There are plenty of upcoming 2026 movies to get hyped for this March, and Pixar’s new flick, Hoppers, is definitely one of them. The voice cast of this original animated feature is stacked. Jon Hamm is playing Mayor Jerry, Meryl Streep is the Insect Queen, Dave Franco is voicing her son, Titus, and we'll also hear Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan, and Piper Curdo, to name a few. Still, one voice in particular will stand out to longtime Pixar fans. There's a moment that practically begs you to shout at the screen, “I know that voice!” It’s Mabel’s mom, voiced by none other than Lori Alan.

Disney Pixar’s new original animated film Hoppers is about a tenacious young woman named Mabel Tanaka who hijacks “hopping” technology that was invented to let humans communicate with wildlife and transfers her consciousness into an animatronic beaver. Determined to save the animals’ homes from human development led by Jon Hamm's Mayor Jerry, Mabel uses the technology to befriend beavers like King George and rally other creatures against the threat to their habitat.

In the film, Mabel has a strong bond with her family, especially her grandmother. While she and her mom do not share much screen time, if you are anything like me, the moment you hear the voice will drive you crazy. I sat there and tried and failed to figure out who was playing Mabel's mom, and even the Internet was not helpful in my pursuit.

So when CinemaBlend had the chance to speak with Hoppers director Daniel Chong during our visit to Pixar Studios, I had to ask him directly who voiced Mabel’s mom. As it turns out, in the world of Pixar, Lori Alan is practically a household name.

The moment Chong said her name, a lightbulb went off in my head. Of course—that’s the voice of Bonnie’s mom from the Toy Story franchise. You can even catch a snippet of her voice in the recently dropped Toy Story 5 trailer (it already has me tearing up). However, that’s not the only Pixar mom Alan has portrayed. She also voices Riley’s mom’s sadness character in Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Producer Nicole Grindle jumped in:

I bet it's kind of fun to be labeled as ‘Pixar’s mom.’ It immediately had me thinking about how many other moms in Pixar that Lori Alan has voiced. Now, excuse me while I go on an Easter egg hunt, and see if I'm missing any other mom's she's played.

To note, Alan is not just known for her voice work in Pixar films. She is probably best recognized as the voice of Pearl Krabs from SpongeBob SquarePants or as Diane Simmons from Family Guy. Gaming fans may also know her as the voice of the Boss in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.

Hopefully, now, when you sit down to watch Hoppers on March 6, you won’t be distracted trying to place Lori Alan’s voice. Instead, you'll be ready to dive into Mabel’s adventure—hopping into beavers, rallying the forest creatures, and taking on Mayor Jerry. This film is full of heart, humor, and surprises that deserve your full attention. Tickets are on sale now at AMC and other theaters.

When you’re an actor, you never really know what characters of yours are going to become popular, but Maya Hawke has had some good luck on that front. Along with playing Stranger Things’ fan-favorite Robin Buckley, last year she voiced the Pixar character Anxiety, and it was the biggest blockbuster hit of 2025. She just opened up to Amy Poehler about what playing the character means to her over a year later.

Maya Hawke fittingly was on the podcast her Inside Out 2 costar hosts, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. During their conversation, the 27-year-old talked about being behind the viral animated character. In her words:

When Inside Out 2 came out last summer, it instantly became a huge release, ultimately making $1.67 billion worldwide, topping the worldwide box office in 2024. Hawke’s character of Anxiety was a huge highlight of it all, emulating many’s own experiences with the emotion. As the actress continued:

Maya Hawke feels like perhaps she’s at the point where dressing up as Robin in her Scoops Ahoy costume might be a little old for her, especially considering she first donned the outfit back in 2019’s Season 3. However, she doesn’t see the same being true for her Inside Out 2 character. It’s a good thing too, because the movie beautifully encapsulates what it’s like to deal with anxiety in a way that generations to come will likely remember. They'll continue to come up to Hawke and talk about her about for her whole life.

During the co-stars' chat about being part of Inside Out 2, they commiserated about how “rare” it is to be part of a movie that hits all the benchmarks of success like the Pixar sequel did – including through our glowing Inside Out 2 review. Hawke called it a “rainbow,” pointing out how wild it is that it made over a $1 billion dollars and is “good for the world.” Hawke also said this about being approached to embody Anxiety:

It certainly sounds like playing Anxiety has allowed Maya Hawke to connect with people and find a positive way she can impact others by embracing the character further. Elsewhere in the interview, Hawke said that playing Anxiety has taught her to show love to the anxious part of herself, invite it into the conversation and give it a “comfy chair” like Riley does in the movie.

We don’t know if Inside Out 3 is happening, but we have some ideas about what should happen. Both Hawke and Poehler expressed their interest in returning to Joy and Anxiety should there be another sequel.

Animation is often seen as a medium for making “kids' movies.” To be sure, there’s something about the bright colors of an animated image that lends itself well to the sorts of stories that are most suitable for younger audiences. As such, whenever a major animation studio like Disney or Pixar or Dreamworks releases a new movie, it's viewed in terms of how it will appeal to kids more than any other audience.

But as Guillermo Del Toro is fond of telling us, animation is simply a medium, not a genre. The best Pixar movies, and the best animated movies in general, tend to appeal to a wide audience. There’s nothing about the format that requires it to be for kids, and there’s certainly no shortage of animated projects that are more suitable, if not strictly designed, for more adult audiences. This leads me to ask the question: Is it time for Pixar to make a movie for grown-ups?

Pixar’s Audience Seems To Be Getting Older

Pixar has a unique story in the history of animation. It was founded specifically to make computer animation, and that’s all the studio has ever done. While it is part of Disney, which makes more live-action movies than it does animated films by a wide margin, nobody has ever asked Pixar to do anything other than what it knows.

And for the most part, this focus on its strengths has made it one of the most successful movie studios, of any kind, in the movie industry. Four of the top ten highest-grossing animated movies ever made are from Pixar, including Inside Out 2, which became the highest-grossing animated film ever made last summer.

Most of Pixar’s most successful films are sequels, and while that may simply be a symptom of the world of franchise filmmaking, there’s also an argument to be made that the audience for Pixar films is simply getting older. While there was a time that the primary audience for Pixar films may have been kids, those kids have grown up, and that has been reflected in much of Pixar’s storytelling. Toy Story movies are no longer for the kids, but for the adults who were kids when they saw the first one.

Pixar’s Elio Is Strongest When It Focuses On Characters Other Than Elio

The newest Pixar movie is Elio. If you’ve seen the trailer, then you know the movie is about a young boy who is having trouble making his life work on Earth and attempts to get himself abducted by aliens in hopes that life elsewhere will work out better. He is successful in accomplishing half of that plan.

However, that’s not all Elio is about. It’s also a story about being a parent, or more specifically about trying to be a parent despite not having a damn clue how to do it. Zoe Saldana voices Olga Solis, Elio’s aunt, who has become his guardian following the death of Elio’s parents in an unspecified accident. A not insignificant portion of the film is dedicated to Olga, who had dreams of becoming an astronaut before becoming a de facto parent scuttled her plans.

I won’t pretend that being a parent myself, of a kid who appreciates Pixar films, and one who occasionally wonders just what the hell I got myself into, wasn’t a big part of the reason this part of Elio resonated with me more than Elio’s own story, but it certainly did. I think it’s the far stronger part of Elio’s plot than what the kid gets up to, and I wish it had been given more screen time in order to be properly developed. I would have been happy with a version of Elio where the title character was the subject of the movie, but not the protagonist.

Pixar Has Shown An Ability To Tell “Adult” Stories Before

While Pixar protagonists are often kids, or non-human characters whose age is irrelevant, Elio certainly isn’t the first time that we’ve seen more adult characters and stories take center stage in Pixar films. The protagonists of Soul and Up! are adults, dealing with adult issues, though they get paired with child characters, perhaps as a way to make the movie more accessible to younger audiences.

Director Brad Bird is on record saying Incredibles 2 is not a kids' movie. One imagines that the upcoming Incredibles 3 will follow suit in his mind. The superhero films certainly have a level of action that may not be suitable for the youngest viewers.

We’ve occasionally seen inside the heads of Riley’s parents in the Inside Out movies. Mei’s mom is a significant part of Turning Red. Even one of the OG Pixar classics, Finding Nemo, is ultimately about the father of the title character, not Nemo himself. Though in all those cases, the story is about parents understanding their children, not parents understanding themselves.

Perhaps the most “grown-up” Pixar movie was 2023’s Elemental. The movie is a romantic drama about two young adults falling in love. It’s not necessarily the sort of story your average child is going to care that much about. Maybe that was ultimately the reason Elemental flopped at the domestic box office, though I thought it was an excellent movie, specifically because of Elemental's strong character drama.

I’d Love To See Pixar Make An Animated Movie Specifically For Adults

To be clear, when I say I would love to see Pixar make adult animation, I don’t mean the movie needs to be full of adult language, violence, or sex. Although I’m also not saying such things are entirely off the table either. I simply mean I would love to see what Pixar could do with a story that was specifically geared toward a more mature audience that is not expected to also appeal to a younger one.

I would simply love to see what Pixar could do with a film that has a somewhat different goal in mind. There’s no doubt the studio can tell a mature and affecting story with only a fraction of a normal feature film runtime, so what could Pixar do if they had all 100 minutes to build a world and characters and jump into a serious drama or a rom-com? It doesn’t have to be something kids shouldn’t watch, simply something they probably wouldn’t want to.

Even if I got my wish, and even if such a film were successful, I’m not saying Pixar should stop making the general audience movies that so many people love. I love those movies too, I don’t want them to go away. I just wonder if Pixar is capable of doing even more.

No matter how you measure it, Inside Out 2 was a massive hit last year. The film wasn’t just the highest-grossing movie of 2024 but it became the highest-grossing animated movie ever made. On top of that the movie got stellar reviews, making it the obvious front-runner in the race for Best Animated Film at the Oscars later this year. Disney is being open that a third film in the franchise is being explored, and the co-writer of the sequel, David Holstein certainly wants to be involved.

Inside Out 2 finds its hook in the idea of Riley aging, and the different emotions that evolve as we grow older. With Riley still only being a teenager she has a lot more of her life in front of her, which means there’s potentially a lot more that could be done with the concept. David Holstein tells ScreenRant that he would love to see multiple Inside Out sequels over the next few years, each one a snapshot of a new part of Riley’s life. He explains…

Holstein isn’t the first to suggest that if Inside Out 2 found success in Riley’s growth from child to teenager. Lightning could strike twice, or possibly more than twice, if each movie introduces new emotions and struggles for Riley as she ages.

As franchise concepts go, this certainly isn’t the worst idea. If you're going to make Inside Out Pixar's newest franchise, then this is exactly the way to do it. And it could be phenomenal. Imagine a movie series that follows a character from being a child herself until the point where she has one!

It’s also one that Pixar has already found a certain amount of success with already. We’ve already had our Toy Story movies (Toy Story 5 is on the way) and while the main characters of those movies don’t technically age, they have continued to grow and evolve as the human characters around them have aged.

The next two years of upcoming Pixar movies are set, with Elio opening later this year, and Hoppers and Toy Story 5 set for release in 2026. After that, the only other project we know is in development is Incredibles 3. If we get an announcement that Inside Out 3 is also coming it would surprise very few people, and probably make a lot of fans very happy.

Since bursting onto the national stage as a featured player on Saturday Night Live (SNL) over 20 years ago, Amy Poehler has won the hearts of millions. From Parks and Recreation’s uber-organized optimist Leslie Knope to her roles in dozens of movies, Poehler has left a legacy that any actor or comedian would envy. Let’s take a look at 32 of Amy Poehler’s funniest and most inspiring quotes from her movie and TV career.

“I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a *cool* mom.”

By any standard, Mean Girls is a comedy classic. As June George, mother of queen bee Regina George, Amy Poehler had only a few scenes, but she stole them all. In a movie that is endlessly quotable, Poehler contributed one of the movie’s best-known lines when she tried to explain her “parenting style” to Regina’s friends.

“We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third.”

On Parks and Rec, Leslie Knope was often the hardest working employee in her department, if not in the entire Pawnee city government. She’s always willing to do whatever she can to make her community a better place. But in this quote, Leslie shows that she has her priorities in the right place – and that breakfast should always be a priority.

“When it comes to torture, I trust the woman who spent three years married to James Cameron.”

In 2013, Amy Poehler joined her good friend Tina Fey to host the Golden Globes for the first time. During their monologue, the hosts mentioned the controversy around “Zero Dark Thirty,” a movie directed by Kathryn Bigelow. While alluding to the film's depiction of military torture, Poehler offered the quotable quip above. Taking a shot at Bigelow’s ex instead of the director herself makes the joke even funnier.

“What I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring loudly at me.”

The citizens of Pawnee, Indiana are an interesting bunch, to say the least. The public wasn’t always on its best behavior during Leslie’s town hall meetings, but the quote above explains why Leslie was able to power through with a smile.

“I don’t know your life!”

After years of collaborating on SNL, buddies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were finally able to make a movie together. In Baby Mama, Fey plays Kate, a high-strung executive who wants to become a mother, and Poehler plays Angie, a down-on-her-luck trailer park resident chosen to be Kate’s surrogate. The clash of their two worlds is comedy gold, but none so much as when Kate accuses Angie of storing chewed bubble gum under her expensive dining room table. Angie implies that Kate herself did the deed. When Kate protests, Angie offers this amazing comeback.

“Sometimes you have to make the hardest climb to see the most beautiful sunrise.”

Like a lot of producer Michael Schur’s work before and since, Parks and Rec is not just a show about co-workers, it’s a show about people coming together to work for the common good. When they do, Leslie is their chief motivator. This quote is one of her most inspirational.

“Maybe we need a little less Forever 21 and a little more Suddenly 42…”

After the success of Baby Mama, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunited for the 2015 comedy Sisters. This time, they play middle-aged siblings Kate (Fey) and Maura (Poehler). The sisters are determined to throw one last high-school-style party in their parents’ house before its sale. While shopping for clothes for the soiree with little luck, Maura makes this great observation.

“What’s Galentine's Day? It’s only the best day of the year!”

When asked about the “best day of the year,” Leslie said, “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies.” Galentine’s Day’s popularity spread from Pawnee into the real world, making Leslie Knope one of the few fictional characters responsible for creating a real-life holiday.

“They came…because of Sadness…”

Inside Out looks at the inner emotional life of a girl named Riley. Amy Poehler plays Joy, the leader of the emotional pack that includes Disgust, Anger, Fear, and Sadness. Poehler obviously nails the comedy, but because it’s Pixar, there’s also an emotional weight to many scenes. Joy spends nearly the entire film insulting Sadness and diminishing her contributions. But then, Joy realizes that one of Riley’s happiest memories only came to be because Riley was upset about losing a game. Her family and friends arrived to cheer her up. Riley indeed experienced Joy, but it would not have happened without Sadness.

“Why would anyone eat anything other than breakfast food?”

Another gem from Leslie Knope. While talking with Ron Swanson at JJ’s Diner, Leslie offers one of the most important observations made in Pawnee or anywhere else.

“And the story has to be true, because the story was reported by Shakira’s hips.”

“Weekend Update” is one of SNL’s longest-running and most beloved segments. Amy Poehler is one of its most notable anchors. Although Poehler left SNL in 2009, she came back to the desk in 2012. One of her stories noted that singer Shakira had reportedly been attacked by a sea lion. Poehler then deadpanned with the quote above, which includes a reference to Shakira’s hit song.

“Ann, you beautiful _______”

Leslie Knope’s friendship with nurse Ann Perkins forms the emotional core of the first few seasons of Parks and Rec. Leslie showers Ann with compliments as any good friend should. Often, they start with “Ann, you beautiful….” and can end with anything Leslie dreams up, including “land mermaid,” “tropical fish,” “rule-breaking moth,” or “powerful musk ox.” We should all have a friend like Leslie Knope.

“Maybe that’s what happens as we get older…We feel less joy.”

Inside Out 2 tells the next chapter of Riley’s story. Because Riley is getting older, a new set of emotions – Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui, and Envy – join the gang. As Anxiety takes over, Joy (voiced by Poehler) and the other original emotions start to feel that they have less of a place in Riley’s life. This leads Joy to say the above quote - one of the saddest observations in the entire film. Fortunately, Joy and the gang get Anxiety under control and prove that there is a place for Joy at any age.

“I am super chill all the time!”

This quote is funny not just because of the irony. These words coming from the super-organized and Type A Leslie Knope would already be hilarious. But Amy Poehler delivers this line by literally screaming it at Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott). Yelling about how chill you are will never not be funny.

“Freedom of speech! Look it up! It’s in the thing!”

In Baby Mama, Angie (Poehler) and Kate’s (Tina Fey) surrogacy agreement goes awry when they learn that Angie is indeed pregnant - but not with Kate’s child. In the courtroom scene that follows, the judge tells Angie to pipe down. Angie takes the opportunity to remind the attorneys in the room about the free speech rights granted to all Americans in “the thing” (a/k/a the U.S. Constitution).

“Hi, Leslie. It’s Leslie. I love you. Hang in there.”

Leslie Knope has high standards for herself and her employees. Yet she is never angry or rude. She pushes them with gentle encouragement or inspires them simply by being herself. Leslie shows the same gentleness to herself in a voice memo.

“Of course I’m delusional!”

In Inside Out 2, Anger complains to the other emotions – Disgust, Fear, and Sadness – that Joy is being delusional. After admitting that she absolutely is, Joy says, “Do you know how hard it is to stay positive all the time? When all you folks do is complain, complain, complain?!” Poehler’s performance is top-notch, and the quote is a good reminder that even the most positive among us have a breaking point.

“Every girl dreams about winning. But winning is my destiny.”

Leslie Knope is one of TV’s most optimistic characters. Part of optimism is believing in yourself. Here, Leslie shows us that she is a winner because she believes that she is.

“I didn't like Gone Girl. I go to the movies to escape. I didn't want to see myself up there on the screen.”

Most awards show hosts poke fun at the industry or the nominees. But at the 2015 Golden Globes, Amy Poehler invited the attendees to laugh at her as she humorously compared her life to Gone Girl, a movie where (spoiler alert) a woman stages her own kidnapping, blackmails several people, and even commits murder. (Of course, Poehler can make that joke as in real life, she is rumored to be a gracious and friendly person.)

“Maybe it’s time for more women to be in charge.”

Between her advocacy for the women and girls of Pawnee, her adoration of strong women, and her consistently feminist stances, Leslie Knope is clearly a girl’s girl. It’s no surprise that she would want to see more women in leadership roles.

“In Wasilla we chill baby chilla… but when I see oil it’s drill baby drill-a!”

In 2008, Amy Poehler’s friend Tina Fey returned to SNL with an uncanny and hilarious impersonation of Senator John McCain’s running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Palin took the jokes in stride, and even joined the Saturday Night Live crew for a guest appearance. But here’s the twist: During “Weekend Update,” Poehler, not Fey, embodied Palin. While Palin looked on and “raised the roof,” a very pregnant Poehler energetically rapped verses that she claimed were penned by Palin, including the above shout-out to Palin’s hometown. It was an epic moment in SNL history.

“I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself.”

Each of us has a unique strength or ability that makes us an inspiration to someone. But the busyness of life – along with the fact that most of us tend to focus on our failures more than our successes – can keep us from seeing it. This Leslie Knope quote reminds us to look toward our best selves.

“I’m not following you. This is a dual storm off!”

In 2019, Amy Poehler made her directorial debut in the hilarious Netflix comedy Wine Country. In addition to helming the project, Poehler also took a prominent role in front of the screen. The movie follows a group of friends (played by SNL alums including Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Tina Fey) who visit Napa Valley to celebrate their friend’s 50th birthday. As the weekend goes on, old and new resentments test the bonds of friendship. After a big argument, Naomi (Maya Rudolph) runs away from her friends. Shortly thereafter, Abby (Poehler) also leaves the gathering. But she uses the quote above to make sure Naomi knows she has her own reasons for leaving.

“I am a goddess.”

One of the best storylines in Parks and Rec happens when Leslie Knope realizes that the Pawnee Rangers (led by Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson) don’t allow girls to join. This inspires Leslie to create a rival group, the Pawnee Goddesses. Leslie’s creed for the group states, “I am a goddess, a glorious female warrior. Queen of all that I survey. Enemies of fairness and equality, hear my womanly roar. Yeah!” Of course, the Pawnee Goddesses become so popular that eventually all of the children in Pawnee - both male and female - want to join in the fun.

“These facts and opinions look so similar!”

In Inside Out, Joy has an opportunity to go deep into Riley’s mind. This quote summarizes one of her keen observations about the pre-teen thought process.

“I have the most valuable currency in America: a blind, stubborn belief that I'm 100% right.”

Leslie Knope is inspiring, but she's not quite perfect. Leslie is so prepared and well-read on any subject that she can sometimes overlook the fact that other people just might have something valuable to say. Still, this quote shows that Leslie at least has some self-awareness about her issues.

“TV is the one that I watch for five hours straight, but a movie is the one that I won’t even start because it’s two hours long.”

While co-hosting the 2021 Golden Globes with pal Tina Fey, Poehler was in rare comedic form. But instead of poking fun at the nominees or Hollywood’s quirks, Poehler took a moment to address something that we’ve all done: refusing to watch a movie because it’s too long but binging five episodes of an hour-long show because we’re hooked. Maybe there’s a reason Netflix asks if we're still watching.

“There's nothing we can't do if we work hard, never sleep, and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.”

The early days of Parks and Rec showed us that Leslie Knope was a hard worker who was willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. This quote summarizes Leslie’s early view of work and life. Thankfully, as she builds stronger connections with her team and finds love with Ben (Adam Scott), she begins to prioritize friends and family.

“We weren’t intersectional enough … We called our meetings pow wows!”

Amy Poehler’s second directorial turn, the Netflix film Moxie, looks at a group of young girls who use an underground magazine to combat the sexist culture at their high school. In addition to directing, Poehler also portrays Lisa, the mother of the main character. By sharing her lament with her daughter, she encourages her not to follow in her mother’s footsteps but to make a newer, better path.

“I stand by my decision to avoid salad and other disgusting things.”

As an employee of Pawnee’s Parks and Recreation Department (and later a member of the Pawnee City Council), Leslie Knope is required to help every person and business in the community – even Sue’s Salads and the veggie vendors at the local farmer’s market. But that doesn’t mean she has to like it. This quote proves that Leslie helps these businesses solely out of professional obligation.

“Cake is, like, a fluffy dessert that people eat on their birthdays.”

At the 2015 Golden Globes, Jennifer Aniston was nominated for her work in the film Cake. Poehler used the above quote to explain the concept of “cake” to the health-conscious Hollywood crowd. Afterward, Poehler’s co-host Tina Fey poked at another sore spot by adding, “And birthdays are a thing that people celebrate when they admit that they have aged.”

“Find your team and get to work.”

This Leslie Knope quote summarizes the ethos of her character and Parks and Rec. No one can do anything worthwhile alone. We all need help. We might not be able to move a mountain alone, but if we put together the right team, we just might succeed.

Considering that Inside Out 2 will be the highest grossing movie of 2024, to say that people loved the film or that it clearly resonated with people, is something of an understatement. The movie was huge, and it seems to have elicited strong emotional reactions from everybody who saw it, including the director of one of the scariest movies of the year.

Fede Alvarez is known as a horror director. He's the man who this year revitalized the Alien franchise with Alien: Romulus, generally seen as one of the best entries in the franchise in years. Considering his love of horror, one might expect his favorite movie of 2024 to be another horror film, but instead he tells Variety his favorite movie was Inside Out 2. He apparently was also a big fan of the original, saying…

Inside Out is generally seen as one of the best Pixar movies, so it’s not too much of a surprise that the studio made a point to make a sequel. The question was just how a follow up would be able to impact an audience in the same way as the original. Alvarez says he fully expected Inside Out 2 to have an impactful message, but he was perhaps a bit more surprised with how the story swept him away, he continued…

I certainly understand what Fede Alvarez is talking about. Inside Out 2 is such an instantly understandable and relatable story. Even my daughter understood Inside Out 2 and she's still years away from being a teenager. I expect that if she watches the movie again in a few years she'll understand it even more.

Most critics loved Inside Out 2 and a big part of the reason for that was the relatability of the story. Anybody who is, or has ever been a teenager, could likely empathize greatly with the difficulties that Riley went through. That was no different for Fede Alvarez. He admits to being “hopelessly lost” as a teenager himself, and so watching Riley go through such struggles really hit him, leaving the man who makes the rest of us scream in terror, in tears…

It's not exactly a shock to say the teenage years are rough for a lot of people. I'm not sure mine were all that bad compared to some, but still I spent most of Inside Out 2 having flashbacks to those moments that weren't that far from what Riley experienced on screen.

Pixar is used to being at the top of the box office but following a run of movies that struggled at the box office, the studio is back. Fede Alvarez thinks Inside Out 2 is one of Pixar’s greatest achievements.

Considering the success of Inside Out 2, it’s little surprise that Pixar is considering even more movies in the franchise. If they can get a director used to giving us chills to break down in tears, then they will likely be just as successful.

When it comes to 2024 movies, there’s no greater success than Pixar’s Inside Out 2. It made nearly $1.7 billion at the worldwide box office along with being a critically-acclaimed animated hit. As detailed in my Inside Out 2 review, I loved the long-awaited sequel about the inner workings of Riley’s mind a few years after the events of the first movie. But the experience I had with Inside Out 2 also feels like one that hasn’t come around for Pixar since 2019’s Toy Story 4, which was the last movie that came out from the animation studio before the arrival of Disney+. I want to talk about the unique experience we got with Pixar this year that was beautifully capped off for me with the new Inside Out Disney+ TV show.

Following Inside Out 2’ becoming the biggest hit of the year, and what certainly seems like a cultural phenomenon of a movie we’ll look back on for decades to come (especially for how cathartic it has been for those who have dealt with loud anxiety), Pixar has just released a spinoff from another side of Riley’s mind outside of the control center. Dream Productions is a four-episode miniseries that delves into the making of dreams in Riley’s head. I want to share my thoughts on the show and how its release has me thinking about what I want going forward when it comes to the relationship between Disney+ and Pixar.

I Watched The Disney+ Inside Out Spinoff, And It Had Me Channelling Joy

I’ve anticipated Dream Productions ever since I heard about it, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it to come so soon after Inside Out 2. It ended up being perfect because there’s still some recency to the franchise for me, and I literally binged it the day it came out. (Which is honestly unlike me as a Disney+ subscriber.) I really enjoyed it because it felt like an expansion of the ideas in Inside Out 2. It provided me with supplemental entertainment that is not necessary to being an Inside Out fan, but allowed me to dive deeper into the world the animators created and spend more time with it.

The series follows Paula Persimmon, who is a longtime director of Riley’s dreams in her head, but is dealing with some pressure from upper management to create more memorable dreams. Her longtime assistant Janelle gets promoted to having the same role as her, and shows some real promise that places Paula’s job in jeopardy. Outside of Riley’s brain, the young girl is dealing with mixed emotions on what to do about her first school dance coming up. Her mother offers her a dress she absolutely doesn’t like, and the event therein becoming the prime focus Dream Productions is workshopping dreams about.

