Pixar’s Elio took audiences to a brand new galaxy earlier this yr with its charming mix of humor, emotion, and extraterrestrial misadventure. As Pixar continues to discover daring, unique storytelling, Elio carved out its personal id with this coming-of-age story. Now, audiences who missed the movie in theaters — or just need to revisit it — can achieve this from dwelling very quickly.
Disney has formally introduced that Elio will premiere on Disney+ on September 17. The animated journey follows Elio Solís (Yonas Kibreab), a misunderstood, imaginative boy who by chance turns into Earth’s ambassador to an intergalactic group referred to as the Communiverse. Mistaken for humanity’s chief, Elio should navigate a collection of surprising cosmic challenges and in the end be taught what it means to belong.
Elio is the newest in Pixar’s ongoing legacy of heartfelt, high-concept animated storytelling, however sadly underperformed on the field workplace, grossing simply $154 million on a $150-200 million finances. That being mentioned, Elio scored optimistic critiques, with an 83% Tomatometer and 90% Popcornmeter. The movie is now being positioned as a must-watch for households on streaming.
What The Disney+ Streaming Launch Means For Elio
Elio trying shocked whereas holding a colourful drink in Elio
Elio’s transfer to Disney+ continues a pattern of shortened theatrical-to-streaming home windows for animated movies, following a mannequin beforehand seen with Elemental and Turning Pink, which discovered prolonged life and bigger audiences on streaming. For households, this implies broader accessibility and replay worth, whereas for Disney, it reinforces the function of Disney+ as the house base for all issues Pixar.
Thematically, Elio aligns with Pixar’s latest push towards introspective narratives. Very similar to Inside Out or Luca, the movie balances its fantasy and sci-fi components with deeply emotional, character-driven storytelling. Contemplating Elio’s underperformance on the field workplace, but rave critiques, its arrival on streaming will doubtless immediate a brand new wave of appreciation and a focus for the movie.
Our Take On Elio’s Disney+ Debut
Elio’s Sequel Possibilities & Potential Tales Teased By Pixar Film Administrators
Elio won’t have made the identical cultural splash as earlier Pixar initiatives, however its coronary heart and originality actually do shine. The movie’s distinctive premise, with a lonely child being mistaken for Earth’s chief, looks like a throwback to the traditional Pixar weirdness. Elio’s in the end emotional undercurrent makes the 2025 animated characteristic extra than simply one other alien journey.
Contemplating how audiences have been begging for extra unique content material, it is unusual that Elio was underseen. Nevertheless, that is doubtless because of Pixar’s inconsistent advertising and marketing. That being mentioned, with a September launch date, Elio’s debut on Disney+ is completely timed for fall household viewing, and it is prone to discover new followers amongst those that want the consolation of dwelling.
Elio
9/10
Launch Date
June 20, 2025
Runtime
98 minutes
Director
Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian
Yonas Kibreab
Elio / Different Elio (voice)