Elio

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It’s not trying to mince words: Elio hasn’t fared well at the cinemas. The recently released Pixar film, which made its debut in third place during its initial weekend on the 2025 movie schedule, recorded the studio’s poorest opening since its establishment. As a parent who took my children to watch it and found its themes and space exploration captivating, I believe I understand why the movie is underperforming in theaters.

To clarify, it’s not about parental protests or the quality of the film that’s keeping people away from Elio. Quite the contrary, I found it to be an exceptional Pixar adventure, as many critics have pointed out. So, what gives? Why isn’t this movie packing theaters? The answer is a complex one with several contributing factors. Brace yourself for a deep dive into one of the most intriguing movie mysteries of 2023.

First Off, Elio Was A Good Movie And Is Worth A Watch

Allow me to share my thoughts upfront: I found “Elio” to be an enjoyable film that both parents and children might appreciate. Although there are certain narrative challenges mentioned in TopMob’s review, the movie compensates for these shortcomings with its abundance of creativity and exceptional animation.

The film we watched never caused any boredom among my children, which is quite unusual given their ages and our frequent cinema outings. Even my youngest, who often uses “I need to go to the bathroom” as a euphemism for being bored, seemed engaged throughout. While certain aspects of the movie seemed tailored more towards adult viewers (to be discussed later), the thrill of space travel and fascinating characters captivated all three of my kids.

It’s Just Really Expensive To Take Your Kids To The Movies These Days, Especially For Something New

It’s not secret information, but let me tell you, it costs quite a bit to take your children to the cinema nowadays. Similar to many other aspects of life, going to the movies can be a rather expensive endeavor, and that cost extends beyond just the ticket price.

Fortunately, I got an invitation to a pre-release film showing, avoiding the cost of four cinema tickets. Unfortunately, fortune didn’t favor me at the concession stand as my kids’ preferred snacks and drinks added up to approximately $50 – that’s quite steep! And if you suggest we skip the snacks, just imagine trying to deny a 5-year-old candy when everyone else around them is enjoying it.

In today’s world, where costs seem to soar unendingly, the cinema experience appears undeniably steep, leaving me pondering if this could be a significant factor deterring audiences, particularly when it comes to original films such as this one.

Plus, Elio Is Going To Be On Disney+ In A Few Months, So I’m Not Surprised If People Wait It Out

One possible reason parents might not take their kids to see the movie Elio is because it will soon be available for streaming on Disney+, a subscription many people already have. Instead of spending over $100 on tickets and concessions in June, they can wait until fall when school starts and watch the movie at home with their own snacks, saving both money and providing comfort.

It’s worth noting that we encountered a situation analogous to what happened with Transformers One in September 2024, where the film was highly acclaimed yet didn’t perform exceptionally well at the box office. This was due to the fact that it was soon to be available on Paramount+ subscription service. I’m not advocating for studios like Disney to completely withhold their movies from streaming platforms, but perhaps they could consider a delay in release if they want to entice more viewers to theaters.

The Delay And Marketing Didn’t Really Help The Movie That Much

The movie titled “Elio” has experienced a delay, much like many other films do. Initially slated for release in March 2024, Deadline announced this in September 2022. However, due to factors such as the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the launch date was pushed back by over a year. I’m not accusing Pixar of anything beyond their control, but it seems the initial momentum has been lost following this delay.

Instead of attributing Elio’s poor opening to the audience, it seems there were marketing issues that may have kept people from learning about the film. When we posted a story on TopMob’s Facebook page regarding those comments, several users mentioned they either discovered Elio through Happy Meals after its release or didn’t catch any trailers at all. I’m not sure what led to this seemingly overlooked marketing strategy, but it appears many were unaware of the new Pixar movie.

It Feels Like Elio Is More Of An Animated Movie For Parents, Which Isn’t Necessarily A Bad Thing

Elio seems to be a fantastic animated film catering more towards adults due to its profound themes on parenthood, love, and acceptance. It almost appears as if the depth and maturity of these topics might discourage parents from watching with their children. However, I do believe that incorporating such adult themes into an animated movie enhances the overall emotional impact, making it a richer experience for viewers.

Absolutely! As a film aficionado, let me tell you, the title character in this movie, with his captivating eye patch and insatiable thirst for adventure, ranks among Pixar’s finest creations in recent memory. The visuals are simply breathtaking, showcasing some of the studio’s best work to date, and the diverse cast of characters is nothing short of extraordinary.

However, what truly sets this film apart is its incorporation of the legacy of Carl Sagan, the renowned astronomer who captivated audiences with the Cosmos series in the 80s and was instrumental in the creation of the Voyager Golden Record. While kids might not grasp the full significance of this, it’s a fascinating element that adds depth to the story. I just hope that this doesn’t deter potential viewers.

Regarding Elio’s disappointing initial performance at the box office, there remains optimism for the latest Pixar film. After all, remember how Elemental had a modest start in 2023 but ultimately grossed $400 million? There’s a strong possibility that a similar outcome could occur here.

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2025-06-27 17:09