Disney and Pixar’s "Elio" Struggles in Box Office Debut: A Closer Look at the Animated Adventure’s Performance
Disney and Pixar’s latest animated film, “Elio,” has faced a rocky start at the box office. The film earned just $14 million internationally and a total of $35 million worldwide during its debut weekend, marking the lowest opening figures in Pixar’s illustrious history. This is a notable setback for the studio known for beloved classics like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” and “Finding Nemo.”
Previously, the title of the lowest-grossing debut was held by Pixar’s 2023 release, “Elemental,” which raked in $14.9 million overseas and $44.5 million globally. However, thanks to strong audience reviews and word-of-mouth, “Elemental” managed to thrive over the summer, eventually grossing nearly $496 million worldwide.
“Elio” has also received positive feedback from viewers, and Disney is optimistic that the film—centered around a young boy mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to aliens—will gain traction in theaters over the coming months. This is particularly important as the film had a hefty production budget of $150 million, not including significant marketing costs.
In terms of competition, “Elio” may have an advantage since it faces little animated rivalry until Paramount’s “Smurfs” hits theaters on July 18. Meanwhile, Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” continues to soar at the box office, amassing $53.5 million from 81 markets in its second weekend. The live-action adaptation has now grossed $197 million overseas and $385 million globally, demonstrating that audiences still have a strong affinity for Hiccup, Toothless, and the enchanting world of Berk, first introduced in the beloved 2010 animated film. Universal is set to capitalize on this success with a live-action sequel, “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” scheduled for release in 2027.
In second place, Sony’s zombie thriller “28 Years Later” debuted with $30 million from 59 markets, matching its North American earnings for a total of $60 million globally. The film, a sequel to the iconic “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later,” follows a group of survivors navigating a world ravaged by a contagious rage virus nearly three decades after it first emerged. With a budget of $60 million, “28 Years Later” is poised to become the highest-grossing film in its franchise, surpassing “28 Days Later,” which earned $75 million globally. Sony aims to launch a new zombie trilogy, led by the creators of the original films, Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, with the sequel “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” set for release in 2026.
Despite the challenging debut for “Elio,” there is still optimism at Disney. The live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” has found great success, grossing $523.6 million overseas and an impressive $910 million globally after five weekends. This film is on track to become the first billion-dollar release of the year.
As the box office landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how “Elio” will fare in the coming weeks, but with positive audience reception and minimal competition, there’s hope for a turnaround.
