Elio when the titular young boy and his aunt visit an astronaut museum. Elio ventures off on his own to look at a Voyager 1 craft exhibit. Audiences can then hear the voice of Mulgrew narrating the exhibit.

On Friday July 4 2025, Disney broadcasts Pupstruction!

Pet’s Peak; Toolin’ Around Season 2 Episode 22 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Pupstruction,” titled “Pet’s Peak; Toolin’ Around,” promises to be an exciting adventure for the lovable pups and their friends. In this episode, the team will face a challenge when Chief Howley needs help to put out a fire. The pups will work together, using their skills and teamwork to ensure everything is safe and sound.

As the pups focus on helping Chief Howley, trouble arises when Bobby, the mischievous character, decides to steal their tools. Bobby’s actions prevent the pups from building a new tool shop, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to their day. The episode will showcase the importance of cooperation and problem-solving as the pups figure out how to retrieve their tools and complete their mission.

Viewers can expect plenty of fun and laughter as the pups navigate these challenges.

It's unfortunate, but it doesn't look like Pixar's "Elio" will be another "Elemental" and surprise everyone with a shockingly great box office run. No, "Elio" is a flop, which sucks because the movie is actually rather fun. It's got great alien designs, an entertaining story, and a Carl Sagan quote designed that will make you quite emotional about the possibilities and power of science while also just reminding you of one of the most fascinating minds to walk this planet in the last century.

Sure, it's easy (and not unfair) to blame the marketing for the failure of "Elio" at the box office, combined with the competition from other, higher-profile films. Still, that doesn't change the fact that this simply wasn't Pixar's best. What's more, reports have surface that the movie suffered heavily behind-the-scenes, undergoing creative changes that resulted in a vastly different film hitting theaters than the one...

Those who worked at Pixar while its latest film release, Elio, was in production were delighted by footage they saw roughly two years ago. Among the moments cited as favorites by those at the animation studio at the time included a sequence in which the titular boy collected trash on the beach and turned it into homemade apparel that included a pink tank top; the movie’s team would refer to Elio showing this off to a hermit crab as his “trash-ion show.”

But if you bought a ticket to Elio and don’t remember seeing this, it’s not just that you chose the wrong time to refill your soda. According to multiple insiders who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, Elio was initially portrayed as a queer-coded character, reflecting original director Adrian Molina’s identity as an openly gay filmmaker. Other sources say that Molina did not intend the...

The Hollywood Insider - 'Elio' Movie Review

In a remake-heavy era, 'Elio', Pixar's latest film may be one of its boldest—and most overlooked. The Power of Disney’s Pixar Movies If you grew up with Pixar like I did, you probably know this pattern by now. You watch a film like ‘Big Hero 6’ or ‘Finding Nemo’ as a kid and love it for its fun. But then years later, you rewatch it—and suddenly it hits different. You start to notice what the characters were really feeling, how every line of dialogue meant more than it did before. That’s the beauty of Pixar. And that’s exactly where ‘Elio’ fits in. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision,...

After a record-low opening for Pixar, Elio just achieved a major box office milestone. Pixar's latest release tells the story of the titular Elio (Yonas Kibreab), as he is taken to the galactic Communiverse. He is forced to try to save the Communiverse from a devastating warlord, while also learning more about friendship and the universe itself.

Elio had an underwhelming box office, earning just $35 million worldwide during its debut weekend. That's considering the movie has a budget of $150 million at a low estimate. While Elio's 84% Rotten Tomatoes score was impressive, its box-office performance needed to improve.

Despite opening to a painful tally domestically, week 2 saw a relatively low drop for the family-friendly flick. Per Deadline, Elio earned $3.2 million domestically on Friday and is expected to have a three-day total of $11-12 million. With just a 48% drop, it should finish the weekend at around $42 million, if it achieves the higher end of projections.

Fans of a particular Star Trekseries may have heard a familiar voice in Disney and Pixar’s newest animated movie, Elio.The film, which follows the titular Elio, a young boy who connects with aliens after he is mistaken for an ambassador of Earth, stars Oscar-winner Zoe Saldaña as the voice of Olga and Yonas Kibreab as the boy. It also features the voices of Everybody Loves Raymond’sBrad Garrett and The Good Place’s Jameela Jamil.

But one particular voice is proving to be an Easter egg of sorts for fans of Star Trek.Per ComicBook.com, in Elio’s first scene, the titular young boy and his Aunt Olga (Saldaña) struggle to connect at an astronaut museum. In the movie, Elio’s parents suddenly die, and Olga is left to care for him.

A Fitting Scene for the Voice of a Former Starfleet Captain

In the scene, Elio goes...

