---
title: "Elio"
year: 2025
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/elio"
fi1m_id: "elio"
imdb_id: "tt4900148"
tmdb_id: 1022787
wikidata_id: "Q113879962"
fi1m_score: 64
critics_score: 66
critics_reviews: 17
published: "2026-09-09"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:50.732382+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Elio (2025)

Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina · 1h 38m · MPA PG · Animation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Family, Comedy

## Identity

Elio

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/elio
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** elio
- **IMDb ID:** tt4900148
- **TMDB ID:** 1022787
- **Wikidata ID:** Q113879962
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4900148/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1022787, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113879962

**Fi1m score: 64** · Critics 66 from 17 reviews

*In a sentence:* A lonely boy asks the universe to take him away, and it turns out the universe has a committee

> The opening half hour, about a lonely boy who wants to be taken away, is close to Pixar’s best. What follows is bright, busy and kind, and it is also the story you expect, told at the pace of someone who has told it before.

## Synopsis

Elio is an orphan living with his aunt, Olga Solís (voiced by Zoe Saldaña), and he has decided he would rather be anywhere but Earth. He spends his nights asking the sky to take him. One night it does. A beam lifts him to the Communiverse, a council of alien ambassadors from across the galaxy who have asked to meet Earth’s leader and assume the boy in front of them is it. Elio (Yonas Kibreab) decides not to correct them. When a warlord, Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), threatens the council, Elio is sent to deal with him and instead meets Grigon’s son, Glordon (Remy Edgerly), a soft, unwarlike creature who does not want the life his father has planned. Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Madeline Sharafian direct.

## Review

Elio is an orphan living with his aunt Olga Solís (voiced by Zoe Saldaña), and he wants nothing on Earth so much as to be off it. He gets his wish. A beam picks him up and drops him in the Communiverse, a council of alien ambassadors who have asked for Earth’s leader and take it for granted that the small boy in front of them must be him. Three directors are credited, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Madeline Sharafian, and the screenplay has three names on it too, Julia Cho, Mark Hammer and Mike Jones. You can feel the hands. The result is decent, warm and busy, and it is at its best before it leaves the ground.

The Earth scenes are the film’s argument for itself. Elio is not a cute lonely child; he is a rude, hurt one, and Yonas Kibreab voices him with the flat, defended tone of a boy who has decided that wanting things is a mistake. Saldaña plays Olga as someone doing a job she did not apply for and trying not to let it show. We were moved earlier than we expected, and by something small: a boy talking to the night sky as if it were the only thing that might answer, while his aunt stands in the doorway not knowing what to say. Nothing in the film’s last hour lands as cleanly as that.

The Communiverse is Harley Jessup’s design, and for ten minutes it is a pleasure. It glows from the inside, all translucent walls and floating platforms, and the ambassadors are a menagerie: a creature like a jellyfish, one like a stack of stones, a computer called Ooooo (Shirley Henderson) that is essentially a talking puddle. Danielle Feinberg and Matt Aspbury light the Earth in flat daylight and the orange of sodium lamps, and the Communiverse in pinks and greens that come from nowhere in particular. Then we noticed it never changes. A place built to contain the whole galaxy looks the same in every scene, and after a while the eye stops working.

What holds the middle together is Glordon. Remy Edgerly voices him, the son of Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a warlord who is mostly armour and gravel, and Glordon is a soft pink grub with no arms, a wide mouth and no wish to fight anyone. Every scene he shares with Elio is better than the scenes around it, because the two of them are simply talking, two boys who each think the other has the easier life. The father-and-son thread that grows out of this is the strongest thing in the second half, and it belongs to the supporting cast. That tells you something about where the writing’s attention went.

Once Elio’s deception is found out, the film turns into a rescue and a chase, with a duplicate Elio left behind on Earth (Kibreab voices both) to keep Olga from noticing. Anna Wolitzky and Steve Bloom cut this stretch fast, so scenes keep ending a beat before they have said anything, and Rob Simonsen’s score swells at each reveal to tell us how to feel about it. The lesson, that the thing which sets you apart is the thing that will save you, arrives on schedule and is then said aloud, twice. We were never bored. We were rarely surprised, and in a film about the whole of space that seems a waste.

Against the studio’s own record it sits in the middle. Shi’s *Turning Red* (2022) and Molina’s [*Coco*](https://film.one/film/coco) (2017) each had one idea and a very particular family to hang it on; this has the shape of those films and fewer of the particulars. It is a marked step up in charm and looks from recent Pixar, and a step down from the ones people still quote.

Take a child, if you have one to hand. They will adore Glordon, and so, if we are honest, did we. Grown-ups get a fine half hour and then a pleasant, well-lit wait. It runs 98 minutes and carries a PG.

*Fi1m score 64, published 9 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics land somewhere in the middle on Elio, and the spread is wide: full marks at one end, two stars at the other. The praise clusters on the look of the thing, above all the kaleidoscopic Communiverse, and on Glordon, the alien whose friendship with Elio nearly every review names as the film’s emotional centre. Several also admire the Earth-bound opening about a lonely boy, and a few find the third act moving.