While Dream Productions is operating on a smaller scale than Inside Out 2, I found the animation quality and storytelling to be up to par with the movie, and all around appreciated the Pixar animators using the concept of Inside Out to bring their own take on how dreams work. I’d totally watch more Pixar shows like this that accompany big films, especially because the worlds they create is always more vast than can be brought to a single movie.

In The Early Days Of Disney+, I Was Bummed About How Pixar Was Treated

The complete arc of Inside Out over the course of the year has especially warmed my heart, because since Disney+ launched in late 2019, Pixar movies were pretty much relegated to original Disney+ content rather than the big-screen events they should have been. (Of course, there’s the factor of the COVID-19 pandemic occurring months after the launch of the streaming service, but hey, that didn’t stop the Walt Disney Company from putting out movies like Jungle Cruise or Encanto in theaters first.)

While some people might tell you their pandemic era films have not been as good, I argue that Soul is one of the best Pixar movies ever made, and both Turning Red and Luca are very much underrated. I enjoyed watching them at home, but I’m happy Inside Out 2 got a chance to be an outing for moviegoers.

I Also Often Get Overwhelmed With Disney+ Content

Another reason why I was overjoyed about my experience with the Inside Out 2 movie and TV show release strategy comes down to being someone who pays monthly for Disney+ and regularly gets overwhelmed about keeping up to date with all the content the streaming service puts out. I think in the case of Dream Productions, it was really smart for Disney+ to step back from Inside Out 2 being a Disney+ exclusive, but later had the chance to profit from the title when it became available as a streaming service and with its tie-in series.

This is exactly the kind of thing I’ve wanted from Disney+. It makes me feel like I get the best of both worlds. Because on one hand, I had a fantastic theatrical experience with Inside Out 2 before it was then available to me on Disney+, but now I get to celebrate it further with Dream Productions, which most definitely didn’t need to be in theaters.

After Loving How Disney+ Handled Inside Out, Here's How I Hope It Affects Its Future With Pixar

So basically, I want to see this happen again and again with upcoming Pixar movies. I’d like the studio’s feature films to remain a part of the theatrical experience, with those who don’t want to shell out the cash having the option to catch it on streaming later. And I’d love to see Pixar create more originals for Disney+ that directly go with these releases. For example, when the Toy Story 5 release date rolls around in 2026 and it’s a big hit, I would be so pleased to see a supplemental Disney+ series about an aspect of the film on the streaming service months later.

I’m more invested in Disney+ content when its not taking away from experiences I wanted in theaters, and it ties into something I’m already passionate about! I really hope Dream Productions is all kinds of successful so that more of what happened with Inside Out 2 continues for years to come.

Amy Poehler is one of the brightest stars in Hollywood today. Between her portrayal of Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation and as Joy in the Inside Out franchise, the actor is a ball of sunshine. With the big-feeling Pixar sequel being one of the greater successes on our 2024 movie schedule, it’s undeniable how instrumental this story is to many, including Poehler. She shared that this franchise, and some of the best Pixar movies, have ‘fundamentally changed’ her life for the better.

The Saturday Night Live alum sat down with People to talk about the franchise and how much it’s meant to her to play the most positive element within the main human character, Riley. Specifically, she discussed how diving into the bigger conversations regarding emotions and dealing with them in typical ways has been a touchstone in her career (and beyond). She shared:

It’s undeniable that the series doesn’t shy away from the emotional complexities of growing up and what it is to be human, in general. After it won big at the box office, some say that the sequel is better than the original, and the Wine Country star agrees.

She went on to share that the decade between the original and the sequel changed things drastically in the social-emotional-mental health landscapes. Along with this, she believes it’s important to adapt to the times to best serve the needs of those with mental illness, and learning from younger generations is key.

The Mean Girls alum has always been a source of light but the franchise does seem like it’s rooted her in a really positive way. Just the way she talks about actively advocating for the need for resources, the important conversations and who those chats need to be with seem poignant and intentional is inspiring. Perhaps Poehler will have more time with Joy since a threequel isn't out of the question for Inside Out 2’s director.

It’s undeniable from the interviews with the cast that this movie is something special to everyone behind the scenes, too. For me personally, I’ll always welcome a Baby Mama alum led ensemble of any form.

I’m glad that Poehler has had this experience with the Pixar box office smash. I don’t think there’s anyone else that could’ve done right by Joy like she has. It’s even better to know just how much the fictitious ray of sunshine has fundamentally changed the Blades of Glory alum’s life.

You’ll need a Disney subscription if you’d like to stream the Inside Out franchise, including the upcoming series Dream Productions.

Pixar fans have been waiting patiently for the iconic animation studio to release its first fully produced, in-house television series. Since 2020, Win or Lose has been positioned to carry that honor. However, that has now changed. Instead, Inside Out’s spin-off series Dream Productions will mark Pixar’s first foray into television when the limited series premieres on Disney+ on December 11th as part of the 2024 TV schedule.

While the new release date was announced back in September, a day before Inside Out 2 became available to stream on Disney+, there was no teaser trailer to go with it. Thankfully, that has changed. Just three weeks before the premiere, Pixar has finally released the trailer for Dream Productions, and as a massive Inside Out fan, I’m happy to report that it looks amazing! But as excited as I am for the new show, I can’t help but feel confused about the timeline the creators’ chose for it.

Dream Productions Looks Like A Really Fun Show

When the project was first announced, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, revealed that it would be a mockumentary-style show centered around the team of creatives responsible tasked with bringing Riley’s dreams (and nightmares) to life. Fans briefly met the Dream Productions characters in the first film when Joy, Sadness and Bing Bong turn an awkward dream into a nightmare in the hopes of waking Riley up so they can take a train back to headquarters.

While I admit I was a bit apprehensive about the project when I first learned about it, seeing the trailer has extinguished a lot of my fears. There seems to be a strong arc at play with Paula Persimmon’s job as Riley’s daydream director at stake due to a series of bad dreams as of late. With her job on the line, Paula clashes with Xeni, another dream director who has a different vision than the one Paula’s been using for years now.

In addition to the dream workers, the series will also feature Riley and the original five emotions in some capacity. Based on the trailer, the four episodes are going to be packed full of the kind of humor and emotion that will alter viewers' brain chemistry, as both Inside Out films have done.

But I Don't Understand Why They Set It Before The Events Of Inside Out 2

As excited as I am for Pixar’s first television show and the Inside Out franchise growing, I don’t understand why Dream Productions takes place when it does. According to the trailer, the series occurs between the first and second films, meaning the new emotions fans fell in love with will not be present.

Now, I can see where Pixar is coming from. Since production on the show began before Inside Out 2 was released, it makes sense that the writers would have been skeptical about including the new characters since they had no idea how audiences would react to them. However, since the sequel became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, it feels odd to have Anxiety and the rest of the new emotions missing.

Not to mention, the limited series will feature a slightly younger Riley than we saw in the sequel, which could limit her dream potential. I think it would have been more interesting to see how the Dream Workers struggle to deal with Riley’s adolescence in the same way the emotions had to grapple with the change in the sequel.

Maybe if Dream Productions is a hit and becomes one of Disney+'s best original shows, Pixar will reconsider its limited series status and upgrade it to a full-fledged television show that could include all nine of Riley’s emotions. For now, we have the four episodes to look forward to, which will be available to all those with a Disney+ subscription on December 11th.

Have you ever found yourself watching one of the best Disney movies out there and saying, “Whoa, I did not see that coming!” Well, that’s what this list is about today – the best twists that you have probably seen from Disney, which includes the Disney film collection, Pixar movies, and even the Disney Channel. Let’s get into it.

And obviously, spoiler alert!

The Truth Behind Hector And Ernesto (Coco)

In terms of the best Pixar films, Coco ranks high on that list for me, and one of the biggest reasons is because of this fantastic twist that happens. Coco spends the entire movie thinking Ernesto is his biological father. Still, it’s revealed that it’s actually Hector and that Ernesto killed Hector by poison to steal his songs and earn fame for himself. I mean, come on. That’s a good twist.

Lightning McQueen Doesn’t Get The Piston Cup (Cars)

While I’m personally not the biggest fan of the Cars franchise, I can at least say that the twist at the end of the first Cars was spectacular. In the entire movie, we see Lightning trying to train as best he can to win the Piston Cup, and when it looks like he will, he instead turns back to help an injured car across the line and let his opponent win. Talk about a mindset change.

When Cruella Discovers Who Baroness Is To Her (Cruella)

Some Disney live-action remakes or reboots are great, and I really liked Cruella and the changes it made to the iconic Disney villain’s story. In this live-action film, Cruella finds out her biological mother is the person she’s been trying to impress – and then takes it upon herself to try and beat her in the fashion industry.

The Mayor Is Behind It All (Halloweentown)

Disney Channel movies can sometimes be corny, but every once in a while, you’ll get a twist that shakes you to your core, and that was in Halloweentown. The entire city had been under some strange evil force, causing people to turn to mean, but it turns out it was the mayor who was trying to gain more power the whole time.

Hans’ Truth To Anna (Frozen)

I think we all know that Hans’ quote – “Oh, Anna, if only there were someone out there who loved you.” – is pretty much one of the biggest line drops of Frozen. We’ve been watching Hans the entire movie, thinking he’s the perfect prince for Anna, and then he pulls this out from under us, saying that it was all a ploy.

King Triton Lets Ariel Be With Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid)

I know that The Little Mermaid is part of the Disney Renaissance, which usually means that most of those princesses got their happy endings, but it still shocked me that Triton let Ariel be with Eric in a twisty way. If anything, I thought Triton would be more inclined to keep his daughter close to him after what happens, but he lets her go to Eric—which is sweet but also surprising.

Quasimodo Doesn’t Get The Girl (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

You might wonder why I put this here, and really, it’s because it defies the Disney formula. Quasimodo is the hero of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and is clearly interested in Esmerelda. It seems set up for a happy ending, but instead, Disney decides to give her to someone different, leaving Quasi all alone, which is actually a pretty surprising and sad twist.

When It’s Revealed Who Syndrome Really Is (Incredibles)

Incredibles is hands down one of the best Pixar movies out there. While I could go on forever about how amazing the movie is, I think this twist is one of the best—when we find out that the villain they are facing is the same little boy Mr. Incredible shunned years ago. That’s the epitome of karma biting back.

Meg Sacrifices Herself (Hercules)

Hercules is an underrated Pixar film, so I’m not sure how many people remember this twist. Meg tries to save Hercules during a battle but ends up dying from her injuries. However, it was all to push him out of the way of a falling pillar. While the ending leads to them being together, Meg sacrificing her life for Hercules was not something anyone expected.

Eugene Cutting Off Rapunzel’s Hair (Tangled)

Tangled is undoubtedly one of the best 2000-2010 Disney movies, and the most significant part of it is when Eugene sacrifices his life for Rapunzel to be free of Mother Gothal. It seems Rapunzel will be able to heal him in order for him to live and for her to go with Gothal, but he suddenly lunges up and cuts her hair at the last second to make sure Gothal can never use her again.

Thantos Controls The Darkness (Twitches)

While this reveal comes pretty early in the Twitches film, it’s still surprising. The Darkness is pretty much the villain that these two witches must take on, an evil entity that is killing people, but they find out soon enough that it’s actually their Uncle Thantos who is controlling it for the sake of finding power.

Vanelleope Stays Behind (Ralph Breaks The Internet)

After finding her place in Wreck-It Ralph, it was shocking that Vanelleope decided to find her own path in Ralph Breaks the Internet. While there was an option for her to come back to the arcade at the end of the movie, she chose to stay online with Slaughter Race.

Bowler Hat Guy’s True Identity (Meet The Robinsons)

Meet the Robinsons is such an underrated Disney film, and I think it gets a bad rep for the earlier usage of CGI. The twist is even better—for the entire movie, Bowler Hat Guy is the main villain we follow, but later, we find out that he’s the older version of Lewis’ roommate, Goob, meaning that he was created from Lewis’ interactions with the younger version.

Hades Is Mal’s Father (Descendents 3)

All right, so Descendents 3 is undoubtedly the least-best Descendents movie, but I will say that the fact that we find out Mal’s father is Hades of all people is something I never expected. I mean, her mother is Maleficent, and somehow, she was procreated by someone like the God of the Underworld. How does that even happen?

When We See What Kind Of True Love Is Needed (Frozen)

I think, at the time, the idea that true love doesn’t need to be romantic but can also be familial was an excellent way for Disney to step into the 21st century. I will say, however, that I do miss the days of an evil villain and a romance to root for. Even so, there is no denying that the twist of Elsa and Anna saving each other through sisterly love is a great one.

Stinky Pete Is Actually The Villain (Toy Story 2)

Many regarded Toy Story 2 as one of the best Pixar movies – that is until the third one came around. And there are plenty of great reasons for that. But one of the biggest is the twist villain. Out of all the bad things happening to Woody, none of us ever would have expected it had something to do with Stinky Pete – but it’s revealed towards the end that he planned everything.

That Mike Won The Scare Competition Because Of Sully (Monsters University)

As someone who was genuinely rooting for Mike to win that scare competition, this twist broke my heart. When Mike and Sully are conversing after their win in the scare competition, he fake tries to scare the dummy there, only for the meter to charge up completely. He snaps his fingers, and it does the same thing. Then, after that, he looks under the bed and finds the machine has been tampered with – that Sully cheated to make sure they’d win. So sad.

Troy Decides To Follow Both Passions (High School Musical 3: Senior Year)

Okay, I still love all of the High School Musical movies. Still, one of the funniest and best moments was this twist – where the entirety of the third movie was Troy trying to figure out what to do in college, and then he realized at the end, “Oh wait, I can do both theatre and basketball,” Wow, who would have thought? I think it just shocks me because it’s such a simple solution.

Callaghan’s True Intentions (Big Hero 6)

I feel like so many people forget about Big Hero 6 so often because it came out post-Frozen, and people were still riding Elsa’s ice powers and all that. But Big Hero 6 is a great superhero movie with a great villain twist when Callaghan reveals he’s the man who has been making a mess of everything and blew up the lab Tadashi was in because he wants revenge for losing his daughter in an experiment.

Charles Is Actually Evil (Up)

Up is one of those films that the moment you watch it, you probably will end up crying and feeling all kinds of things, but you never expect a twist so dark as this one. Charles Muntz was an idol of Carl’s, and when he finds out that Charles is actually a horrible person who is enslaving dogs to try and hunt down an age-old bird that Carl and Russell have taken a liking to, it causes nothing but trouble and pain.

The Waternoose Expose (Monsters Inc.)

I think everyone my age was terrified of Waternoose in Monsters Inc., but one of the biggest things that ended up being the best twist ever was how Sully somehow lured him into a scare simulation room and got him to reveal the entire conspiracy that he was doing to keep this company going—before the conversation is recorded and shown to the CDA. Beautiful, no notes.

Mason Reveals His Feelings For Juliette (Wizards Of Waverly Place)

As someone who stands by the fact that Wizards of Waverly Place is just as good as an adult, I believe this scene is still dramatic. Out of nowhere, Mason, who is a werewolf, sees his former flame Juliette for the first time in several years, and he openly admits in front of his girlfriend, Alex, that he has never stopped loving her. WHAT? As a child, this was the most shocking twist in the world for me.

King Candy’s True Identity (Wreck-It-Ralph)

Personally, I think Wreck-It Ralph is way better than the sequel, and this twist is just proof of that. King Candy seemed like a nice guy for the majority of this movie, but towards the end, we find out he is the one responsible for the messed-up code and that he is also Turbo, the character who was knocked out of his own game. It’s a huge twist.

Lotso Is Not A Nice Bear (Toy Story 3)

Another excellent example of a twist straight from the beginning is Lotso in Toy Story 3. I mean, how could a teddy bear who smells like strawberries be bad? But it turns out Lotso is king of the daycare, and if the toys don’t follow what he says, well, that’s too dang bad. It’s a toy again, toy, once again.

When It’s Revealed Who Screen Slaver Really Is (Incredibles 2)

While there are plenty of people who say that Incredibles 2 isn’t as incredible as the first, I’ll be honest and say I still enjoy the heck out of it, and I seriously love this twist. Finding out Evelyn, who has been working alongside Elastagirl this whole time, is actually the person behind everything, which is a great twist. I wish it had been executed a little better in the back half, but the twist itself is excellent.

Jake Reveals His True Feelings About Miley (Hannah Montana)

Okay, okay, don’t you remember when there were all these love triangles in Hannah Montana? I think everyone and their mother gasped when the celebrity, Jake Ryan, fully expressed his feelings for Miley Stewart on national television – not Hannah, her alter ego, but Miley. Like, stop. My heart.

When We Find Out Who Te Fiti Is (Moana)

As someone who has rewatched Moana, I find this twist to be beautiful inside and out. Moana has sailed the entire ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti, an island, only to find out that Te Ka is actually Te Fiti – just a cold and cruel version who doesn’t have her heart anymore and is instantly turned into a green island once Moana restores it. Amazing.

Dawn Bellwether Is Actually An Evil Genius (Zootopia)

I still can’t help but snicker at this twist. In the entire movie, Mayor Bellwether is this sheep who doesn’t seem like she’s the person behind the animals going rogue, but it turns out she is—a sheep who wanted to gain more power and decided to take out predators to do that.

Bing-Bong’s Fate (Inside Out)

When Bing-Bong died, America mourned, and I did as well. In Inside Out, we see Bing-Bong, a forgotten imaginary friend of Riley’s who travels with Joy and gets stuck with her in Riley’s subconscious. Still, in order to get Joy out, he sacrifices himself by throwing him off their little rocket so Riley can be happy again – even if he gets forgotten. Ugh. Stop.

Maleficent Isn’t As Evil As Everyone Paints Her To Be (Maleficent)

I have to say that for live-action Disney villains, Angelina Jolie knocks it out of the park as Maleficent, and finding out her story in this really is the big twist we all didn’t expect. In this version, Maleficent wasn’t born evil – she was the victim of a cruel society and jokes that slowly tore her down into the woman she became later. That’s a great way to take her story.

When We Find Out Who Mor’du Really Is (Brave)

It felt like Mor’du wasn’t really that intense of a villain in Brave, considering he was just a demon bear. Still, it turns out he’s NOT just a demon bear – Mor’du is actually the prince from an old family legend who was turned into a demon bear after not following his father’s wishes.

Woody Wants To Stay Behind (Toy Story 4)

You know, I still wonder about this twist. Woody, for nearly every Toy Story movie, has always been about staying together, staying with his human, the entire time. But, at the end of Toy Story 4, he decides to become a free toy and stay with Bo-Peep while the others leave him behind. It’s a surprising twist, nonetheless.

These are just some of my favorite Disney twists, and now I want to rewatch them all to see if I can spot them early on. I think it’s time for another movie marathon.

As it stands, Pixar’s animated sequel Inside Out 2 leads the box office for 2024, capitalizing on the success of the original film and appealing to crowds who have grown up with Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith) and the rest of the cast. Though audience members enjoyed catching up with old friends, helping to make Inside Out 2 one of the best Pixar movies ever made, they also seemed ready to meet new emotions that fit Riley at this time of her life. With those new emotions come new colors, both emotionally and visually, as these hues reflect the way that Riley feels, and the way that WE feel. Color is essential to the palette with which Pixar paints, so I’m not that surprised to learn that the color chosen for Anxiety (Maya Hawke) traces all the way back to the original Inside Out.

Inside Out 2 recently screened as part of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in Georgia, where I caught up with the film’s director, Kelsey Mann, and his composer, Andrea Datzman. During our lively conversation about the sequel, I brought up the idea of colors, and how Mann came up with the right tones for the new emotions. And he connected the new colors back to a moment in the first Inside Out, telling CinemaBlend:

Here’s the sweater that Kelsey Mann is referring to. As you can see, it contains blue, green, red, purple… all the colors we associate with Riley’s core emotions. But it also has orange, giving Mann the reference point that he needed to get to Anxiety, the key new addition for Inside Out 2.

I think it’s awesome that there’s a root reason for Kelsey Mann to use orange for Anxiety, pulling it directly from a piece of clothing in Riley’s wardrobe in the first movie. But as he explored the important emotion, he realized it just fit the mood visually. Mann went on to tell CinemaBlend:

You can catch up with Inside Out 2 if you have a Disney+ subscription, to feel all the feels that you experienced the first time around. Now, the movie will see if it can get into a competitive Oscar race, where other animated gems from 2024 – including The Wild Robot – will try for the top prize. But as I mentioned earlier, when it comes to box office, Inside Out 2 is the leader, and no other animated feature is going to come close.

The “pandemic era” was a struggle for every movie studio, but Pixar perhaps more than most. The animation house in Emeryville, CA, saw its films shifted away from theaters, and after they returned, the first couple of attempts struggled to find their audience. Following Inside Out 2's blockbuster success, Pixar seems to be back on top, but getting there clearly wasn’t easy.

Pixar’s Mike Jones led the team that produced Dream Productions, the upcoming Disney+ series spinoff of Inside Out. Speaking with IndieWire, Jones said making the new series was complicated, and more than once he was afraid the entire project would collapse because members of the team would regularly get pulled away to work on feature films that suddenly needed extra help. Jones explained…

While Dream Productions and the forthcoming Pixar series Win Or Lose are fairly new endeavors for the studio, the structure of losing animators to feature projects is nothing new. Back when the studio used to produce more animated shorts, the same thing used to happen there. People working on shorts would get pulled away to fix features, causing the shorts to stop happening until enough people came back.

While the particular projects that people got pulled away to work on in this case were Elemental and Inside Out 2, one should not take this as any indication that there was anything particularly wrong with those projects. Inside Out 2 would go on to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Elemental had some early struggles but was well-reviewed and eventually found success.

It seems that even great Pixar movies end up in desperate need of help at some point. Jones says that “every Pixar movie is on fire” at one point or another, and there’s always a time where the studio pulls together to fix major problems. He continued...

We certainly know about some of the cases where Pixar movies went all pear-shaped. The Good Dinosaur ended up replacing its entire voice cast when it rebuilt the entire movie. Toy Story 4 also went through a lot of changes during its multiple years of production.

By and large Pixar’s track record is solid, so movies catching fire doesn’t seem to be an indication of the end result. In the end, they usually figure out how to fix the problem and make it all work. We can guess that all the upcoming Pixar movies will end up on fire at some point, but they'll probably be fine.

When Pixar’s Inside Out premiered in 2015, it invited audiences to explore the world inside young Riley’s mind, where her emotions took center stage. Now, with Inside Out 2 joining the 2024 movie release schedule, fans have been able to reconnect with Riley as she navigates her teenage years—an experience that quickly made the sequel one of Pixar’s best movies and the highest-grossing animated film. Yet, in a recent interview, director Kelsey Mann revealed that a surprising narrative twist called for an end-credits scene to clarify Riley’s "deep, dark secret"—and his reason for doing so might just surprise you.

In an interview with CinemaBlend's Managing Editor Sean O'Connell at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Mann admitted that he originally wanted to keep Riley’s secret ambiguous, trusting audiences would embrace a little mystery. But as reactions to early screenings rolled in, it became clear that viewers' imaginations were running wild—wild enough to merit a course correction to safeguard Riley’s innocence. In his words:

If you haven’t watched Inside Out 2 yet—and really, why not? It’s available to stream with a Disney+ subscription—here’s a minor spoiler warning. The “deep, dark secret” in question arises when Joy, driven by curiosity, sets out to uncover what Riley has kept hidden in the depths of her mind. As she encounters a mysterious character guarding this secret, the suspense builds, leaving viewers to wonder if Riley’s secret might be something truly scandalous. But as it turns out, the truth is far more innocent.

Riley’s big “secret”? She accidentally burned a hole in the family rug—and her parents still don’t know about it. For an anxious teenager like Riley, keeping this small mishap hidden feels crucial; getting grounded could be a social disaster! While this little blunder doesn’t set up a dramatic plot twist for a future film, it’s exactly the kind of lighthearted, relatable moment fans adore. And with Inside Out 2’s success, the director has hinted there could be more fun, revealing moments like this in a potential sequel.

With the huge success of Inside Out 2, the next Pixar sequel might not be far off. Although the director knows some fans think Pixar already has too many sequels, an Inside Out 3 just might be on the horizon.

Franchise filmmaking is the name of the game at all studios these days, which means that sequels are often more in demand than original ideas. When you’re Pixar, a studio that may only release one movie a year, even having several different sequels in development can mean getting nothing but sequels for years to come. Pixar has a lot of sequels compared it its total output. And after the staggering success of Inside Out 2, one has to wonder if Inside Out 3 isn’t too far away.

After a recent period where Pixar released several original films, it appears that Pixar is shifting back into a “franchise mode” where sequels will be the focus. Most of the upcoming Pixar movies we know of are sequels, and considering the success of Inside Out 2, it certainly seems that sequels are successful. Inside Out 2 director Kelsey Mann was asked by Empire about the possibility of Inside Out 3 and while he says nothing is currently planned, he’s also very honest that it is very much a possibility. Mann explained…

It was nine years in between Inside Out movies so there was clearly no rush to get to work on a sequel, and the first movie was quite successful. Having said that, it wasn’t the highest-grossing animated movie ever, the way the sequel is, so it seems likely Pixar will be considering Inside Out 3 as a high-priority project.

If it happens, it will become the fourth Pixar franchise to become a trilogy. Toy Story and Cars have already reached that level and Incredibles 3 has already been confirmed to be in development. That’s certainly a lot of sequels. With Toy Story now set for a fifth film, half of the upcoming projects from Pixar are sequels. Of course, Mann says the actual future number of sequels is something different because he knows more than we do. He continued…

Whether the number in Kelsey Mann’s head means more or fewer Pixar sequels in the years to come, as long as they’re great, it’s unlikely anybody will be too upset. We still need original ideas now and then, even if they’re only to refresh the well of potential franchises. The next Pixar movie, Elio is an original idea, but if it’s successful, we can bet sequels will become a strong possibility.

Pixar’s Inside Out 2 is not only the biggest hit in the studio’s history, it has become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Considering that the original Inside Out is one of Pixar’s most popular films, and is considered by many to be the best Pixar movie, the expectations for the sequel were certainly high, but few were expecting the new film to become such a big hit. The sequel is certainly a bigger movie than the original, but is it also a better movie than the original?

In a recent interview with Amy Poehler, Variety suggests that the sequel to Inside Out is a superior movie in every way. The actress doesn’t necessarily argue one way or the other, but she does think the reason the sequel resonates with audiences so much is because people are more open to discussing and embracing different emotions, and that the movie is both new and nostalgic. She explained…

A sequel to Inside Out was a somewhat surprising announcement from Pixar when it happened simply because the first movie had happened so long ago, and there hadn’t been much indication the studio was looking at sequels. Pixar has never been shy about sequels, in the way that Disney at least used to be.

There have been some great Pixar sequels and some not-so-great ones. We currently have a fifth Toy Story and a third Incredibles movie among the list of announced upcoming Pixar films.

The movie sees Riley as a teenager, as she comes to terms with emotions that she hasn’t previously experienced. It’s something that most of the audience can certainly relate to, both having gone through those emotions and as the voice of Joy says, watching our kids go through it. Poehler has nothing but major praise for the Pixar team’s abilities. She continued…

The opposite of being gaslit, I suppose is the feeling that you know what you’re experiencing is genuine. Pixar is certainly could at that, as so many of its films have made its audience cry.

If Inside Out 2 is a better film than the original, then that certainly raises the bar for any future entry in the franchise. While there is no official Inside Out 3 yet, such a film would seem more than likely considering that the filmmakers are willing and the audience will almost certainly show up.

