Summary
- Pixar's movies, like Elemental, are often underrated but deliver touching and successful stories.
- Onward and Monsters University, though underrecognized, excel in storytelling and emotion.
- Luca, Brave, and Soul are proof of Pixar's innovative and resonant storytelling that often goes unnoticed.
Within the world of movies, the animation sector has two dominant giants leading the way, with Studio Ghibli being one. However, Pixar, the Disney animation studio, takes the other spot, leading the charge in the West, delivering forward-thinking, joyous, and emotionally charged movies that are among Disney's greatest releases. With over 29 Pixar movies released since 1995, the studio, famed for franchises such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Up, has continued to excel in the 2020s, bringing forth fresh ideas and concepts that remain relevant to this day.
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In the pantheon of Pixar movies, some of the studio's productions, although good, flew under the radar for many audiences, with Pixar having several underrated films within its impeccable and revered catalog.
8 Elemental
Elemental Love In A Metropolis
Elemental
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 16, 2023
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O'Hara, Ronobir Lahiri, Wilma Bonet, Joe Pera, Matthew Yang King, Ben Morris, Jonathan Adams, Alex Kapp, P.L. Brown
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
- Director
- Peter Sohn
One of Pixar's most recent releases, Elemental, presents an energetic world where a society is made up of elements, with Elemental City serving as the setting for this grand adventure. Elemental indulges itself in romance, as its protagonist, Ember Lumen, a fire element whose upbringing and culture lead her to believe elements are unable to mix, comes across Wade Ripple, a goofy water element who opens her eyes to their multifaceted world, with romance being heavily in the cards.
Elemental is one of Pixar's best stories involving romance. The chemistry between Ember and Wade in an elemental world proves to be a success, delivering a sweet, lighthearted watch.
7 Onward
Two Elves Seek To Reunite With Their Deceased Father
Onward
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- March 6, 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Chris Pratt2, Tom Holland
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
- Director
- Dan Scanlon
The Tom Holland and Chris Pratt-led movie Onward certainly went under the radar for many, as its release coincided with the pandemic, which clouded the film from view for many audiences, despite its emotionally charged story. Onward's narrative follows the adventures of Ian and Barley Lightfoot, two elf brothers who seek a mysterious artifact said to have the power to revive their deceased father for 24 hours, in the hopes of finally getting cherished memories to look back on while simultaneously giving them closure.
Placing family dynamics at the crux of its narrative, Onward thrives through the touching dynamic between the brothers, who grow their bond considerably throughout the film, with its excellent fantasy worldbuilding only adding to the journey.
6 Monsters University
A Sequel To A Classic That Went Under The Radar
Monsters University
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 19, 2013
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Peter Sohn, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Charlie Day, Alfred Molina, Tyler Labine, Nathan Fillion, Aubrey Plaza, Bobby Moynihan, Noah Johnston, Julia Sweeney, Bonnie Hunt, John Krasinski, Bill Hader, Beth Behrs, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Lori Alan, Carlos Alazraqui, Jack Angel
- Runtime
- 104 minutes
- Director
- Dan Scanlon
Following up on the Pixar classic Monsters Inc., Monsters University arrived a decade later, continuing the story of Monsters universe and its iconic characters, Sully and Mike Wazowski. The only prequel in Pixar's catalog focuses on Mike and Sully's time at Monsters University, a prestigious college that helps students become full-fledged terrifying monsters. However, its central premise involves the initial rivalry between the pair and their gradual beginnings as friends.
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Hailing from contrasting backgrounds, Mike and Sully's relationship is the crux of Monsters University, as the duo's developing bond comes to fruition during the Scare Games, providing the perfect platform for them to showcase their prowess through exceptional teamwork. The development of their friendship and the emotional weight that emerges in the story make it a quality prequel that enhances the Monsters Inc. Universe, solidifying Mike and Sully as legendary characters within Disney's array of icons.
5 Brave
Medieval Scotland Features A Strong Female Protagonist
Brave
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 21, 2012
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd
- Runtime
- 1h 33m
- Director
- Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
Emerging in the early 2010s, Brave was the first Pixar movie to feature a female protagonist, with Merida, a princess of medieval Scotland, taking center stage in this underrated flick. Merida is a kindhearted and headstrong princess who causes an uproar when she rejects a marriage proposal in favor of her autonomy. As a result, her mother is transformed into a bear through an ancient curse inflicted by a peculiar witch, prompting Merida to embark on an adventure to undo the spell and save her mother, with whom she shares a complicated relationship.
