Overview

• Elio earned approximately $31 million domestically and $73 million worldwide against a $150 million budget, marking Pixar’s weakest opening weekend ever.
• Early test screenings in 2023 showed audiences enjoyed the story but wouldn’t pay to see it, prompting the removal of original director Adrian Molina and the enlistment of co-directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian.
• Insiders report that Pixar executives systematically excised queer-coded moments and environmental themes from Molina’s original cut before his departure.
• Voice actor America Ferrera left the project over diminished Latinx leadership representation and was replaced by Zoe Saldaña, with the character redefined from mother to aunt.
• After mounting criticism, Pixar posted a viral Instagram video urging fans to support its original storytelling by going to theaters to see Elio.