If you know me, you'd know I like Disney. In fact, I'd say I'm a pretty big Disney lover in general, from the Disney Renaissance movies to the CGI films of the 2010s. But you want to know what Disney is also fearless in doing? To get dark, super dark, and today, we're going to talk about the times when Disney dared to walk down that path.

When Lampwick Turned Into A Donkey (Pinocchio)

Oh, you knew that I would put this scene on here. Pinocchio is a pretty dark movie in a lot of different parts. Still, I literally had nightmares as a kid when I watched Lampwick turn into a donkey in front of Pinocchio on Pleasure Island. I still don't like to think about it.

When Alex's Family Completely Forgot Who She Is (The Wizards Of Waverly Place Movie)

I'll be the first to say that Wizards of Waverly Place stands up even as an adult, and the hilarious Disney Channel series is beloved by most. Still, the fact that Alex's family basically forgot who she was at the very end of the Wizards of Waverly Place movie really sat with me. I mean, it was her own doing for the spell she cast, but it still hurts that the film went that far.

When Mufasa Is Dropped Into A Stampede (The Lion King)

I'm pretty sure that, as kids, we all had nightmares after Scar betrayed his brother. While it's based on Shakespeare's real works, I think we all emotionally connected more with a brother betraying a brother, and Mufasa getting dropped into a stampede in the middle of Africa will always not sit right with me.

When Phineas And Ferb Are Sent Off To Reform School (Phineas And Ferb)

Phineas and Ferb is a great kids show to watch on Disney+ but the darkest it ever got was when Phineas and Ferb actually got busted and sent to reform school. Now, I know, on the surface, that doesn't seem that bad, but it's the fact that they were literally brainwashed in this episode. When would Disney Channel go that far?

When Tod Is Attacked By A Bear (The Fox And The Hound)

The Fox and the Hound start cute enough, but obviously, as Tod and Copper get older, they end up becoming enemies because of the natural order of things. But the darkest moment of this kid's movie is watching Tod get chased down by a bear and attacked. Like, oh my goodness, I did not need to see this as a child.

When Bambi's Mother Was Killed (Bambi)

We have to put Bambi here somewhere. The way Bambi's mother dies is a sad reality of life and hunting, and it is really only a matter of time. But that doesn't make the moment any less tragic when we see Bambi calling out for his mother, but she's not there.

When Wendy Is Literally Almost Dragged Into The Water(Peter Pan)

Peter Pan is a film with plenty of problematic elements, but one of the darkest moments features Wendy when the mermaids of Neverland tease her and then nearly drag her into the water. Like, this is a literal child. And she was almost harassed by mermaids, of all things.

When That Crazy Drunken Elephants Scene Happened (Dumbo)

Dumbo is honestly one of the most normal Disney movies out there because it features the story of circus animals. The only weird thing is Dumbo having big ears. But the film features this dark moment of Dumbo getting drunk and visualizing the most scary-looking elephants marching around in vibrant technicolor – look, if you watched the movie, you know what I'm talking about, you know it's scary.

When Tinker Bell Essentially Comes Close To Dying (Peter Pan 2: Return To Neverland)

A lot of people forget about the sequel to Peter Pan, which is expected since it was direct-to-DVD. However, when Wendy's daughter, Jane, doesn't believe in the magic of Neverland when she's taken there, Tinker Bell literally begins to lose her magic—so much so that she nearly dies. It's an unfortunate part of this film that still sticks with me to this day.

When Claude Frollo Sings "Hellfire" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

When I talk about the best Disney villain songs, "Hellfire" ranks high on that list, but that doesn't make the moment any less dark. The song is essentially how Judge Claude Frollo is absolutely obsessed with Esmerelda and wants to be with her (if you catch my drift). Still, if she refuses his advances, then she will be burned at the stake for daring to be defiant against him. Like, dang, Disney.

When Flynn Takes A Knife To The Heart (Tangled)

In comparison to some of the moments on this list, Flynn getting stabbed in the heart in Tangled doesn't seem nearly as bad, but it's still a dark moment. The way he falls to the ground as Rapunzel cradles him always gets me – but at least they have their happy moment at the end.

When We All Sobbed During The First Ten Minutes Of Up (Up)

I don't even need to write a whole paragraph about this. You know what I'm talking about. The rise and fall of Carl and Ellie will sit with us for the rest of our lives, from miscarriages to death alike. I am already getting sad thinking about it.

When We Saw All Those Dead Rats (Ratatouille)

Ratatouille is an underrated gem and one of the best Pixar films. But a part of me sometimes forgets this super dark moment when Remy's father decides to bring him to a shop to show him rat poisoning and traps – where dead rats hang in the window. Granted, it was to try and convince Remy to give up on his dream of being a cook with the humans, but it's still a very dark scene.

When It's Revealed What Really Happened To Hector In Coco (Coco)

Coco is a film that connects me to my Spanish heritage in more ways than one. One of those instances that made me realize how special this film was is that it wasn't afraid to take a risk. This twist, where we know that Ernesto de la Cruz actually poisoned Hector so he could take credit for all his songs, is bonkers and will make any first-time viewer's mouth drop in shock.

When Tadashi Was Exploded (Big Hero 6)

I mean, yeah, I had to put Tadashi on here. Hiro had already lost his parents earlier in life and now his big brother is suddenly taken from him in this giant lab explosion that was caused out of pure selfishness (as we find out later in the film from the villain). It's so sad.

When Mulan Suddenly Stops It's Songs When It Reaches The Destroyed Village (Mulan)

Mulan is one of those movies that, when you watch it for the first time, will stick with you for the rest of your life. The film is filled with catchy songs for the first fifty minutes or so, and then "A Girl Worth Fighting For" suddenly cuts off at the very end as the army stumbles upon a destroyed village. It's chilling and perfectly well done but still so dark.

When The Literal Apocalypse Happened In The Finale (Gravity Falls)

I'll be honest and say that Gravity Falls was a show that was after my time of loving Disney Channel. Still, I had to put this moment – that the end of a Disney Channel animated series literally has the finale going through the apocalypse. I'm sorry, what? This is Disney, right?

When Jafar Was Blatently Attracted To A 15-Year-Old Girl (Aladdin)

We sometimes forget that a lot of the Disney princesses are literal teenagers in most of these movies because they're so mature half the time, but Jafar and Jasmine in Aladdin are the worst. Jafar is blatantly attracted to Jasmine in the film and wants to marry her for power, but she is actually fifteen. Someone call the police, please.

When The Toys Were About To Get Burned To Death (Toy Story 3)

Toy Story 3 was initially created as a cap to the Toy Story movies before the fourth film was conceived, so having this scene was wild. The toys, who are in a garbage plant thanks to Lotso, are nearly burned alive by an incinerator. They are all holding hands and waiting for their demise. Thankfully, at the last moment, the little green aliens come in and save them with the giant claw that picks up trash, but god, that was a close one, huh?

When Hades Wanted To Kill A Child (Hercules)

Look, Hercules is underrated in so many ways, and Hades is a hilarious villain, but there's a reason why he is a villain in this movie. He wants to kill Hercules at the beginning and gets his minions to do so by using a vial of poison, but Hercules ends up only drinking most of it, not all, so he just loses his godlike immortality.

When Belle Was Chased By Wolves (Beauty And The Beast)

We all glamorize Beauty and the Beast a little too much because there were plenty of dark moments in that movie, and one of the biggest was when wolves chased Belle. I know, in the grand scheme of things, that it’s not super dark, but it's still scary for a kid to watch a Disney princess get chased down by wolves and nearly die.

When We Saw All Of Sid's Horrifying Creations (Toy Story)

Toy Story featured probably some of the most disgusting creations I had ever seen when we first noticed Sid's fascination with destroying toys and molding them into new ones. As the movie continues, we do see that even these strange concoctions have souls of their own, but man, they are still freaky as heck.

When Dr. Facilier Was Dragged To Hell By Demons (The Princess And The Frog)

There's a lot that I love about The Princess and the Frog, including Tiana being the best Disney princess, but I think we sometimes forget just how dark Dr. Facilier was. This man works with the literal souls of the underworld to gain power, and when he falls flat on his deal, he is dragged through a grave down to hell. Yup, it can't really get darker than that.

When Gaston Fell To His Death (Beauty And The Beast)

There are plenty of great villain deaths in the world of Disney, but Gaston's is honestly one that is pretty dark. We don't necessarily see his head hit the pavement, but we do see Gaston fall to his death when he and the Beast are facing off.

When Esteban Gets Possessed (The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody)

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is a great series overall, but even I'll admit that this episode, where Esteban (a hotel bellboy) and the twins are trying to contact the dead, is scary as hell and dark for Disney. They do so well in contacting the dead that a spirit takes over Esteban. What? That never happens.

When Wall-E Nearly Forgot Who Everyone Was (Wall-E)

Wall-E is a film that feels a little too real nowadays with how global warming has changed our world, and the movie itself can be super dark if you look at it. But to me, the darkest moment was at the very end when I thought Wall-E was reset to his factory settings and forgot all about Eve and everything that happened. Thankfully, her spark brings back his memory, so it all works out, but man, that was a close one!

When An Evil Force Begins To Take Over And Turn Everyone Into Monsters (Halloweentown)

Halloweentown is my favorite non-scary Halloween movie because it's so homey and rings in the season in a great way. Still, there's no denying that the idea of an evil force – not even just a spirit, but a malevolent force – taking over an entire town is dark for Disney Channel DCOM standards.

When Clayton Accidentally Hangs Himself (Tarzan)

Tarzan is a film that I think a lot of us forget about (except for Phil Collins' great score), but let's not forget the dark moment when the villain, Clayton, literally accidentally kills himself. He's struggling with vines as he's in the final fight but falls to the ground, and ultimately, we see the vines wrapped around his neck and the shadow of his hanging body not that long after.

When Bing Bong Sacrificed Himself (Inside Out)

The world has never forgiven Pixar for sacrificing Bing Bong in Inside Out. I mean, look at him. He didn't deserve that. Bing Bong deserves his freedom, but he lets himself get erased in Riley's mind so Joy can get out and make Riley happy again. Gosh, I'm getting tears thinking about it.

When Scar Is Eaten By His Own Followers (The Lion King)

Scar is a dastardly villain, but his demise is even darker than what he has done. The hyenas who have followed him for the whole movie turn on the lion at the very end, and we see them tear him apart in the shadows, bit by bit, eaten because they are hungry now.

When The House Turns Into A Prison (Smart House)

In a world where we live with Alexas and smart devices galore, the twist of Smart House feels all too real. The film itself was a Disney Channel film about a home with a robotic attendant who turns the house into a prison. I mean…not for nothing, but AI is scary, and this film feels a little too real.

When Marlan's Wife Was Killed In The Opening Minutes Of Finding Nemo (Finding Nemo)

I think everyone who saw Finding Nemo as a kid was shocked to death when they watched the first minutes. We don't actually see Marlan's wife getting eaten, but we know she's gone in the moments after, when there's just one egg left and Marlan is all alone.

These are just some of the dark moments I instantly think of when it comes to Disney – but trust me, there are plenty more. I think it's time for a Disney marathon – and for me to enjoy every second of it while also getting creeped out at these dark moments.

When it comes to 2024 movies, it feels pretty unquestionable that Inside Out 2 is going to go down in history as one of the year’s best, along with, of course, being a huge box office hit. And as we know, when a movie does that rare thing of both pleasing fans and studio executives, chances are a sequel is likely to follow. But in terms of seeing a third Inside Out movie, I’m not only absolutely on board to take another trip inside Riley’s mind, I have an idea about which emotion should be highlighted next.

So far, Inside Out has found ways to talk about what it means to grow up in universal ways, first through Riley moving with her family at eleven before jumping to her going through puberty at 13. The first movie centrally discusses the emotion of sadness, and how that emotion is actually important to feel rather than suppress. Then the sequel gets into the arrival of anxiety and how when it takes hold, it can impact one’s sense of self. What should be next? As Riley moves further into being a teenager, I’d love to see how Pixar tackles the complex ways in which falling in love impacts the brain and our emotions.

Why I Think Inside Out 3 Should Explore First Love In Riley’s Teen Years

Not unlike Anxiety popping up out of the blue in Inside Out 2, I think Pixar could have so much fun imagining what would encapsulate “romantic love” or perhaps in the form of “passion” as an emotion that comes out to play, perhaps when Riley develops a crush on one of her peers. Because once you have a huge crush or first love, it can feel like your brain chemistry is never the same after that.

While that doesn’t always happen in one’s teenage years, I think everyone can relate to thinking someone at their high school was the love of their life, whether they only caught glances from across the classroom everyday or were in a full-blown relationship. Since the Inside Out movies often operate within a short time period, I'm imagining this being a summer camp crush that has Riley out of her depths of emotion because it's new to her.

When romantic passion happens the first time (and please, some of you get your heads out of the gutter, I'm totally thinking in PG terms), it can really disrupt all your emotions in some really life-changing ways. I can already imagine the kind of fun chaos it could create for the emotions we’ve already met in Riley’s mind. I just imagine this fuchsia pink character, perhaps voiced by an especially charismatic actor like Pedro Pascal or Margot Robbie, who just oozes romance and cool.

Once Riley develops this crazy crush in reality, Passion will appear and have her tripping up on her words and idolizing whomever the character gets heart eyes over (and wouldn’t it be funny if this emotion literally had heart eyes?!) Are you starting to understand my vision here?

It Could Also Make For Another Impactful Journey For Joy

Even though Riley is about all the emotions in her brain, Amy Poehler’s Joy has always been the centerpiece of it. I think it's because Joy is what we’re all ultimately chasing after. I’m especially interested in Inside Out 2 exploring Passion because of how the emotion is so aligned with the emotion of Joy. Anyone who’s been in love knows that when you are in the throes of love and romance, it can feel like the other person is the source of your Joy and actually fuels that emotion in a deeper way.

This is fascinating in the world of Inside Out, because thus far, Joy has been rather standoffish around embracing other emotions like Sadness and Anxiety before coming around to them by the end of the movies. However, when Passion comes to town, I feel like Joy has to form an instant attachment to Passion and have her own love story with the emotion itself. They go so hand and hand, I think it would be so interesting to see Joy kind of ditch all the other emotions for Passion as they pair kind of take the wheel.

Of course, Anxiety would get a chance to have a big role here, as first love and love in general is great at triggering that, along with Embarrassment and some others, but I would love to see how Passion and Joy becoming bestie emotions forwards the Inside Out character and deepens the world of these movies.

It’s A More Complex Topic, But As She Grow Up, So Should Riley’s Emotions

While the idea of Passion being part of Inside Out 3 is very interesting to me, it is a topic that would deserve love and attention because of how complex the topic itself is. Though, I think since if Riley was, let's say 15, Pixar could have fun with it since it'd be both lower stakes and relatable to people.

Passion can take many forms, from toxicity to wholesome levels that could certainly be explored, and Pixar would have to be careful with how it depicts Passion for a large audience. That being said, that’s another thing about the potential of Inside Out 3 that excites me. I like the idea of the animation studio building on its concept by tackling more complex emotions as Riley gets older, because that’s literally what’s going on in our brains as we age.

The only potential problem I see with this idea is how to make it universal. For example, fans in the LGBTQ+ community have had theories about Riley’s sexuality since her relationship with Val could be read as a crush to some, so the gender she falls for does make it more specific in a way. However, I personally think the gender wouldn’t matter because one could still relate to the experience of first love ultimately if Pixar maintains the broad storytelling that makes us love and sympathize with her so much.

Ah, young love! I want to see how the emotions of Inside Out would deal with it. While you ponder my idea, you can stream both Inside Out movies right now with a Disney+ subscription and look forward to the Inside Out Disney+ TV show this December.

Nothing breaks our hearts more than when a beloved character dies in a movie. Even the most stoic people shed a tear when characters like Goose in Top Gun don't make it to the finish line. Sometimes these characters grow through multiple movies, and sometimes it only takes one for us to end up blubbering when the end comes. Here is our list like that, our list of movie deaths that just crush us.

It goes without saying, but there are major spoilers ahead!

Tony Stark - Avengers: Endgame

Over the first 22 MCU movies Tony Stark/Iron Man was the heart of the franchise. Robert Downey Jr.'s character started the whole thing off in the original Iron Man and in a lot of ways, the Infinity Saga (the first three phases of the MCU) should have ended with Avengers: End Game and the death of Tony Stark. We all knew something like this was likely, but it didn't make it any easier when it came.

Thomas J. - My Girl

There is nothing harder in life than children dying long, long before their time. The fact that no one saw it coming in My Girl makes it doubly tough. What seems like a sweet, innocent childhood romance comes to a crashing halt with the death of Macauley Culkin's character Thomas. It's just brutal, but props to Anna Chlumsky who does an amazing job as Vada.

Ricky - Boyz In the Hood

Of all the characters in Boyz In The Hood that you most want to see get out of the cycle of poverty and despair in the movie, Ricky tops the list. You always have the sense that Tre (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is going to make it and you always sense Doughboy (Ice Cube) won't. Ricky (Morris Chestnut) is in the middle and could go either way. That's what makes his death so heartbreaking. He's so close to getting out, but just can't escape the violence.

Mufasa - The Lion King

How much detail do we really need to go into here? Mufasa's death is the catalyst for Simba's growth, but that doesn't make his untimely death any easier to watch. Disney really knows how to tug at the heartstrings, don't they?

Jenny - Forrest Gump

Jenny (Robin Wright) never really treats Forrest (Tom Hanks) all that well in Forrest Gump. Most of the time, she kinda treats him like dirt. In the end, she does come around, and when she does, you feel the pain right along with Forrest. It's even harder than watching his mother (Sally Field) go earlier in the movie.

Marley - Marley And Me

Pets dying. We all know it's coming, yet, we're never fully prepared for it. Not in life, nor on the big screen. Marley's death in Marley In Me is inevitable, but that doesn't make it any easier at all.

John Coffey - The Green Mile

In Frank Darabont's 1999 classic The Green Mile, we know that Michael Clarke Duncan's character John Coffey is locked up for a crime he didn't commit and is facing a punishment not of his own making. Not only do we feel for Coffey for his wrongful conviction, but because Duncan plays the role with such sweet sincerity that we can't help but love the guy. His execution is like our own, it hurts way too much.

Shelby - Steel Magnolias

Julia Robert's first big break came in Steel Magnolias and like all her work, her infectious smile and great attitude endear us to her quickly. Her death, though part of life, is excruciating as a result.

Neil - Dead Poets Society

When someone dies by suicide, especially a teenager, there is an extra level of sorrow and frustration. Such is definitely the case with Neil (Robert Sean Leonard) in Dead Poets Society. It's so unfair for everyone, and you even feel for his domineering father who drove him to it. Robin Williams gives one his best performances in the movie, but it's Leonard's role as Neil that really sticks with you.

Jack Dawson - Titanic

Say what you want about Titanic, love it or hate it, but you can't deny the impact of Jack's death at the end. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance in the movie made him one of the biggest stars of all time, and his death takes our breath away every time.

Radio Raheem - Do The Right Thing

Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing is one of the best debuts by a director ever. Radio Raheem's death isn't like most of the others on this list because it doesn't just make audiences sad, it makes them mad. It's the anger part of grieving that hits the hardest here.

Guido - Life Is Beautiful

The director, writer, and star of Life Is Beautiful, Roberto Benigni, is wonderful in the movie. He makes us laugh throughout and then, near the end, he crushes our hearts with his death. Like others on this list, we sense the dread from the outset, but when the end comes, it leaves us shattered.

Old Yeller - Old Yeller

There is no one who can stop a tear from rolling down your cheek at the end of Old Yeller when Travis (Tommy Kirk) is faced with doing the inevitable after his dog is infected with rabies. Most of us see the movie as kids and the trauma lives on with us far into adulthood.

Goose - Top Gun

It's not often that a big summer blockbuster hits you as hard in the guy as Top Gun does when Goose (Anthony Edwards) is killed in a training exercise. You see it on Maverick's (Tom Cruise) in the aftermath, but when Goose's widow (Meg Ryan) tells Mav how much Goose loved flying with him, turn on the waterworks and let it all out, because you're going to need to.

Brooks - The Shawshank Redemption

If you know anything about prison movies, you probably know that someone is going to get killed. One of the many things that sets The Shawshank Redemption apart and makes it one of the best movies of the 1990s, is that you don't expect the death you get in it or how it happens. The affable Brooks seems like a good guy, and that makes his suicide in the end just brutal to take in.

Johnny - The Outsiders

Johnny (Ralph Macchio) goes out as a hero in The Outsiders and that's something even he can't believe. It's a brutal moment, as he is in the hospital after the fire when he tells Pony Boy (C. Thomas Howell) to stay golden and it's stuck with audiences forever.

Maximus - Gladiator

Given the circumstances, Maximus' death is as satisfying as it is tragic in Gladiator. Russell Crowe's character's vengeance is what drives the movie and when he finally gets it at the end, there is nothing more left to do in this world. It doesn't make it easy though.

Maggie - Million Dollar Movie

Maggie's (Hillary Swank) death in Million Dollar Baby isn't easy to ever watch. You spend so much time rooting for her, that while her death doesn't feel like a waste, it sure feels like she had so much more left in her. It's not just the injury that leads to her death, but it's her tragic desire to see things through to their natural (or unnatural) end that makes it so hard to watch.

Father - The Road

There is nothing about The Road that is easy to watch. It's not a movie you really ever want to want a second time, despite how fantastic it is. Viggo Mortensen is fantastic as the character simply known as "Father" and his death is really hard to take, because he and his son are the only hope in the movie.

Jack - Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain is a classic love story with a twist that changed cinema forever and even if Jack's denial is in some ways a predictable event in this kind of story, it doesn't make it any easier for audiences.

Dobby - Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1

Dobby may just be a side character in the Harry Potter series, but his death in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 is still one of the hardest to take to in the whole franchise. Dobby's innocent nature and good heart quickly made him a fan favorite and watching him die is heart-wrenching.

William Wallace - Braveheart

"Freedom!" Or something like that. Setting aside just how historically inaccurate Braveheart is and looking at it as a stirring movie with some awesome action scenes, it makes William Wallace's death brutal at the end. It crushes Scotland's dreams, sure, but it's also the tragic end of a love story and that's what makes it so heartbreaking.

Brian Piccalo - Brian's Song

James Caan played a lot of tough guys over his brilliant career, but it was the softer side of a tough guy, the real-life Brian Piccalo, whose death haunts us the most. The true story about the tragic life of Piccalo and his wonderful friendship with Gale Sayers, played by Billy Dee Williams, is meant to rip out the audience's hearts, and boy oh boy does it.

Apollo - Rocky IV

Like a few others on this list, if you weren't prepared for it, Apollo Creed's death in Rocky IV is a serious blow. It's not the kind of thing you'd ever expect from a big summer popcorn-chomper of a movie. It brilliantly raises the stakes in the movie and is, in the end, what makes it such an enduring movie, despite being a relic of the Cold War.

Captain Miller - Saving Private Ryan

Audiences really come to love and respect Tom Hanks' Captain Miller in Saving Private Ryan and after all he'd been through, and all he'd done, to see him not make it to the end of the movie, or the end of D-Day for that matter, really stings. We hope Ryan made it worth it, and we think he did, aside from the cheesy ending.

Bing Bong - Inside Out

How is it that a cartoon's death can bring anyone to tears? Let alone one that isn't even "real" in the movie? Yet here we are, wiping our faces as Bing Bong sacrifices himself in Inside Out. The power of cinema indeed.

Wolverine - Logan

For decades we watched Wolverine over the entire life of the X-Men franchise. Hugh Jackman's performance was perfect every time, right up until the end when the seemingly immortal anti-hero becomes as mortal as the rest of us at the end of Logan. Deadpool may have celebrated his death, but we don't.

Rosie - JoJo Rabbit

Even the most absurd films, like Jojo Rabbit, can have devastatingly heartbreaking moments in them. Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) dying, despite the movie being about the subject matter it is about, is still a little shocking and very sad. Jojo finding her the way he does makes it even tougher to watch.

Gwen Stacy - Amazing Spider-Man 2

When you watch a superhero movie, you really never expect the hero to suffer any real heartbreak that you aren't ready for. Batman's parents are always going to die, for example, but you know that going in. Spider-man failing to save Gwen (Emma Stone) in Amazing Spider-Man 2 is shocking and completely heartbreaking.

The Iron Giant - The Iron Giant

There is, at least, some respite from the death of the Iron Giant in The Iron Giant - we know in the end that he's going to be okay. That doesn't make the initial moment of his destruction any easier though. Once again cartoons break out hearts.

Bambi's Mother - Bambi

Disney is responsible for some of our favorite cinematic moments as kids. And some of our most traumatic. There is a very good chance that everyone reading this was deeply traumatized by the death of Bambi's mother in Bambi, no matter what age you are now.

Donny - The Big Lebowski

Donnie was a bowler. He also loved to surf, probably. the Steve Buscemi character's death at the end of The Big Lebowski is not what anyone would have ever expected from the shaggy dog story we enjoyed for the previous two hours. It turns out that Donnie really tied the movie together and no one liked seeing him go.

Pixar struck gold again earlier this year with Kelsey Mann's Inside Out 2, a film that raked in $1.6 billion worldwide, blowing past the previous 2024 box office champs, Dune: Part Two and even breaking Top Gun: Maverick’s impressive milestone, making it one of the most successful animated movies of all time. While the film's success should have put everyone at ease at the animation studio, Pixar boss (and director of the original movie) Pete Docter feels anything but relaxed. As Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer and a key architect behind some of the most beloved and best Pixar movies, Docter’s concerns extend far beyond box office numbers. Despite Inside Out 2’s stellar performance, the Monsters Inc. director is worried about the future of cinema itself.

In a recent chat with The Ankler, the Pixar helmer didn’t hold back when talking about the uncertain future of the film industry. Despite the massive success of IO2, the Soul filmmaker quickly acknowledged that the landscape feels anything but stable. In his words:

Although it might surprise some to hear this coming from Pixar's head honcho, it makes sense when you think about it. The rise of some of the best streaming services, the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence, and shifting audience habits are changing the rules of the game entirely. These seismic shifts bring a fair amount of anxiety for the creative leader.

One of the major wild cards in all of this? AI. Now, it’s not like Pixar is a stranger to AI. The studio has been using the tech for years to enhance their films. But for Pete, the conversation around AI in animation is far from straightforward. Sure, AI can be useful, but it’s not without its pitfalls, especially when maintaining creative integrity. Pete explained:

Docter isn’t only worried about the technical side of AI but also about the bigger, more philosophical questions. What happens when machines start taking over the very thing humans have done for thousands of years—telling stories? For a storyteller like the veteran animation director, it’s a future that feels a bit unsettling.

But AI isn’t the only thing keeping him up at night. Like many companies, the post-pandemic world has left Pixar grappling with how to maintain that old magic in an era where remote work is the norm. The Up filmmaker firmly believes in the power of spontaneous, face-to-face collaboration — the kind of moments that can only happen when you bump into a colleague in a hallway. He explained:

Even though Inside Out 2 proves Pixar can still churn out box office hits, Pete Docter’s eyes are firmly fixed on the challenges ahead. Kesley Mann's movie may have been a resounding success, but even a billion-dollar hit doesn’t bring peace of mind in the rapidly evolving world of cinema.

