I’m not going to sugar coat it: Elio has had a bad go at the box office. The latest Pixar movie, which opened in third place during its first weekend on the 2025 movie schedule, had the worst debut for the studio in its long history. Though I’m a parent who took my children to see it and thoroughly enjoyed its themes and space travel, I think I know why the movie is bombing in theaters. No, it’s not some form of parental protest, nor is it the quality of the film; remember, I actually enjoyed the movie critics are calling a “out-of-this-world Pixar adventure.” So, what is it? Why is no one going to see Elio on the big screen? It’s a rather complicated answer with multiple factors, so buckle up and get ready for this adventure to the core of one of the biggest movie mysteries of the year.
