There was a time when the words “a new Pixar movie” felt like a cultural event. You’d expect dazzling animation, unforgettable characters, and an emotional rollercoaster that left both kids and adults in tears—and in theaters. But those glory days seem to be slipping further into the past, especially after the disappointing performance of Elio, the studio’s latest attempt at an original sci-fi tale. What began as a daring new undertaking became the largest box office flop in Pixar history.
A Box Office Belly Flop
Pixar’s Elio, a tale of a boy who is appointed Earth’s ambassador when he’s accidentally taken by aliens, was set to be another imaginative masterpiece. Instead, it flopped and burned, with a harsh $21 million opening against a whopping estimated budget of $150 to $250 million. Even Elemental, which opened slowly but picked up, now seems a relative success in hindsight.
Released at the Worst Possible Time
Part of the issue? Timing. Elio opened against a crowded season filled with high-profile titles. On one side were nostalgia-fueled live-action reboots like Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, attracting the family crowd. On the other, darker, adult-skewing blockbusters like 28 Years Later, swallowing up the remaining box office oxygen. As El País stated, “the timing of the release is unfavorable.” Viewers had too many options, and Elio wasn’t distinctive enough to battle.
The Double-Edged Sword of Originality
Unlike most of the recent entries from Pixar, Elio wasn’t grounded in pre-existing IP. It was new, original, and risky—something Hollywood is becoming more reluctant to do. As animator Jason Donati explained, studios are now hesitant to support anything untested. That risk aversion, though, has its flip side. Without the draw of known characters or a franchise, Elio had trouble enticing viewers already saturated with beloved brands.
A Rocky Production Journey
Off-screen, Elio experienced his share of turmoil. The production underwent several creative overhauls, beginning with Coco co-director Adrian Molina before being handed off to Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian. The narrative changed drastically along the way, allegedly losing some of its initial personality and cultural nuance. Several animators dropped out of the project, and the final product—while visually impressive—was deemed emotionally flat and uninspired by most critics.
Has Pixar Lost Its Spark?
Once, the Pixar brand was synonymous with innovation. Today, even their look feels stagnant. Donati contends the studio has grown too enamored of its presentation, that it has “settled into this stage visually and design-wise where they are cosplaying themselves.” In a time where animation is changing at warp speed, that’s a concern.
Everyone Else Is Leveling Up
While Pixar is playing it safe, its rivals are stepping up their game. DreamWorks and Sony keep reviving brands such as Spider-Man and Puss in Boots with both technical sophistication and compelling storytelling. And it’s not only the majors—indie studios are coming into their own too. This year, Latvia’s Flow stunned the industry by winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature over none other than Pixar’s Inside Out 2.
What Elio Does to Says About Hollywood Today
Elio’s failure isn’t a Pixar problem—it’s a symptom of a greater industry-wide trend. Hollywood is growing more and more risk-averse, holding onto sequels and reboots and avoiding new ideas. But ironically, that risk-aversion can fail you. Being safe doesn’t equal success, and as Elio demonstrates, it may even lead you to failure if there’s no new material to present to audiences.
Where Does Pixar Go From Here?
Pixar is not done, but it’s certainly at a storytelling crossroads. The studio can’t just coast on nostalgia and brand recognition indefinitely. To get back on track, it must do what it did best in the first place: make large creative leaps, be willing to take risks with its stories, and have the courage to reimagine itself. Because today, the magic that originally made Pixar unique is disappearing, and if it doesn’t learn to change, it could find itself lagging