With several highly anticipated upcoming Pixar films on the list of upcoming Disney movies, like Elio, Hoppers, and the already buzzworthy Toy Story 5, the animation visionary is more than aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Toy Story 5, in particular, has already sparked plenty of conversation — and not all of it positive. But Docter has addressed fan concerns head-on, explaining that the team is taking a thoughtful approach to the beloved franchise’s next chapter.

In the meantime, Pixar fans don’t have to wait for those new releases to get their fix. With a Disney+ subscription, you can dive back into Pixar’s impressive catalog.

You know, the last person I expected to comment on 2024’s movie releases and the 2024 TV schedule was Beyoncé, but here we are. As the pop star reflected on the release of Cowboy Carter, she also opened up about the entertainment she’s been enjoying this year. While I love that she’s also been watching House of the Dragon, what I’m truly obsessed with is the fact that Inside Out 2 is her favorite movie of the year.

During an email Q&A with Beyoncé, GQ asked her about “what is currently inspiring” her in “music and film.” Her response began with shoutouts for female musicians like Raye, Chloe x Halle and Reneé Rapp. However, in the end, she divulged that she’s a fan of “classics,” and that’s how her favorite watches of the year came up:

There’s a lot to unpack there, however, I’m hyper-fixating on the fact that Beyoncé watches House of the Dragon and loves Inside Out 2, so let’s talk more about that.

I Love That Beyoncé Is Watching House Of The Dragon

Like many of us, Beyoncé has been watching House of the Dragon, which is incredible, because if we want to talk about fierce queens, her and Rhaenyra Targaryen are toward the top of my list.

Knowing that she’s been watching now, I can’t help but wonder how she felt about the Game of Thrones connection in HOTD’s Season 2 finale, and I need to know if she was as peeved as many fans (myself included) were by the note the latest season ended on.

Is she anticipating Season 3 of House of the Dragon as much as I am? That’s never a question I’ve considered until right now. However, there’s something very fun about knowing Beyoncé is watching the same show many of us are. And that point was further amplified by her favorite movie of the year.

However, I’m Obsessed With The Fact That She Loves Inside Out 2

Doing a tonal 180 here, Beyoncé’s favorite movie of the year so far is Inside Out 2.

As you likely know, Inside Out 2 got great reviews, and it made over $1.6 billion at the box office worldwide. Many went to the theaters to see Riley and her emotions back on the big screen and were deeply moved by it. It sounds like the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer was too.

I can picture her, Blue Ivy and her twins Rumi and Sir watching the film together, and it’s such a wholesome picture. It makes me wonder if she cried watching it. Did she feel secondhand embarrassment like I did? These are all questions that make me even more obsessed with the fact that she loved Inside Out 2.

In my mind, Beyoncé sits on top of such a high pedestal that it’s hard to imagine her doing and watching things that we all do. However, this little peek into what she’s been viewing this year reminded me that that’s not the case, and I absolutely adore the fact that she’s into projects like House of the Dragon and Inside Out 2.

If you are looking to watch the two projects we talked about here that Beyoncé called out, you can stream Seasons 1 and 2 of House of the Dragon with a Max subscription now and Inside Out 2 with a Disney+ subscription starting September 25.

I love Inside Out 2, like a lot of people who saw it opening weekend (and make no mistake, a lot of people saw Inside Out 2 opening weekend). I thought it was an amazing film that hit me on an emotional level, and it's likely going to go down as one of the best Pixar movies. As a professional writer who covers the entertainment industry, I also love that there’s finally a movie, the first one in a while, that it feels like everybody has seen and that we can all talk about. And yet. I’m finding myself feeling much more like the emotion in control of my own head is Sadness, perhaps with some backup from Anxiety, and not so much Joy.

While Inside Out 2 is as good as you’ve heard, there’s a part of me that’s a little upset by that. Yes, it’s a good thing for so many reasons, but there’s also a downside to Inside Out 2 doing so well, and it’s bumming me out.

 Pixar Needed A Win, And I'm Glad It Got One

If Inside Out 2 had simply had a solid opening weekend at the box office that would have been news, but the movie is tearing things up. It’s setting records for Pixar openings and for animated movie openings in general. This is great news.

While every studio has had a rough time to one degree or another over the last few years, Pixar may have had the toughest time. Onward was released in early 2020, only to have its theatrical run cut short by movie theaters closing due to the global pandemic. Following that, the next three Pixar films, Soul, Luca and Turning Red, would all be released directly on Disney+ rather than in theaters, and without any sort of additional price tag, which Disney did with several live-action films.

At the time, there was a feeling that Pixar was being devalued and being given away for free because that’s what it was worth. The next two Pixar movies, Lightyear and Elemental, would have some of the worst domestic box office numbers ever for the studio. Elemental would have the worst opening weekend since the original Toy Story three decades earlier. Lightyear is the lowest-performing Pixar movie ever at the box office, other than Onward’s shortened run.

There was a question whether anybody cared about Pixar anymore. Maybe it was just the studio that was “just as good” to watch on Disney+ now, and that’s how people were going to handle Pixar movies from now on. We now know that’s not the case. Viewers will turn out in theaters to see Pixar movies, but the fact that they did turn out to see this one after skipping others has me upset.

Inside Out 2’s Success Is (Probably) Going To Teach Disney The Wrong Lesson

The six Pixar movies that preceded Inside Out 2 all have one thing in common that the new movie does not: they weren’t sequels. Even Lightyear, while having a connection to the Toy Story franchise, is clearly its own thing. So if you were to give only a surface-level review of the last several years of Pixar films, what you would see is that fans love Pixar sequels and have much less interest in anything new.

That isn’t exactly news. While many have lamented that all studios are focused on franchises to the exclusion of all else, there’s a very simple reason they do it: it works, and of course it does. We all are interested in more of a thing that we already knew we liked. It’s not rocket science.

One can argue that Inside Out 2 was more successful because it was a better movie, but that argument doesn’t hold. While I hate deferring to Rotten Tomatoes as an authority on this topic, you’ll find that while Inside Out 2 has a better critic and audience score than many Pixar films, the much-maligned Elemental and Lightyear have perfectly respectable scores that are on par with other Pixar projects that were financial successes.

But money is king, and that means that Disney is going to look at Inside Out 2 as a win and those other movies as failures. The lesson it will almost certainly learn is that we need to make more sequels. So get ready, because if you were excited to hear that Toy Story 5 was coming, it’s a safe bet a lot more announcements like that are on the way.

Inside Out Was An Original Idea Once, And It Was A Big Hit Too 

But the thing that seems to get lost in the focus on franchises is that franchises have to start somewhere. There was a point in which every franchise was a new, untested idea. Inside Out was once a movie nobody had tried before, and it was both a critical success and a box office hit. It was so popular that it eventually spawned a sequel that looks poised to become even more successful.

At some point every franchise is born, and more importantly, at some point every franchise dies. You can’t keep making Inside Out movies forever. Nobody wants to see the movie where we are introduced to the new character "Riley’s Impending Sense of Mortality." Franchises end, and when they do, you need new franchises to take their place. And for that, you need new ideas.

I’m not saying Lightyear or Elemental should be pushed into becoming franchises if people don’t want them, though I would love to see the future evolution of Ember and Wade’s relationship. But right now, there are probably dozens of people at Pixar with their own ideas they would love to turn into movies who will have to put those ideas on hold because they are about to get dragged into a production meeting for Incredibles 3.

And I’m not against making Incredibles 3 on principle. It could be really good, and if it is, I’m all for it. I'm not against franchises, but I do wish that maybe it was a different movie that broke Pixar out of this slump.

From as far back as my childhood seeing the sequel announcement for Toy Story 2, I've had a problem with Pixar doing sequels. Sure, I've still turned up at the theater to watch them, but I've always left disappointed, feeling that no sequel thus far has measured up to the original. That changed with Inside Out 2, and it is the first time I've actively advocated for a Pixar franchise to have a third movie.

If CinemaBlend's glowing review of Inside Out 2 hasn't convinced readers to see this one yet, allow me to add my voice to the group. This is one worth seeing in theaters before it's available with a Disney+ subscription, not only because it's beautiful, but it's so good I'm already ready for a third movie to sweep me away once again.

Riley's Developing Mind Is A Premise That Warrants Further Exploration In A Way Other Pixar Movies Haven't

My biggest gripe with Pixar sequels, and really sequels to even the best kids movies, is that it's hard to see them as anything more than a cash grab. Consumers will statistically better embrace a known franchise they like over a new one, so there are times when I find it hard to justify sequels to Pixar films beyond "The company wants more money." Sure, this is largely why all movies are made, but when it feels like there isn't a story to tell, it becomes more obvious.

From the jump of Inside Out 2, the reason for a sequel is clear. Riley is making that big jump from middle school to high school, and in the summer inbeween is also hitting puberty. A slew of new emotions move in, and we learn that Riley quickly becomes an anxiety-ridden teenager uncertain about her future going forward.

It's entertaining, but more importantly, I already felt the excitement of seeing the sequel going into the theater. Being someone who went through that phase of life, I was ready for a reminder, and my daughter was definitely curious about what it was like to be a kid older than herself. I had an expectation going into how great this movie could be, and thankfully, it delivered. I can't say the same with just about every other Pixar sequel, which left me thinking it should've just been left alone.

The Developing Human Mind And Emotions Is A Premise That Has A Wealth Of Content

When it comes to the idea for a third movie, there's no wrong idea for Inside Out to choose. Riley just entered high school, and there's a wealth of life events she has yet to experience for a third movie to get into. We could flash forward to her first prom or jump even further to graduating college and starting in the professional world. Or we could go even further than that! The beauty of this is that the ideas can last a literal lifetime.

I'm sure many would agree there's no shortage of adventures in life and the things that our minds go through as we navigate all of them. There's also a vast spectrum of emotions that, as critics agreed with on Inside Out 2, can be just as wonderful and endearing as the core group of emotions we were introduced to in the first movie.

It would be cool to see complex emotions explored at the highest level with a Pixar eye, like when it comes to things like grief. Sure, I'm not trying to leave a children's film in an emotional wreck like I did when I saw IF, but so much of what children's movies are about is passing on life experience. A movie like Inside Out can indirectly teach children tactics for coping with their emotions, maybe so they don't end up crying in front of a bunch of children when they're a grown man walking out of a children's movie. Hey, there's nothing wrong with that, I'm just saying!

It's Probably Going To Happen Anyway With The Records It's Breaking

For those who are not aware, Inside Out 2 had the biggest opening weekend of 2024. It's crushing at the box office, and given Pixar's trend of leaning on sequels like the upcoming Toy Story 5, I think it's a safe bet discussions are already taking place on the surface level for another movie. Obviously, I have no inside information on this, so don't take this as the gospel truth that a third movie is absolutely happening.

What I will say is in an era where the CGI art style that Pixar built is more commonplace and is going up against heavy hitters like Moana 2, I can't fault the company for wanting to lean on proven franchises for sequels. I will say that Inside Out 2's success may be evidence that it is the best path forward between being both popular and having a well of stories to tell that don't feel unnecessary or ham-fisted. I'm tossing out a hot take right now, but I don't want this franchise to feel like Toy Story has for me for quite a while.

For all of the reasons mentioned above, I'm not too worried about that happening. More than any other franchise in its lineup currently, I feel like Inside Out has the brightest future for Pixar, and with its success, it can continue to churn out new ideas that hopefully strike a chord with audiences just as much as their other classics have. Until then, long live the commercial viability of the sequel, and the animated movies that actually deserve them.

Inside Out 2 is in theaters right now, and based on how well it's doing at the box office, it could be a while before we see it on Disney+ or available to purchase on demand. Obviously, I have a bit of a bias in thinking it's one of the best Pixar movies, but I would highly encourage even childless adults to go and check it out should they get the chance, because it truly is one of the best movies you can watch in 2024 so far.

When Inside Out was released almost a decade ago, it tapped into something global audiences didn’t know they needed. Being able to look at our emotions from the inside out proved to be an incredibly cathartic experience, as mental health is a concept that anybody can relate to. Now, with the release of Inside Out 2, we find the main character Riley as a teenager. While this is also a phase most of us can relate to, for the filmmakers it’s been a while, and creating an authentic story about a teenager might prove to be tricky. This is where Riley’s Crew comes in. 

I recently sat down to speak with Inside Out 2’s director Kelsey Mann and producer Mark Nielsen, and as you can imagine, neither of  them are teenage girls. To properly tell Riley’s story, they enlisted the help of an “advisory group” that became known as Riley’s Crew, and Leslie Mann gave me a very logical explanation as to why this was a necessity:

It’s pretty funny that director Kelsey Mann thought this was going to be a hard sell for the studio, and they almost immediately cleared Riley’s Crew for take off. Mann went on to explain that they also wanted diversity amongst the group of nine, so they came from all over the country. It must have worked, too, because people are going nuts for Inside Out 2, specifically how it captures what it’s like to be a teenager with anxiety.

Let me attempt to extrapolate on that. Not only has Inside Out 2 been dominating the box office, but fans and critics alike are going nuts for the film. Our official review awarded Inside Out 2 4.5/5 stars, and the internet is going off about the immense relatability. As far as sequels go, this response is just about the best you can ask for.

Delving into a sequel at all is a risky move, as fandom these days can get pretty angry when you mess with a beloved property. The first Inside Out is considered to be one of the best Pixar movies, and one can only imagine that taking their time played into the success of the sequel. It took almost a decade for Inside Out 2 to finally hit theaters, and this has even inspired Patton Oswalt to take his sweet time on a potential Ratatouille sequel. It sounds to me like the success of Inside Out 2 is affecting how the industry proceeds with sequels in general. 

Experience the authenticity that Riley’s Crew helped inject into Inside Out 2 by seeing the film in theaters right now! Keep it here at CinemaBlend to see what else is coming down the box office pipeline in 2024. 

Inside Out 2 has arrived onto the 2024 movies schedule, and in classic Pixar fashion, the cast is spectacular. Of course, our beloved crew of emotions is still led by Amy Poehler’s Joy, but joining her this time around are big names like Maya Hawke, Tony Hale and Paul Walter Hauser, the latter playing Embarrassment. Hauser is a man of few words in the film, but his character has a lovely arc, and as someone who is now embedded in the Pixar/Inside Out universe, he’s already throwing around casting ideas for the third installment. 

Director Kelsey Mann has been teasing a third Inside Out film, so it’s not too crazy that we're already speculating. When fan-casting with Paul Walter Hauser during my interviews for Inside Out 2, he had a great pitch as to how they’d bring on his RIchard Jewel costar Jon Hamm:

I’m not sure if competition is an emotion, but I definitely see where Hauser is going with this. If you watched any of Jon Hamm’s legendary, award-winning run on Mad Men, you know that his effortless charisma would make for a hilariously cocky and competitive little character taking the controls in Riley’s mind. Paul Walter Hauser also dropped the name of Jon Hamm’s friend Marc Maron, but I think that Lewis Black is already sufficiently filling the role of the lovable curmudgeon with his character, Anger. 

Speaking of Lewis Black, he was also present during the interview, and he had a very different, on-brand take when it came to the hypothetical casting of Inside Out 3:

That dude is hilarious, and both of them are delightful, as you can see in the video clip at the top of this article. 

It’s probably worth noting that only three days after the film’s release, we here at CinemaBlend seem to be giving Inside Out 2 a resounding nod of approval. We’re already writing about easter eggs on the rewatch, boldly claiming that it’s a story about mental health that “everyone needs to see,” and our official Inside Out 2 review gave it a near-perfect 4.5/5 stars. And as you see here, we’re already speculating about Inside Out 3, but hopefully we won’t have to wait another ten years. 

If we do have to wait another decade, we can trust that Jon Hamm will be staying competitive, as he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. He recently starred in the latest seasons of Fargo and The Morning Show, and will be taking on the leading role of Apple TV+’s upcoming showYour Friends and Neighbors.

If you haven’t seen Inside Out 2, head to your local theater right now! If you have seen it, go see it again! For all the latest and greatest updates in movies, stay tuned to CinemaBlend. 

Spoilers for Inside Out 2 lie ahead. If you haven’t seen the sequel that's on the 2024 movie schedule, you can catch it in theaters now. 

As hard as it is to rank the best Pixar films, Inside Out has always been my favorite. When the first trailer for Inside Out 2 was released and introduced Anxiety as a new emotion, I knew I was headed for another emotional journey. I had high hopes going into the new movie and, somehow, it managed to exceed all of them. Just like the first film, the follow-up tells a carefully crafted story about how our emotions affect us. As someone who struggled with anxiety as a teenager in high school, I can honestly say that the Maya Hawke-voiced character made me feel seen, and that is just one reason why people need to go see the movie in theaters. 

Judging by the phenomenal opening box office numbers for Inside Out 2, I’m far from the only one who went out to see the movie this past weekend. The hour-and-a-half film is really a coming-of-age story that follows Riley as she once again grapples with monumental changes in her life. I think everyone can relate to the struggles Riley faces in the movie, even if you’ve never dealt with anxiety. But there were certain moments that made me feel as though I had traveled back in time and was watching my teenage self on screen. Pixar may not have set out to cater to people like me specifically when making this film, but I can’t help but feel like I was the target audience.

How Inside Out 2 Captured My Experiences With Anxiety As A Teenager

Anxiety manifests differently for everyone who deals with it but, the minute she was introduced in the film, I knew this was the emotion running things in my own head. What was even more relatable was that Riley was dealing with this emotion without formally getting diagnosed with it — something I myself have yet to do. 

One of the key scenes that resonated with me happens about halfway through the film. Anxiety has taken over as Riley’s primary emotion and has begun to spiral, taking over the teen’s imagination. Instead of letting her get to sleep and escape to a wholesome dreamworld that once conjured up widely mourned imaginary friend Bing Bong, Anxiety has the Mind Works in Imagination Land working overtime. Instead of rainbows and sunshine, they imagine horrendous scenarios that could happen to Riley during the big hockey scrimmage that she feels will determine her high school future. 

I can’t even begin to estimate how many nights I spent laying awake in bed, running through what-if scenarios about big life moments that only got worse and worse. It’s in our nature to worry about our choices and how others will perceive us but, with Anxiety at the helm, it takes on a world of its own.

In that scene, Joy eventually breaks in and gets the Mind Workers back on track by reminding them that none of this stuff has happened yet, so there’s no sense in worrying about it. It’s easy to see Joy as the hero in that moment but, when you’re in a spiral like that, it’s almost impossible to see a way out. 

That moment becomes clear at the emotional climax of the movie when Anxiety loses control of herself. Riley gets sent to the penalty box after crashing into her best friend and immediately starts worrying that not only has she lost a spot on the high school team, but she’s also lost her friend now. In her head, Anxiety has taken on the form of chaotic spirals circling the control panel, keeping everyone away. In reality, Riley is seen getting emotional in the penalty box. She’s gasping for breath and clutching at her heart while Anxiety starts to worry that she’s ruined the young lady's life. 

I was definitely holding back tears, because it was the first time I saw the way my anxiety/panic attacks manifested on screen. I knew immediately that Riley was in the midst of an anxiety attack, and it broke my heart watching her have to experience that. But it also made me feel seen. When you’re a teenager, you often feel like you’re the only one enduring mass pressure and the desire to be perfect, but the truth is we’re all struggling in our own ways. 

In movie terms, it’s easy to say that Anxiety is the villain of the sequel, but the reality is far more complicated than that. While it’s true that she does create problems for Riley, she only does so because she cares about her and her future. For me, personally, watching Joy and the other emotions embrace Anxiety at the end was an eye-opening moment. This emotion, which can sometimes wreak havoc on our lives and dream up nightmare scenarios, does have our well-being in mind. Like the original movie, the overall message is that all our emotions are valuable and should be appreciated.

Everyone Should Go See Inside Out 2 Because You’ll Be A Better Person After Watching It

The first Inside Out did a phenomenal job of portraying the raw way emotions manifest in the real world, and the sequel really carried on with that tradition. Part of what makes the movie so great is that it exposes audiences who might not deal with anxiety to what it actually feels like for those of us who do. Sure, we might not all spiral out of control, imagining horrible scenarios and the like. But everyone can relate to questioning their choices and wondering if they’re going down the right path. 

At the same time, I think the movie can help destigmatize anxiety a bit and show that it really is tough to deal with. It doesn't always revolve around nightmare, what-if scenarios; sometimes, it alters our core being to the point that we begin to doubt ourselves, just like Riley does in the movie. It’s easy to write Riley off as an over-dramatic teenager but, in that moment, these tribulations are some of the worst things that she’s experienced, so her actions are justified. 

Beyond the mental health aspect of it all, the Kelsey Mann-helmed film is an incredibly joyous movie that really captures what it’s like to be a 13-year-old with your whole future ahead of you. I laughed as much as I cried. There were clever, hilarious moments — with one being the original emotions discover Riley’s vault of secrets and love of a children’s animated show. There were poignant moments — like the entire core belief system — that made me understand myself as a person more.

By the time the credits rolled, I felt like I had been to a therapy session and finally understood how my own emotions work in my life. I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling.  Watching the movie definitely feels like a “core memory” to me, and I can't recommend this wonderful film enough. 

You can catch Inside Out 2 for yourself in theaters now. I also encourage everyone to stream the first film with an active Disney+ subscription. And keep an eye on the schedule of upcoming Disney movies in case the Mouse House surprises us by announcing a third film, which the director already has ideas for.

Inside Out became one of Pixar’s most popular films, spawning this week’s sequel. If Inside Out 2 becomes as big a hit as many are expecting, then the question of whether we’ll see an Inside Out 3 will certainly be asked. It sounds like director Kelsey Mann is interested in returning to the world of Inside Out and he has some unused ideas he’d love to bring back.

It’s already been suggested by Inside Out 2 cast member Amy Poehler that Inside Out 3 is something that could, and should happen. We could see the way emotions continue to change and evolve as Riley continues to grow. If Inside Out 3 does happen, director Kelsey Mann is up for returning as he told ComicBook.com he loves the world and would love a chance to use ideas that got cut from the new film. He explained… 

Animated movies have a very different production process than live-action. The story is continually evolving even while animation is being actively done. Stories and characters can change drastically. Pixar's The Good Dinosaur went through a complete overhaul that ended up changing most of the voice actors. Toy Story 4 also went through significant changes, that also cut out one of the director's favorite side characters. 

We know that many different emotions have been considered for both Inside Out movies that didn't get used. Another idea that was originally conceived for Inside Out 2 that Kelsey Mann would love to bring back in a future movie is a place in Riley’s mind called Procrastination Land. It led to a great joke, but it ultimately was decided it didn’t have a place, and so it was cut. Mann described it…

While Procrastination Land is certainly something that would be created in most of us as teens, it usually doesn’t go away as an adult, so the gag would certainly fit in a future movie. 

Critics seem to love Inside Out 2, our own Inside Out 2 review called in near perfect. If audiences feel the same way, a third movie is only going to become more likely. Maybe we'll see Procrastination Land one day if the filmmakers ever get back around to it.

When Inside Out was released in 2015, it quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, earning over $850 million at the box office and winning an Academy Award. But while Inside Out is widely considered to be one of the best Pixar films and has captured the hearts of millions, we musn’t forget that our hearts were also broken. I’m of course talking about the traumatizing death of Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong, voiced by Richard Kind. Almost a decade later, it still hurts, but thankfully the delightful voice of Joy, Amy Poheler, recently provided me with some much-needed catharsis.

Catching up with Amy Poehler to discuss the upcoming release of Inside Out 2, she said this:

Given that Amy Poehler’s response had a tinge of “Get over it” energy, I’m going to assume I wasn’t the first person at this press junket to ask about Bing Bong. Regardless, her answer was very sweet, and I’ve been waiting 10 years to hear it. See the interview for yourself in the video at the top of this article.

In case you don’t remember Bing Bong, he's a big pink elephant oddly enough inspired by John Candy from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. But if you’re at the point where you even need a refresher, you should really just rewatch Inside Out. Bing Bong’s death scene is embedded below, and if you think this is sad, just try to imagine the original cut, which featured a much longer and more devastating version of the scene:

New to the emotions gang for Inside Out 2 is Anxiety, hilariously voiced by Maya Hawke. Hawke was also present during the interview and seconded Amy Poehler’s sentiment, though it seemed that the wound was more fresh for her. She went on to explain that the scene was like a “knife to the heart,” and it even reminded her of another major death in recent Hollywood history:

I wish I had the answer to that question, Maya. Sometimes life is just unfair. Hopefully she was able to experience her own catharsis when J.K. Rowling apologized for the death of Dobby, but chances are that one lingers, just like our pain has carried on since that fateful day in 2015. Rest in peace, Bing Bong.

You can watch Inside Out with your Disney+ subscription right now, and Inside Out 2 in theaters tomorrow, June 14! As for everything else coming to theaters, check out our 2024 movie release schedule.

When I watched Inside Out for the first time, I immediately started thinking about who would voice the emotions in my head. And as a fellow human named Riley, I’ve always thought Amy Poehler would be my voice of Joy, just like she is in the movie. However, I’ve also always wondered who would voice the happy emotion in the Parks and Rec alum’s mind, and she recently revealed that answer. Let me tell you, it’s actually the best choice ever. 

With Inside Out 2 right around the corner on the 2024 movie schedule, the voice of Joy has been out and about chatting about the sequel and the new emotions Riley gets in it. While chatting about some of the things we know about the Inside Out sequel with Seth Meyers on Late Night – like the incorporation of Anxiety – the actress took a second to fantasize about her own emotions’ voices. When her SNL co-star asked her who would voice Joy, she said:

As we learned from the Inside Out 2 trailer, the movie is continuing its streak of A+ casting by adding Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, and more into its ensemble. However, it’s also fun to fantasize about who else could voice the emotions. 

Martin Short is actually a perfect choice for Joy! He is bursting with energy, and I could totally see him buzzing about Amy Poehler’s head as he tried to make sure she was always happy. Much like Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building, I think Short’s Joy would be eccentric, silly and who knows, maybe he’d be constantly trying to get the other emotions to start a podcast. I don’t know about you, but I could see it. 

Seth Meyers agreed with his “Weekend Update” co-anchor’s choice, and he also threw out that in his head, Anger would be voiced by Bill Burr – which, again, is a fantastic choice. You can see their full discussion about this delightful topic below:

Inside Out is one of the best Pixar movies, and the voice actors behind the emotions are a big reason why. They all embody Riley’s feelings so well, and with the sequel coming out soon as well as other Inside Out sequels not out of the question, I have no doubt that the new people brought in to voice various emotions will only add to this amazing universe. 

I, for one, would love to see Martin Short as the voice of someone’s Joy in a project like this. Amy Poehler’s reasoning for him being her happy voice is incredible, and I feel like now the comedian needs to find his way into one of these projects.

If that ever happens, we’ll be sure to keep you posted. However, when it comes to what we know for a fact, I’ll be smiling about Martin Short voicing Joy in Amy Poehler’s head, and I’ll be checking out both their projects coming out this summer, and you should too.

You can catch Short being his joyful self in Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building with a Hulu subscription when it premieres on August 27. In terms of Amy Poehler, you can hear her back as Joy when Inside Out 2 hits theaters on June 14, and you can go back and stream the OG animated movie with a Disney+ subscription. 

