The latest offering from Pixar, Elio has all the charm, whimsy and heart that you would expect from a Disney/Pixar movie. I was really excited to watch this as ever since I was a kid, I have had an interest in life on other worlds and this movie leans heavily into that as well as how lonely and scary childhood can be.
Where to Watch Elio
Elio was released on June 20, 2025. You can expect to be able to stream the film from Disney+ when several months pass from its theatrical release date.
The Movie Review
Before we get to how good this movie is, we have to talk about how this has horribly underperformed at the box office. This is one of those movies that truly did not deserve to lose at the box office. I read an interview where someone at Disney made a great point about how people complain that Hollywood has no new ideas, but when they do come up with a fun idea and put a ton of money and effort behind it, no one goes to see it!
Box Office Struggles and Poor Timing
While Elio being a whole new property may have made some people not sure exactly what it is. I have to be honest, I do think that Disney is partially to blame here. They released Elio at a horrible time. Elio came out in the same release window as the likes of How to Train Your Dragon, Jurassic World: Rebirth and Superman! Three massive franchises! In a time when people do not have as much disposable income, many families may only be able to see one movie, and it is understandable why they would go for something they are familiar with.
Plot Overview: Elio’s Galactic Journey
The trailer of Elio gives you the basics of what the movie is about. Elio is a lovable kid who lives with his Aunt after his parents died, and he dreams of being abducted by aliens. The way that they show why Elio has a love for outer space and potential life on other worlds is very well done, and it just makes you smile and want to give Elio a big hug. Also, Elio deals with some of the worst bullies ever in a Disney movie! These kids are straight-up assholes, and I so wanted Elio to kick their asses! However, he is such a nice kid that it is just not in his character.
A New Pixar Hero for a New Generation
Well, Elio ends up making contact with aliens, and they come and abduct him! Turns out that these aliens think that Elio is responsible for the Voyager space mission, and he is going to be the ambassador for Earth! While this is going down, Elio meets an alien and they become friends, but this alien’s dad is a fierce warlord, and as you would expect, this causes some problems.
Friendship, Heart, and Stunning Animation
Seeing Elio have a friend is great, and you realize that a friend and someone who likes him for being him is all that he ever really wanted. Elio 100 percent has that Disney/Pixar magic right from the start, and it will take you through every end of the emotional spectrum. In addition to this, we have a fantastic cast and some amazing visuals. The level of imagination here is off the charts, and you can tell that Pixar went all in on this to make it a true treat for the eyes. I am so glad I was able to see this on the big screen, as it certainly had the wow factor.
Why You Should Watch Elio on Streaming
I hope that when Elio hits Disney+ Plus, the movie finds its audience and people realize what a fantastic movie this is. This is a movie that can be enjoyed by the whole family. While I think it is awesome that Pixar made this wonderful and charming story, you do have to put a large portion of the blame on the underperformance of the movie for them releasing it when they did. I highly, highly recommend that when this does come to streaming, you make a real effort to watch it.
