In 1995, The Walt Disney Company joined forces with Pixar Animation Studios, revolutionizing the entertainment industry with the release of Toy Story, the first-ever feature film created entirely with computer animation. Since then, the two studios have collaborated on over two dozen animated films, many of which have made a lasting impact on fans.
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However, Pixar has faced challenges in recent years with a string of box office disappointments. Soul (2020), Luca(2021), and Turning Red (2022) were not released in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then came Lightyear(2023), which resulted in significant financial losses for Disney.
Fortunately, Disney and Pixar have seen a recent turnaround, largely thanks to the summer 2024 release of Inside Out 2. The highly anticipated sequel has been embraced by fans and earned nearly $1.7 billion globally.
Despite this success, Disney and Pixar seem still cautious about their next animated feature, as its release has been delayed for the second time.
Pixar fans will have to wait even longer for the studio’s next original film, Elio, as Disney has once again pushed back its release date. The animated sci-fi adventure, which was initially set to debut in 2024, has now been delayed to June 20, 2025.
This marks the second postponement for the highly anticipated film, leaving many wondering what’s happening behind the scenes.
Why Was Elio Delayed Again?
Originally scheduled for March 1, 2024, Elio was first pushed to June 13, 2025. Now, Disney has moved the film’s release date once more, this time by just a week, placing it on June 20, 2025.
While a short delay may not seem significant, it’s worth noting that the shift moves Elio away from direct competition with DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon reboot, which is set for release in early June.
This move suggests that Disney wants to maximize Elio’s box office potential without competing against another major animated film.
Pixar’s Recent Struggles at the Box Office
Over the past few years, Pixar has faced several challenges. The pandemic saw films like Luca, Turning Red, and Soul debut directly on Disney+, shifting audience expectations for the studio’s releases.
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Then came Lightyear (2022), which underperformed at the box office despite being a spinoff of the beloved Toy Story franchise.
However, Inside Out 2 (2024) proved that Pixar still has the ability to draw audiences to theaters, breaking records with its $1.7 billion box office haul. With Elio, Pixar is banking on another original story, but the continued delays raise questions about the studio’s confidence in the project.
Behind-the-Scenes Changes at Pixar
One possible reason for Elio’s delay is Pixar’s internal restructuring. The studio has undergone major leadership changes, and the project itself saw a significant shift when director Adrian Molina and lead actress America Ferrera exited the film in mid-2024.
Domee Shi, known for Turning Red, has since stepped in as director, but such a major transition late in production could mean the film needed additional time for adjustments.
Additionally, Disney has removed two untitled animated films from its release schedule—one set for September 2025 and another for early 2026—suggesting a broader strategic shift in Pixar’s upcoming lineup.
Who’s in the Cast?
Despite the delays, Elio still boasts an impressive voice cast. Yonas Kibreab will star as the titular Elio Solis, a young boy who is mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador to the universe. Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, and Jameela Jamil round out the cast, bringing their talents to the intergalactic adventure.
The repeated delays have left fans questioning whether Elio is facing creative hurdles, or if Pixar is simply refining the film to ensure it lives up to the studio’s high standards.
Either way, the decision to shift the release date away from competition with How to Train Your Dragon suggests that Disney wants to give the film the best possible chance at success.
Will Elio become Pixar’s next big hit, or will these delays spell trouble for the film’s reception? Fans will have to wait until June 2025 to find out. In the meantime, are you excited for Pixar’s latest original film? Let us know in the comments!
