Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Delivers $2.5+ Million in Previews
After their historic release of Inside Out 2 last year, Pixar Studios is returning to theaters this weekend with the long-awaited Elio.
Originally announced in September 2022, Elio was initially scheduled to be released in March 2024. After a series of delays due to both the SAG-AFTRA strike and creative changes at Pixar, the film is finally gearing up to hit theaters.
“The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking,” the film’s synopsis reads.
Photo: Disney
“Mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the rest of the universe, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.”
Elio Is Tracking Towards a Soft Debut
Heading into the weekend, it is clear that Elio is tracking towards a debut of $20-25 million. While that number will not be enough to slay How to Train Your Dragon, the hope was that the film would best 28 Years Later and secure the #2 spot.
Unfortunately, Elio delivered between $2.5 and $3 million in previews on Thursday night, well short of the $5 million+ that 28 Years Later delivered.
Photo: Disney
After a soft debut, it now seems inevitable that Elio will have the worst opening weekend in Pixar history. The previous low-bar mark was Elemental, which opened to $29.6 million in 2023.
The Path Forward
The hope for Pixar is that Elio will follow Elemental‘s path and deliver an extended box office run. Like Elio, Elemental was an original film that needed time to find its audience.
Photo: Disney/Pixar
The good news for Elio is that its critical reviews have been glowing. Perhaps the film will be able to turn things around after all.
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