The excitement builds as “Pupstruction” returns with Season 2 Episode 22, titled “Pet’s Peak; Toolin’ Around.” This episode promises to be filled with action and teamwork, airing at 6:30 Am on Friday, July 4, 2025, on Disney. Fans of the show will not want to miss the adventures that await the lovable pups.

In this episode, the Pupstruction team steps up to help Chief Howley when a fire breaks out. The pups are ready to use their skills and teamwork to tackle this challenge, showcasing their bravery and problem-solving abilities. As they rush to put out the fire, viewers will see how important it is to work together in tough situations.

Meanwhile, a twist arises when Bobby decides to steal the pups’ tools. He believes that keeping them from building a new tool shop will prevent them from completing their projects. This creates a fun and chaotic situation, as the pups must find...

Elio star Yonas Kibreab is plotting his next move. The 13-year-old actor will voice star in Pinocchio & the Water of Life, an indie animated feature he will also executive produce.

The film is a steampunk-inspired take on the classic story of the wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. Victor Lakisov directs from a script by Mark DeCarlo and Ryan Rowe, based on the characters created by Italian author Carlo Collodi, who introduced the world to Pinocchio in 1883’s The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Per the logline, the film follows “Pinocchio and his sidekick Coot as they try to save his puppet friends from the villainous Faustino—who livestreams their destruction in nightly pay-per-view events.”

“I loved voicing Pinocchio,” said Kibreab in a statement. “The animation is incredible—like nothing I’ve ever seen. Victor is a true artist, and being an executive producer on this project has been such an honor.

Alas, poor Elio — we knew you... kind of.

Pixar's latest original animated feature failed to soar to galactic box-office heights during its opening weekend, instead falling back to Earth with the lowest bow in the studio's history. The sci-fi family comedy barely cleared the $20 million hurdle, landing at $21 million behind the $30 million posted by Danny Boyle's zombie picture 28 Years Later and the $37 million nabbed by last week's repeat champ, How to Train Your Dragon.

Elio's ill fortune wasn't entirely unexpected; the film was originally slated to open last summer, but got the boot to 2025 in favor of Inside Out 2, which became the highest-grossing movie — animated or live-action — of 2024. The delay clearly didn't result in any additional anticipation for the lushly animated feature, which follows the titular space-obsessed orphan (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) on an improbable journey to the stars.

Here's what you need to know about...

The box office failure of Elio shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying one of Pixar’s better recent films!

It seems hard to believe how Pixar has suffered in the last five years. Perhaps it was a poor omen that Onward became the first movie that fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Just one week after the fantasy film opened, movie theaters started shutting down, killing its box office.

That would sadly also send Soul to Disney+ along with Luca, and a bit understandable then, with theaters still mostly closed. However, Turning Red more than deserved a theatrical release rather than going to Disney+, while Lightyear was Pixar’s first major flop.

Elemental had a rough start but grew legs to succeed, while Inside Out 2 was a hit. Sadly, it appears Pixar’s latest, Elio, isn’t going to reach those heights. The sci-fi comedy opened with a weak $30 million,...

[Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers for “Elio”].

Pixar’s “Elio” is the latest reminder of how hard it is for original animation to succeed theatrically, especially with the kind of personal stories being made under Pete Docter’s leadership. The storytelling struggle was so difficult, in fact, that it prompted a course correction. First-time director Adrian Molina (“Coco”) departed his alien abduction comedy-adventure to rejoin Lee Unkrich on “Coco 2” as co-director once again. But he tapped “Coco” story artist Madeline Sharafian to succeed him, trusting her to complete his pet project.

Molina was in good hands: Sharafian deeply connected with “Elio’s” theme of loneliness and the search for belonging, and contributed some wonderful early concept drawings. She even stuck up for Molina during meetings with the Brain Trust when there was pushback.

“I remember being in some of those later meetings with Adrian fighting for some of the scenes in the movie,” Sharafian told IndieWire.

Disney’s Pixar animated movies are experiencing a decline in popularity, with their original titles failing to score big at the box office. The studio recently released its latest feature film, Elio, in theaters. The sci-fi adventure movie garnered positive reviews from critics, resulting in a strong Rotten Tomatoes score.

However, the critical success did not translate to box office success, which is quickly becoming a sad trend for Pixar movies. As a result, Elio‘s middling box office numbers suggest that original Pixar movies are bound to struggle to draw large numbers. Here’s why that might be bad news for cinema.

Elio‘s impressive Rotten Tomatoes score fails to score big at the box office

Pixar’s latest animated movie to hit the big screens is Elio, a heartfelt tale of an eleven-year-old boy who accidentally becomes the intergalactic ambassador of planet Earth and must face the warlord...

Disney and Pixar’s newest animated film is breaking a long-standing record for the studio, and that’s not a good thing. Per Variety, Elio, which debuted in theaters on June 20, has earned just $35 million worldwide during its opening weekend. Of that figure, $14 million came from overseas markets.

