Disney Delays New Pixar Movie to Dodge Competition with Universal

Disney/Pixar just updated the release date for a film set to hit theaters this summer. It could help the movie avoid some serious competition with Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon.

Disney Moves New Pixar Release Date

Disney/Pixar enjoyed a lot of success last year with the insanely popular flim Inside Out 2. The movie dominated and was one of three Disney films to make over $1 billion in 2024.

This summer, Disney/Pixar was set to release another movie over Father’s Day weekend. This has been quite the tradition.

But, Disney’s plans have changed. The assumption is that the date change is in response to the fact that Universal is releasing a live-action remake of a hit of its own, and now How to Train Your Dragon is set to premiere on June 13, 2025. Perhaps Disney’s date change will shield its own new film from the shadow of competition with the hotly anticipated remake.

What is Elio

The Disney/Pixar film originally set to hit theatres for Father’s Day weekend is Elio. It is possible that you have not even heard of Elio. In fact, many moviegoers have reported being largely unaware of the theatrical releases of recent Disney/Pixar films including Elemental due to limited marketing. It is true that Elemental had a slow start, but word of mouth helped to propel it.

Elio might just be in a similar boat in terms of audience familiarity. If you have never heard of it, Elio is a comedic misadventure that follows alien-obsessed Elio.

Somehow, Elio finds himself transported to the Communiverse, an interplanetary paradise that is home to intelligent life from galaxies far and wide. These leaders mistakenly believe that Elio is Earth’s leader! Now Elio must navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions!

When Can You See Elio

If you want to see Elio, you will have to wait an extra week. The movie will now debut in theatres on June 20, 2025 instead of alongside How to Train Your Dragon.

Elio hits theatres on June 20, 2025.

We are excited to see new stories from Disney/Pixar instead of more remakes and sequels. But, only time will tell whether moviegoers share that sentiment.

Will you be going to see either Elio or How to Train Your Dragon this summer? Let us know! And be sure to share the news with your friends and family who may not even know the movie exists.