The best kids movies appeal to both older and younger audiences, assuring an enjoyable experience for the whole family. However, to achieve this, sometimes Hollywood incorporates certain jokes, themes, or even entire plot lines that are not appealing to kids at all and might leave them speaking with a colorful new vocabulary, making jokes way above their age level, or even traumatized for life. The following are a few examples of some notable, beloved children’s movies that, looking back, we might have been too young for.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

Had it existed back then, The Hunchback of Notre Dame could have won the Best Animated Feature Oscar for being a very compelling period drama set in 15th-Century Paris. However, the story of the Disney classic — based on Victor Hugo’s dark novel involving an anomalous man nearly killed as an infant and an elderly priest (reimagined as a judge in the film) uncomfortably and passionately obsessed with a young dancer — is not particularly ideal for children’s entertainment at its core.

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971) 

For years, fans have been re-analyzing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and coming up with wild fan theories to darken the scrumdiddlyumptious classic, but why bother? The film’s dark themes are spelled out for us pretty clearly, especially in the infamous tunnel sequence when the titular chocolatier (played by Gene Wilder) recites a foreboding poem as unsettling images appear around the boat full of passengers.

The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

Before there was Toy Story, the ultimate animated adventure about sentient inanimate objects was The Brave Little Toaster, in which a group of old appliances set out to find their “master” after being left at a woodland cabin. The great thing about this classic is that it teaches children to be more compassionate and sentimental, but it does so through very upsetting means, depicting the cruel treatment of our innocent protagonists.

Labyrinth (1986)

Director Jim Henson’s cult favorite fantasy, Labyrinth, is already pretty dark with its creepy puppetry and plot involving a kidnapped infant. However, it is the predatory undertones of David Bowie's character, Goblin King Jareth, when interacting with Jennifer Conolly's young protagonist, Sarah, that really makes it hard to recommend to anyone under 13.

Pinocchio (1940)

Because most fairy tales are also cautionary tales, the sight of Pinocchio smoking a cigar after running away to Pleasure Island does not bother us too much. It is the way the titular, enchanted puppet from the Disney classic learns his lesson — seeing other runaway children transformed into donkeys — that leaves us wondering if this story takes its teachable moment a little too far.

One Hundred And One Dalmatians (1961)

Watching dogs save the day in One Hundred and One Dalmatians is what makes the animated film such a rewarding and joyful experience. However, when you consider the fact that these Dalmatians are forced to spring into action because Cruella de Vil wants to skin the spotted puppies for her own fur coat, it makes one hesitant to show it to any younger canine lovers.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

It would be childish of us to think that this musical adaptation of Ian Fleming’s children's novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is inappropriate because of the title alone. Our concern is the fact that it takes place in a land called "Vulgaria" and one of its extremely discomforting main villains is literally referred to as the "Child Catcher.”

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

There is an argument to be made that Who Framed Roger Rabbit was never even intended for children in the first place and only earned its PG rating because they were more common at the time, let alone the fact that many of the characters are animated. Even then, this murder mystery story featuring a cigar-smoking baby with racy dialogue, a hard-drinking protagonist, and a sultry femme fatale (Kathleen Turner's Jessica Rabbit) would have never been PG in this day and age.

The Goonies (1985)

Director Richard Donner and producer Steven Spielberg’s enduring cult favorite, The Goonies, offer a relatively accurate depiction of what might happen if a group of children tried to live out their adventurous fantasies for real. The result includes a great deal of swearing, violence, innuendoes, and constant peril that younger viewers should find distressing.

The Incredibles (2004)

Because it is an animated Disney property and one of Pixar’s best films, we often forget that Brad Bird’s The Incredibles is one of the darkest superhero movies of its time. If the action thriller was not animated, its violence (which involves children) and other various adult elements would have surely cost it its PG rating. 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Ron Howard’s big-screen attempt at adapting a Dr. Seuss book into a live-action feature, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, has quite a bit of crude humor and a certain mean-spirited tone that the author is certainly not known for. One particular moment that surely went over younger viewers' heads is the scene when the infant Grinch (played as an adult by Jim Carrey) lands at the home of his adoptive mothers, where they are clearly throwing a swingers' party.

The Shrek Movies (2001-2010)

Watching all the Shrek movies is an almost entirely different experience for grown-ups than it is for children with mature jokes and references throughout. For instance, the first installment features Shrek’s (Mike Myers) comment about Lord Farquaad “compensating for something” with his large castle or a fairy tale-style recreation of O.J. Simpson's low-speed chase in 2004’s Shrek 2.

Mulan (1998)

As a film that takes place during a war, violence is to be expected, but is also handled in an impressively tame manner in Mulan. However, what people often tend to forget is how much partial nudity is in this animated Disney classic, particularly when the titular hero (voiced by Ming-Na Wen), posing as a man, is bathing in a lake and his suddenly joined by her fellow, male soldiers.

Ratatouille (2007)

Brad Bird’s Ratatouille is a delicious family treat, but not without its indulgences in adult humor. One notable scene from Pixar's culinary comedy sees Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano) begin to confess about Remy (Patton Oswalt) to Colette (Janeane Garofalo), he begins by saying, "I have a tiny, little…,” at which point she darts her eyes below his belt.

The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

Honestly, we believe that one of the things that makes The LEGO Batman Movie just as good as any live-action Batman movie is its more mature, but very clever, jokes. For instance, when Bruce Wayne (Will Arnett) first meets the young man who will be his ward and sidekick, the boy (voiced by Michael Cera) says his name is Richard Grayson, but most people call him "Dick," to which the aristocrat replies, "Well, children can be cruel."

Hocus Pocus (1993)

While certainly one of the more lighthearted movies about witches ever made, because of wall-to-wall innuendos and themes of child murder, calling Hocus Pocus a family movie is a bit of a stretch. Constant mentions of Max Dennison’s (Omri Katz) innocence (the reason why the Black Flame Candle successfully brings back the Sanderson Sisters) and a suggestive exchange between the witches and a bus driver are just a few notable examples.

Monster House (2006)

With a title like Monster House, you’d assume children should not be admitted anyway, but the horror elements are not really anything to be concerned by. However, the not-so-scary favorite does include moments of underage drinking, a reference to Chowder's mother's potential infidelity with her "personal trainer," and Chowder asking if they are in a "girl house" after Jenny calls a chandelier its "uvula."

Bee Movie (2007)

We suppose we should have realized that an animated movie co-written by and starring Jerry Seinfeld was not going to be just for the children. However, who could have expected that Seinfeld’s Bee Movie character — an insect named Barry B. Barrington — would have a crush on a human named Vanessa (Renée Zellweger) and that this strange interspecies romance would be expressed through many bizarre innuendoes?

Scooby-Doo (2002)

Writer James Gunn has said there exists an R-rated cut of Scooby-Doo — the live-action adaptation of the classic cartoon — and signs of that can be found throughout. Among them is the moment when Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) tells Mary-Jane (Isla Fisher) that she has his "favorite name" and when Freddy (Freddie Prinze Jr.), accidentally inhabiting Daphne's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) body, relishes in the ability to look at himself without clothing.

The Road To El Dorado (2000)

The influence of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour’s Road to… franchise in DreamWorks’ The Road to El Dorado is clear, right down to the off-beat and often suggestive humor. The most significant and often debated example from the animated film is when Chel (Rosie Perez) seduces Tulio (Kevin Kline), leading to a love scene that is offscreen, but easily heard.

Tarzan (1999)

It is pretty surprising when you remember that Disney’s animated version of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan is rated G as the violence is actually quite visceral. It is even more disturbing when it is subtle, such as in Clayton’s death scene, when the silhouette of him being hung by the neck with vines can be spotted.

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

The movie may be called All Dogs Go to Heaven, but there is one scene when Charlie (voiced by Burt Reynolds) visits the opposite end of the afterlife. That is only one pivotal, disturbing moment from the fantasy classic by animation legend Don Bluth, whose entire filmography has its fair share of nightmare fuel. 

Zootopia (2016)

There is a pretty funny and cleverly subtle adult joke from Zootopia that both kids and grown-ups may have missed. At one point, Judy (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) says, "I am just a dumb bunny, but we are good at multiplying.”

The Witches (1990)

One of the most sinister and truly grotesque depictions of witches — especially Anjelica Huston’s Eva Ernst — comes from a film intended as a “family picture.” Roald Dahl himself even agreed that director Nicolas Roeg’s adaptation of his 1983 novel, The Witches, was a little too scary for his taste.

Antz (1998)

DreamWorks' Antz is often considered the unintentional twin of Pixar's A Bugs Life, but the latter is far different, especially in terms of its genuine appeal to younger audiences. If it were not an animated film about insects, its innuendos, swearing, and plot involving a genocidal conspiracy would have easily earned it a PG-13 rating, at least.

The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (2004)

The beloved animated TV show SpongeBob Squarepants has been criticized for a number of mature jokes and its 2004 movie spin-off is absolutely no exception and, in fact, far clearer to detect. To name just a few notable examples, SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) get hammered from ice cream at a bar,  the duo later gets launched back to Bikini Bottom by David Hasselhoff's pectorals, and Patrick dons fish nets during SpongeBob's performance of "Goofy Goober Rock."

Rango (2011)

There are plenty of jokes aimed toward the parents who took their children to the Oscar-winning Rango. For instance, when Johnny Depp's titular chameleon introduces his gang as a troupe of "thespians," one of the prairie dogs says, "That's illegal in seven states,” obviously confusing the word for, “lesbians.”

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Based on special segments from the original animated series, The Adventures of Rocky and Bulwinkle and Friends, Mr. Peabody & Sherman sees the titular duo — a highly intelligent dog (voiced by Ty Burrell) and his adoptive human son (voiced by Max Charles) — accidentally cause a rip in the space-time continuum, which lands them in trouble. Luckily, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln agree to pardon Mr. Peabody, at which point — in the animated family film’s racist joke — Bill Clinton shows up to say, "I've done worse."

The Aristocats (1970)

When Disney+ started putting a content warning in front of older movies that contained insensitive or negatively stereotypical content, one such title was The Aristocrats. The animated film — which some still believe deserves a live-action remake — does, indeed, contain some insensitive racial stereotypes, as evident by how East Asian culture is depicted in “The Siamese Cat Song.”

Inside Out (2015)

There are many mature themes throughout Inside Out that are important for younger viewers to witness, but then there are some more humorous moments that likely go over their heads. For instance, when Fear wonders if Riley saw a bear and Disgust assures none in exist in San Francisco, Anger recalls seeing a hairy man who resembled a bear, in reference to a term from LGBTQ+ culture.

The Cat In The Hat (2003)

About 99.9 percent of the humor in star Mike Myers’ almost universally reviled adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat — following two siblings’ (played by Spencer Breslin and Dakota Fanning) adventures with a giant feline — is of the crudest, most crass, and most inappropriate kind. We could fill this entire list with examples, but we’ll just settle for the moment when The Cat calls a gardening tool a “dirty hoe.”

Cars (2006)

There are a quite a few overtly mature references in Pixar's Cars, such as when Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) gets “flashed” by a couple of fans who put on their high beams. Or, what about when Lightning walks in on Doc Hudson's (Paul Newman) surgery on the Sheriff or when he tells everyone Doc Hudson has three Piston Cups, to which Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) asks, "He did what in his cup?"

If you see no harm in showing these films to your children, we will not stop nor judge you. All we are asking is that you give it a little thought before you.

This week, Pixar Fest debuted at Disneyland Resort, and it’s apparently so much fun that even Inside Out’s Sadness is getting down on the dancefloor, and knowing Sadness, that took a lot of prodding! As the festivities got underway at the California theme park, Sadness has gone viral for her dance moves, especially because it’s such a meme-able mood. 

One Twitter user shared a video focusing on the character of Sadness at Disneyland’s Club Pixar For Kids, which is a massive dance party for the family to enjoy while at the theme park. Here’s what it looks like when the Inside Out character decides to bust a move: 

While the other dancers around Sadness are bringing tons of energy to the dance performance, Sadness is really in character. She can be seen doing the moves more slowly than her Pixar crew and even wiping away tears as she does the choreography. As Scott Gustin wrote, “Sadness is walking on sunshine … sorta.” He is referring to the song in the background “Walking On Sunshine,” which hilariously foils the mood Sadness is bringing to her dancing. 

The video has gone absolutely viral, landing over six million views in the past two days. It’s especially gaining traction thanks to people adding their own captions to the video. Check out these comments: 

• "I’ve never felt so seen in all my life."
• “Me at work everyday”
• "Me adding a 5th exclamation point to a work email."
• “when i’ve been at the club more than an hour”
• "🎶i'm so depressed i act like its my birthdayy, every day🎶"

Sadness is of course a relatable emotion to anyone, considering its one of the basic emotions everyone has in their repertoire, as imaginatively illustrated in Pixar’s Inside Out. On Twitter, tons of people added their own commentary to the video, sharing how it felt very relatable to their inner feelings, especially when it comes to working that 9-to-5 or being on the dancefloor a tad too long. 

One of the best and most popular reactions involved quoting one of Taylor Swift’s new songs, “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.” In the song from Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, the singer describes performing in her record-breaking Eras Tour amidst dealing with sadness of her own. This video of Sadness busting a move just goes with the lyrics all too well! 

Sadness will return to cinemas this summer, when Pixar’s Inside Out sequel is released on the 2024 movie schedule on June 14. The movie will follow the inner workings of Riley’s mind as she becomes a teenager. You can check out what other upcoming Disney movies are on the way here on CinemaBlend. And hey, if Sadness strikes, maybe dancing it out is the right energy!?! 

I loved Inside Out when I first saw it. It further proved that Pixar knows how to make a heartfelt animated movie that teaches both children and adults. However, I haven’t watched it again since my initial viewing, but with the upcoming release of Inside Out 2, now seemed like the perfect time to revisit it. 

Inside Out focuses on Riley’s (Kaitlyn Dias) emotions figuring out how to cope with a major life change. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling) all become major emotions as she navigates how to handle all of them. The film reminds children and adults that it’s okay to feel everything. 

The second Inside Out viewing allowed me to appreciate all aspects of it more, especially this one major character. 

Fear Shines In Inside Out 

Disgust, Anger, Joy, and Sadness are flashier emotions. Therefore, Fear didn’t grab my attention as much during the first viewing. The second viewing made me see all the ways he stands out and adds to Inside Out. The film’s opening establishes that Fear is the third emotion created and key to Riley’s growth. 

Throughout Inside Out, in Sadness and Joy’s absence, Fear tries (and fails) to fix things. Fear unwillingly takes a leadership position with them gone, and his duties include trying to calm Disgust and Anger. 

If Fear, Disgust, and Anger weren’t such extreme emotions, he may have accomplished his goals of settling things down and regulating Riley’s temperament. Fear is one of Pixar’s great underrated characters because, like I originally did, you might not have fully grasped and appreciated his character during the first viewing.

His Amazing Comedic Timing Makes Him Steal Scenes 

During this viewing, the biggest thing I noticed was how important Fear is to the film’s comedy.  He is one of the funniest characters in Inside Out. He’s the physical comedian of the group. 

Fear hurts himself a few times in the classic cartoonish way, such as hitting himself with tools. He bleeds in honor of comedy. Fear also has some of Inside Out’s most extreme reactions to things. Because he’s Fear, he’s a bit of a chicken when it comes to all things a little bit scary. This explains his exaggerated reactions to non-scary and truly scary things, such as seeing the fake dream dog split apart.

Like other classic Pixar scene-stealers, he stands out in every scene because of his extremity and overall funny nature. 

One of Inside Out’s funniest scenes involves Fear giving commentary as he’s on dream duty. His reactions and comments make the already ridiculous scene even funnier. Fear made me laugh so much. 

Bill Hader’s Excellent Voice-Over Work That Makes Me Appreciate The Actor More 

I am not someone who consistently watches Saturday Night Live. It’s a show I only watch if an actor or comedian I enjoy hosts or if a musical guest I enjoy performs. Therefore, I have not seen some of Hader’s best SNL work. Only when Barry premiered did I begin to appreciate the actor and seek out more of his great roles, 

Because of my limited exposure to Hader, when I first watched Inside Out, I didn’t pay too much attention to his voice-over work. Now, with a new respect for the actor and having a chance to watch the film again, it’s impressive how he conveys the funny intensity of Fear. 

As an emotion, Fear is often grandiose, dramatic, and over-the-top. Hader displays this in the way he heightens his voice to match the nature of Fear. Inside Out is a children’s movie above anything else, and because of that, yelling and very exaggerated vocal techniques can really enhance the fun.

A voice actor has to lean a little bit into silliness when creating characters aimed at children. They also sometimes have to keep a balance that prevents the characters from annoying adults. Sometimes animated characters have to toe the line between energetic and annoying. Hader walks that line well. He never goes into the annoying territory.

Hader is so good as Fear that it’s really unfortunate that he will not be returning for Inside Out 2. However, I am excited to hear Tony Hale as the character. He was already great as Forky in Toy Story 4. He should smash this voice-over role as well.

Fear Is The Most Sensible And Ridiculous Of The Inside Out Emotions 

Most of Inside Out involves Sadness and Joy on their adventure. This leaves Anger, Disgust, and Fear to make sure Riley’s life doesn’t completely fall apart. As previously stated, Fear tries his best to keep things running smoothly. However, Anger really kind of pushes through and takes over. Before Anger takes control, Fear remains surprisingly optimistic. He tries to find ways to help Riley and keep things from getting too out of hand.

He, of course, eventually tries to quit when things come closer and closer to a total disaster, but he at least tries to prevent the worst possible scenarios. He uses logic at times but also goes to the other extreme of being illogical. His list of things Riley should fear on the first day of school just highlights how ridiculous Fear can be. Disgust and Anger kind of look down on him, but he’s a little more sensible and mature than them.

The Character Makes Me See The Comedy In Fear As An Emotion 

Joy labels Fear as the one keeping Riley safe. This is true and shows the importance of fear as an emotion. However, Fear showcases how the emotion can also be outlandish. He develops many scenarios that most likely won’t happen. He’s afraid of things that should be feared and things that shouldn’t.

Fear has a place and importance, like all emotions. But, it can also just be something that briefly allows worries and doubt to control. Inside Out serves as a great reminder to appreciate fear (so you don’t do something crazy like try to fight a bear) but to also understand the ridiculousness of it (there is probably not a monster hiding in your closet). Sometimes you just have to laugh at fear and not let it stop you.

I am excited to see Fear again in Inside Out 2, so I am glad it’s a Pixar movie that got the sequel it deserves. 

Inside Out 2 premieres in theaters on June 14, 2024. 

Pixar has always been a studio that knew how to tug at our heartstrings, and few movies ever did that better than Inside Out. The movie that pushed us all to consider our emotions in a very different way is coming back with Pixar’s first sequel in years. Inside Out 2 had previously introduced us to one of the film’s new emotions, and now the film’s full trailer has introduced us to the rest.

Inside Out’s protagonist Riley is getting older, and with maturity comes a whole host of new feelings. The initial teaser for the sequel gave us Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, and we knew that she would be joined by Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. The new trailer gave us a look at what is to come as these new emotions move in, wreaking havoc for the previous inhabitants of Riley's mind and Riley herself.

Maybe it's because when I was Riley's age ennui was an emotion that I discovered long before I knew the word for it, but I love everything about Ennui's vibe in this trailer. We don't see much of her here, but one has to hope that's only because Inside Out 2 is saving the good stuff for when the movie comes out.

Inside Out 2 sees the return of Amy Poehler as Joy alongside Phyllis Smith as Sadness and Lewis Black as Anger. However, not all of the original Inside Out voice cast is returning. Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling reportedly declined to return as Fear and Disgust respectively. Tony Hale, who voiced Forky in Pixar's Toy Story 4 will take on the role of Fear, and Liza Lapira will take over as Disgust. 

In addition to Maya Hawke, we now know the new emotions voice cast as well. Ayo Edebiri is Envy, Paul Walter Hauser is Embarrassment, and Adèle Exarchopoulos is my new bestie, Ennui.

Pixar has had a rough go at the box office over the last few years. After seeing three consecutive movies released directly to Disney+, the studio's last two theatrical endeavors, Lightyear and Elemental were not the return to form that many were hoping for or expecting, though Elemental did ultimately achieve some level of success. There are likely high hopes that the sequel to a successful movie will be able to achieve success on par with the original and return Pixar to the level of prominence it is used to having. 

So far Inside Out 2 looks like it could be just the movie fans are waiting for. It brings back familiar characters that people love but takes the story in a compelling new direction, one that makes sense for the story. The teenage years are full of complicated emotions, this is something that everybody who is going through it or has been through it, can relate to. Inside Out 2 hits theaters on June 14.

Let’s say that you wanted to watch a sweet romantic drama called Hearts on Fire and put it on, only to realize a little too late that you accidentally selected an intense horror flick also called Hearts on Fire. While we made that particular movie up, this sort of scenario is quite plausible, considering how many pairs (or groups) of films there are that might have very little in common in terms of their plots, but are identical in name. Not counting remakes, of course, let’s take a look at some of the most notable, intriguing, and even hilarious examples of movies that are almost entirely, but happen to share the same title.

Child's Play (1972, 1988)

Everyone knows about the classic '80s slasher movie that introduced the world to Chucky, a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer, voiced by Brad Dourif. However, less might know about Sidney Lumet's Child's Play, a mystery thriller starring Beau Bridges in which a gym teacher becomes embroiled in a strange feud between two colleagues at an all-boys prep school.

The Aviator (1985, 2004)

One of the best Martin Scorsese movies, The Aviator, is an engrossing portrait of the life of Howard Hughes, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The biopic is predated by a 1920s-set adventure epic of the same starring Christopher Reeve and directed by George Miller (but not the George Miller who created Mad Max).

Gladiator (1992, 2000)

In the early ‘90s, future Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Twin Peaks cast member James Marshall starred alongside each other in a boxing drama called Gladiator. Less than a decade later, director Ridley Scott and star Russell Crowe released a brutal period epic of the same that went on to win the Best Picture Oscar in 2001.

Drive (1997, 2011)

Most people probably recognize Drive as a neo-noir thriller starring Ryan Gosling as an unnamed Hollywood stuntman by day and getaway driver by night. It is also the name of a sci-fi action movie starring Mark Dacascos as a genetically enhanced man on the run and Kadeem Hardison as his reluctant companion.

The Kid (1921, 2000)

The title of writer, director, and star Charlie Chaplin’s classic silent film era dramedy, The Kid, refers to an orphan of whom Chaplin’s “The Tramp” becomes the adoptive father. The title of Disney’s The Kid refers to Spencer Breslin’s role as a '60s-era child who meets his grown-up self (played by Bruce Willis) at the turn of the century.

Black Sheep (1996, 2006)

In 1996, Chris Farley and David Spade followed up the success of Tommy Boy with another buddy comedy with a more political edge called Black Sheep. Ten years later, a New Zealand-based film of the same name, a horror-comedy about killer sheep, was released.

Bug (1975, 2006)

Two major horror movies called Bug were released more than three decades apart. The earlier thriller is more of a straightforward creature feature about a swarm of fire-starting cockroaches, while the newer film is a paranoid psychological thriller from director William Friedkin and starring Michael Shannon and Ashley Judd.

Catch Me If You Can (1989, 2002)

The title Catch Me If You Can is associated with quite a few features, actually. The two most notable, however, are a coming-of-age action-comedy about car race gambling and a drama from director Steven Spielberg based on the alleged life of elusive check fraud criminal Frank Abagnale Jr. (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and also stars Tom Hanks as the FBI agent trailing him.

Twilight (1998, 2008)

The title Twilight will forever be remembered by mainstream audiences as the adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's phenomenally successful YA novel about a girl (played by Kristen Stewart) falling in love with a vampire (played by Robert Pattinson). Yet, just a decade earlier, Paul Newman starred in another movie called Twilight as a retired detective who accepts a deadly new case.

Crash (1996, 2004)

David Cronenberg's Crash earned controversy and an NC-17 rating for its bizarre story of a couple who discover automobile accidents have an unusual effect on them. Paul Haggis' Crash, focusing on racial tension in L.A. from multiple perspectives, earned controversy for winning the Best Picture Oscar over Brokeback Mountain.

Criminal (2004, 2016)

Whether you are in the mood for something light and funny or bizarre and earnest, there is a movie perfect for either occasion called Criminal. One is a comedy about con artists starring John C. Reilly, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Diego Luna and the other is a sci-fi thriller starring Kevin Costner as a convict who becomes implanted with the memories of a slain CIA agent played by Ryan Reynolds.

Inside Out (1975, 1986, 2005, 2011, 2015)

We found five movies called Inside Out. We have a comedic crime thriller starring Telly Savalas, a drama that stars Elliot Gould as an agoraphobic man, one about a suburb affected by a mysterious doctor (played by Eriq La Salle), and an action flick starring wrestler Triple H. The best-known, however, is a Pixar movies favorite following the personified emotions of an adolescent girl.

Bad Boys (1983, 1995)

Michael Bay's directorial debut starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is now a buddy cop movie classic and, easily, the more recognizable movie called Bad Boys, given it became a franchise. However, it is predated by Rick Rosenthal's drama starring Sean Penn as a teen sent to reform school after committing manslaughter.

Frozen (2010, 2013)

Frozen, Disney's retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale, "The Snow Queen" became an Oscar-winning, record-breaking cultural phenomenon. A horror movie also called Frozen, in which a young trio (played by Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell, and Kevin Zeger) become accidentally trapped on a ski lift, was released just three years earlier.

Australia (1989, 2008)

Director Baz Luhrmann’s sweeping, romantic period piece, Australia, starring real-life Aussie actors Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, was later recut into a Hulu-exclusive miniseries called Faraway Downs. It is unlikely we will ever see the earlier movie named after the Land Down Under, a Belgian, post-WWII-era drama starring Jeremy Irons as a wool dealer, given the same treatment any time soon.

Venom (1981, 2005, 2018)

We found three movies called Venom. One from the early ‘80s is an aptly named creature feature about snakes; the second is another, less-aptly named horror movie about teenagers targeted by a man possessed with 13 evil souls; and the most recent is a Sony Marvel flick starring Tom Hardy as the titular Spider-Man villain.

Jack Frost (1997, 1998)

This pair of films is a special case because each involves a snowman possessed by a dead man's spirit. The 1997 Jack Frost, however, is a ridiculously cheesy holiday horror movie and the one from the following year is a family film starring Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, and Joseph Cross.

Kicking and Screaming (1995, 2005)

It is actually quite easy to tell the difference between writer and director Noah Baumbach’s debut, Kicking and Screaming, and the Will Ferrell-led Kicking & Screaming. The first is a dramedy about the perils of post-college adulthood and the second is a family-friendly sports comedy that also uses an ampersand in its title.

Bad Company (1972, 1995, 2002)

There are actually three star-studded major motion pictures with the name Bad Company that we know of, the earliest being a Jeff Bridges-led Western. The other two are both CIA thrillers released under Disney’s Touchstone banner — one from the mid-'90s with Laurence Fishburne and Ellen Barkin, and the other from director Joel Schumacher and starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock in dual roles as a slain operative and his twin brother.

