Pixar’s Elio Records Lowest Box Office Debut in 28 Years

Pixar’s Elio posted the studio’s weakest box office opening ever, overshadowed by the ongoing success of How to Train Your Dragon.

The animated film grossed $35 million worldwide during its debut, with $21 million from domestic markets and a concerning $14 million internationally, marking Pixar’s lowest three-day opening, undercutting Elemental’s $44.5 million start in 2023. In contrast, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 soared to $295 million globally during its opening last year.

Disney and Pixar are optimistic Elio can mirror Elemental’s recovery, which neared $500 million globally. Elio awaits release in China, Japan, and Spain, with summer school breaks next month offering potential. Critics have praised it, with IGN’s 9/10 review noting: “Pixar’s Elio delivers stunning animation and profound emotional resonance.”

Elio’s lackluster debut may stem from competition with How to Train Your Dragon, which earned $350 million globally in its second weekend, holding the top spot in the U.S. A sequel is already in development.

Elio also faces Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, which has amassed $910.3 million globally in five weekends and is poised to hit $1 billion, a 2025 milestone.

Meanwhile, Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, a zombie horror sequel, opened strongly with $60 million globally, including $30 million domestically—the biggest for a Boyle-directed film—and $30 million internationally, surpassing Sinners’ debut.

Ranking Danny Boyle's Movies

Boyle’s 28 Years Later must sustain momentum to secure approval for the planned trilogy’s third film, with the second already completed. IGN’s 9/10 review praised: “28 Years Later delivers a gripping, timely exploration of societal conflict with Boyle and Garland’s masterful storytelling.”

Elsewhere, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has reached $540.9 million after five weekends, John Wick spinoff Ballerina hit $104.5 million, Final Destination Bloodlines stands at $280.1 million, and Sinners boasts $363.8 million globally.