Pixar’s Elio is the kind of film that rewards with that lingering, floating feeling when the credits start to roll, the feeling that you’ve just seen something beautiful and touching. Elio is a movie about feeling small in the face of the gigantic universe, about wanting to belong to something greater than yourself, and about finding that connection in unexpected ways. If Elio has inspired you to want more cosmic adventures, touching friendships, and stories about kids with big emotions set against even bigger backdrops, then here are ten movies to take you on that journey.
10. Treasure Planet
Treasure Planet takes a basic storyline about an adventure. It shoots it off into outer space by reimaging the sci-fi classic Treasure Island as a futuristic tale of solar-powered spacecraft and unknown worlds. At its core is Jim Hawkins, a restless youth in pursuit of something greater than himself.
What makes it a great companion to Elio is its sense of imagination. The universe feels alive and expansive, full of wildly creative designs. There is a sense of discovery within it, much like the crowded, alien-filled Communiverse Elio is part of.
Emotionally, Treasure Planet is a story of guidance, trust, and found families. The relationship between Jim and John Silver has the same level of warmth as one might find with those friends of Elio’s, proving that sometimes the most meaningful relationships come from the most unlikely of places.
9. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
If The Mitchells vs. the Machines appears to be a quick and chaotic film about robot apocalypses on the surface, at heart, it’s actually very sweet and sentimental in its focus on family and learning to love people even when they think differently from the character.
As is the case for Elio, it is a movie about another young creative person who feels misunderstood by the world and tries to connect in her own way. The struggle for Katie Mitchell to be seen is analogous to the struggle for Elio to be understood by those around him who love him.
While aliens are replaced by malfunctioning AI, the emotional content is the same. Both movies use the chaos of sci-fi to remind audiences that, in the end, accepting diversity, not fearing it, can help save a relationship or the world.
8. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Prior to Pixar launching a kid into space diplomacy, “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” treated viewers to a child inventor whose curiosity literally extended to the stars. The genius of Jimmy Neutron gets him into trouble because he inadvertently calls attention to himself with aliens, with potentially world-changing consequences.
You can see the similarity to Elio at work here, a studious and lonely teenager whose interest in space spawned a first contact story. Both share a balance of comedy, adventure, and responsibility with the importance of thee.
Despite being softer and cartoonish in style, Jimmy Neutron has an important and familiar moral about not taking one’s loved ones for granted. It is a nostalgic choice that works well because it is significant and evocative for those who have grown up dreaming of rockets, distant stars, and galaxies.
7. WALL-E
Few animated films capture loneliness and hope as beautifully as WALL-E. Pixar’s trash-collecting robot spends years alone on a deserted Earth before stumbling into an adventure that reconnects humanity with its purpose.
While Elio focuses on belonging through interstellar friendships, WALL-E explores isolation and connection through silence and visual storytelling. Both films use space not just as a setting, but as a metaphor for emotional distance and longing.
The result is deeply moving. If Elio made you reflect on where you fit in the universe, WALL-E extends that feeling, reminding viewers that even the smallest acts of care can spark enormous change.
6. The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant tells the story of a boy who befriends a massive robot from outer space, forging a bond rooted in trust and compassion. Despite its Cold War backdrop, the film’s message feels timeless.
Much like Elio’s friendship with an alien outsider, Hogarth’s connection with the Giant is built on empathy and understanding. Both films argue that kindness, not power, is what truly defines strength.
Emotionally rich and quietly devastating, The Iron Giant is a story about choice and identity. It pairs perfectly with Elio for anyone drawn to stories where friendship transcends fear.
5. Strange World
Disney’s Strange World dives into an unexplored ecosystem filled with bizarre creatures and unfamiliar terrain. At its core, though, it’s about family tension and generational disconnect.
Like Elio, the film thrives on discovery, both external and internal. The strange landscapes echo Elio’s cosmic surroundings, while the emotional journey centers on learning to listen and adapt.
The film’s strength lies in its willingness to portray family relationships as messy but meaningful. If Elio resonated because of its emotional honesty, Strange World offers a similar mix of spectacle and sincerity.
4. Turning Red
Directed by Domee Shi, who also helped bring Elio to life, Turning Red explores adolescence through a wildly imaginative lens. Mei’s transformation into a giant red panda is both hilarious and painfully relatable.
Like Elio, the film captures the awkwardness of growing up and the fear of disappointing family. Both stories focus on young protagonists learning to embrace who they are—even when it’s overwhelming.
Bold, funny, and emotionally raw, Turning Red pairs beautifully with Elio. Together, they show Pixar at its best: telling deeply personal stories through playful, inventive worlds.
3. Over the Moon
Over the Moon follows Fei Fei, a determined young girl who builds a rocket to meet a mythical moon goddess. Her journey is fueled by grief, curiosity, and hope.
The emotional parallels to Elio are strong. Both characters are navigating loss and longing, looking to the stars for answers when life on Earth feels uncertain.
Visually dazzling and emotionally tender, Over the Moon blends fantasy with space exploration in a way that feels gentle and sincere, perfect for viewers still riding Elio’s emotional wave.
2. Lilo & Stitch
At its heart, Lilo & Stitch is about finding family in unexpected places. Lilo’s bond with Stitch, a chaotic alien experiment, mirrors Elio’s connection to beings who help him feel less alone.
Both films center on kids who don’t quite fit in, discovering that being different can be a source of strength. Humor and heart work hand in hand, creating stories that are funny, messy, and deeply emotional.
With its emphasis on chosen family and unconditional love, Lilo & Stitch remains one of Disney’s most touching films and a perfect match for fans of Elio’s themes.
1. Luca
If there’s one movie that truly captures the emotional soul of Elio, it’s Luca. Set in a sunlit Italian seaside town, the film follows a sea monster boy experiencing the human world for the first time.
Like Elio, Luca is a gentle coming-of-age story about identity, friendship, and courage. Both protagonists feel out of place, yet find freedom and belonging through connection.
Warm, sincere, and quietly powerful, Luca leaves viewers with the same tender ache as Elio. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is be yourself.
Elio taps into something universal: the desire to be seen, understood, and accepted. These films carry that same emotional spark, whether through space travel, unlikely friendships, or deeply personal journeys.