Legend (1985, 2015)

Ridley Scott's Legend is an Oscar-nominated fantasy epic starring Tom Cruise as a young hero seeking to save his love (played by Mia Sara) from the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry). Thirty years later, director Brian Helgeland released a film of the same name, a ‘60s-era, British crime biopic starring another famous Tom (Hardy) as notorious twin gangsters, Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

Life (1999, 2015, 2017)

Life could refer to the title of three entirely different films. One is a period dramedy starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence as two imprisoned rivals-turned-friends, another is a James Dean biopic with Dane DeHaan as the actor and Robert Pattinson as a LIFE magazine photographer profiling him, and the most recent (released just two years after the last) is a sci-fi thriller with Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Mother's Day (1980, 2016)

Mother’s Day is a Troma movie that came out of the holiday-oriented slasher trend of the time in which two brothers carry out their mom's murderous bidding. It is also the name of one of director Garry Marshall’s holiday-oriented, ensemble rom-coms from the time starring the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts.

Project X (1987, 2012)

In the late 1980s, Matthew Broderick starred in Project X as a pilot involved in a mysterious experimental program involving chimps. Another film with the same title — a raunchy, found footage style comedy and one of the craziest party movies ever made — was released more than two decades later.

Running Scared (1986, 2006)

Both of the films that we know of called Running Scared technically count as crime thrillers, but their respective tones are the differentiating factor. One is a funny buddy cop comedy starring starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines and the other, released 20 years later, is a gritty drama starring Paul Walker as a thug given a task by a mobster that goes horribly wrong.

Sisters (1972, 2015)

Co-writer and director Brian De Palma’s Sisters is a murder mystery thriller about formerly conjoined twins played by Margot Kidder and Jennifer Salt. Director Jason Moore and writer Paula Pell’s Sisters is a comedy starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as grown-up siblings who throw a party at their childhood home before their parents put it on the market.

The Babysitter (1995, 2017)

Both of these are horror movies starring one of the most popular, blonde-haired stars of their respective generations. However, 1995's The Babysitter is more earnest in tone and stars Alicia Silverstone as the victimized protagonist, while the latter, more comedic Netflix original sees Samara Weaving playing a more villainous role.

The Host (2006, 2013)

One of the most acclaimed monster movies of its time is The Host, a South Korean horror favorite from Bong Joon-ho, the director of Parasite. There also exists an adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer's sci-fi YA novel, The Host, in which most of mankind is taken over by an alien parasite.

Crossroads (1986, 2002)

Both major films known as Crossroads involve aspiring musicians chasing their dreams. However, the one from the '80s is about a young blues guitarist (played by Ralph Macchio) seeking mentorship from an older musician (played by Joe Seneca) and the one from the early 2000s is a road trip comedy starring Britney Spears.

Man of the House (1995, 2005)

In Man of the House, the Disney dramedy starring Chevy Chase and Jonathan Taylor Thomas, the title refers to a battle of wits between a lawyer and his girlfriend’s rebellious son. In Man of the House, a Tommy Lee Jones-led comedy released 10 years later, the title refers to a Texas Ranger sharing a living space with college cheerleaders he is assigned to protect after they witness a murder.

The Night Before (1988, 2015)

Years before he became a beloved action movie hero, Keanu Reeves starred in The Night Before as a teen trying to piece together a disastrous prom night he forgot. After they had already established themselves as A-list stars, Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie led a different movie called The Night Before, which is also a raunchy comedy, but does not involve amnesia and takes place on Christmas Eve.

Suicide Squad (1935, 2016)

Most audiences today know of Suicide Squad as the first live-action, feature-length adaptation of a DC comic about supervillains forced into completing dangerous tasks in exchange for reduced jail sentences. More than 80 years earlier, a film of the same name was released that follows the dangerous tasks of a group of daredevil firefighters.

Christine (1983, 2016)

John Carpenter's adaptation of Stephen King's novel about a killer car is a great scare, but Christine starring Rebecca Hall is even more unsettling. It dramatizes the final days of 1970s TV reporter Christine Chubbuck, who took her own life live on air.

Let this be a lesson to check a film’s synopsis carefully before you watch it and do not go off of the title alone. You could be in for quite a surprise.

When Disney first announced that Inside Out was getting a sequel, Pixar fans were likely filled with a number of their own emotions. Joy was certainly one. Inside Out is one of the more universally beloved Pixar projects. But there was likely also fear, because how could a sequel possibly stand up to the incredibly emotional original? We now have our first answers as the first Inside Out 2 trailer is here. I'm on board because we get to meet our first of what will apparently be several new emotions. And I am definitely here for it.

The trailer for the upcoming Disney movie gives us the warm fuzzies by showing us clips of the first film, and reminding us all what we fell in love with. But then, as the trailer itself says, everything changes. There's a massive upheaval in Riley's control room, new controls are installed and they introduce to us the first of Riley's new emotions. Watch the trailer above to meet Anxiety.

One can already guess that the massive changes in Riley's emotions that we see in this trailer are a little thing called puberty. With that comes a lot of changes, and while we often focus on the physical, the emotional changes are no less severe. The first Inside Out seems to leave Riley on the edge of all that, and it makes perfect sense to be a place where a sequel would go.

And is there a better choice for a new emotion than anxiety? It's the sort of feeling that, hopefully, really young children don't experience, there just isn't a lot to get anxious about as a child, but as you get older that stuff starts to creep in.

The trailer tells us that Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, is just one of the new emotions that have arrived as part of all this. We don't meet the others, but I'm already looking forward to it. Inside Out 2 details have been limited up to this point, but the end of the trailer lists out several emotions the new movie will make us feel, that could reveal who we're about to see. Additional emotions beyond all the ones we know include, envy, embarrassment, and ennui, so maybe those are three additional characters we will be meeting soon.

A couple of significant changes have been made to the Inside Out 2 cast compared to the first film. Mindy Kaling is no longer voicing Disgust, Liza Lapira is taking over that role. Tony Hale is now voicing Fear, replacing Bill Hader. It's not clear why these decisions were made considering the other three old voices did come back.

Pixar has had a rough time at the box office of late after much of its output was shuffled to Disney+ during the pandemic. If any movie is capable of being the one to return the studio to its former glory, Inside Out 2 seems like it could be it. We'll find out when the movie hits theaters next year.

Over the years, there have been countless movie animals that have stolen the show (and our hearts), so much so they become more beloved than the rest of the cast. There’s just something about these dogs, cats, primates, and animals that don’t fit into an easy category that make some of the best Pixar movies even better and bring another element to all-time great sci-fi movies. 

Below is a list of 32 of those movie animals that have become part of cinematic history, bet it as the main attraction in a family-friendly comedy or as a supporting character that eventually takes precedence over everyone else.

Paddington (Paddington)

What’s not to adore about the titular, marmalade-loving bear from Paul King’s Paddington movies? Voiced by Ben Whishaw, the beloved character from the classic children’s books of the same name steals the show (and all the snacks) at every turn. This isn’t to say the Brown family isn’t great, but we just can’t get enough of Paddington Bear, even when he went to prison.

Babe (Babe)

“That’ll do pig, that’ll do,” the closing line spoken by James Cromwell’s Arthur Hoggett in Babe pretty much sums up our admiration for the fan-favorite pig voiced by the late Christine Cavanaugh. There are some great characters in Chris Noonan’s 1995 comedy about a pig who becomes a sheep-dog, but there’s no topping this adorable and fearless standout.

Beethoven (Beethoven)

As easy as it is to relate to George Newton in Beethoven, the titular St. Bernard is the best thing about Brian Levant’s 1992 comedy. Sure, he eats all the bacon and destroys Charles Grodin’s character’s clothes, but the family dog also saves a drowning child, prevents a shady business deal from going down, and turns George from a neurotic mess into a more centered person.

Marley (Marley & Me)

Though one of the most rambunctious dogs in film history, Marley from the 2008 family drama, Marley & Me, is a pooch that will forever live in the hearts of everyone who’s seen the movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. And no, it’s not just because this film breaks our hearts into a millions pieces.

Hooch (Turner & Hooch)

As far as police dogs are concerned, there’s no better option than Hooch, the titular mastiff from the 1989 buddy cop movie, Turner & Hooch. Yeah, Tom Hanks is great as Scott Turner, but c’mon, this pooch literally saves the day.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

You know who's one character that makes Hocus Pocus a much better movie than its 2022 sequel? Thackery Binx. Sure, there are other reasons why the 1993 Halloween movie is so good, but the top of the list should and always will start with that little black cat who’s been a thorn in the Sanderson sisters’ sides for centuries.

Hachi (Hachi: A Dog's Tale)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a movie that will take out your heart, break it into a million little pieces, and then give it back to you to put back together again. The tale of Hachi, a deeply devoted Akita, waiting day after day and year after year for his deceased owner to come back to the train station is incredibly powerful, even more so when you realize it’s based on a true story.

Jonesy (Alien)

Okay, Jonesy doesn’t get a whole lot of screen time in Alien (even less so in Aliens), but there’s no way you can say Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror flick is any worse because of Ellen Ripley’s cat? Plus, he’s one of two survivors.

Arthur (Beginners)

Beginners is a movie about grief and how it affects not only humans but also the animals left behind when someone close to us dies. This is best illustrated in the 2010 drama by Arthur, the Jack Russell Terrier who lives with Oliver Fields (Ewan McGregor) after his owner, and Oliver’s dad, Hal (Christopher Plummer) passes away. It eventually becomes a situation where Arthur does more to support Oliver in his pain than the other way around.

Verdell (As Good As It Gets)

Though he’s cut out of the movie’s poster, Verdell, the Griffon Bruxellois in As Good as it Gets is one of the main characters in the 1997 Oscar winner and brings out the best of everyone else on screen. Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt both won Academy Awards for their roles, but the pup that warms their hearts (and our own) is simply the best.

Goose (Captain Marvel)

Okay, Captain Marvel’s Goose is technically a Flerken, an alien creature with super strength and some ferocious tentacles, but since she takes the form of a cat in the 2019 Marvel movie, she makes the cut, or slash if we’re talking about Nick Fury’s eye. 

Dexter (Night At The Museum)

Love him or hate him, Dexter, the stuffed capuchin monkey who comes to life in Night at the Museum helps make Shawn Levy’s 2006 fantasy comedy so great. The constant back and forth with Ben Stiller’s Larry Daley, and pretty much everything about the primate is pure gold.

Keanu (Keanu)

Is there a cuter character in Keanu than the titular cat? Is there a cuter movie animal than the kitten formerly known as Iglesias whose cat-napping results in Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key’s characters going on a life-or-death mission to save him? We think not.

Chance (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)

Though Shadow and Sassy are great characters who both make Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey a beloved family adventure film, we all know the real star of the show is Chance. Even without Michael J. Fox’s voiceover work, this young and immature American Bulldog, constantly steals the show.

Remy (Ratatouille)

The ghost of Auguste Gusteau is cool, Alfredo Linguini goes through a radical change, and Anton Ego has an incredible arc, but we all know Remy the rat (Patton Oswalt) is the real star of Pixar’s Ratatouille. Come on, he's a rat who can see smells and makes unique food combinations better than anyone.

Lucky (Dr. Dolittle)

Eddie Murphy’s titular character in Dr. Dolittle is great and all, but the human characters all take a backseat to the various talking animals in the 1998 family comedy. At the top of that list is Lucky, the sarcastic and hilarious dog voiced by the late Norm Macdonald who becomes a core part of the doctor’s family.

Max (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

Who does all the leg work in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and doesn’t have the benefit of his heart growing three times its normal size? Yeah, Max, the Grinch’s (Jim Carrey) pet dog who stands by his owner through thick and thin in his quest to steal the big holiday.

Dunston (Dunston Checks In)

The late Paul Reubens shows up in an unforgettable way, Eric Lloyd gives a great performance as Kyle Grant, and Jason Alexander is awesome in it, but the real star of Dunston Checks In is the titular orangutan. Whether he’s hiding in a laundry chute or wearing costumes in the five-star Majestic Hotel lobby, Dunston checks all the boxes.

 Snoopy (The Peanuts Movie)

While it’s true that Charlie Brown is at the center of The Peanuts Movie, let’s be real for a second and come to agreement that Snoopy is the best thing about the 2015 feature film based on the iconic comic strip. Like, Snoopy writes a book about taking on the famed Red Baron.

Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)

The seminal Studio Ghibli movie, Kiki’s Delivery Service mostly centers on a young witch as she attempts to find her place in the world, but this animated gem wouldn’t be half as good if it were not for her pet cat, Jiji. Whether it’s the original Japanese version or the English dub with Phil Hartman providing the voice, the character is absolutely amazing.

Clyde (Every Which Way But Loose)

Every Which Way but Loose isn’t going to be on a list of Clint Eastwood’s best movies, but the 1978 action comedy does see the legendary Western actor share the screen with an orangutan named Clyde. In fact, Clyde is the best character in the whole dang movie, even if he drinks beer, flips the bird, and kisses everyone in sight.

Old Yeller (Old Yeller)

One of the best dog movies on Disney+, Old Yeller is an undeniable classic and the one film that will make Stone Cold Steve Austin cry. Nothing against the human characters in this fun yet tragic story, but the titular yellow lab is the best thing about this Disney throwback.

Little Monkey (George Of The Jungle)

Okay, George of the Jungle features a ton of great animal characters and humans who can also hold their own, most notably Brendan Fraser’s titular hero. But if you’re looking for a side character who steals the show and melts your heart, look no further than the little monkey who George helps early on in the movie. 

Blue (Jurassic World)

There are a lot of dinosaurs featured in the various Jurassic Park movies, but few have an emotional connection with the audience as strong as Blue, the raptor that Owen Grady’s (Chris Pratt) has trained since birth. And while Grady, and other humans, in Jurassic World are great, this smart apex predator with her blue markings is in a league of her own.

Air Buddy (Air Bud)

Let’s be real, is there another character in Air Bud who is as beloved as Air Buddy himself? Come on, this golden retriever can shoot hoops and bring out the best in people. Well, unless you’re a clown with a rolled-up newspaper.

Willy (Free Willy)

Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg, and Lori Petty’s characters are all great in Free Willy, but the titular orca is the champ of this 1993 children’s movie. The sass, the tricks, the iconic shot during the epic escape make this an easy pick.

Church (Pet Sematary)

Yeah, the reanimated Church is the stuff of nightmares in Pet Sematary, but even in his slightly decomposed and undead state, the Creed family cat is an adorable biscuit-making feline worth mentioning.

The Mouse (Mousehunt)

The crafty and death-defying rodent in Mouse Hunt pretty much wins the “best character” award by default, as he’s pretty much the only living thing in the Smuntz estate who’s not greedy, petty, or all of the above. Plus, he brings two brothers together and forever changes their destiny.

The Snake (Anaconda)

Luis Llosa’s Anaconda is one heck of a ride from start to finish, and features some incredible performances by Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Jon Voight. But let’s be honest with this one, we’re all rooting for the giant snake in this 1997 creature feature.

Artax (The NeverEnding Story)

Is there a character that made more ‘80s kids cry than Artax when Atreyu’s horse gets stuck in the swamp in The NeverEnding Story? Sure, there are some great creatures and human characters in the 1984 fantasy film, but none hold a candle to this majestic white horse.

Bing Bong (Inside Out)

Is Bing Bong an elephant or some made-up creature from the depths of a young girl’s imagination? It doesn’t really matter, because this beloved side character from Inside Out is honestly the best and most sincere aspect of the 2015 Pixar film.

Blood (A Boy And His Dog)

A Boy and His Dog is an all-time great dystopian comedy starring a young Don Johnson as a teenager attempting to survive an inhospitable landscape with his best friend, a pup named Blood. But this isn’t just any normal dog, as Blood can speak telepathically, has the ability to read, and has a rather misanthropic outlook on life. He isn’t all good, but still a hero compared to the other survivors of a nuclear war.

Each of these movie animals found a way in our hearts for one reason or another, becoming beloved and iconic characters in the process. 

Pixar has been delivering feature films for almost thirty years at this point, giving us story after story. There have been some truly amazing movies that have come from the studio, which created characters that have lived on for years. I’m talking about Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc., Nemo from Finding Nemo, or even Woody and Buzz from the amazing Toy Story franchise. 

But, what about the underrated Pixar characters that we never get to talk about? In partnership with AMC Theatres, we are going to discuss the studio’s best underrated characters today, in honor of Pixar’s latest movie, Elemental, releasing in theaters on June 16th, which you can buy tickets to now. Before the movie arrives to heat up our summer, here are some of our picks for the most underrated Pixar characters. 

Violet – The Incredibles 

The Incredibles is truly a story full of incredible people – as you would presume. But how come no one ever talks about Violet? I see people online discuss Mrs. Incredible, Mr. Incredible, heck, even Dash more than Violet, and I’m not sure why, because to me, she’s the coolest out of all the Incredibles. 

Not only does she have a sick power in turning invisible – imagine everything you could do with that kind of power – she’s one of the most relatable characters of the movies. She’s a teenager just trying to fit in and struggling to do so, but slowly coming into her own and gaining the confidence she needs. That’s a great character, and honestly one of the best underrated Pixar ones I can think of. 

Art – Monsters University 

I feel like no one ever brings up Monsters University and I’m not sure why, because I really love the movie. It gave me that college feeling that I wanted as a high school freshman, while still being colorful enough to appeal to my kid side, and one of the characters I loved from the movie was Art. 

This long-legged creature was one of the funniest characters that Pixar had at the time, and created some moments in the movie that honestly made me laugh my butt off. And, the fact that Charlie Day, who is known for his hilarious comedic delivery, voiced him, made it all the better. 

Jessie – Toy Story Franchise

I’m pretty sure that Jessie was my first girl crush as a kid, not going to lie, because I thought she was so badass. Sure, we can talk about Woody and Buzz and how awesome they are as partners, but let’s talk about the real cowgirl here and pay attention to Jessie. 

Even though she was abandoned by her child, she leaves with Woody to go on a new adventure and ends up becoming as close with him as everyone else. Not only that, but she’s smart and knows her way around a lasso or two and has very clever ideas. You can’t help but love every time she yodels – Jessie is the first girl in a Pixar movie that truly had me smiling. 

Mr. Ray – Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo is such a great movie (which turned twenty in 2023, and it’s hard for me to even believe), but the one character that I need to talk about is Mr. Ray. 

We don’t see him for that long during the movie, only when he’s with the children of the fish, but every time I see his scenes whenever I’ve rewatch the movie, I feel a genuine smile come over my face. Mr. Ray reminds me of that one teacher you had back in elementary school who you’ll always hold dear to your heart because they did everything they could to make your lives at school that much more fun. 

Mr. Ray was always a sweetheart, and I will forever love him, which is why it’s sad no one ever really talks about him. 

Giulia – Luca

Giulia is me. I am Giulia. When I first watched Luca, I fell in love with this character. Yes, the friendship between Luca and Alberto is strong and honestly one of the best relationships that Pixar has shown in its new era of movies, but Giulia was the third person that really brought the whole dynamic together. 

She was kind, spunky, and had a heart of gold. She almost reminded me of the young version of Ellie from Up, because she had that same sense for adventure and exploring. She deserves to be talked about way more. 

Colette – Ratatouille 

She taught Linguine how to cook – that alone makes her deserve a spot on this list. I could never.

But, genuinely, Colette is a real one. Not only did she put up with the fact that Linguine was hired because of nepotism – because that’s exactly what happened – she helped him learn how to cook, grew feelings for him, and then somehow stayed with him when he revealed a whole kitchen full of rats cooking. 

She still left for a little bit when Linguine lied to her, but she ended up coming back and working with him after. That takes a strong woman to do that, and I have to give her props. So underrated. 

Captain B. McCrea – WALL-E

While I know that Captain B. McCrea didn’t really save humankind, just because if they kept sailing in space they would have probably turned out just fine, you have to give him props for taking on AUTO and barely being able to move his legs. 

While the humans are not the story in WALL-E, he was one human I could stand seeing more of, and I really adored his goofy nature before he put that away to become a real captain and take over the ship. 

Anger – Inside Out

Inside Out is one of those movies that comes once in a lifetime. It’s really unlike any other experience, and while everyone speaks about Joy and Sadness and how they both have to survive for the other to thrive, no one ever talks about Anger. 

Not only is Anger hilarious in the movie – as voiced by Lewis Black – but including Anger with Riley’s emotions is important to show that even as we get older, our anger can sometimes get the best of us – but often, we need to feel that anger to heal, which is what Riley does in combination with Sadness, Joy, and every other emotion towards the end of the film. We need to talk about those feelings more and he was a great example of that. 

Laurel – Onward 

Onward came out at quite possibly the worst time – at the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic – so it didn’t get the proper attention it deserved. However, Laurel is arguably one of the best Pixar mothers, even in 2023.

Not only was she there for her children in many ways after losing the love of her life, she faces her fears later on in the movie and is able to distract a whole dragon so her sons can finish their quest. Talk about a mighty warrior. 

Merida – Brave

She’s underrated in her own movie. I literally never see anyone talk about Brave. I know, I get it, it’s not the absolute best Pixar film. There are moments that could be improved upon. But Merida is the best part of that film. 

Not only is she a skilled archer and royalty, she’s fiercely independent, has a quirky attitude, and makes mistakes like all of us. She’s loyal to her family and her country, and deep down, does have a heart of gold and good intentions. She’s one of the best modern-day Disney princesses and I will stand by that. 

With Elemental releasing on June 16, 2023, who knows what characters we might want to add to this list in the future. Only time will tell… In the meantime, tickets for Elemental are now on sale. 

2015’s Inside Out remains among the best Pixar movies the animation studio has ever made. So when we heard a sequel is in the works a few months back, we weren’t at all surprised Pixar might want to play with emotions again. However, when it comes to casting, only Amy Poehler has been confirmed to be returning to voice Joy in Inside Out 2, with it being rather up in the air regarding the rest of Riley’s core emotions. One actor has now confirmed their lack of involvement in the Pixar sequel. 

It was rumored prior that Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, who played Fear and Disgust in the 2015 movie, reportedly declined due to pay discrepancies to reprise their roles in Inside Out 2. Poehler apparently was offered $5 million whilst Pixar offered Hader and Kaling $100,000 each. When recently asked about her involvement in the sequel, Kaling said this: 

Kaling’s words come via an interview with The Wrap before it was stressed by the actress that she is not part of Inside Out 2 “right now.” It’s possible this could change down the road as the movie continues through development. Animation projects like Inside Out 2 take a variety of forms during production, and before the upcoming Disney movie, perhaps Kaling and Pixar could still find a compensation agreement. 

From what we know about Inside Out 2, the sequel will follow Riley as a teenager following the original movie having us in her head at 11. There will be new emotions introduced that have yet to be announced yet. Even still, it just wouldn’t make sense for the feelings of Disgust and Fear to be eliminated from her head. Perhaps if Mindy Kaling and Pixar do not reach a decision, they will be recast by new voice actors. 

The actress is currently getting ready for her animated series, Velma, which she co-created and voices the titular role for, to premiere on HBO Max on January 12. Kaling got her start as a staff writer and actress in The Office (which she thinks wouldn’t work today) before creating and starring in The Mindy Project for six seasons. Kaling has continued to be a successful writer, producer and actress in Hollywood, also creating series like The Sex Lives of College Girls and Never Have I Ever. Surely her name and voice on Inside Out 2 is worth more than $100,000 to the production? 

On the other hand, it’s been a while since Pixar had a big hit movie. Since 2020, only one of the studio’s movies have released straight in theaters rather than premiering on Disney+, and Lightyear wasn’t a major winner in the 2022 box office. Perhaps the company is scaling back on its actor budgets? Questions aside for Inside Out 2, the movie is set to be released on June 14, 2024. There’s plenty of time for Pixar to illuminate what’s going on with the sequel, but for the time being, Kaling is not part of it. 

Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters soon – and this is what we know about it. 

In 2015, Pixar's film of the year seemed to set out to answer the question “what if feelings had feelings?” And with that, they delivered Inside Out, arguably one of the best Pixar films in years that not only connected with kids, but adults as well. The movie was critically acclaimed, and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

As has been the case with some of the most successful Pixar films, a sequel is usually not that far behind. And now, Inside Out 2 is nearly here. 

However, who is going to star in this film? And when is it going to be released? For all of your Inside Out 2 worries and queries, we know some things that you should keep in mind while we wait for this movie to come to theaters. 

What Is The Inside Out 2 Release Date?

It’s been confirmed that Inside Out 2 is going to release on June 14, 2024, so expect to see this on our 2024 movie release schedule. 

Watch The Inside Out 2 Trailer

If you’re as curious about Inside Out 2 as I am, then you have to check out the official trailer that was released in early 2024. The first look gives Pixar lovers their first sneak peek into Riley turning into a teenager, playing hockey, and the new emotions that Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust are going to have to deal with as they take up space in Riley’s head as she grows up. 

Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, And More Will Star In The Inside Out 2 Cast

There are so many cast members to look forward to with the Inside Out 2 cast. Here is who will be starring in the upcoming film: 

Amy Poehler as Joy

Oh, Joy! This is a joyous day indeed because Amy Poehler is going to be back to play Joy, the main emotion that we followed in the first Inside Out. It was confirmed at the time of the announcement at D23 in 2022 that she’s going to be around for the sequel, which is so fun to hear. 

Poehler has done plenty of great character roles, but her voice performance as Joy has always been one of my favorites. Poehler even had the chance to talk about getting back into the role and about why she loves voicing Joy so much in The Hollywood Reporter in April 2024, saying it’s “healing work” for her:

Phyllis Smith as Sadness

We know that Phyllis Smith, known for her role in The Office cast, will return as Sadness. Her role was confirmed from the initial trailer of the movie. The actress has also appeared in Bad Teacher, The OA and more. 

Lewis Black as Anger

Comedian Lewis Black will be back as Anger in Inside Out 2, which was also confirmed from the trailer of the film. Lewis Black has also appeared in The Daily Show and hosted his own series called Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil. 

Tony Hale as Fear

While Bill Hader initially voiced Fear in the first Inside Out, Tony Hale will be taking over the character, as confirmed in the first trailer for Inside Out 2. Hale was a part of the Veep cast for many years, and has done plenty of voice-acting, including a role for Pixar in Toy Story 4, where he voiced Forky. 

Liza Lapira as Disgust

Mindy Kaling will not be back as Disgust. In an interview Kaling did with The Wrap in January 2023, she confirmed that she will not be in the upcoming sequel.

Instead, Liza Lapira will voice the green emotion, as confirmed by the trailer. Lapira has appeared in various TV shows before including Dollhouse, NCIS, Traffic Light, The Equalizer and more. She also appeared in the films 21, Marmaduke, All I Wish and Repo Man among others. 

Maya Hawke as Anxiety

Pete Docter, who is the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, spoke with The Wrap in February 2023 about the upcoming movie, and explained that the reason they wanted to make a sequel was “explore new emotions,” and broaden the scope of Riley’s mind. 

Now, we have confirmation that one of those new emotions will be Anxiety, confirmed from the trailer, and that she will be voiced by Maya Hawke. The young actress has been making waves in the industry over the last few years, from her breakout role on Stranger Things to her starring role in Do Revenge to a supporting role in Maestro. And now, she’ll be stepping into voice-acting territory and voice one of the most typical teenage emotions. 

Yeah, I can’t think of a better fit, and I can’t wait to see this. 

Ayo Edebiri as Envy

Also confirmed by the trailer is that Ayo Edebiri will be playing Envy, another new emotion. Ayo Edebiri has blown up on the scene over the last few years with her co-starring role in The Bear cast, but she’s also held roles in Bottoms, Big Mouth, Theater Camp and more. 

Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui

Adèle Exarchopoulos will play Ennui, the third new emotion, as confirmed from the trailer for Inside Out 2. The French actress has appeared in several French films such as Blue is the Warmest Colour, Insecure, Orphan, Elemental as the French dub for Ember, Passages, and more. 

Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment

Paul Walter Hauser will star as Embarrassment, the fourth and final new emotion in Inside Out 2, as confirmed by the trailer. The actor has appeared in films like I, Tonya, BlacKkKlansman, Da 5 Bloods, Cruella, Richard Jewell, and more. 

This cast already has me so excited for these emotions and I need to know way more about them. 

Inside Out 2 Will Take Place While Riley Is A Teenager

Bring on the boy bands and “it’s not a phase, Mom!” because this is something that I am so excited to see. At the D23 Expo, Amy Poehler said that Inside Out 2 is going to take place inside Riley’s head as a teenager.

Poehler even spoke to People in September 2022 about the upcoming film, and how it’s going to explore the “madness” of a teenager’s brain during puberty in. 

Then, when the trailer was dropped, we see how the existing emotions are realizing they have to deal with new emotions that suddenly appear in Riley’s mind when she becomes a teenager.

In fact, at first, it seems like Joy is almost a fan of Anxiety, according to an interview that Poehler did People in April 2024:

But of course, not everything goes as planned. 

CinemaBlend even got to see the first half hour of the film at the Walt Disney panel at 2024’s CinemaCon, where Sean O’Connell described it as "magnificent," and that’s only the first thirty-five minutes. I have a feeling we’re all going to cry. 

Kelsey Mann Directed The Feature

Kelsey Mann directed Inside Out 2, as it was confirmed at D23 2022

While Mann has not directed a Pixar feature film previously, he has worked on the team behind many of them, including working on the story for The Good Dinosaur, as well as working as a creative consultant for the fun Disney+ original series, Monsters at Work. He also was a part of the creative team for Lightyear, and worked on the story for Onward. 

The previous film was directed by Pete Docter, who has to be considered Pixar royalty at this point. Docter directed three of my favorite Pixar films - Monsters, Inc., Up, and Soul, so he’s most certainly proved himself in the world of animation. But I’m eager to see what a fresh perspective will do for a sequel to a movie as beloved as Inside Out is. 

Meg LeFauve Penned The Script

While the director for the original movie won’t be returning, one of the original screenplay writers will be coming back for a second round. Pixar's announcement at 2022’s D23 confirmed that Meg LeFauve, who co-wrote the screenplay for Inside Out, would be returning to pen the script for the sequel. 

This is super exciting news, considering I loved the story of Riley learning to adapt in this new environment and trying to process her emotions to properly deal with it, while also watching the journey of Joy learning to accept sadness as a part of Riley’s life. It was beautiful and heartwarming -- oh, and let’s not forget about my favorite scene-stealer, Bing Bong (yup, already crying). 

To hear that LeFauve will be returning to write has me even more excited for what’s to come, and I can’t wait to see what story she creates for this wonderful world of emotions again. 

What are you the most excited for with Inside Out? I can feel the joy jumping up and down inside of me...while fear is slowly rocking back and forth in a fetal position hoping that they end up doing this sequel right. I can’t wait until June 2024.  

Make sure your tissues are stocked and ready. Not only has it been announced that Pixar’s super emotional film and one of the studio's best overall, Inside Out, is officially getting a sequel. However, there have allegedly been some shake ups behind the scenes. During the D23 Expo, it was just confirmed that Amy Poehler will reprise her role as Joy in Inside Out 2, but according to a report from earlier today, at least two members of her fellow voice cast are not returning due to a discrepancy in offers in pay. 

Per Puck News’ Matthew Belloni, Amy Poehler is being paid $5 million to play her bright-eyed Pixar character again, whereas Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, who voiced Fear and Disgust, declined to return after being offered $100,000 each in contrast. In Pixar’s announcement at D23, which CinemaBlend was in attendance for, Poehler was the only actress on the project announced.

During the Friday D23 presentation, where numerous major Disney announcements have been made such as the first Disenchanted trailer and Halle Bailey singing her first notes as Ariel in the live-action The Little Mermaid, it was also shared with Disney fans that another Pixar sequel is a-go with Inside Out 2. The animated movie will be directed by 13-year Pixar employee Kelsey Mann in his first time helming a full-length feature, while Inside Out writer Meg LeFauve is returning to pen the new script. 

The announcement also divulged that the sequel will see Riley as a teenager rather than the 11-year-old we got to know in the 2015 film. It was shared that there will be new emotions in Inside Out 2, without much additional information as to which they will be. Inside Out 2 is set for release in the summer of 2024. 

If the report is correct and Kaling and Hader were offered $100,000 against Poehler’s $5 million, their pay day for the Pixar project is just 2% of their colleague's salary. According to Belloni’s words, he’s heard that “going cheap on voice talent is becoming more common at Disney,” with Disney+ release Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers starring John Mulaney and Andy Samberg allegedly being “laughably low,” and the pair of comedians went for the roles as a favor to its director, Akiva Schaffer. 

As of late, Pixar has been focused on non-franchise movies, with Onward, Soul, Luca and Turning Red creating a streak that ended this summer with the release of Lightyear. Before we see Inside Out 2 on June 14, 2024, the next two are originals with Elemental, part of 2023’s movie release schedule set to come out on June 16, 2023, and Elio on March 1, 2024. 

2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Pixar Animation Studios. In that time, it has put together a slate of 30 movies that contains some of the best animated movies and some of the best movies the world has ever seen. When Pixar is at its best, few are any better.

Naming a “best Pixar movie” is arguably an impossible task, and a lot of people would have very different, and perfectly valid, answers to that question. We have our own opinion as well, of course. So here’s the rundown of every Pixar movie from the (obvious) bottom to the (perhaps not so obvious) top. .

30. Cars 2

Cars 2 is frequently cited as the worst of the Pixar flock, and while I would argue that the film isn’t actually as bad as the general consensus, it still qualifies for the bottom of the list. While a Pixar spy movie isn't a terrible idea by any means, it's not clear why anybody thought Cars was the right world to place it in. Following the release of Cars 3, the first sequel looks even more out of place, with its over-the-top storyline and focus on Mater, a character who works well as a sidekick, but is not movie star material.

29. The Good Dinosaur

There's nothing inherently wrong with The Good Dinosaur; the fact is that there just isn't a lot to recommend in it, either. The Pixar Dinosaur movie went through a much wilder production than nearly anything else Pixar has done, seeing the original version of the film entirely scrapped and complete character performances re-recorded by new actors. The result was just a mess of different ideas that told a decent enough story but lacked the magic that Pixar usually brings. It's saved from the bottom of the list for being one of Pixar's most technically impressive productions. It is truly visually stunning, but that's all the movie has going for it.

28. Monsters University

Monsters University has a unique message among animated films. Namely, the idea that just because you have a dream, it doesn't mean you're going to achieve it. Considering this is coming from the same parent company as "When You Wish Upon A Star," that's more than a little subversive, and I can support that. Unfortunately, the good part of the film that gives you this message is at the end, and the movie that builds to it takes too long to get there. Overall, as a complete movie, this sequel isn't anywhere near the level of its predecessor. The heart that put the original Monsters Inc. much higher on this list is completely missing until the finale, making it difficult to even want to get there.

27. A Bug's Life

Until you saw the picture above, you might have forgotten that A Bug's Life had ever happened. Pixar's second feature isn't bad, but while Toy Story resonated with viewers in a remarkable way, spawning an iconic franchise, A Bug's Life just didn't. It's an entertaining enough story, and a significant step in Pixar's animation skills from the first film, but in the grand scheme of things, this movie has been largely forgotten, and even removed from Disney’s theme parks.

26. Onward

​​Onward is a good movie. Let's get that out there right at the start. There's nothing about Onward that is bad. It's got a great setting, a suburban fantasy world where centaurs are cops, elves go to high school, and Manticores run themed entertainment restaurants, which is glorious. It's got solid characters, great voice acting, and exactly the sort of heartwarming emotional finale that you would expect from Pixar. But that's maybe the problem. Onward gives us what we expect, and not very much more. It felt like going through the motions more than most Pixar films.

25. Brave

It breaks my heart a little bit to put Brave so low on the list, as the movie does so many unique things that are worthy of note. It's got a female protagonist to start, the first Pixar film to do that. However, while Merida is a fantastic original character, the story that her movie tells is less so. The strongest character arc belongs to the protagonist’s mother, who spends most of the movie as a bear. It makes the story less satisfying for the audience.

24. Cars 3

Cars 3 was something of a return to form for the franchise. While it may not have been the surprise that the original film was, the newest entry in the Cars franchise from Pixar brought the story back to its core strengths, focusing on the relationship between Lightning McQueen and Doc Hudson and expanding on that story while starting Lightning down a new path with new friends. It's also a solid sports movie, a genre Pixar had never really touched before, but the studio shows admirable skill in dealing with the intricacies of racing. While not as good as its original entry, it's a vast improvement over the previous sequel.

23. Lightyear

While Lightyear may have been a story about a character whose name we knew, it was otherwise completely unique. The film’s premise was so odd that it required an on-screen explanation. It was not the story of the Buzz Lightyear toy that we knew from the Toy Story movies, but the movie that inspired the toy in the first place. It was Pixar’s first attempt at a more traditional science fiction action movie, and while not all audiences were on board with Lightyear, it should be given credit for trying something so different with something so familiar.

22. Incredibles 2

Of the various sequels to Pixar movies that we've seen over the years, the one that seemed the most obvious was also the one that took the longest to come along. If The Incredibles was a simple superhero story, then what makes more sense for a superhero franchise than a sequel? And Incredibles 2 mostly delivers. Picking up right where the last one left off, the sequel follows Elastigirl as she becomes the new face of superheroes, and Mr. Incredible is left to try to do all the stuff Mom used to handle. It's a simple and obvious enough premise, but it's pulled off with near clockwork precision. The finale may leave a bit to be desired, but it's one of the best Pixar sequels not called Toy Story.

21. Up

If we were ranking Pixar movies based on the first 10 minutes, Up would be at the top of this list. However, Up ultimately suffers from the opposite problem as Monsters University. While Up has one of the best openings in film history, the rest of the movie doesn't quite live up to where it begins. The love story that drives Carl gets a bit lost in the adventure, and while the adventure isn't without fun or heart, the entire movie isn't as good as the only part you actually remember. Still, that opening though. Damn.

20. Elio

Elio is another Pixar film that appeared to go through a lot of changes in development, including its director. The result is a movie that is clearly trying to find itself, but ultimately is still able to fight through its flaws to tug on the heartstrings thanks to a likeable protagonist and even better B-plot starring Zoe Saldana as Elio’s aunt.

19. Toy Story 4

Following Toy Story 3, fans assumed we were done with the adventures of Woody, Buzz, and the rest. Throughout the production of Toy Story 4, fans wondered why this was a movie that needed to be made. And maybe it didn't need to be made, but without question, Pixar and director Josh Cooley found a new story to tell worthy of the franchise. It reminded us that Toy Story is ultimately about Woody's journey, and that journey didn't end when Andy left for college.

18. Luca

While Pixar movies often have fantastical plots taking place in imaginative worlds, they are at their best when the core of the story is about the relationship between people. While Luca and Alberto may be sea monsters from beneath the waves, the story of Luca is one of deep friendship, or perhaps something more, and that’s why it struck such a chord with so many during its original pandemic release.

17. Finding Dory

Pixar took a chance with Finding Dory. Similar to what the studio did with Cars 2, it took a popular supporting character and built an entirely new movie around them. However, in this case, they did a much better job. Finding Dory makes a hero out of a character with a disability, something millions can relate to, but that rarely gets any attention on a movie screen. Dory is as emotionally touching as anything produced by Pixar. The film truly finds something new to say with this sequel, and it should be worthy of being in the top 10. If only there weren't so many other great Pixar movies.

16. Cars

While the lead characters of the Cars films may be the least human when compared to anything else Pixar has created, there is something about the world they inhabit that is the most real. Somehow, the inner humanity of the characters comes through in a story about finding oneself and learning what is truly important, even though the characters are machines. Also, it's got the best music of any film Pixar has made. There's a reason this franchise has endured as well as Toy Story, and this film is it.

15. Inside Out 2

The biggest knock against Inside Out 2 may be that, being a sequel to the absolutely amazing Inside Out, its near-perfection wasn’t a surprise. It takes the story of emotions in a logical direction, looking at how puberty affects us and the way it can radically change us. The new emotions, led by Maya Hawke’s Anxiety, are perfect foils and perfect complements to the existing cast. It’s a story all of us can relate to, or will be able to one day. Which explains Inside Out 2’s box office success.

14. Turning Red

A little Pixar short called Bao was one of the most unique pieces of storytelling that we had seen from the studio in quite some time, so when its director, Domee Shi, was given the reins of her own feature, we knew we were going to get something special. Turning Red found inspiration in boy bands and anime, not exactly typical Pixar material, but that’s why it works.. It was a breath of fresh air, but one that still retained the emotional core we expect from Pixar.

13. Elemental

Pixar is certainly no stranger to love stories, but Elemental was on another level. A true character drama that was entirely about two people and their relationship. Watching Ember and Wade fall in love was as beautiful as it has ever been for two human characters on film. Combined with some of the most complex animation we’ve ever seen from Pixar, Elemental is beautiful on every level.

12. Monsters Inc.

What else can be said about a movie with a relationship so powerful it spawned the unified theory of the Pixar universe? While the relationship between Sully and Boo is the emotional core of Monsters Inc, the friendship between Sully and Mike can't be overlooked, either. It may exceed the Woody/Buzz dynamic as Pixar's top friendship. These two are as close as brothers, and it was their relationship that eventually spawned a sequel. It also succeeds where many Pixar movies tend to stumble, in the villain department. With Randall, the movie has a foil that many Pixar movies either do without or tend to do poorly.

11. Toy Story

Make no mistake, Toy Story isn’t just one of the best ‘90s movies; it’s one of the most important films ever made. When Pixar first released a movie that was entirely computer-animated, nobody was quite sure how well it would work. While the movie has begun to show its age from a technical standpoint (take a look at the animation for Andy today), the fact is that without Toy Story, the rest of this list wouldn't even be here. It's a remarkable achievement in the history of filmmaking and will always be remembered as one of the best for that reason alone. But also, it's a really good movie about friendship and acceptance.

10. Hoppers

Every Pixar movie technically qualifies as a comedy, but none are as laugh-out-loud funny as Pixar’s newest film. Hoppers. Is truly hilarious, with its cast of incredible animal characters and equally ridiculous humans. What really makes Hoppers great, however, is that the movie's humor is never at the expense of its heart. You will fall in love with all of these hilarious characters as much as you have with any Pixar heroes.

9. Finding Nemo

Just start crying at the beginning and don't quit until the movie is over. Finding Nemo is the movie that showed us what an emotional punch Pixar was capable of delivering, and they've rarely done it better since. A character is faced with his child being taken from him, the most terrible thing a father could endure, and he goes to the ends of his earth to get him back. It's an adventure and a quest worthy of Joseph Campbell. Seeing the father and son reunited in the end is one of Pixar's great emotional rollercoasters.

8. Toy Story 2

The middle child of the Toy Story franchise. Toy Story 2 doesn't have the benefit of being the surprising first installment or the emotionally cathartic end to the trilogy, that yes, is still going. Still, it's a significant step forward for the franchise, and it worked as proof that Pixar could do sequels right. Everything from the animation to the story is taken to the next level. Also, we got introduced to Jessie (Joan Cusack), and her story, a much darker view of what it means to be a toy, is the main reason the movie is so good.

7. Coco

Pixar is great at creating magical worlds, but they're usually inhabited by equally magical characters. Coco, while it's still full of magic and wonder, is the most human story the studio has yet to tell. While the focus is on a culture that will be foreign to many, the themes of the importance of family are universal. Miguel feels so real and is the most relatable protagonist Pixar has ever created. Coco is a movie that celebrates a particular culture, but it’s a movie that can be enjoyed by all. The Land of the Dead is a visual treat throughout, and while it's not Pixar's first musical, it's proof Pixar could make one.

6. Ratatouille

The criminally underrated Pixar movie award, without a doubt, goes to Ratatouille. Patton Oswalt is fantastic as the rat Remy, who simply wants to cook. While many films are about chasing dreams while facing impossible odds, there is no better underdog story than this one. It's truly unique as a film, even among Pixar's eclectic mix, and shouldn't be overlooked by anybody. Everything about the movie, from its focus on cooking to its French location, is more than a little weird, but it all just plays into the fact that Pixar has never made a movie quite like this one.

5. Toy Story 3

For a generation that grew up with Pixar's Toy Story series, the end of the trilogy was a special experience. Toy Story 3 had a lot it needed to accomplish, but it did all of it nearly perfectly. It brought the characters full circle, wrapped up the story of Andy's childhood, created a solid villain for the movie to overcome, and did it all while still being funny. It also has one of the most truly chilling moments that Pixar has ever envisioned, a frightening moment that probably scarred a generation of children.

4. The Incredibles

Before superhero movies reached the absolutely explosive levels that they now have, Pixar showed Marvel and DC how to do it right with their own film in the genre. The Incredibles is a fantastic superhero movie and a beautiful family drama. Each member of the family is complete and fully realized, and while the film still has the emotional core that we expect from Pixar, it's also a fantastic action movie. Truly, it's still one of the best superhero movies yet made.

3. Inside Out

There are great movies, and then there are important ones. Inside Out is both. It should be shown to every growing child in school as they begin to mature and learn to deal with their own new emotions. An incredibly simple premise, giving personality to different emotions, as a young girl goes through the challenges of moving to a new city with her family, becomes so much deeper upon closer examination. It's a story that literally anybody can relate to and one that can't help but kick you right in the heart, even on repeat viewings. It's the pinnacle of not just what animation, but filmmaking, is capable of doing. It holds a mirror up to life and helps us understand ourselves just a little bit better.

2. Wall-E

You know you've done something special when you can tell an epic love story without saying a word. Up did it in the first 10 minutes of the movie, but Wall-E, one of the best movies of the 2000s, does it for the entire runtime of the story. There's barely a word of dialogue in the first half of the film, but that doesn't keep us from falling in love with Wall-E and Eve as they fall in love with each other. The animation has to tell the story, and it does so perfectly. A movie like this was a serious gamble, but it paid off big time with one of the best science fiction movies ever made.

1. Soul

Soul is the culmination of everything Pixar has done to date. Maybe, if Soul had arrived at a different time, it would have meant something different, but it arrived during a pandemic, and it asked its audience to do the most radical thing imaginable: appreciate being alive. A jazz soundtrack melds with the Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score perfectly. Next-level animation creates the world of "The Great Before" in a way that feels perfectly ethereal. It's just a special film and the best we've seen from Pixar so far.

30 films down, Pixar’s track record is unparalleled. But the studio won’t be taking a victory lap anytime soon. Toy Story 5 is set to hit theaters later this year. And with a combination of original films, like Gatto, and sequels, including Coco 2 and Incredbles 3, it’s likely Pixar will continue producing great movies for everybody to enjoy.

Pixar has been around for more than twenty-five years now, and through it all has created some of the most beloved cartoon characters that we all know, from Dory to Buzz Lightyear to Wall-E and so many others. And, while there have been plenty of awesome characters from earlier Pixar films we could go on for hours about, let’s give some love to characters from recent Pixar fare - specifically, the scene-stealers. 

I’m talking Sox from Lightyear, or Abby from Turning Red, or any of those characters that you know aren’t the main characters, but you remember them anyway for how hilariously funny they are. Here are some of the biggest scene-stealers from recent Pixar movies. 

Sox (Lightyear) 

I genuinely didn’t think, when I first heard about Lightyear, I would like it as much as I did. I had so many questions and few answers until I made my way to the theater to see it, and now, I can fully say that I truly enjoyed the heck out of his sci-fi space adventure, featuring a a talented Lightyear cast. 

But, you want to know what really made it great? Sox. That little, hilarious robot cat. 

Let me tell you, I actually went to this movie with my dad, who is also a big Pixar lover like myself, and I don’t think I’ve heard him laugh this hard in so long at a Pixar side-character, for how many times this little cat stole the scene. From the way Sox would use his strange array of talents to help out his squad to the emotional moments he would have with Buzz, he was just always the best addition to this crew. Peter Sohn really did an amazing job voicing this character. 

Bing-Bong (Inside Out)

“Take her to the moon for me.” That line still gets me everytime. 

I think what I like the most about Bing-Bong from 2015’s Inside Out is that all of us, at one point, surely had an imaginary friend that we’ve forgotten about from time to time. God knows I did, and I’m positive you did too. Bing-Bong was the ultimate conglomeration of the imaginary friends we always wanted - kind, funny, has a heart of gold, and would always be there for us. 

That’s why his moments were some of the best in the movie, because every time he was on screen, he always made you laugh, or made you smile, or, in his last hours, made you cry. Even when Riley was beginning to forget him, he still did everything in his power to make sure Joy made it out of that deep subconscious area so she could feel happiness again - knowing it would kill him. It’s so incredibly moving and makes me cry to this day. 

Jack-Jack (The Incredibles 2)

I freaking love Jack-Jack, because his character is simply the question, “What if we put all the powers from the superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a baby and see what happened?” 

This dude is ridiculous in The Incredibles series. While we didn’t see much of him in the first movie, the second one is where he really shines and steals the show so many times. I still remember to this day that fight he had with the raccoon in the Incredibles’ new home, using literally every one of his powers as a baby to hunt down that raccoon - and severely scarring it for the rest of its life. 

All I’m saying is that if we don’t keep an eye out for that sassy little baby, he’s gonna end up like the next Homelander from The Boys. But, for now, he’s a cute overpowered baby who truly makes me laugh every time he’s on screen. 

Abby (Turning Red)

I genuinely loved Turning Red, and as a young woman who went through her own kinds of growing pains as a teenager myself, I could relate heavily to that main character. But, man, Abby was just so dang funny. 

The whole Turning Red cast was perfect, but Abby was just so out-of-pocket hilarious. The way that this short, little teenager is just utterly violent and chaotic makes me snort every single time I’ve watched the film. I still can’t get over the moment where Mei asks Abby to punch her, she does, and that gleeful, sinister smile comes over her lips at the punch. 

She’s such a fiery ball of energy and reminds me of some of my closest friends, and every scene she’s in, she takes center stage. I love it. 

Ducky And Bunny (Toy Story 4)

At first, I thought Toy Story 4 was not going to be needed whatsoever, like most of the world. I felt that Toy Story 3 was a good conclusion to the Toy Story series, and we didn’t need another part of the story, but I can gladly say I was wrong, and really enjoyed the fourth installment. 

I also enjoyed the heck out of Ducky and Bunny, those two carnival toys that come along for the ride. 

These two characters are voiced by Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key, the creators of the hilarious sketch comedy show, Key and Peele, and both have gone on to do their own individual projects that are amazing. But man, there is just something about their chemistry, even in voice-only roles, that makes me smile. 

These two are so ridiculously funny and have the craziest made-up scenarios in their head, and what makes it even better is that we get to watch. I mean, that entire segment of them trying to describe to Buzz how they would get the key to the antique cabinet - causing chaos as they do - hilarious. 

The Counselors (Soul)

Soul was the first Pixar film that I saw the year I graduated from college, and boy, did I need it, as someone who was trying to find her own path in life. That movie, for those who haven’t seen it, is one that will change you from the moment it begins with its emotional moments.

I feel like Soul is a Pixar film that didn’t try to be too funny, but it still had some scene-stealing characters, and those came in the form of the Counselors from the Great Before - all of which are named Jerry. 

What makes them so funny is not even what they say - it’s how they act, literally sending these souls to be shaped and born and doing it all with a smile on their faces and being so calm and collected, but somehow, they still all have their own interesting personalities. They’re just so great. I love ‘em - I mean, literally sending souls off to be insecure and self-absorbed, it had me crying laughing. 

There are so many amazing Pixar scene-stealers, but these are just some of my recent favorites that I just can’t stop thinking about. It just makes me want to re-watch all of these fantastic movies. 

To date, Pixar Animation Studios has produced 25 feature films. As with a lot of other studios in modern Hollywood, Pixar has created its fair share of franchises, meaning that several of Pixar’s most popular films have spawned equally, if not more popular sequels. We’ve seen four Toy Story movies, three Cars films, and everything from The Incredibles to Finding Nemo has seen at least one sequel.

However, nearly half of Pixar’s output is a series of “standalone” projects. These movies are not franchise films, they’re just films. Some of them might get a sequel one day, and a few of them are so new, like the recent Turning Red, that it’s far too early to know if a sequel could be on the way. It’s easy to think that sequels never came for these movies because they weren't as good, but that’s far from the case. But which one is the best? Let’s rank Pixar’s non-franchise movies. 

12. The Good Dinosaur

The Good Dinosaur was a movie that had trouble out of the gate. While it’s not uncommon for animated films to change drastically over their production, this one was basically completely gutted and started over again. We’ll likely never know if the end result might have been the better movie, but it wasn’t one that stayed with audiences. The Good Dinosaur eventually found an audience at home, but it saw Pixar's lowest box office take of any movie not influenced by a global pandemic.

11. A Bug’s Life 

A Bug’s Life was Pixar’s second release, following the original Toy Story, and while it was largely overshadowed by what would become Pixar’s biggest franchise, it’s a good little movie in its own right with a fun story boasting a wide variety of characters. It’s probably a better movie than it gets credit for, despite some of its retroactively problematic casting, but it’s still maybe not as good as several other Pixar films that have come out since then. 

10. Onward

Onward feels like a movie that could have been the first entry in a franchise. Its world of fantasy creatures in a suburban setting certainly could be explored more in-depth, and Onward is a good movie, to be sure. The biggest issue was that it got kneecapped by the pandemic, but audiences also simply didn’t respond to Onward in quite the same way that they often do for Pixar movies. 

9. Up

Up has one of the greatest and most heartbreaking opening sequences not just for Pixar, but in film history. Everybody remembers how Up opens, and it’s beautiful. The rest if the movie is still pretty good, and Ed Asner is perfect in the lead role, but it’s hard to keep the quality level that high when you’re going that hard at the beginning. 

8. Luca

Luca, like Onward, is so new that it’s impossible to know if we might still see more movies in this series down the road. And while there are no box office numbers to compare to get a gauge for success, this movie clearly found fans on Disney+. The friendship between Luca and Alberto in this story is something that feels special in a way that other Pixar relationships just do not.

 7. Brave 

Pixar’s first female protagonist was Brave's Merida. It was a long time coming, and the mother-daughter story resonated with a lot of people. Not only did Brave have a deep enough lore that could have been revisited in sequels, but let's not forget that Merida was christened an official Disney Princess, though that wasn't without its hurdles. She's the only Pixar character to gain the honor, so it’s more than a little surprising we never did see more from this one.  

 6. Ratatouille 

Ratatouille may have recently gotten its own theme park ride at Walt Disney World, but it’s never received a sequel to its original hit film. Maybe that’s a good thing, as the original is a truly excellent piece of work. The story of a rat who loves French cooking sounds completely wild, but that’s part of why the movie works so well. 

