Disney and Pixar’s Elio has been nominated for the Critics Choice Awards Best Animated Feature.
Elio Nominated for Best Animated Feature
According to the official Pixar account on X, Elio has received a nomination for Best Animated Feature through the Critics Choice Awards. See the post congratulating cast and crew below:
The Critics Choice Association announced nominations today, and the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards takes place on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT. It will be broadcast live on E! and USA Network.
Elio
Read Pixar’s official description of the film:
For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film Elio, the universe calls back! The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be.
The film was directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina from a screenplay by Julia Cho, Mark Hammer, and Mike Jones. It was produced by Mary Alice Drumm. The cast also features Zoe Saldaña as Elio’s aunt, Brad Garrett as Glordon’s father Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Questa, and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO.
Despite Disney and Pixar’s marketing attempts, including in-park advertisements and decor around Walt Disney World, the film suffered the worst opening weekend ever for a Disney-Pixar film.
Upcoming Pixar Films
Elio will be followed by another original story, Hoppers, in March 2026. The original film will be followed by another sequel, Toy Story 5, that June. The studios just recently announced the title and shared the first concept art of another original film, Gatto, which is scheduled to arrive in 2027.
Meanwhile, both Incredibles 3 and Coco 2 are already announced to be in the works at Pixar, though neither has a date just yet. It looks like Pixar is hoping a balance of original films and sequels will propel them forward.
Do you think Elio deserves the title of Best Animated Feature? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
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