With the movie generally getting very positive word-of-mouth (arguably more positive word-of-mouth than Elemental did even), I don't think it's impossible for Elio to still be able to turn things around like Elemental did once word about how good it actually is starts to really get out about it.
But man if it doesn't seem like it has a much bigger hill to climb than Elemental did, though. Especially since based on what I've seen some people online say, it seems a not-insignificant number of people sincerely don't even know the movie exists. I've seen more than one comment where someone said they brought up Elio with family/friends and said family/friends were like "wait, there's a new Pixar movie out now?".
So yeah, it seems the main culprit here is marketing failing an (otherwise very good) animated movie yet again.
"Hey, least I didn't lose all my artistic talent when I crash landed in the arena here."Over at Cartoon Brew, Amid Amidi has an interesting theory on why Pixar films haven't been as successful lately. He points out that most of their latest films have young children as protagonists, giving the impression that they're strictly kids movies; whereas films from their "classic" period have adult (or adult-presenting) characters with adult problems and concerns, making them surrogates for the adults in the audience.
I'm not saying this explains everything, but it is an interesting observation.
Elemental has adults as the main characters (and the one child character with more than one scene... isn't well liked, although there was a lot of focus on him)
You know, I think most of what I saw leading up to release was either a handful of jokes (which, as noted, led to all people knowing was that it was about a kid who wanted to be abducted by aliens and gets his wish) or about the bloopers returning.
I'd say it's more from how younger writers and directors are helming most of these new movies, which aren't of the same tone as the movies that John Lasseter worked on. I'm not saying it's bad. In fact, except for Lightyear, I like all of the movies that Pixar put out in this decade so far. It's just that the style of these newer movies isn't meant to be like that of older Pixar movies, and that's fine. It's just that audiences aren't used to the style of these movies yet.
Edited by KiraKiwi410 on Jun 23rd 2025 at 7:19:15 AM
While Disney owns all of the media in question, the TV animation department is separate from the feature animation department.
Licensing doesn’t work that way if you own all the media involved. Disney wasn’t licensing from itself in order to make that show.
There’s a lot of theories going around about it, but I think “doesn’t want to pay royalties on the buttload of people involved in the show” might be the most… likely, I guess? Dunno if it’s true, but it at least makes sense.
Edited by KnownUnknown on Jun 23rd 2025 at 7:22:29 AM
I once said that the issue is that yeah, Pixar changed for the most part. A lot changed.
And for some people, there was too many changes all at once (new directors, different storytelling, new art style, Ratzenberger no longer having a cameo in every film) that for them, the studio's output is unrecognizable.
I mean considering Pixar built its success of films in the 2000s that were very tonally similar at least from afar, it does make divegent films feel off to those not used to it.
Contrast that with Dreamworks, who are more consistanly inconsistant for tone and looks, so are able ti weather it better.
Consistency within inconsistency, as it were. Plus that metronoming of quality has been with DreamWorks since day one. Never know when they'll do something mediocre, something trash, or something of a banger until the movie came out.
Honestly, in some regards, perhaps Pixar's consistently high quality far earlier on wound up being a curse in hindsight.
My point exactly. Pixar;s legendary winning streak was a Tough Act to Follow in the eyes of general audiences.
Edited by generation81 on Jun 23rd 2025 at 10:29:15 AM
It probably doesn't help Elio that much that it was released so soon after the megasuccess of the Lilo & Stitch remake. Audiences were just fresh from an 'Adorable young quirky kid gets involved with a bizarre menagerie of aliens, heartwarming adventure ensues' movie.
So, maybe it felt a bit samey. If they'd waited until the impressions cooled down from that high bar it might've had more of a success.
Edited by TomWithoutJerry on Jun 23rd 2025 at 11:49:03 AM
Please remember that, ultimately, fictional works of entertainment are just that.And the same day as KPop Demon Hunters which could be watched at home and just blew the F up.
You’re Gonna Carry That Weight.Well you gotta remember that it’s harder to get people in the theatres these days. Elio’s marketing was non existent and KPDH didn’t have to work as hard because people love K Pop and it would be watched at home for “free”.
You’re Gonna Carry That Weight.

Elemental did pretty well abroad, especially in Korea and that was the start of the turn around.
As long as this flower is in my heart. My Strength will flow without end.