"Elio's Box Office Flop: Pixar's Lowest Opening Amid Competition from 28 Years Later"

Pixar’s latest original animated feature, *Elio*, has unfortunately marked the studio's weakest box office opening to date. The film debuted with a global total of $35 million, including $21 million domestically and just $14 million internationally—significantly underperforming compared to past Pixar releases. This three-day opening stands as the lowest in the studio’s history, even trailing behind *Elemental*, which opened to $44.5 million back in 2023. For context, *Inside Out 2* shattered records last year with an impressive $295 million global debut.

However, there is still hope for *Elio*. Much like *Elemental*, which eventually grossed close to $500 million worldwide, *Elio* has not yet launched in key markets such as China, Japan, and Spain. With its theatrical run continuing into the summer school break and strong critical reception—including a 9/10 from IGN—the film may still find long-term success. IGN praised *Elio* for its “dazzling animation—and even more striking emotional depth,” suggesting it could gain momentum through word-of-mouth and expanded international availability.

How to Train Your Dragon Dominates Box Office

One factor that likely contributed to *Elio*’s soft opening was the continued dominance of *How to Train Your Dragon*, which climbed to $350 million globally during its second weekend and held the top spot at the U.S. box office. The film’s strong performance has confirmed its appeal across audiences, and a sequel is already in development.

Disney’s Lilo & Stitch Remake Surpasses $910 Million

Adding to the competitive landscape is Disney’s live-action *Lilo & Stitch*, which has already amassed over $910.3 million globally after only five weekends in theaters. The remake appears poised to become the first film of 2025 to cross the $1 billion mark, further intensifying the battle for audience attention.

28 Years Later Kicks Off Strong

In the horror space, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s *28 Years Later* delivered a powerful start, earning $60 million globally. The domestic take of $30 million marks Boyle’s highest opening to date, while the international box office matched with another $30 million—surpassing the early returns of *Sinners*. The film’s strong debut raises hopes for the continuation of the trilogy, especially since the second installment has already been filmed. IGN awarded *28 Years Later* a 9/10, calling it “as potent and timely an exploration of cultural strife as the original.”

Other Box Office Highlights

• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – $540.9 million after five weekends
• Ballerina (John Wick spinoff) – $104.5 million
• Final Destination: Bloodlines – $280.1 million
• Sinners – $363.8 million globally