Elio Box Office Tracking Data: Why Pixar’s Latest Is Struggling Despite Strong Reviews

Disney and Pixar’s Elio, released on June 20, 2025, has sparked curiosity with its cosmic tale of a boy mistaken for Earth’s intergalactic ambassador. However, the Elio Box Office Tracking Data paints a disappointing picture, with the film earning $23,023,163 domestically (62%), $14,120,880 internationally (38%), and $37,144,043 worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

Despite positive reviews and an “A” CinemaScore, Elio marks Pixar’s lowest opening weekend ever. This article dives into the film’s underperformance, exploring why it’s struggling at the box office and what it means for Pixar’s future.

What Is Elio About?

Elio follows 11-year-old Elio Solis (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), a space-obsessed boy beamed into the “Communiverse” and mistaken for Earth’s ambassador. Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina, the film features a stellar cast, including Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, and Jameela Jamil.

With a $150 million production budget (excluding marketing), Elio aims to charm with its original story of self-discovery and alien friendships. Yet, its box office numbers tell a different story.

How Is Elio Performing at the Box Office?

The Elio Box Office Tracking Data reveals a grim start. Opening in 3,750 North American theaters, Elio grossed $23,023,163 domestically, landing third behind How to Train Your Dragon ($37 million) and 28 Years Later ($30 million).

Internationally, it earned $14,120,880 across 51 markets, with top performers including Korea ($1.8 million), Mexico ($1.4 million), and France ($1.3 million). The worldwide total of $37,144,043 is the lowest debut in Pixar’s history, undercutting Elemental’s $44.5 million global opening in 2023.

Why Is Elio Underperforming Despite Positive Reviews?

Despite an 85% critics’ score and 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, plus an “A” CinemaScore, Elio is faltering. Here are the key reasons:

1. Weak Marketing Efforts

Disney’s marketing for Elio has been criticized as lackluster. Fans on X noted minimal promotional buzz, with trailers failing to capture the film’s charm.

Unlike Inside Out 2, which benefited from a robust campaign, Elio’s social media presence lagged 30% below family animation norms, per RelishMix. This low visibility likely left audiences unaware of the release.

2. Tough Competition

Elio faced a crowded box office, competing with Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon remake and Sony’s 28 Years Later. Both films, with established fanbases, drew family and genre audiences away. Lilo & Stitch’s ongoing success ($910 million globally) further split the family demographic, overshadowing Elio’s original premise.

3. Original Story Challenges

Original animated films often struggle against sequels or remakes, a trend evident in 2024’s top earners like Moana 2 and Inside Out 2. Elio’s unfamiliar story, despite its quality, lacks the built-in audience of franchises. Its younger-skewing appeal (39% under 12) may have limited broader draw compared to Inside Out 2’s wider demographic.

4. Pixar’s Shifting Brand Perception

Pixar’s theatrical dominance has waned since the pandemic, with films like Luca and Turning Red sent to Disney+. Lightyear (2022) also underperformed, and Elemental needed months to recover from a weak start. Audiences may no longer see Pixar releases as must-see theatrical events, impacting Elio’s turnout.

5. High Budget and Expectations

With a $150 million production cost (some estimates cite $250-$300 million including marketing), Elio needs roughly $300-$700 million globally to break even. Its $37 million start makes this unlikely, though Elemental’s eventual $496 million offers hope for a long-tail run.

Can Elio Recover Like Elemental?

Elemental overcame a $29.6 million domestic debut to gross $496 million worldwide, thanks to strong word-of-mouth and minimal competition.

Elio’s positive reviews and “A” CinemaScore suggest potential for similar legs, especially with no major animated releases until Smurfs on July 18.

However, its lower starting point and international school schedules may hinder growth. Disney remains optimistic, banking on holiday periods to boost numbers.

What Does This Mean for Pixar’s Future?

Elio’s flop raises questions about Pixar’s reliance on original stories. While Inside Out 2 ($1.69 billion) proved Pixar’s sequel strength, originals like Elio face higher risks.

Posts on X suggest Pixar needs better marketing and development to recapture its Coco or WALL-E glory. The studio’s next theatrical release, Toy Story 5 in 2026, will likely fare better as a franchise entry.

Highlights of Elio Box Office Performance  

• Domestic Gross: $23,023,163 (62%) across 3,750 theaters.

• International Gross: $14,120,880 (38%) from 51 markets.

• Worldwide Total: $37,144,043, Pixar’s lowest opening ever.

• Budget: $150 million (production), potentially $250-$300 million with marketing.

• Reviews: 85% critics, 91% audience on Rotten Tomatoes; “A” CinemaScore.

• Competition: How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later, Lilo & Stitch.

• Release Date: June 20, 2025, delayed from March 2024.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The Elio Box Office Tracking Data underscores a challenging debut for Pixar’s latest, with $37,144,043 worldwide against a hefty budget.

Despite glowing reviews, weak marketing, fierce competition, and the risks of an original story have grounded Elio’s launch.

Yet, with strong audience reception, there’s hope for a slow-burn success like Elemental. Stream Elio in theaters and join the X conversation about Pixar’s cosmic misstep.

Will Elio find its audience? Only time will tell.