Pixar is preparing to leap into bold new territory with Gatto, its freshly announced original film set to release on June 18, 2027. Departing from the studio’s conventional visual and narrative styles, Gatto is not just another talking animal movie—it’s an ambitious, jazz-infused tale set in the heart of Venice and brought to life with a hand-painted CG aesthetic unlike anything Pixar has attempted before.
🎬 What Gatto Is All About
Directed by Enrico Casarosa (Luca, La Luna) and produced by Andrea Warren (Lava, Cars 3), Gatto centers on Nero, a streetwise black cat with a passion for jazz who finds himself entangled with Venice’s “feline mob.” His unlikely friendship with Maya, a struggling street musician, forms the emotional core of the film. Set against the backdrop of moonlit canals and echoing alleys, their bond challenges the cat’s cynical worldview and explores themes of trust, creativity, and the power of music to connect unlikely souls.
Pixar describes the project as a love letter to both Italian culture and jazz music—melding the director’s personal heritage with a musical heartbeat reminiscent of Soul but filtered through the improvisational, melancholic spirit of Venice.
🎨 A Visual Departure: Hand-Painted CG Comes to Life
What makes Gatto truly stand out is its radical visual direction. Instead of Pixar’s traditional hyperrealistic style powered by the RenderMan engine, Casarosa’s vision leans into painterly CG animation, designed to resemble hand-drawn brush strokes and textured watercolor backgrounds. This artistic choice evokes the look of European storybooks and indie shorts, placing Gatto closer in spirit to La Luna or The Boy and the Heron than to Toy Story.
Pixar insiders suggest this is a deliberate response to the growing appetite for visually distinctive animation—following the acclaim received by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Sea Beast, and Flow. Gatto may represent a turning point for Pixar as it reinvents its visual identity and leans into auteur-driven filmmaking.
🎷 The Sound of Gatto: Jazz at the Heart of the Film
Music will play a central role in Gatto, with jazz not just functioning as a soundtrack but as a narrative device. Nero’s love for improvisational jazz becomes a metaphor for the way he navigates his world—cautious, rule-breaking, but full of soul. The soundtrack is rumored to feature original compositions blending classic Italian motifs with New Orleans jazz, further emphasizing the film’s global, multicultural flavor.
🌍 Setting the Stage: Pixar Returns to Italy
Having already charmed audiences with Luca‘s Ligurian seaside villages, Pixar returns to Italy—but this time to Venice, one of the world’s most visually poetic cities. Venice’s maze-like alleys, hidden bridges, and reflections on water offer a dreamlike stage perfect for Casarosa’s painterly ambitions. This setting also introduces a darker, more mysterious tone than previous Pixar films, with the canal-based feline underworld adding noirish flavor.
🔄 Pixar’s Strategic Shift: Originals and Risk-Taking
Gatto isn’t just a film—it’s a statement. In an era where Pixar has faced criticism for leaning too heavily on sequels (Toy Story 5, Inside Out 2, Cars on the Road), this project reinforces a renewed commitment to originality. Alongside Elio (2025) and Hoppers (2026), Gatto fits into a broader pattern of alternating originals with sequels.
Here’s a look at Pixar’s upcoming slate:
🗓️ Pixar Release Calendar (2025–2027)
| Year | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Elio | June 20, 2025 |
| 2026 | Hoppers | March 6, 2026 |
| 2026 | Toy Story 5 | June 19, 2026 |
| 2027 | Gatto | June 18, 2027 |
| TBD | Coco 2, Incredibles 3 | In Development |
This balance between franchise nostalgia and new storytelling is part of Pixar’s strategy to recapture audience loyalty and critical acclaim after a few uneven years.
✅ Final Thoughts: Why Gatto Could Be Pixar’s Next Masterpiece
Gatto is shaping up to be more than a beautiful film—it could redefine what audiences expect from Pixar. With its painterly visuals, jazz-driven story, noir-like setting, and heartfelt emotional arcs, Gatto promises to be an animated film for all ages that doesn’t shy away from artistic ambition. If it delivers on its potential, it could sit alongside Ratatouille, Up, and Inside Out as one of Pixar’s most beloved originals.
Mark your calendar for June 18, 2027—Pixar’s black cat may just strike gold.
Elio | Official Trailer Out Now
Pixar’s latest cosmic adventure “Elio” has just released its official trailer, giving fans a glimpse into an extraordinary journey across the universe. The trailer introduces us to the young protagonist Elio, played by Yonas Kibreab, who finds himself unexpectedly whisked away from Earth and thrust into an intergalactic adventure. The trailer showcases Elio’s journey of self-discovery as he navigates a world filled with unique creatures while trying to figure out where he truly belongs.
The new trailer reveals stunning animation and hints at Pixar’s signature blend of humor and heart. We see Elio struggling to fit in before encountering Lord Grigon and other colorful characters from across the cosmos. The film appears to continue Pixar’s tradition of exploring deep themes through accessible storytelling, this time examining identity and belonging through the lens of space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Pixar’s “Elio” follows a young boy’s unexpected journey through space as he discovers his place in the universe.
- The official trailer showcases stunning animation and introduces viewers to colorful alien characters including Lord Grigon.
