Produced by Disney and Pixar, Elio is a family animated film that hit cinemas in France on June 18, 2025. Originally announced as a project led by Adrian Molina, the movie was ultimately directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, with Molina credited as a co-director. The story centers on adventure and self-discovery. After its theatrical release and a debut at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025, Elio will be available on Disney+ starting March 20, 2026.
Elio, an 11-year-old dreaming of space, struggles to find his footing on Earth, where his everyday life unfolds in a stark environment centered around a military base. His imagination becomes his sanctuary—until one day, he's mysteriously teleported into the Communiverse, an intergalactic organization uniting representatives from distant galaxies. Through a twist of fate, the boy is mistaken for Earth's official ambassador and finds himself caught up in diplomatic stakes far beyond his understanding.
In a world inhabited by creatures with unexpected shapes and modes of movement, Elio must learn how to introduce himself, communicate effectively, and assume a role he never asked for. He can rely on Glordon, an alien ally as unpredictable as he is endearing, while his Aunt Olga watches over him from the Earth. Blending humor and emotion, the story turns encounters with others into a journey of personal growth, where the young protagonist discovers what he’s willing to stand up for and the connections that tie him to his loved ones.
The film continues Pixar's tradition of crafting family-friendly science fiction, following in the footsteps of WALL-E and Lightyear. It pays particular attention to the stark contrast between Earth, depicted as a constrained space, and the vastness of the Communiverse, envisioned as a vivid playground for the senses. The creative teams drew inspiration from microscopic forms—plants, animals, organic textures—to imagine aliens that are both bizarre and consistent, with some species lacking traditional humanoid features entirely.
The project also evolved along the way: the change of director shifted the tone toward a more “feel-good” vibe, altering some of the family relationships, including Olga’s character, who went from being a maternal figure to that of an aunt, to foster a different relational dynamic with Elio. On the musical front, Rob Simonsen’s soundtrack features a distinctive sound, with the use of wooden “choral dolls” to evoke an otherworldly choir, complementing the orchestral recordings.
In the original version, the voice cast includes Yonas Kibreab, America Ferrera, and Jameela Jamil. The French dubbed version features Nathan Dupont and Zita Hanrot, along with Jamy Gourmaud, a familiar face in science communication, who lends his voice to the dubbing. The film is aimed at family audiences aged 6 and up, blending comedic adventure, cosmic escapism, and themes of identity, belonging, and responsibility.
Elio
Film | Release Year: 2025
In theaters: June 18, 2025
Available on Disney+ starting March 20, 2026
Animated family film | Duration: 1h39
Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina | Starring Nathan Dupont, Yonas Kibreab, Zita Hanrot
Original title: Elio
Country: United States
Blending an intergalactic odyssey with a coming-of-age story, Elio leans heavily on Pixar’s signature DNA — humor, emotion, an imaginative universe — while cleverly drawing on the conventions of classic science fiction, from E.T. to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Its visual style is crafted to captivate both cinema audiences and home viewers alike.
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