In a world rigid with its expectations and societal roles, Brave's fierce protagonist emerges as one of Disney's most iconic princesses in a movie that features a mother-daughter relationship marked by growth and eventual understanding.
4 Luca
A Shapeshifting Sea Monster Has A Summer To Remember
Luca
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- June 18, 2021
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo, Maya Rudolph, Marco Barricelli, Jim Gaffigan, Peter Sohn
- Runtime
- 95 MINUTES
- Director
- Enrico Casarosa
Another modern Pixar movie that is less heralded than others is Luca, a coming-of-age story featuring a sea monster capable of transforming into a human when on land. Luca's titular character, Luca, is a sea monster who befriends Alberto, a fellow sea monster who can transform into human form. Despite warnings from their parents, the pair heads to the Italian city of Portorosso in hopes of winning a Vespa to travel the world. Meanwhile, their adventures see them befriend Giulia, a girl who develops a special bond with Luca.
Earning its place as one of Disney's strongest coming-of-age stories, Luca's exploration of identity, acceptance, and youthful exuberance proves to be a winning combination. This is complemented by its slick visuals and animation, as well as the young relationship between Luca and Alberto, who navigate the ups and downs of a precarious situation relating to their true nature.
3 Cars
Racing Glory Intertwines With A Small Town
Cars
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 9, 2006
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Guido Quaroni, Jenifer Lewis, Paul Dooley, Michael Wallis, George Carlin, Katherine Helmond, John Ratzenberger, Joe Ranft, Michael Keaton, Richard Petty, Jeremy Piven, Bob Costas, Darrell Waltrip, Richard Kind, Edie McClurg, Humpy Wheeler, Tom Magliozzi, Ray Magliozzi, Lynda Petty
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
- Director
- John Lasseter
Often being meme'd to oblivion, Cars is an exhilarating Pixar movie that is one of the only franchises within the studio, alongside Toy Story, to have garnered a trilogy of movies as well as a spinoff show, owing to the riveting story surrounding Lightning McQueen. Cars' premise follows the extravagant and flashy protagonist McQueen, a race car yearning for the Piston Cup. However, after getting lost on Route 66, the flashy McQueen ingratiates himself with Radiator Springs, a small town where the protagonist finds friendship, romance, and mentorship on his path to glory.
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Filled with tremendous voice acting performances, including Paul Newman's wise portrayal of Doc Hudson, Cars is a movie packed with plenty of heart and passion, featuring intense highs and lows that make it perfect for family entertainment.
2 A Bug's Life
The Influential Second-Ever Release From Pixar
A Bug's Life
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- November 25, 1998
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Phyllis Diller, Richard Kind, David Hyde Pierce, Joe Ranft, Denis Leary, Jonathan Harris, Madeline Kahn, Bonnie Hunt, Michael McShane, John Ratzenberger, Brad Garrett, Roddy McDowall, Edie McClurg, Alex Rocco, David Ossman, Carlos Alazraqui, Jack Angel, Bob Bergen, Kimberly J. Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Anthony Burch
- Runtime
- 95 minutes
- Director
- John Lasseter
Emerging as Pixar's second-ever release, A Bug's Life has often been overshadowed by Toy Story, despite presenting a compelling story about the battle between ants and grasshoppers. A Bug's Life centers on Flik, an ingenious ant who enlists the help of circus bugs to defend his colony from the attacks of vicious grasshoppers led by Hopper, who continually hamper their livelihoods.
A Bug's Life presents a lighthearted approach to a mature narrative that, at times, can be dark, especially for a family-friendly movie. Led by impactful characters on opposing sides, such as the likable Flik and the frightening Hopper, the movie offered a glimpse of what was to come from Pixar, handling stories that were engrossing while conveying essential messages and themes of empowerment.
1 Soul
A Jazz Musician Takes A Detour To The Afterlife
Soul
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 25, 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Tina Fey, John Ratzenberger, Daveed Diggs, Jamie Foxx, Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir-Khalib Thompson
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
- Director
- Pete Docter
One of Pixar's best films of the decade, Soul was heavily underwatched when it was released during the pandemic, but the movie's inspiring message and themes were ahead of their time. The story of Joe Gardner, an aspiring jazz musician, comes to a halt after he is killed in an accident. Joe finds himself in the afterlife, where, as a soul, he attempts to reconnect with his body in time for his big musical breakout.
Soul's beautiful animation, paired with its deep and soulful storytelling, crafts a resonating tale brimming with care and love, with Pixar's first black protagonist representing a culture that is too often underrepresented in the animation medium.
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