The following contains spoilers for Elio, now playing in theatersThe post-credits scenes inEliohint at the potential direction a sequel could take and tease the next film set to be released by Pixar.Eliofocuses on the titular boy, who is obsessed with aliens out of a belief that they would be able to accept him in a way that the people of Earth simply can’t. This sweet movie ends up exploring the importance of emotional bonds and the ways empathy can help make the world a better place for everyone, with the happy ending ensuring no one leaves the film embittered or broken.
Eliois a cute movie with a strong moral, but it’s also one of the most potentially expansive endings in Pixar history. The film ends with the aliens coming to Earth, seemingly confirming their existence to humanity as a whole. This beat is followed by two credits scenes, one of which continues Elio’s story and confirms his connection with the greater universe remains strong after the events of the film. Here’s how the mid-credits scene ofEliosets up a potential sequel — and how the post-credits scene teasesan upcoming Pixar film.
Elio’s Mid-Credits Scene Explained
Elio’s Mid-Credits Scene Hints That Elio, Bryce, And Glordon Are All Still Friends
The mid-credits scene ofElioconfirms that the titular young boy and his friends on Earth are still in contact with Glordon, which sets the stage for a future reunion and potential sequel storylines.Elioends with the boy returning to Earth after helping save the Communiverse from the chaos that he inadvertently caused. Although he willingly returns home to build his bond up with his Aunt Olga, Elio does seem to retain contact with the aliens he encountered and is last seen alongside his new human friend Bryce as they contact Glordon.
It’s a sweet scene that codifies the connection between Elio and his friends, while also seemingly confirming a big part of the film’s ending. When Elio and Olga returned to Earth, the Communiverse ship was seen by everyone on the base. This seemingly confirms to the public on Earth, or at least everyone present, that aliens are real. The fact that Bryce is helping Elio make contact with Glordon suggests these friendships will endure beyond the distance of the galaxy, underscoring the film’s themes about the importance of the bonds we share with one another.
Elio Could Have Plenty Of Reasons To Return To Space
Image via Disney+
Although the mid-credits scene ofElioisn’t a deliberate cliffhanger, it does leave the door open for a potential follow-up exploring Elio’s future and his place in the greater universe. Elio being in contact with Glordon suggests that humanity and aliens have retained a willingness and capability to communicate.This could force Elio to take on the ambassador rolehe spent the entire movie trying to earn, given that he now has personal history and connections with the council.
Elio talking with Glordon could set up an eventual visit for the alien that comes to Earth or one where Elio (with someone like Olga or Bryce in tow) returns to space for a new mission. This could open up lots of possibilities, including an exploration of whether or not Earth as a whole would want to join an organization like the Communiverse at all.Glordon could also find himself entangled in a new conflictthanks to the war-mongering of his people, which in turn could require the recruitment of a “master negotiator” like Elio.
Elio’s mid-credits scene is a sweet beat that underscores the emotional arc that Elio took on in the film.It also lays the groundwork for the potential future directions of the character, if he were to get the opportunity to return for a new story. Elio may have grown enough to accept the connections that people want to foster with him, but he still has a long way to go to fully grow up. A sequel toEliocould easily focus on Elio truly coming to age while serving as the go-between for his loved ones on Earth and his friends from the greater universe.
Elio’s Post-Credits Scene Is A Tease For Pixar’s Next Movie, Hoppers
The Teaser Sets The Tone For Hoppers
Although there is a mid-credits scene forEliothat sets up further adventures for the young boy and his friends,there’s also a brief post-credits scene after the credits ofEliothat has nothing to do with the movie that preceded it. Instead, the clip focuses on a realistic lizard that has found a cell phone against an otherwise darkened screen. Having found the lizard emoji, the creature pushes the button repeatedly, filling the screen with the little green icon.
This is followed by the title card forHoppers, which is currently set to be one of the next additions to the Pixar canon. The teaser doesn’t reveal too much about the movie beyond the title and the focus on animals. However, other news has come out about the film, thanks in part to a presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival that helped expand on the confirmed cast and details about the movie.
What We Know About Pixar’s Hoppers
Pixar’s Next Original Movie Is About Animals And Robots
Directed by We Bare Bears creator Daniel Chong,Hoppersis set to debut in theaters on July 31, 2025. The film centers around a young animal-obsessed girl named Mabel who struggles to protect the local wildlife from an upcoming construction project spearheaded by Jon Hamm’s Mayor Jerry. To do this, she uses an experimental process to create a robotic beaver that she can “hop” into. This way, she gains the ability to communicate directly with the beavers. This includes Bobby Moynihan’s King George, who rules over the local community that has gathered around the pond.
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Reports out of Annecy Festival suggest that the new film will lean into a largely comedic tone, with Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter telling the audience that the film is an “action-packed comedy spy thriller.” The teaser forHoppersincluded at the end of the credits forElioleans into that suggested comedic tone and apparent focus on animals, even if it leaves the actual plot to the imagination. Still, it’s a fun tease for Pixar fans who are already excited for the next film from the illustrious studio after the release ofElio.
