Pixar returns to form this summer with Elio, a dazzling sci-fi adventure movie that’s equal parts whimsical, emotional, and visually stunning. After previewing 25 minutes earlier this year, expectations were high—but now having seen the full film ahead of its June 20, 2025 release, it’s safe to say Elio not only meets those expectations, it exceeds them.
This latest entry from Disney and Pixar blends classic storytelling with cosmic flair. It introduces us to Elio, an 11-year-old dreamer voiced by Yonas Kibreab, who longs for a connection with something greater than himself. He gets more than he bargained for when he’s accidentally abducted by an alien council known as the Communiverse, which hilariously mistakes him for Earth’s leader.
From there, the movie launches into a heartfelt and often hilarious Adventure Movie Plot, as Elio navigates alien diplomacy, galactic crises, and the universal ache of feeling out of place. Themes of loneliness, identity, and grief are gracefully interwoven with Pixar’s trademark charm, making this film resonate with both kids and adults.
While Elio may not reinvent the wheel in terms of story structure, it still stands tall among recent Pixar entries. The voice cast is top-tier, featuring Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, Shirley Henderson, and Remy Edgerly. Kibreab’s performance is especially magnetic—his wide-eyed innocence and expressive tone ground the fantastical journey with authentic emotion.
But it’s Elio’s unlikely sidekick, the caterpillar-esque alien Glordon (voiced by Edgerly), who nearly steals the movie. Despite lacking facial features, Glordon oozes personality and becomes the emotional heartbeat of the story. Another standout is Garrett’s portrayal of Lord Grigon, a formidable alien with a surprisingly relatable dad energy.
The movie characters are only part of the appeal. Elio’s real triumph lies in its lush worldbuilding. Pixar crafts a cosmos bursting with vibrant color, intricate alien designs, and imaginative detail. Each planet and species feels fully realized, contributing to a galactic tapestry that’s nothing short of mesmerizing. This visual creativity solidifies Elio as one of the studio’s boldest efforts in years.
Rob Simonsen’s score further elevates the experience, weaving grandeur and intimacy into each scene. His music supports both the vastness of space and the tender inner journey of its protagonist, highlighting Pixar’s continued mastery of marrying spectacle with soul.
Given its striking visuals and layered sound design, Elio is the kind of movie that truly comes alive in theaters. Unless you have a top-tier home setup, it’s worth experiencing this adventure where it was meant to be seen—on the big screen. As echoed by the reactions of young viewers during early screenings, the film’s humor and emotional depth are best appreciated in a communal cinema setting.
Though it may not top Pixar’s all-time classics, Elio confidently earns its place in the studio’s upper ranks. It’s an Adventure Movie Review in the truest sense: exciting, heartfelt, and creatively fearless.
With its official release slated for June 20 in both the U.S. and U.K., Elio is a must-see summer movie that offers more than just escapism—it delivers heart, hope, and a reminder that sometimes, being out of place is exactly where we’re meant to be.
