Playing in 3,750 theaters, the film is projected to gross $22–$24 million over its opening weekend
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| Image Credit: Pixar, Disney |
Disney and Pixar’s Elio, a sci-fi animated tale, debuted on Friday box office, June 20, 2025, earning an estimated $9 million domestically, including $3 million from Wednesday and Thursday previews. Playing in 3,750 theaters, the film is projected to gross $22–$24 million over its opening weekend, potentially marking Pixar’s lowest domestic debut despite strong audience and critical praise. Facing fierce competition from Universal/DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon and Sony’s 28 Years Later, Elio’s Friday performance reflects a solid start for an original story in a sequel-driven market.
The $9 million Friday haul positions Elio for third place this weekend, behind How to Train Your Dragon, expected to lead with $35.2–$40 million in its second frame after an $84.6 million debut, and 28 Years Later, projected at $28–$34 million following $5.8 million in Thursday previews. Elio’s previews matched Pixar’s Elemental ($29.6 million opening), and it benefits from 725 Premium Large Format screens, over 2,500 3D screens, and 175 D-Box/Motion screens, though it shares premium auditoriums with rivals. Audience scores are stellar, with an “A” CinemaScore, 60% “definite recommend,” and 4½ stars from kids and general viewers, alongside an 86% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, outpacing Elemental’s 73%.
Directed by Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian, and Domee Shi, Elio follows 11-year-old Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab), mistaken for Earth’s leader and beamed to the Communiverse, where he navigates alien alliances and self-discovery with friend Glordon (Remy Edgerly). Its anime-inspired visuals and themes of belonging have won critics over, though some note familiar Pixar tropes. The Juneteenth holiday boosted Thursday grosses, but Elio’s marketing has drawn criticism for being underwhelming, with its release close to Lilo & Stitch ($3 million Friday, $387 million domestic cume) and Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning ($1.7 million Friday, $178.4 million domestic) adding pressure.
With a $150 million budget, Elio’s projected $50–$60 million global opening ($22–$24 million domestic, $30–$35 million international) faces high stakes. Its audience scores suggest potential for a leggy run like Elemental’s $496 million global total, but competition poses risks. International markets, including the UK, Southeast Asia, China (June 27), and Japan (August 1), will boost earnings. Elio’s heartfelt story and strong reception offer hope, but its success depends on word-of-mouth to shine in a crowded summer box office.
Source: Deadline
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