Elio (2025): Pixar’s Return to Original Storytelling but With No Spotlight
In Elio (2025), Pixar’s latest original feature, an introverted young boy is accidentally beamed into the “Communiverse,” an intergalactic council of aliens, where he is mistaken for Earth’s official ambassador. Grieving, imaginative, and misunderstood, Elio forms an unexpected bond with a friendly alien named Glordon as he navigates cosmic politics, friendship, and his sense of identity in a strange new world.
The Elio (2025) trailer looked promising as well. But then, it failed miserably.
Let’s Dive Into It
The studio that once set the gold standard for animation now seems stuck. Elio (2025) came and went so quietly that most people didn’t even know it was in theaters. The marketing was so minimal, it felt like Pixar had forgotten to tell the world it existed. They know audiences are tired of remakes and are looking for something fresh. Elio is exactly that — a heartfelt, ambitious new idea. So why didn’t Disney-Pixar promote it?
Directed by Madeline Sharafian (Burrow), Domee Shi (Bao, Turning Red), and Adrian Molina (co-director and co-writer of Coco), and produced by Mary Alice Drumm (associate producer of Coco), Elio is a sweet, visually rich film that begins with a familiar setup: a lonely, misunderstood boy living with his aunt after losing his parents. The Elio movie cast includes Yonas Kibreab, who voices Elio, a kid who is quiet, curious, and full of emotion, and Zoe Saldaña (Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek), who voices Major Olga Solís, Elio’s strict but loving aunt.
When Elio wished to be abducted by aliens, it happened.
From that point on, the movie comes alive. Elio is thrown into a vibrant alien world, mistaken for Earth’s ambassador, and meets Glordon — a quirky and lovable alien who becomes his closest friend. The second half is especially strong. The Elio (2025) soundtrack features beautiful lo-fi space opera music and tender moments. It explores themes of identity, grief, and connection.
At its emotional core is a line that sums up Elio’s journey perfectly: “Unique can sometimes feel like alone.” And yet, despite all that potential, Elio (2025) barely made a ripple in the cultural conversation.
Critics who reviewed Elio (2025) said it had the right ingredients for a Pixar comeback — a fun idea, emotional depth, and sincere performances. But it didn’t quite take off. Many Elio movie reviews mentioned that the story had heart.
Which brings us to the real question: where was the marketing?
Was It Poor Marketing or Something Deeper?
In a world where live-action remakes like Lilo & Stitch (2025) dominate headlines, Elio — a $300 million original film — opened to just $21 million. The Elio (2025) box office tanked so badly that it was Pixar’s worst debut ever. The lack of proper marketing suggests a lack of confidence in its own original stories. Elio didn’t fail because of its originality; it failed because Pixar didn’t support it with the belief and visibility it deserved.
But part of the blame also lies within the film and the animation itself. Even the Elio movie reviews that praised the emotional core couldn’t ignore the missteps. The animation style feels outdated. Elio (2025) reviews from people who did catch the movie say that the “bean mouth” character design — seen in Luca, Turning Red (2024), and now Elio — lacks the expressive detail and innovation Pixar was once known for. The visuals feel flat, and the humor often misses the mark, coming off as either too safe or tonally inconsistent.
This raises a more urgent question: is the real issue just poor marketing, or is Pixar still not fully listening to its audience?
Yes, we want original stories. But we also want originality in how they look, feel, and move. We want the kind of animation that surprises us again, not just emotionally, but visually too. It’s not enough to stop remaking old tales. The real challenge now is to make the new ones unforgettable.
Conclusion
Elio isn’t a failure of storytelling; it’s a failure of belief. A gentle, sincere film that deserved more love than it received, Elio is a reminder that originality alone isn’t enough. In today’s attention economy, it needs to be championed, amplified, and — above all, made to stand out. As highlighted in multiple Elio (2025) movie reviews, it’s a film that wants to say something meaningful about grief, identity, and connection. But in the absence of bold animation choices and real promotional push, those messages got lost in the void.
Pixar had the chance to reconnect with its original audience — families looking for heart, kids craving adventure, and longtime animation fans nostalgic for that old Pixar magic — but missed the moment.
If Disney Pixar wants to reclaim its crown, it must not only listen to what audiences want but also be brave enough to deliver it boldly.
Quick Facts!
- Worst Opening Weekend in Pixar History – Elio grossed just $21 million domestically and $14 million internationally during its opening weekend—marking the worst opening ever for a Pixar film.
- Director Swap Mid-Production – Originally conceived and directed by Adrian Molina, he stepped fully back in mid-2024. Co-directors Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian (Burrow) then took over to complete the film.
- Queer-Coded Protagonist Erased – Early development included subtle queer cues for Elio, such as a “trash-ion show” and potential same-sex crush, reflecting Molina’s vision. These elements were cut before release, partially due to the leadership change.
- Glordon was a Fan Favorite – The quirky alien Glordon, voiced by child actor Remy Edgerly with tender energy, became an unexpected fan favorite.
- Signature Pixar Tech – Elio was animated using Pixar’s in-house system Presto and rendered with RenderMan, maintaining the studio’s visual legacy.
Why Should You Watch It?
- A Bold Original Story in a Sequel-Heavy Era – In a time dominated by franchises and remakes, Elio dares to be original, offering a standalone sci-fi adventure.
- A Relatable Protagonist for Outsiders and Dreamers – Elio is a tender, imaginative misfit navigating grief, anxiety, and self-worth. His journey resonates with anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong.
- The “Communiverse” Worldbuilding – From jellyfish-like delegates to cosmic bureaucracy, the alien world is fun, creative, and visually filled with Pixar’s worldbuilding charm.
- Glordon’s Gentle Comic Relief – Voiced by Remy Edgerly, Glordon is sweet, poetic, and genuinely funny, a standout character who softens even the film’s heaviest moments.
QUICK SCAN | Things to Know Before Watching
PROS
- Original storytelling
- Powerful themes of grief, identity, and belonging
- Strong voice acting
- Wholesome Elio–Glordon friendship arc
- Dan Romer’s lo-fi space opera soundtrack is atmospheric and moving
CONS
- Weak marketing push and visibility
- Unfocused direction post-director switch
- Underdeveloped supporting characters
- Outdated animation style
- Pacing issues — the film’s emotional beats sometimes get lost in slower stretches
- Missed representation — queer subtext removed
