Pixar has openly criticized audiences following the poor box office performance of its original film Elio. The movie earned only $35 million worldwide, far below its $150 million budget.
In an unusual move, Pixar posted a viral social media video featuring TikTok creator Reba Nora. The video told viewers: “Stop complaining that Disney doesn’t make original stories if you don’t show up to movie theaters and support them.” This message challenged fans who demand original films but do not attend them in cinemas.
Elio opened with just $21 million in the US and $14 million internationally, marking the worst opening weekend in Pixar’s history. The film about an eleven-year-old boy mistaken for Earth’s leader by aliens failed to meet expectations despite a wide release in 3,750 theaters. It faced strong competition from other new releases like 28 Years Later and How to Train Your Dragon.
Despite its weak box office, Elio received positive reviews, holding a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore. However, some viewers criticized the film’s animation style, especially the “bean mouth” design, calling it unoriginal and unappealing.
Many critics and fans blamed poor marketing for the film’s failure. Unlike Pixar’s past hits, Elio had little advertising, with some audiences only learning about the film days before its release. Industry experts suggested Disney deliberately cut back on marketing, leaving the movie under-promoted despite its large budget.
The film’s slow start and steep drop in the second weekend make a strong financial recovery unlikely. This contrasts with Pixar’s earlier original film Elemental, which rebounded after a slow opening to earn nearly $500 million worldwide.
The Elio situation highlights challenges Pixar faces with original content amid strong demand for sequels and franchise films.