The $21 million debut outing domestically is now Pixar’s worst-ever behind films like Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Finding Nemo. Elio took third place at the domestic box office. The 1995 Toy Story earned just over $29 million in its first weekend in theaters.

Disney’s 2023 film Elemental held the title of lowest-grossing international debut with $14.9 million from overseas markets until Elio. Elemental did go on to earn nearly half a billion dollars globally during its theatrical run due to word of mouth.

Critics & Audiences Praised the Film

Elio’s box office performance is surprising, as the film has had good reviews from critics and fans alike.

(from left) Night Fury dragon, Toothless, and Hiccup (Mason Thames) in Universal Pictures’ live-action How to Train Your Dragon, written and directed by Dean DeBlois. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures Copyright © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. What a weekend at the movies! Audiences could choose from a riveting live-action adventure, a spine-tingling revival of a horror favorite, or an animated jaunt into the cosmos that, while it didn’t leave any earthly bounds, could have used some gravitational help to stay aloft. Those are the key choices, aren’t they? And dear readers, you do know there are more like them in multiplexes every week. But there are a couple of titles here that have my attention for problematic rather than positive reasons. In many viewers’ minds, Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon remains firmly established, effortlessly holding the No. 1 spot in its second weekend with an estimated $37 million domestic haul.

While Pixar was hoping to rocket to success, Elio has not been quite as profitable as the studio had hoped. Pixar's latest animated feature is a science-fiction epic about a young boy (Yonas Kibreab) who dreams of being abducted by aliens, only to be shocked when it actually happens. Elio has received astounding reviews, with ScreenRant's Rachel Labonte calling it Pixar's "best movie in years." Unfortunately, despite impressive visuals, strong character work, and a strong sense of humor, the movie is struggling to draw viewers.

According to a report by Variety, Elio is disappointing both domestically and overseas. It debuted in third place at the weekend box office with a domestic total of just $21 million, which is the fourth-lowest opening total in Pixar's history. The movie earned an additional $14 million overseas, which would add up to a global total of $35 million. That is the worst start in Pixar's recent history and could be devastating,...

Pixar creatives explained how Elio's most unexpectedly beloved character was designed to be both cute and terrifying. Elio follows the story of a recently orphaned 11-year-old boy fascinated with space and aliens who gets abducted and mistakenly named Earth's official ambassador in an intergalactic council. Co-directed by Turning Red's Domee Shi, the film explores connection, grief, and identity. While the movieis packed with colorful worlds and cosmic creatures, the standout character is the visually strange but extremely heart-warming companion, Glordon. Now, the team behind Eliois opening up about how the character was brought to life.

Speaking with ScreenRant's Ash Crossan, Domee Shi and producer Mary Alice Drumm described how Glordon evolved from a simple idea into one of the most beloved elements of the film. According to Drumm, the design was inspired by a tardigrade, a microscopic "water bear." The creative team also emphasized that one of...

Elio North America Box Office Day 1 Update (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Pixar’s Elio’s opening-day gross is not very impressive, and it debuted at #3 in the domestic box office chart. However, since it is an original animation, it will depend on word-of-mouth, and it is too early to decide its faith. The film’s opening-day collection at the box office in North America is on the depressing side. Keep scrolling for more.

On a positive note, the animated feature received rave reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics gave it 85% and stated, “Catapulted by its theme of building self-esteem, Pixar’s latest cosmic wonder boasts a fanciful world of original creations to dazzling effect.” The audience also agrees with the critic’s rating, rather a little more, as they gave it 91% on the aggregate site. It will suffer because of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon since they are...

While Elio has no confirmed sequel, audiences generally always want to see the story of Pixar's renowned worlds go on, and that's no different with the studio's latest release. Thankfully, star Yonas Kibreab knows precisely what he would want to see next.

His first film, now playing in theaters worldwide, saw Kibreab's titular character desperate for a place to fit in. This led him to be abducted by aliens and let into an alien society deep in space. There, he also ran into Brad Garrett's Lord Grigon, a warlord recently denied access to the same community that Elios was being quickly accepted into.

The Direct sat down with Yonas Kibreab to discuss Pixar's latest animated adventure. The actor touched on the important themes of friendship while sharing what he wants to see in Elios's next story.

Read full article on The Direct.

Despite its astounding reputation, Pixar has been struggling in recent years, but its recent animated release appears to be a return to its glory days. The studio, which specializes in animated movies, is best known for creating Toy Story (1995), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), and other major franchises. It even specializes in emotional one-off movies, including Up! (2009), Wall-e (2008), and Ratatouille (2007). Those various Pixar films helped to create a sparkling impression of the studio, but it has struggled in recent years.