The reservations cluster just as tightly: the plotting is called scattered, the space sequences formulaic, and the whole thing, again and again, second-tier Pixar that ticks familiar boxes without much surprise. The Times finds it inert and machine-tooled; Deadline says the story loses its way entirely; The New York Times sees a retreat into reassuring lessons. The Wrap makes a complaint no one else does, that the film approaches difference only through safe metaphors. HeyUGuys stands almost alone in calling it bold.

## Straight answers

**How long is Elio, and what is it rated?**

*Elio* runs 1h 38m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is an animation and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Elio in the US?**

*Elio* is streaming on Disney+ in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**What should I watch after Elio?**

After *Elio*, try [*E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial) (1982, Fi1m 91): The lonely boy and the stranded alien, done once and properly, with no committee. Then [*Lilo & Stitch*](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch) (2002, Fi1m 82): An angry orphan, an overwhelmed guardian and a creature who learns to be gentle; and [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) (1999, Fi1m 88): A boy, a machine built for war, and a choice about what it wants to be.

### Reviews we read (24)

- **Empire**, Laura Venning (80/100, inferred): The critic finds Elio a charming and visually inventive Pixar adventure that overcomes a slow, formulaic start with spectacular alien worlds and heartfelt character connections. They single out the psychedelic Communiverse design and the endearing friendship between Elio and the alien Glordon for praise. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/elio/)
- **Little White Lies**, Yasmine Kandil (3/4/4): A touching treaty on the search for belonging in Pixar’s sweet new intergalactic adventure. The first act is exceptional and the friendship between Elio and Glordon becomes the emotional core, bolstered by remarkable voice work. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/elio)
- **Slant Magazine**, Justin Clark (80/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's focus on infinite possibility, connection, and poignant loneliness, highlighting its alien designs and humanistic moments about finding community where least expected. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/elio-review-zoe-saldana-pixar/)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (B): The review finds plenty of inventive sci-fi moments and sweet-natured storytelling but concludes it lands as second-tier Pixar due to tinkering and a lack of emotional depth or specificity in friendships. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/elio-review)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (70/100, inferred): The critic views the film as a mature work of family entertainment that is emotionally grounded and smarter than most animated fare, even if it lacks the wit and surprise of Pixar's best. He singles out the buddy-movie dynamic between Elio and the alien Glordon, along with the original solutions in the final stretch, for particular praise. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/elio-review-pixar-1236433834/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (65/100, inferred): The film offers charm, likability and childhood loneliness and vulnerability in its Earth-bound opening, but loses some charge once it shifts to the goofy space-alien sequences, which feel a little formulaic. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/17/elio-review-pixar)
- **The Observer**, Wendy Ide (60/100, inferred): Elio is a pleasant but unexceptional mid-level Pixar film with lovely visuals and plenty of heart, though the story feels familiar and lacks the humour and perceptiveness of the studio’s best work; it is still a marked improvement on recent efforts like Elemental and Lightyear. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/wendy-ides-pick-of-other-films-elio-red-path-rust-and-more)
- **The Telegraph** (3/5): It is an agreeable junior space odyssey that is too scattershot to be high-end Pixar but has a refreshingly zany take on one boy’s loneliness, with the father-son reconciliation subplot among the space slugs standing out as particularly touching. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/elio-review-pixar/)
- **Vulture**, Alison Willmore (60/100, inferred): The critic notes pleasures like the adorable alien Glordon but faults the film for overthinking and struggling to fully develop the main character's alienation and emotional arc despite its theme of connection. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-elio-has-trouble-getting-out-of-its-own-head.html)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a lackluster science-fiction adventure that delivers predictable Pixar bright spots but ultimately feels like creative surrender to reassuring, familiar lessons. She singles out the visually wondrous cosmic adventure and the sparkly, kaleidoscopic Communiverse for praise while faulting the draggy story and Marvel-lite elements. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/movies/elio-review-pixar.html)
- **Financial Times**, Danny Leigh (★★★★☆): It is a surprisingly human Spielbergian tale of a lonely orphan who finds himself representing Earth, nodding to classics with subtlety and welcome charm even if it is not quite on their level. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/6db1e4cb-2705-4c03-bada-c3585987328e)
- **Radio Times** (★★★☆☆): Pixar’s latest will charm more children than adults in this Spielbergian tale of fantasy and wish-fulfilment that lacks the emotional pull and heart to become a classic for all ages. Despite beautiful renderings of the Milky Way, it simply doesn’t have the energy to keep older audiences engaged. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/app/elio-review-pixars-latest-will-charm-more-children-than-adults/)
- **Screen Daily**: Pixar’s interstellar animation fails to hit the studio’s previous heights in this overstuffed but bighearted story that feels a bit mechanical in its exploration of family, friendship and loss. The ingredients do not blend as smoothly as in the best Pixar films, resulting in a collection of disjointed narrative pieces. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/elio-review-pixars-interstellar-animation-fails-to-hit-the-studios-previous-heights/5206106.article)
- **Sight and Sound**: Pixar’s new intergalactic CG cartoon feels turgidly familiar at times but is saved by strong third-act payoffs and a redemption that’s moving rather than mawkish. The heart is convincingly melancholic, with a clever subplot involving the aunt and a standout transformation scene. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/elio-little-boy-longs-be-abducted-aliens-pixars-sweet-space-adventure)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Angie Han: The critic calls it a sweet but familiar and inessential Pixar adventure that checks expected boxes without surprise or deep emotion. Glordon's design and some visual flourishes are singled out for praise. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/elio-review-pixar-disney-zoe-saldana-brad-garrett-1236292709/)
- **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★☆☆☆): Pixar has once again made a film about a protagonist who finds out their greatest weakness is their biggest strength, resulting in something mostly inert and machine-tooled that slavishly adheres to recent formula. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/elio-review-pixar-i-beg-you-stop-re-using-the-same-boring-formula-lz927dt0b)
- **HeyUGuys**, Linda Marric (5/5): The critic calls it a bold and beautiful Pixar entry that dares to dream big while delivering laughs, wonder, and warmth. They single out the stunning, inventive visuals of the Communiverse and its nods to sci-fi classics like E.T. and Contact. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/elio-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (75/100, inferred): The critic finds it expertly delivered with eye-catching visuals and genuine heart, expertly handling familiar themes for a new generation. They single out the charming friendship between Elio and his alien pal Glordon along with the emotional openness and visual variety. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/elio-2025-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **/Film**, Jeremy Mathai (7.5/10): The critic deems it vintage Pixar and arguably its best original since Coco, full of laughs, heart, and dazzling visuals that handle emotionally challenging places. They single out the tearjerker finale and the dynamic between Elio and his alien friend Glordon. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1888624/elio-pixar-movie-review/)
- **Collider**, Ross Bonaime (7/10): The critic praises Pixar's return to bold original storytelling with inventive world-building and emotional weight around loneliness and belonging. [Read](https://collider.com/elio-review-pixar/)
- **Polygon**, Tasha Robinson (55/100, inferred): The critic sees it as a classic Pixar risk with dazzling visuals and a heartfelt core about connection, but criticizes scattered plotting and uneven emotional payoffs. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/disney/607471/elio-review-pixar/)
- **The Wrap** (40/100, inferred): The review finds the film visually appealing and likable on the surface but hypocritical in its message of accepting outsiders, as it only addresses queerness and difference through safe metaphors rather than directly. It highlights strong craft but faults the unwillingness to fully commit to its themes. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/elio-review-disney-pixar/)
- **Deadline**, Damon Wise (30/100, inferred): The critic argues that despite a strong central premise about a lonely boy seeking connection with aliens, the film loses its way and fails to deliver a coherent or satisfying story. It praises the visual spectacle but criticizes the compromised ending and lack of originality in its execution. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/06/elio-review-pixar-sci-fi-zoe-saldana-yonas-kibreab-1236435425/)
- **Paste**, Amy Amatangelo (6.8): The critic calls it a lightweight but earnest summer diversion focused on belonging and self-discovery, praising strong voice work while noting it falls short of greater ambitions. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/elio/elio-review-pixar-disney-alien-movie-cast-yonas-kibreab-zoe-saldana)

