For decades, Pixar Animation Studios has been synonymous with groundbreaking animation and heartfelt storytelling. The studio’s pioneering spirit began in 1995 with Toy Story, the first-ever feature-length film made entirely with computer animation. Since then, Pixar has delivered unforgettable hits like Monsters, Inc.(2001), Cars (2006), Up (2009), Inside Out (2015), and Coco (2017) — movies that have captivated audiences of all ages and set a high standard for animated storytelling.
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But in recent years, that winning streak has faced some serious challenges. The industry itself has been through upheaval, from the rise of streaming platforms to the lingering effects of a global pandemic. While Pixar once dominated the box office with family-friendly originals, the landscape has shifted dramatically.
The question on many fans’ minds now is whether Pixar can regain its footing with its upcoming release, or if the studio’s latest offering will continue the trend of disappointing returns.
The journey to this point has been bumpy. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Pixar hard. Onward (2020) barely had a theatrical run before theaters shut down. Then came a string of films — Soul (2020), Luca (2021), and Turning Red (2022) — that skipped theaters altogether, heading straight to Disney+.
This strategy, while understandable at the time, seemed to blunt the impact of these movies on audiences and the box office alike.
Things didn’t improve with Lightyear in 2022. Despite high expectations, the Buzz Lightyear spin-off bombed, leading to over $100 million in losses for Disney. The backlash was severe enough that nearly every executive tied to the film was let go during subsequent layoffs, signaling the studio’s frustration with Pixar’s struggles.
Yet, there was a bright spot in the summer of 2024. Inside Out 2 defied expectations and soared to nearly $1.7 billion worldwide, becoming Pixar’s highest-grossing film ever and the second-biggest animated hit of all time. It was a reminder that Pixar still had the magic touch — at least, when it came to sequels of beloved originals.
Related: New Disney and Pixar Movies; Original Stories or More of the Same?
But the studio’s next big project, Elio, threatens to undo some of that momentum.
Announced back in 2022, Elio tells the story of a boy obsessed with aliens who is mistakenly recruited by an intergalactic organization to represent Earth and help prevent a cosmic disaster. It sounds like a promising premise, but the movie’s path to release has been anything but smooth.
Initially scheduled to premiere in theaters on March 1, 2024, Elio was delayed first due to the SAG/AFTRA strike, pushing the release to June 13, 2025. Then, to avoid competing with the highly anticipated live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie, Disney shifted Elio’s release back a week to June 20.
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Unfortunately, that extra week doesn’t seem to have helped.
Industry insiders and ticket pre-sale data suggest Elio is on track for a domestic opening weekend of just $35 to $45 million — a disappointing start considering the movie’s enormous budget, which reportedly neared $300 million.
Pixar’s ‘ELIO’ is early tracking to earn $35M-$45M on its
domestic box office opening weekend.• Budget was nearly $300M
• Potentially becoming the 2nd worst debut for a Pixar film
Pixar’s ‘ELIO’ is early tracking to earn $35M-$45M on its domestic box office opening weekend.
• Budget was nearly $300M
• Potentially becoming the 2nd worst debut for a Pixar film pic.twitter.com/3XuV2hof1c
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) May 30, 2025
Fans and critics alike are divided on the reasons behind Elio’s underwhelming prospects. Many blame Disney’s marketing decisions, pointing to a lackluster promotional campaign that failed to build excitement. The film was overshadowed by the hype around Pixar’s series Win or Lose and the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch (2025), both of which drew more attention.
Others criticize the trend of pouring massive budgets into animated movies. Inside Out 2 reportedly cost $200 million to make, and Elio’s $300 million price tag raises questions about whether studios should scale back spending to ensure better returns.
people saying this is an audience issue but a $45 million domestic opening weekend would be perfectly reasonable if the movie hadn’t cost $100 million MORE to make than inside out 2. make movies on smaller budgets and your box office will be more proportional 🤷
people saying this is an audience issue but a $45 million domestic opening weekend would be perfectly reasonable if the movie hadn’t cost $100 million MORE to make than inside out 2. make movies on smaller budgets and your box office will be more proportional 🤷 https://t.co/VDjcVPLI0N
— farmer kansas (@imnotkassie) May 31, 2025
Of course, there are defenders of Pixar and Disney who argue the studio faces a no-win situation. Critics often slam Disney for over-relying on sequels and live-action remakes, but when original films do come out, they don’t always perform well.
Take Elemental from 2023, which was praised by critics and audiences but failed to make a splash at the box office. Its success on Disney+ proved that streaming views don’t necessarily translate to theater attendance — a crucial metric for studios.
Elio hits theaters nationwide on June 20, with Yonas Kibreab voicing Elio, Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, and Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa.
Will you be heading to theaters for Elio or waiting for the Disney+ release? What do you think is behind Pixar’s recent box office struggles? Share your thoughts in the comments below — your voice matters in this conversation about the future of animated storytelling.
