The U.S. Army has Saving Private Ryan, the Navy claims Top Gun, and the Marine Corps is often associated with Full Metal Jacket. Now, the U.S. Space Force, one of the newest branches of the American military, might have found its own media spotlight — not in a gritty war film, but in an animated children’s movie by Disney and Pixar called Elio.
A New Star in Military-Themed Films
Elio tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who dreams of being abducted by aliens and ends up going on an intergalactic adventure. While the idea sounds playful and light-hearted, the film also paints a surprisingly accurate and respectful picture of space operations carried out by the U.S. military — particularly the role of the Space Force.
The film features a strong military connection through the character of Air Force Major Olga Solis, Elio’s aunt and guardian, who is an orbital analyst. She plays a crucial role in tracking debris in space, a real-life responsibility of many Guardians in the Space Force. Though Elio was in production before the Space Force officially came into existence in 2019, the U.S. Air Force and later the Space Force supported the film with guidance, base tours, and expert advice.
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Inside the Film’s Military Collaboration
During its development, Elio received support from multiple U.S. military locations, including Travis Air Force Base, Beale Air Force Base, and Vandenberg Space Force Base — all in California. Personnel from these installations offered insights to the movie’s directors, writers, lyricists, and animators on military life, space missions, and the role of Guardians.
The Space Force later confirmed in an email to Military.com that its service members — also known as Guardians — contributed to making the portrayal of space operations more authentic. They worked closely with Pixar to ensure the film showed realistic elements of the job, such as space debris tracking, which is a critical part of today’s space missions.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna praised the film, saying it highlights the efforts of Guardians and reflects the rapid evolution of space-related military services. He noted that the Space Force’s growth is visible in how quickly it became part of mainstream storytelling, even during a film’s production process.
The connection with Elio is especially meaningful when compared to earlier media portrayals of the Space Force. Netflix’s show Space Force, which aired during the service’s early years, was largely comedic and satirical. It received mixed reviews and was eventually canceled after two seasons, which many Guardians reportedly welcomed.
Military Families and Emotional Themes
The film doesn’t just focus on technology or outer space; it also presents important emotional messages. Elio, the main character, is a young orphan being raised in a military household. His story shows the challenges and feelings many children in military families go through — such as adjusting to constant changes and finding a place in new environments.
Elio’s friendship with an alien named Glordon becomes central to the movie. Glordon comes from a species known for conflict and war, but over time, he and Elio develop a bond. Their relationship teaches lessons of understanding, acceptance, and peace — values that military families and communities often cherish.
Develyn Watson, deputy director of the Department of the Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office, highlighted the film’s focus on relationships and emotional growth. She noted that it portrays what it can feel like for a military child dealing with uncertainty and new surroundings.
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The connection between the film and real-life military families is not accidental. In 2019, co-writer and co-director Adrian Molina toured Beale Air Force Base for inspiration. He was born at the base and used his personal experiences to shape Elio’s character and background. Military families across the country were invited to advance screenings of the film, further showing its importance to the defense community.
The movie’s themes, combined with its accurate depiction of the Space Force’s work, set Elio apart from previous portrayals. It has already begun conversations within the military and entertainment communities about how the Space Force can be better represented in future media.
Last year, Chief Master Sergeant Bentivegna met with Hollywood directors and producers, including Jerry and Janet Zucker, to promote more accurate and inspiring depictions of the Space Force. The meeting took place at the Fox Studio Lot in California and aimed to highlight the national security importance of the Guardians’ mission.
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This push for better representation also followed another film titled Fly Me to the Moon, featuring stars like Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson. That film was based on the 1960s space race and involved shooting scenes at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida — another nod to the growing visibility of the Space Force in popular media.
While Elio is meant for children, its deeper messages and respectful representation of military duties have made it stand out. It may well be the Space Force’s most successful appearance in film so far.