## Details

- **Director:** Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
- **Director:** Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
- **Screenplay:** Julia Cho, Mark Hammer, Mike Jones
- **Story:** Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Julia Cho
- **Cinematography:** Matt Aspbury, Danielle Feinberg
- **Editor:** Anna Wolitzky, Steve Bloom
- **Music:** Rob Simonsen
- **Production design:** Harley Jessup
- **Producer:** Mary Alice Drumm
- **Cast:** Yonas Kibreab as Elio / Other Elio (voice); Remy Edgerly as Glordon (voice); Zoe Saldaña as Olga Solís (voice); Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon (voice); Brandon Moon as Ambassador Helix (voice); Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa (voice); Dylan Gilmer as Bryce (voice); Jake T. Getman as Caleb (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 38m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 20 June 2025
- **Genres:** Animation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Family, Comedy
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $154 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH5zbV7eweM

## Where to watch in the US

- Disney+: streaming, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $5.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2025: Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2025: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2025: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), Fi1m 91: The lonely boy and the stranded alien, done once and properly, with no committee. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md)
- *Lilo & Stitch* (2002), Fi1m 82: An angry orphan, an overwhelmed guardian and a creature who learns to be gentle. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md)
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: A boy, a machine built for war, and a choice about what it wants to be. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *My Neighbour Totoro* (1988), Fi1m 89: Childhood loneliness and the strange kind neighbour who answers it, at a walking pace. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md)
- *Contact* (1997), Fi1m 76: Someone who spent her life listening to the sky finally gets a reply. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/contact.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/elio