The 2020s have been a difficult time for Pixar, as several projects have gone straight to streaming, like Turning Red (2022) and Soul (2020). Then, there was a lukewarm reception for movies like Lightyear (2022). Elemental proved to be an exception, as its long legs turned a $30 million opening into an impressive $485 million run. Inside Out 2 (2024) was another major win for the studio, earning $1.7 billion at the box office. While they had impressive totals,...

Elio has just broken a major Pixar box office record. Unfortunately, it's not one that is worth celebrating.

Per Deadline, after earning $3 million in Thursday previews, Elio is looking at an opening weekend in the range of $22 million. Even if Elio manages to make a few million more than expected, it is not likely that the movie will gross more than the opening weekend of Toy Story ($29.1M), meaning that the latest Pixar movie will become the new record holder for the worst domestic debut in the history of the animation studio.Elio's box office struggles come despite receiving largely positive reviews from critics and audiences. The movie has been certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 85% approval rating from critics, and received an excellent A overall CinemaScore.

Elio isn't the first Pixar movie in recent memory to flirt with posting the worst opening weekend for the animation studio. Two years ago,...

Elio has broken a longstanding Pixar box office record after three decades. The new animated movie, which was directed by Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, and Adrian Molina, follows alien-obsessed kid Elio (Yonas Kibreab) being abducted by aliens and befriending the worm-esque Glordon (Remy Edgerly), who helps him defend the intergalactic collective known as the Communiverse when his father Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett) attempts to take it over. The Elio cast also includes Zoe Saldaña as Elio's aunt Olga, Shirley Henderson as liquid supercomputer Ooooo, and Jameela Jamil as Communiverse ambassador Questa.

Per Deadline, as of Saturday morning, Elio is projected to close out its opening weekend at the domestic box office with a 3-day debut total of just over $22 million. This will place it at No. 3 on the domestic box office chart for the weekend, behind the new release horror movie 28 Years Later at No. 2 and the live-action remake How...

The directors of Pixar's latest picture Elio have commented on the story's themes, and how it is something all too many people are familiar with. ScreenRant's Elio review points to loneliness and fighting it as the story's central theme, told through the lens of a delightfully colorful family-friendly space adventure. Pixar's Elio follows Elio (Yonas Kibreab) — an orphan being raised by his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña) — who is desperate to leave Earth and constantly trying to attract an alien abduction for himself. But when he succeeds, he is greeted with a whole host of alien miscommunications.

Speaking with ScreenRant's Ash Crossan, Elio's directors said that they "always pointed back to loneliness as a theme." As they adjust to a new parenting dynamic, "Elio and Olga are both experiencing loneliness within their relationship," and their feelings are mirrored in a child-parent dynamic with a couple of the alien characters.

Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson for Wbgr-fm on June 19th, 2025, reviewing the new animated film “Elio,” another standard bearer for the Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Studios partnership. In theaters on June 20th.

Yonas Kibreab is the voice of Elio, a precocious pre-teen science nerd who recently lost both parents. He is obsessed with contacting life in other galaxies, which perplexes his guardian Aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña), an officer in the air force. Since Aunt Olga is working the satellite system for the military, Elio is able to sneak into the facility when an obvious close encounter occurs. His hastily typed out message gets to tan alien race, who are looking for an earth leader … as in “take me to your leader” … and assumes it’s Elio. When he is picked up by a spacecraft and taken to the peaceful planet – as...

Early box office previews of 28 Years Later and Pixar's Elio show a strong start for both films, with the new zombie horror film pulling ahead. Neither film is currently predicted to top the box office.

Variety reports that 28 Years Later opened with an impressive $5.8 million in Thursday previews, with Pixar's Elio pulling in significantly less with $3 million. The difference between the two numbers is likely due to Elio being a family film, with families typically heading to the cinemas on weekends. Current predictions show 28 Years Later likely to open in the $28-30 million range, with Elio expected to narrow the gap and gross between $25-30 million, too. The live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake is believed to still hold on to the top spot at the box office, with an estimated $40-43 million coming in on its second weekend.

28 Years Later is the third...

They’ve had their time in the sun, so move over live-action adaptations, and make room for a fully animated feature film (so the humans are behind the microphones). After scoring lasr Summer with the box office juggernaut Inside Out 2, the artists of Emoryville, California, are back. But, hold on to your computer monitors, this weekend’s new release is indeed “new”, as in not a sequel. Really, this is a bit of both, or all, worlds as much of this adventure begins on Earth, birthplace of the story’s focus, Elio.

When we first meet the title character, a pre-teen lad called Elio (voice of Yonas Kibreab), he’s having a tough time adjusting to life without his recently departed mother and father. But luckily, he’s been taken in by his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldana), an Air Force major stationed at a base that tracks space debris.