Pixar’s $154 Million Sci-Fi Flop ELIO Becomes a Streaming Hit on Disney+
For decades, Pixar was the gold standard for animated films, effortlessly dominating the box office with original stories and sequels alike. But in recent years, things have shifted dramatically.
The studio that gave us some of the most beloved movies of all time has seen its box office magic fade, with several films underperforming since the pandemic.
The latest example was the sci-fi adventure Elio, which opened to Pixar’s lowest numbers ever and quickly went down as a theatrical bomb, which was a bummer, because it was actually a good movie. But now, Elio is getting a second life thanks to Disney+.
According to FlixPatrol, Elio has shot to the top of Disney+’s streaming charts, claiming the No. 1 spot ahead of the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. That’s a big win for a movie that barely made a dent in theaters, but it also underscores a bigger issue that Pixar and Disney are grappling with.
During the pandemic, three Pixar films, Soul, Luca, and Turning Red, skipped theaters entirely and went straight to Disney+. It was a smart move at the time, ensuring families could watch safely at home without extra fees.
But the downside is that audiences got used to the idea that new Pixar movies are something you stream on the couch instead of buying tickets for. Even now, with theaters back in full swing, Pixar hasn’t quite managed to shake that perception.
That shift has had a noticeable impact. Outside of last summer’s Inside Out 2, which raked in over $1 billion worldwide, Pixar’s recent lineup has struggled to make a dent theatrically. Lightyear and Elio both bombed, while Elemental had to fight hard to turn things around through word of mouth.
And yet, family-friendly movies are thriving. This year’s box office champs include Lilo & Stitch and A Minecraft Movie, proving families are still going out to theaters, it just seems like they’re not going for Pixar’s originals.
The fact that Elio is dominating on Disney+ shows the interest is still there. People still want to watch Pixar films, they just don’t feel the urgency to do it on opening weekend.
That’s a problem for a studio that built its reputation on bold original storytelling. Sequels like Toy Story 5 and Incredibles 3 are already in the works, but Pixar is also pushing forward with new concepts.
Next March brings Hoppers, followed by Gatto, a film about a cat’s adventure through Venice. Whether audiences embrace these originals could decide Pixar’s future direction.
One adjustment Disney might consider is changing release strategies. Traditionally, Pixar has staked out the middle of June, but Elio launched right after Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, giving families plenty of alternatives.
Hoppers, however, is opening in March against the R-rated The Bride!, which means it’ll have the family market to itself. If that timing works, maybe Pixar’s sequels could stay in the summer slots while the originals find breathing room in the spring.
I also think Pixar need to start playing with it’s animation style and being more innovative with their artistic approach, because their current style is feeling stale and borning.
Pixar clearly isn’t out of the game, but the way audiences engage with its films has changed. Elio’s streaming success proves the demand is still strong, it just might take a new strategy to get families back into theaters.