Pixar’s latest animated feature, Elio, has stumbled at the box office with the worst opening weekend in the studio’s history.

Despite earning an 84% critic score and an impressive 91% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the sci-fi adventure opened with a modest $21 million across 3,750 North American theaters. That puts Elio in third place behind How to Train Your Dragon ($37M) and 28 Years Later ($30M), according to report.

Starring Yonas Kibreab as Elio, with supporting voice work from Zoe Saldaña and Brad Garrett, the film couldn’t translate its critical praise into strong ticket sales. The opening gross fell below Pixar’s previous record low: Elemental ($29.6M in 2023) and even 1995’s Toy Story ($29.1M).

While Disney and Pixar hoped for a stronger reception, Elio’s underperformance may reflect broader challenges for theatrical animation in the post-pandemic era or perhaps a disconnect between marketing and audience engagement.

With solid audience feedback, however, the film may still have a chance to gain momentum in the coming weeks—though its disappointing debut is a clear setback for Pixar.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is taking a bold turn as Jon Bernthal officially joins Spider-Man: Brand New Day, reprising his gritty role as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. This marks a high-stakes crossover that promises to add a darker, more brutal edge to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man storyline.

Directed by Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is scheduled to begin production in England this summer, with a theatrical release set for July 31, 2026. Plot specifics remain tightly under wraps, but Bernthal’s inclusion signals a serious shift in tone from previous Spider-Man films.

Bernthal’s Punisher, first introduced in Netflix’s Daredevil and later starring in his own series, is renowned for his no-nonsense, violent approach to justice—something Marvel Studios has vowed to retain in this iteration. He recently appeared in Daredevil: Born Again and is now confirmed to headline an R-rated Punisher solo film, which he’s also co-writing.

His involvement in Brand New Day raises exciting questions: Will Castle be an antagonist, ally, or uneasy partner to Holland’s Peter Parker? Their history, both on-screen and off—dating back to their shared time filming Pilgrimage—adds emotional weight to this reunion.

Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will reprise their roles as MJ and Ned, though details about their arcs remain under wraps. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joins the ensemble in a yet-undisclosed role, further deepening fan speculation.

Set after the events of No Way Home, where Peter Parker’s identity was erased from public memory, Brand New Day gives Marvel a fresh canvas. Rumors suggest a street-level storyline with potential appearances from criminal masterminds, symbiotes, or even alternate versions of Hulk.

Bernthal’s entrance, however, is the real game-changer. With his unforgiving moral code and relentless violence, the Punisher could push Spider-Man into unexplored territory—morally, emotionally, and physically.

Fans are bracing for a gritty, high-octane narrative that could redefine Spider-Man’s place in the MCU. Whether friend or foe, Punisher’s presence means one thing: Peter Parker’s world is about to get far more dangerous.

Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most iconic action stars, will finally be awarded an honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced. Despite his stellar box office success and four Academy Award nominations, Cruise has never won an Oscar—until now.

The 62-year-old actor will be honored alongside choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, visionary production designer Wynn Thomas, and legendary singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton. The ceremony will take place on November 16 at Ovation Hollywood, ahead of the main Oscars event in March 2026.

Cruise’s award marks a long-overdue recognition of a career that spans decades, including major performances in Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, Magnolia, and Top Gun: Maverick. He’s also renowned for performing his own stunts in the Mission: Impossible franchise and has been a vocal supporter of theatrical film releases—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Academy President Janet Yang described the honorees as “individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact.” Cruise was specifically lauded for his unwavering dedication to cinema and advocacy for the theatrical experience.

Debbie Allen, 75, will also be recognized for her multifaceted impact as a choreographer, actress, and producer. Though she’s never received an Oscar nomination, her acclaimed work spans films such as Ragtime, Amistad, and Fame, along with multiple Academy Awards choreography credits.

Wynn Thomas, known for his collaborations with Spike Lee and contributions to A Beautiful Mind, will be honored for his groundbreaking production design and artistic vision.

Country music icon Dolly Parton will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. With initiatives like the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has donated nearly 285 million books globally, Parton’s charitable efforts have made a significant global impact. She has also been twice nominated for an Oscar for her original songs.

The Governors Awards, now in its 16th year, celebrates outstanding contributions to the art of filmmaking and humanitarian efforts within the industry. While the ceremony is not televised, it remains one of the most prestigious events leading up to the Oscars.