- Disney and Pixar’s cosmic adventure is set to arrive in theaters in 2025, promising both comedy and heartfelt moments.
Unveiling ‘Elio’: The Story and Production
Pixar’s latest animated feature “Elio” explores a young space enthusiast’s unexpected journey when he becomes Earth’s ambassador to aliens. The film is set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025, promising another heartfelt adventure from the acclaimed animation studio.
Storyline and Key Characters
“Elio” centers on a young boy who’s obsessed with outer space and alien civilizations. When extraterrestrial beings intercept his signal, Elio finds himself suddenly thrust into the role of Earth’s representative to the cosmos. His space fanatic tendencies and alien obsession finally pay off in ways he never imagined.
The film follows Elio as he navigates an intergalactic community, facing challenges that test his understanding of both alien cultures and his own humanity. The story appears to blend humor, heart, and adventure—hallmarks of Pixar’s storytelling approach.
Early trailers suggest Elio must overcome his own insecurities while proving himself worthy of representing our entire planet. His journey looks both personal and cosmic in scope.
Behind the Scenes with the Creators
The creative team behind “Elio” brings together Pixar veterans and fresh voices. Adrian Molina, known for his work on “Coco,” serves as one of the key creative forces. His storytelling expertise with cultural themes and family dynamics appears evident in the film’s approach.
Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, who previously directed “Bao” and “Turning Red,” contribute their unique sensibilities to the project. Their influence can be seen in the film’s apparent blend of fantastical elements with grounded emotional storytelling.
Pixar’s animation technology continues to evolve, with “Elio” showcasing their latest advancements in rendering alien worlds and characters. The production team faced the challenge of creating believable extraterrestrial environments while maintaining the emotional connection audiences expect from Pixar.
The trailers reveal vibrant visuals and imaginative alien designs that push the boundaries of the studio’s animation capabilities.
Cast and Characters
Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” features a talented voice cast bringing to life both human characters and alien beings in this space adventure. The film showcases established stars alongside promising newcomers.
Main Protagonists and Their Portrayers
Yonas Kibreab voices the title character Elio, a space-obsessed boy who becomes Earth’s ambassador to the cosmos. Kibreab, a relative newcomer, brings youthful energy and enthusiasm to the role of the unlikely intergalactic diplomat.
Zoe Saldaña, known for her roles in other space-themed blockbusters, plays Aunt Olga. Her character appears to have a significant relationship with Elio, possibly serving as a guardian figure.
August Linn also joins the cast, though specific details about their character remain limited in the available information. The main characters seem poised to take viewers on an adventure that balances coming-of-age themes with cosmic exploration.
Supporting Cast Highlights
Brad Garrett lends his distinctive voice to Lord Grigon, likely an imposing alien authority figure in the film. Garrett’s deep, resonant voice makes him perfect for roles requiring gravitas.
Remy Edgerly voices Glordon, potentially one of the “out-of-this-world creatures” mentioned in promotional materials who helps Elio navigate his new interstellar responsibilities.
Jameela Jamil portrays Ambassador, suggesting diplomatic themes in the storyline. Her character may serve as either a mentor or obstacle for Elio.
Shirley Henderson rounds out the supporting cast, though her specific role hasn’t been prominently featured in the promotional materials yet. The diverse supporting characters create a rich backdrop for Elio’s journey through space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about Disney and Pixar’s upcoming animated film “Elio.” The movie has generated excitement with its recently released trailer showing a unique space adventure.
When is the release date for the movie Elio?
Elio is scheduled to be released exclusively in theaters on June 20, 2025. The film was originally planned for June 13, 2025, but has been moved to the following week according to the most recent information from Disney and Pixar.
This summer 2025 release date gives audiences something to look forward to next year from the renowned animation studio.
Who are the cast members featured in the Elio trailer?
The full cast list for Elio has not been completely revealed in the available information. Disney and Pixar typically assemble talented voice actors for their animated features.
As more promotional materials are released, the studio will likely announce the voice actors portraying the main character Elio and the “out-of-this world creatures” mentioned in the trailer description.
Who directed the film Elio?
The director information for Elio is not specified in the search results provided. Pixar films are known for their accomplished directors who often have experience working on previous Pixar projects.
The studio typically announces directorial and production team information alongside early promotional materials or in press releases.
Can you describe the plot of Elio?
Elio appears to follow a story about a character who encounters extraterrestrial beings. Based on the trailer description, the film involves “out-of-this world creatures who just might help him figure out” something important.
The search results also mention that “For centuries, people…” which suggests the film may involve a long-standing relationship or history between humans and aliens. The story seems to involve space travel and discovery.
What genres does the Elio film fall under?
Elio falls under the animation genre as a Disney and Pixar production. Based on the trailer descriptions, the film also fits into the science fiction and adventure genres with its space and alien themes.
Like many Pixar films, it will likely blend family-friendly storytelling with deeper themes that appeal to audiences of all ages.
How can I watch the official trailer for Elio?
The official trailer for Elio is available on YouTube as indicated in the search results. Disney and Pixar have released the trailer through their official channels.
The trailer can also be found on social media platforms where it has been shared, including content referenced from MovieWeb. Additionally, various movie news websites have embedded the trailer in their articles about the upcoming film.
