Kids

5 Reasons Why Pixar’s Elio Is a Must Watch Family Movie Date

by Alexa Villano
June 18, 2025

More than just a story about aliens, Elio is a heartfelt tale about grief, identity, and an unlikely bond between a boy and his aunt

Pixar’s latest movie, Elio, is now in cinemas, and it offers more than just animated fun — it delivers life lessons families can take home. At its heart, it’s a film about finding your place in a world where you don’t always feel like you belong.

It’s also a story about a boy and his aunt, both grieving and navigating the unfamiliar territory of becoming a family. Their journey, filled with frustration, misunderstanding, and love, reveals how chosen bonds can heal what was lost.

So why is Elio worth the trip to the cinema? Here are five reasons it’s a must-watch for families.

More than just a story about aliens, Elio is a heartfelt tale about grief, identity, and an unlikely bond between a boy and his aunt — Photo from Disney/Pixar

It Highlights the Strength of Aunts and Guardians

Elio’s aunt, Olga Solis, is an Air Force major with big dreams of joining the space program. But when tragedy strikes and she becomes Elio’s guardian, she puts her ambitions aside to care for him.

Thrown into a role she didn’t expect, Olga must navigate what it means to parent a child who’s grieving and obsessed with space. When Elio starts behaving strangely, Olga grows suspicious and soon realizes the Elio she’s been with is a copy, while the real Elio is enjoying his new status in the Communiverse.

Her protective instincts kick in, and she helps Elio return Glordon, an alien friend, to his world. Along the way, she discovers her role in shaping Elio’s future — not by force, but through quiet guidance and compassion.

It Introduces Young Minds to Space and Imagination

Elio’s fascination with space feels limitless. When aliens mistakenly abduct him, thinking he’s Earth’s leader, he’s suddenly face-to-face with planets and species he could only dream of.

This part of the film opens up a colorful gateway for kids to explore curiosity, science, and the unknown. It’s a playful and sometimes poignant invitation to embrace wonder and imagination.

It Celebrates What Makes Kids Unique

Elio’s obsession with space makes him stand out, and not always in ways that others accept. He’s often labeled “weird,” and the bullying he faces leaves him isolated.

But in Communiverse, a place as strange as he is, Elio finds his confidence. He discovers that being different is not something to hide, but something to be proud of. With Glordon, an alien he met as a friend, and new human connections back on Earth, Elio learns to be himself — and that’s enough.

Parents will be reminded of how important it is to validate the quirks and passions that make their children unique.

It Teaches the Value of True Friendship

In a world where friendships can be fleeting, Elio and Glordon’s bond is refreshingly innocent and real. Glordon doesn’t judge Elio; he listens, laughs, and helps him believe in himself.

Their connection becomes a safe space for both, showing that sometimes the friends we need most come when we least expect them.

For parents, this is a gentle reminder: friendships matter to kids more than we sometimes realize. Helping children nurture and protect those bonds is part of helping them grow.

The Movie Explores Father and Son Relationships with Emotional Honesty

Lord Grigon, Glordon’s father, is a military leader who seems more concerned with legacy than listening. He’s furious when denied a spot in the Communiverse — and even more so when Glordon disappears.

But when father and son reunite, Glordon speaks up: he wants a different life, not one spent in armor and authority. Grigon, initially resistant, ultimately softens. He tells his son he loves him, even if he doesn’t always say it, and that he wants him to become the best version of himself.

This emotional shift mirrors a truth in many homes: that fathers often show love differently, and that listening to a child’s dreams—even if they’re different from your own—is one of the deepest acts of love.

Elio Is a Movie With Many Lessons

At its core, Elio reminds us that kids’ voices matter. Their ideas, their interests, and their emotions deserve to be heard. And sometimes, listening can do more than fix a moment — it can build a stronger bond for life.

In every journey, one truth remains: our family is our North Star — guiding us, grounding us, and helping us become who we’re meant to be.