‘Elio’s Box⁢ Office Debut Role⁤ Disappoints as ‌’Dragon’ Soars

⁢ ⁣ Updated ⁢June 22, 2025

Pixar’s latest animated film,‌ “Elio,” experienced a ‍rocky start, earning ‍only⁤ $14⁢ million overseas and​ $35 million worldwide‌ in its‌ debut. This ‍marks the lowest opening for a Pixar film, even below “Elemental,” which opened to ​$44.5 million globally in 2023. However, “Elemental” rebounded due to positive audience​ feedback, eventually grossing $496 million.

Disney hopes “Elio,” which cost $150 million to produce,will also benefit from positive‍ word-of-mouth. The film tells the intergalactic tale of⁣ a ‍boy ​mistaken for⁤ Earth’s ambassador to aliens. The animated film role faces limited competition until paramount’s “Smurfs” arrives ⁤in‌ theaters July ​18.

Meanwhile, Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” remake continues its prosperous ⁢run, ‍topping international charts with $53.5 million ‍from 81‌ markets, bringing its total ‌to $385 million globally. The enthusiasm for Hiccup and Toothless bodes well for Universal,which has already‍ announced⁣ a sequel,”How to Train Your Dragon 2,”⁣ slated for 2027.

sony’s “28 Years Later,” ​the zombie adventure sequel, secured second⁤ place with a $30 million⁤ debut from 59⁢ markets. Combined with its North American⁤ opening, the film has ⁣already grossed $60 million⁤ worldwide.‍ The United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, and South Korea are​ among its top markets.

“28 Years ⁢Later,” a follow-up⁤ to “28 Days Later” (2002) and “28 Weeks Later” (2007), follows survivors discovering a new⁤ mutation⁢ nearly three decades after a rage virus outbreak. costing $60 ⁤million, it is poised to become the franchise’s highest-grossing​ installment. Sony plans to launch a new zombie trilogy, ‍with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland ⁣at the helm. ⁢The sequel, “28 Years Later: ⁤The Bone ‌Temple,”⁢ is set​ for release in 2026.

Despite “Elio’s” slow start,‌ Disney’s “Lilo ‌& Stitch” continues to ⁤thrive, grossing $910‍ million globally after five weekends. The live-action remake is expected to reach $1⁣ billion⁣ soon.

What’s next

industry analysts ‍are watching to⁢ see if ‍”Elio” can overcome its initial struggles and find its audience in⁤ the coming weeks, while ‍”How to Train Your Dragon” and “28 Years Later” are expected ⁢to ​continue their strong performances.