Following strong early buzz, Elio has received encouraging reviews from critics, earning a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Pixar’s latest animated feature appears to strike an emotional chord, blending cosmic adventure with themes of identity and belonging.
Elio’s first reviews are highly positive
Pixar’s Elio has received an overwhelmingly fresh reception from critics ahead of its theatrical release on June 20, 2025.
Critics praised the film’s emotional weight, animation, and themes of identity and acceptance. Avi Offer of NYC Movie Guru described it as “an exhilarating, tender and heartwarming animated sci-fi adventure.” Cain Noble-Davies of FILMINK wrote that the film feels “like being wrapped in a blanket stitched with stardust.” Randy Myers of San Jose Mercury News called it “energetic, smart and sweet,” rating it 3.5 out of 4.
Jason Escamilla from EskimoTV noted that the film “starts slow but ultimately wins you over with a heartfelt message and strong character bonding.” Abe Friedtanzer at Awards Buzz gave it 8/10, saying the message is “profound, resounding, and stirring.” Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse wrote that Elio “ultimately delivers a thoughtful, lovely ode to the outsider in all of us.”
Carlos Aguilar from IGN praised the animation and noted that the film “depicts the slippery feeling of yearning for something we might not even know exists,” scoring it 9/10. Meanwhile, Laura Clifford of Reeling Reviews called it “one of the three best Pixar animations since 2010’s Toy Story 3.”
ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim called Elio a “fun and powerful” coming-of-age story, praising its joyful tone, Yonas Kibreab’s energetic lead performance, and the “pure” bond between Elio and Glordon. He highlighted Zoe Saldaña’s nuanced role as Aunt Olga and rated the film 8/10 for leaving a “memorable impact.”
Elio gets praiseworthy Rotten Tomatoes score
Elio holds a certified fresh rating of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 54 critic reviews.
Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina directed the movie, which runs for 1 hour and 39 minutes. The story follows a young boy whom aliens mistakenly identify as Earth’s leader. Yonas Kibreab voices Elio, Remy Edgerly voices Glordon, and Zoe Saldaña voices Aunt Olga.
Disney and Pixar distribute the film, which carries a PG rating for thematic elements and some action/peril.