5. Turning Red 

Pixar’s newest movie is way too new to have any guess what the future may hold for it. We certainly could see multiple sequels over the next few years if the response is strong enough. The movie has the heart that we know and expect from any Pixar film, but it also has an entirely different sort of energy that is incredibly refreshing and fun. It is truly a unique movie and hopefully a sign of what is to come from Pixar in the future.  

 4. Coco 

Pixar has never made an animated musical like Disney frequently churns out. The closest it’s come to that so far is Coco. The music is fantastic, but the visuals take it to another level. It’s literally a beautiful film, a visually stunning spectacle of animation. The Day of the Dead infused story gives Coco a look and feel we had not seen before from Pixar. It's truly one of the best.

3. Inside Out 

It’s hard to even think about Inside Out without saying anything that hasn't already been put out into the world. The movie is an emotional journey in every conceivable sense of the phrase. An amazing set of characters come together in a story that anybody can relate to because we all understand the core of the emotions involved. This is another one that certainly could spawn more stories, but all we've seen is an animated short.

2. Soul

It’s hard to imagine what a sequel to Soul would look like. Once you’ve contemplated life and death, what exactly is left? The good news is that this one gave us so much the first time that there’s likely nobody really asking for more. Soul is a powerful story about what it means to live and realizing what’s truly important. 

1. Wall-E

If there is a Pixar movie that has never received a sequel, that doesn’t need one because the original is utter perfection, it might be Wall-E. The movie is absolutely magical. Its lead characters don’t speak, and yet they say volumes. So much of the story is told through beautiful visuals alone. Even the trash is majestic. It has something to say about the wider world and one simple relationship, and it says it all without a word. It lets the emotions do the work.

Between the possibility of future movie sequels still happening, and the fact that with Disney+ in the mix, the odds of seeing more from any one of these worlds is only increasing. There’s a good chance several films on this list could still become franchises one day. Even so, that won’t diminish the power each of these movies has. Each one has something of value to share, and maybe, because we haven’t seen sequels to these yet, that makes each one just that little bit more special. 

The music score of a film can make all the difference in how it makes us feel while we’re watching a sequence. Sometimes it can be easy to forget, but that’s seldom the case when Michael Giacchino is behind the music. In the last two decades, he has become one of the most popular composers of movie themes and scores. His work is incredibly prolific, as it spans from Pixar films to action franchises and superhero flicks. 

Having felt "total freedom" putting together the score for the now-released The Batman, based on a character previously composed by Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, I felt it was time to take a look back at Michael Giacchino’s body of work and determine his 10 best scores – with the caveat that he has great TV scores as well (I’m not over his Lost themes) that I’m leaving out for this particular list. 

The Incredibles

2004's The Incredibles was the first film Michael Giacchino scored (if you can believe it). Right off the bat, after getting his start on TV with J.J. Abrams’ Alias and Lost, this is a bold and super fun score that has a massive presence in the feeling of the action-animated flick that was directed by Brad Bird. 

The Incredibles score is a full orchestral jazz piece, which is pretty rare for a movie to go to, but worked super well for setting the tone of the film. My personal favorite music moment is “100 Mile Dash,” where the music actually helps inform Dash’s feelings as he walks on water for the first time with limited dialogue. 

Ratatouille 

For a long time, I felt Ratatouille wasn’t getting the love it deserved, but then TikTokers created a collaborative musical during the pandemic as a tribute to it. The 2007 Pixar movie about a little French rat who can cook includes a breathtaking score by Giacchino as well. 

The sequence that best showcases how great Giacchino’s music is in it is early on when Remy finds himself in Paris, and scurries through the walls of the city. The score perfectly whisks us into Remy’s perspective as a huge dreamer of French cooking and culture through his little eyes. 

Star Trek

In 2009, Michael Giacchino re-teamed with J.J. Abrams to bring back the U.S.S. Enterprise back to the big screen for Star Trek. The iconic franchise was already well-known for its theme music, but the composer found a beautiful way to set the film apart with its sweeping score. 

This Star Trek score is everything. It’s incredibly epic, full of wonder and adrenaline that fuels the new take on the science fiction franchise. These movies would absolutely not be the same without Giacchino’s score as a character. 

Up

Up’s opening scene will go down in history as one of the best moments in cinematic history, and the score behind it has a lot to do with what makes it so great. The beautiful Pixar theme, which you’ll also hear nowadays while strolling through Disney Parks, is a lesson in how music can guide us through an emotional storyline. 

I’m not crying, you’re crying! Michael Giacchino’s 2009 score takes the same melody and moves it from a happy, carefree one of Carl and Ellie’s younger years as the animation tells the story of the couple’s lifetime together. I'll go as far as to say it's one of the best pieces of movie music of all time. 

Inside Out 

Michael Giacchino hit another home run with Pixar with 2015’s Inside Out. The movie about the emotions that live inside your head has some fun-loving energy to it most movies from the animation house do, but Giacchino’s score brings it to another level through its ethereal sound. 

“Bundle of Joy” is an especially memorable moment on the soundtrack, but the entire score contributes to an incredibly emotional experience that balances adventure with the film’s underlying themes of moving away from childhood. 

Doctor Strange 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is packed full of heroic scores, but overall, let’s be honest, there isn't a ton of distinctive music from the universe, aside from the Avengers theme. That all changed when Michael Giacchino came on board to do the score for 2016's Doctor Strange.

The “Master of the Mystic” is an especially fun piece of music that not only makes Doctor Strange a distinct Marvel character, but helps add personality to the movie itself. And on other films, when Strange comes on screen, it's always fun hearing a callback to the theme established in this film. 

Rogue One

If tackling Pixar films, Star Trek and Marvel wasn’t enough, Michael Giacchino was also commissioned to do the score for the 2016 Star Wars spinoff film Rogue One. It’s a tall order considering that up to that point, John Williams typically did music for the franchise and has created some all-time great themes over the years. With Rogue One, Giacchino really knocked it out with this emotional, yet truly epic score. 

Rogue One feels like a homage to the kind of movie score music Star Wars is known for, whilst bringing Michael Giacchino’s sensibilities into the equation. The score acts as another key element to the story that feels like it encapsulates Jyn’s specific journey in the Star Wars universe.

The Batman 

Giacchino has done it yet again with a career-best score in The Batman. Once again, the composer rises to the occasion, despite this not being the first theme for the hero in the cape and cowl. The latest score from the composer is creepy and gothic, but also reflects the epic scale of a Batman flick: 

Coming fresh off of The Batman, which is three hours long, I must say the music is among the most affecting pieces of music I’ve heard in a theater in some time. After sitting with the music as the movie unfolds, you feel as though the drums are pulsing through you hours after watching it. 

Michael Giacchino has an insanely impressive body of work so far. We didn’t even touch on Mission: Impossible, the MCU Spider-Man movies or Coco. We’ll look forward to what else the composer has to offer moving forward. Check out the composer on CinemaBlend’s ReelBlend podcast and stay up to date with the upcoming movies being released in the coming months. 

It has been more than a quarter of a century since Toy Story opened in theaters and completely changed the landscape of animated feature films. In that time, there have been several dozen beautifully written, animated, and acted Pixar movies (as well as countless titles from other studios who followed in their wake), introducing generations of moviegoers to imaginative worlds on ground, underwater, and in the heavens, enchanting them with unparalleled imagination and attention to detail. 

But, some of the stories from the making of the best Pixar movies, like Finding Nemo, Wall-E, and Inside Out, are just as fascinating as what ended up on the screen, and we’re going to explore those stories with these behind the scenes facts.

The Pixar Team Came Up With The Ideas Behind Four Of The Studio’s Biggest Films During A Lunch Meeting In 1994

Sometimes, writers, directors, and studios come up with some of their best ideas over the course of several years or even decades, but that was not the case for the braintrust at Pixar, who came up with several ideas that would later become successful films all during one lunch meeting. 

In the summer of 1994, when the team was still hard at work on their feature film debut, Toy Story, several of the members went out to lunch and came up with the basic premises and characters that would one day be brought to life in A Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc., and Finding Nemo, three of the most beloved titles from the studio’s early offering of movies. In a 2008 New York Times article about that fateful lunch, it was revealed that not only did the studio come up with three of its first five movies in a single meeting, they also drew up what would later become Wall-E, a project that wouldn’t see fruition until 14 years later.

The Toy Story Cast Had To Go Back And Record Every Bit Of Dialogue A Second Time

The Toy Story cast was one of the greatest group of voice actors ever assembled at the time of its November 1995 release, and is still remembered for the way in which they brought inanimate objects to life and gave them a wide range of emotions and actions never before seen. 

But, the work by the cast began many years earlier, in 1991, when they began recording the first version of the movie, a version that was later scrapped. In a 2019 interview with BBC Radio 1, Tom Hanks recalled the experience:

This decision to go back and record a new version of Toy Story was the result of the infamous “Black Friday” incident, in which Disney executives put the production on hold because they were not pleased with the tone of the film and depictions of certain characters, according to a 1995 EW story on the film’s tumultuous production. Basically, the movie wasn’t fun and Woody was a massive jerk, and changes needed to be made. 

Pixar Used A ‘Bugcam’ To Capture Research Footage While Designing A Bug’s Life

Pixar’s second feature film, A Bug’s Life, was a technological achievement in terms of animation and attention to detail upon its release in 1998 (and remains so 23 years later), and a lot of that has to do with countless hours of research the team conducted during the project’s development. 

In a documentary about A Bug’s Life that accompanied its home release, co-director John Lasseter revealed that the team of animators constructed a “Bugcam,” essentially a small camera on a set of wheels, that they then used to capture the world as insects and small animals see it. This footage, which featured close-up shots of various grasses, flowers, and other plants, influenced the look of the film and opened the animators’ eyes to the finer details of the microcosms.

Pixar Created A Hairball For Fur Tests In Monsters, Inc. And Pete Docter Liked Them So Much It Was Used For Background Characters

During the early planning stages for Monsters, Inc., the team at Pixar developed a technology that allowed them to create near-photorealistic hair that ended up being used to bring the various creatures to life in the final version of the movie. 

To test out this new technology, the team created a character dubbed “Hairball” that could simulate different types of hair and fur in an assortment of different situations. In the documentary Monsters, Inc. — CGI Making Of, Thomas Porter and Steve May revealed director Pete Docter became so attached to “Hairball” that the team ended up making different variations of the creature that were then inserted into the background throughout the movie.

Finding Nemo’s Director Completely Reworked The Dory Character Because Of An Episode Of Ellen

Dory will forever go down as one of the most beloved Pixar characters, but the iconic tang fish who helps Marlin relocate his missing son in Finding Nemo was originally something entirely else. During a 2020 conversation with the Los Angeles Times, writer-director Andrew Stanton admitted that he initially wrote the character as male,  but was having major writer’s block and just couldn’t get things to work out. Then, he overheard Ellen DeGeneres on a show his wife was watching, and it changed everything:

That random episode of Ellen not only changed the course of Finding Nemo, it also gave Pixar one of its most popular movies, and a spinoff based on Ellen DeGeneres’ character later on, with Finding Dory.

Toy Story 2 Was Almost Lost After Pixar Accidentally Deleted The Animation Files Prior To Its 1999 Release

For many, Toy Story 2 is the best entry in the franchise, but there was a point during production of the 1999 sequel where it looked like all was lost. According to The Independent, the animation files that would populate the movie were accidentally deleted when someone mistakenly ran a command that essentially deletes all the files in a specific system, meaning everything that the team had worked on up to that point was gone. 

When the first attempt to secure the files from the backup system failed (Pixar discovered that the backup program hadn’t been working for a month leading up to the mishap), it was discovered that supervising technical director Galyn Susman had the files on her home computer, because she had been working at home following the birth of her son. The team was able to secure the files and save Toy Story 2 from an unfortunate death.

The Original Version Of Cars Didn’t Focus On Lightning McQueen, But A Yellow Electric Vehicle

The 2006 Pixar film, Cars, introduced one of the studio’s most popular characters, Lightning McQueen, but the original plan for the movie called not for a cocky race car but a yellow electric vehicle who was to embark on a much different journey than Owen Wilson’s high-octane hero. 

In The Art of Cars, John Lasseter revealed that the movie grew out an idea (around the time of A Bug’s Life’s production) called The Yellow Car, which focused on an electric car living in a small town (like Radiator Springs in the final version) who was disliked by the other cars because of his differences. Ultimately, Lasseter said there wasn’t enough there to make a feature film. However, several concepts and characters from The Yellow Car found their way into Cars a decade later.

Pixar Animators Went On Field Trips To Dumps In Oakland, California, To Conduct Research For Wall-E

The post-apocalyptic and lonely world featured in Wall-E is at times one of the most disgusting settings featured in a Pixar movie and at others one of its most beautiful. To better imagine a planet long deserted by humans after the effects of pollution and mountains of trash made it beyond repair, the crew at Pixar went on a rather unique research trip. A 2008 Rotten Tomatoes piece breaking down the production of Wall-E revealed that artists visited multiple dumps in and around Oakland, California, where they studied the textures and colors of what they found to bring a sense of reality to their animated film.

The Emotional Opening Montage In Up Was Inspired By Random Home Videos The Pixar Crew Found On Ebay

The opening montage in Up remains one of the most emotional segments in any Pixar movie for the way it perfectly captured the ups and downs of the life shared by Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) and his wife, Ellie. In a 2010 Los Angeles Times interview, director Pete Docter revealed that composer Michael Giacchino bought a random collection of home videos on eBay that they then went through to come up with ideas for the iconic sequence:

From there, the team at Pixar began piecing together the lives of these random people and eventually came up with the sequence of events that ended with one of the most emotional deaths the studio has ever created.

Inside Out Originally Had Many More Emotions Than Those Featured In The Final Movie

In 2015’s Inside Out, Pete Docter and his team at Pixar managed to turn five emotions — Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust — into meaningful, well-rounded characters, but nearly a couple of dozen other feelings didn’t make the cut. In a 2015 USA Today piece on the movie’s home release, Docter revealed that they had as many as 26 different emotions before he and his team started whittling them down. Some of these included schadenfreude, ennui, pride, and hope. In the end, the cuts were made so that Inside Out could have a more streamlined story, and the fact that the five main emotions already included so many of the other feelings.

Honestly, setting on just 10 behind-the-scenes facts from the making of Pixar movies was no easy task, and with the studio’s slate of upcoming projects, we’ll surely be making additions in the future. In the meantime, get all caught up on all the upcoming Disney movies.

There is no way to get around it — depression sucks. I, like millions of others, have battled with mental health issues for most of my life and have come to terms with the fact that it will always be that way. Some days are better than others and vice versa, but one thing I always tell myself is that I’m not alone in this fight and that family, friends, colleagues, and the various doctors I have visited over the years are more likely than not to have gone through the same exact thing at one point in their lives. Another way I have found to cope is by watching different movies about depression and other issues like anxiety, loneliness, and just about everything else under the sun.

Sometimes turning on a movie that features a character in a fit of self-doubt or dealing with depressing thoughts is enough to hold me over until the storm breaks and I am able to move on in life. Here are 16 movies that handle depression (and other mental health issues) in a thoughtful way..

Aftersun (2022)

Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut, Aftersun, spends a week with Calum (Paul Mescal), a 31-year-old single father, as he goes on a trip to a Turkish resort with his young daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio). The movie centers on Calum as he struggles with a number of different aspects of life, including fatherhood, depression, and his approaching 31st birthday. Meanwhile, his 11-year-old daughter attempts to find her place in the world while also making sense of her father’s depressed state. 

Wells leaves things ambiguous with the Aftersun ending, and never outwardly reveals Calum’s fate. However, the subtle and nuanced approach to the story, as well as her handling of depression, is worth noting. 

Stream Aftersun on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Rent/buy Aftersun on Amazon.

Sideways (2004)

Two friends – struggling writer and wine snob Miles Raymond (Paul Giamatti) and the soon-to-be-married Jack Cole (Thomas Haden Church) – embark upon one final hoorah before the latter gets married. Over the course of Alexander Payne’s 2004 Oscar-winning comedy, Sideways, the two friends find themselves tested in a number of ways after they become involved with a pair of friends who don’t know Jack is engaged. 

The way that Miles, a teacher who’s still not over his failed marriage and stalled writing career, wears his depression is incredibly honest and genuine, if that makes sense. The way in which Giamatti brings the character to life and shows the various sides of someone living in a downed mental state resonates so well.

Rent/buy Sideways on Amazon.

The End Of The Tour (2015)

American writer David Foster Wallace, the author of the acclaimed Infinite Jest, committed suicide in September 2008. James Ponsoldt’s 2015 drama film, The End of the Tour, doesn’t center on Wallace’s (Jason Segel) passing (though it is the story’s catalyst), but instead a period of time 12 years earlier when writer David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) went on a book tour with the late writer. 

Over the course of a few days, the pair of writers explore the American landscape, hold insightful conversations, and learn a great deal about each other and themselves in the process. The movie does a masterful job of portraying a successful and well-respected author struggling to deal with depression while also diving into how, despite his fractured state, he impacted so many people.

Stream The End of the Tour on Kanopy.
Rent/buy The End of the Tour on Amazon.

A Star Is Born (2018) 

In 2018, Bradley Cooper directed, co-wrote, and starred in the most recent, and perhaps heaviest, adaptation of A Star Is Born yet. In this version, successful musician yet struggling addict Jackson Maine (Cooper) discovers Ally Maine (Lady Gaga), a talented singer who becomes his protege, muse, and wife on her path to superstardom. Though Ally and her meteoric rise are at the center of the story, A Star Is Born also focuses a great deal on Jackson’s fall from grace as he stumbles through life.

The way the movie touches on the effects of untreated depression may be extreme for some, but it brings the conversation of mental health to the surface, a conversation that oftentimes needs to be had.

Rent/buy A Star is Born on Amazon.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

Not long after a bitter breakup, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) learns that his ex-girlfriend Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) has taken extreme measures to get over the shattered relationship: wiping all memory of Joel and their past from her memory. Distraught and depressed by the news, Joel decides to undergo the same procedure in Michel Gondry’s 2004 transfixing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. However, letting go is easier said than done as the heartbroken Joel begins to have second thoughts about the process and fights to save the memories (both good and bad) before they’re lost to time in one of the best movies of the 2000s.

Though the movie takes a more sci-fi and fantastical approach to its handling of depression, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind does bring up a good point about depression, in that like the good memories, the bad ones are what make us who we are.

Rent/Buy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Amazon.

Manchester By The Sea (2016)

Following the death of his brother, grief-stricken loner Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) returns to his hometown of Manchester-by-the-sea where he discovers he has become the legal guardian of his teenage nephew, Patrick (Lucas Hedges). The reason behind Lee’s bleak demeanor and departure from his family’s longtime home is not immediately revealed, but when the truth comes out, it is easy to see how someone could fall into a deep, dark abyss of depression. Also while he’s back home, Lee runs into his ex-wife Randi (Michelle Williams), leading to one of the most heartbreaking movie meltdowns in recent memory.

Undoubtedly one of the most emotionally grueling movies on this list, Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea doesn’t shy away from devastating topics. Instead, it faces them head-on.

Stream Manchester by the Sea on Prime Video.

Lost In Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola’s 2003 drama Lost In Translation deals more with chronic loneliness than depression, but since the two go hand-in-hand so often, the movie is more than deserving of a spot here. The Focus Features classic centers on Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a washed up movie star whose career has reached the point where all there is left to do is appear in Japanese commercials and drink at a Tokyo hotel bar. His life is given new meaning when he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), the wife of a famous and distracted photographer. The two unlikely friends strike up an immediate bond as they explore the sights and sounds of Tokyo and begin to learn more about themselves than they would have ever guessed.

Stream Lost in Translation on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Lost in Translation on Amazon. 

Garden State (2004)

Zach Braff’s 2004 directorial debut, Garden State, centers on struggling actor Andrew Largeman (Braff) as he returns to his family home in New Jersey to attend his mother’s funeral. While there, Andrew begins to come to terms with his role in an accident that left his mother confined to a wheelchair decades before her death and his father’s (Ian Holm) decision to put him on various antidepressants and lithium after the accident. 

Without giving too much away, there’s a scene near the end of the movie in which Andrew, his love interest Sam (Natalie Portman), and old friend Mark (Peter Sarsgard) visit a man guarding an abandoned quarry and Andrew tells him “Good luck exploring the infinite abyss” and the man responds with “You too.” Nearly two decades later, the weight of those words, as well as that moment, still get me.

Stream Garden State on Max.
Rent/Buy Garden State on Amazon.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris’ 2006 family road trip movie, Little Miss Sunshine, follows the Hoover family as they drive across the American Southwest so that the youngest member of the group, Olive (Abigail Breslin) can compete in a beauty pageant held in California, but the movie is about so much more than that. Sure, the central conflict that ties everyone together is a road trip in that iconic yellow Volkswagen Microbus, but each family member is dealing with their own personal demons. 

Two of the biggest and most thoughtful of these subplots are those of Frank Ginsberg (Steve Carell), who has just been released from a mental hospital after trying to kill himself, and Dwayne Hoover (Paul Dano), who has a rather extreme mental breakdown due to a certain visual impairment. Both of these characters learn to deal with their afflictions and are made better people because of it.

Stream Little Miss Sunshine on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Little Miss Sunshine on Amazon. 

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

David O. Russell’s 2012 romantic comedy, Silver Linings Playbook, tackles a myriad of different topics and mental illnesses as well as how the characters’ conditions affect practically every aspect of their lives. There’s Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a recently divorced Philadelphian dealing with bipolar disorder and all the issues that stem from it, Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a grieving widow still coming to terms with her husband’s death, and Patrizio “Pat” Solitano Sr. (Robert De Niro), Pat’s father whose life is in disarray because of his OCD and gambling addiction. Each of these characters eventually come to terms with their illnesses and the depression that spawns from it in this perfectly-balanced dramedy.

There are some key differences between the movie and book on which it was based, but this all-time great Philadelphia film gets a lot of things right when it comes to depression.

Rent/Buy Silver Linings Playbook on Amazon.

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

Craig Johnson’s 2014 dramedy The Skeleton Twins follows Milo Dean (Bill Hader) and Maggie Dean (Kristen Wiig), a brother and sister who are brought back together after years apart just as each are experiencing their own crises and failed suicide attempts. To better take care of themselves (and one another) the estranged twins begin to confront the people and situations that pushed them over the edge while also coming to terms with their own relationship and how two people who were brought into this world together could drift so far apart. And then, there’s the amazing scene where Milo and Maggie lip-sync “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

Stream The Skeleton Twins on Max.
Rent/Buy The Skeleton Twins on Amazon.

Inside Out (2015)

You may be asking yourself “Why is a Pixar movie on a list of movies about depression?” but there’s a good reason for it. Peter Docter’s 2015 emotional, animated feature, Inside Out, takes a look inside the brain of a young girl named Riley whose life is completely upended when she and her parents move from the Midwest to San Francisco. Told mostly through Riley’s emotions (played by an all-star cast including Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, and others) the movie dives into issues ranging from loneliness to the brink of depression when the young girl’s feelings get all out of whack.

One of the best Pixar movies to date, Inside Out is an incredible exploration of human emotion and the human spirit through characters like joy and fear, and how our feelings make us who we are.

Stream Inside Out on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Inside Out on Amazon.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

Stephen Chbosky’s 2012 coming-of-age drama, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (which was based on his book of the same name), tells the story of awkward high school freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) as he breaks out of his shell and begins to explore all life has to offer after befriending a group of seniors who forever change his life. During all of this, Charlie is battling severe depression brought on by his best friend’s suicide as well as repressed memories from a traumatic childhood event. The film, like the book, also deals with the way in which isolation, loneliness, and an inability to express one’s true feelings can have on the mind and soul of a young teenager.

Rent/Buy The Perks of Being a Wallflower on Amazon.

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Charlie Kaufman’s sprawling and mind-bending psychological drama Synecdoche, New York follows down-on-his-luck theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who develops a rather unique and arguably unhealthy coping method after his wife and daughter leave him: construct and produce an elaborate stage production of his life that slowly becomes more and more complicated and blurs the lines between fiction and reality. 

This truly bizarre (even for Kaufman’s standards) film is as transfixing as it is convoluted, but it offers a new spin on the idea of a tortured artist finding a way in which he can block out the pain of his own life.

Rent/Buy Synecdoche, New York on Amazon.

Melancholia (2011)

Released in 2011, Lars Von Trier's Melancholia follows two sisters — Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) — as they await their impending doom that will be brought on when a planet crashes into Earth, wiping out all life. On top of that, Justine is in the middle of a severe bout of depression brought on by the failure of her marriage in addition to other issues from throughout her life.

Stream Melancholia on Hulu.
Stream Melancholia on Prime Video. 

World’s Greatest Dad (2009)

Bobcat Goldthwait’s (yes, that Bobcat Goldthwait) 2009 dark comedy, World’s Greatest Dad, follows Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) after his son accidentally kills himself during an unorthodox sexual act. In hopes of avoiding the scandal that could potentially come out of the way in which his son died, Lance, who battles severe depression, decides to write a suicide note for his son, a note that channels a lot of the grieving father’s own problems with mental health. However, the situation gets out of hand and Lance becomes an overnight celebrity for being such a strong father all the while batting his own personal demons.

Stream World’s Greatest Dad on Hulu.
Rent/Buy World’s Greatest Dad on Amazon.

Each of these movies touch on depression in their own way, but hopefully all of them help show you that despite how you may feel at times, everyone goes through something at one point or another.

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Over the years, Rashida Jones has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to lead a hit comedy series like Parks and Recreation or play a smaller yet key role in Academy Award-winning dramas like The Social Network, and just about everything in between. With multiple streaming services offering the best Rashida Jones TV shows and more, it’s easier than ever before to see where the versatile star has been and where she’s going.

Whether it's streaming, digital purchases, or even DVDs, there are multiple ways to watch Rashida Jones' best movies and TV shows. From her days as Karen Filippelli on The Office to playing Bill Murray’s daughter in Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks, there’s a lot to tackle here, so let’s get started and start breaking down where you can watch some of Rashida Jones’ best work yet.

The Office (2006 - 2007, 2009, 2011)

For the longest time, The Office was one of the best shows to binge watch on Netflix, but ever since New Year’s Day 2021, NBC’s cultural phenomenon is streaming exclusively on Peacock. And while it was a bummer for everyone with a Netflix subscription to lose their favorite show, fans of the series get to see everything plus never-before-seen content that is exclusive to NBCUniversal’s new platform. Now you can watch the entirety of Karen Filippelli’s saga at Dunder Mifflin plus tons of deleted scenes and other material you won’t find anywhere else. 

Stream The Office on Peacock.

Rent/Buy The Office on Amazon.

Parks And Recreation (2009 - 2015)

It is crazy to think about the Parks and Recreation cast and everything they’ve been able to pull off since the show ended in 2015. One of the funniest faces on the show is without a doubt Rashida Jones who played Ann Perkins, a nurse who became involved with the inner-workings of the Pawnee, Indiana Parks and Recreation department after her boyfriend, Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt) broke both his legs after falling into a large pit. Ann would continue to be a major force and source of comedy for the show until partway through Season 6 though she would return on occasion.

Stream Parks and Recreation on Peacock.

Rent/Buy Parks and Recreation on Amazon.

The Social Network (2010)

The Aaron Sorkin/David Fincher Facebook movie The Social Network remains one of best movies on Netflix thanks it part to its gripping story, outstanding direction, and that amazing cast anchored by Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake. Even the supporting cast, which includes Rashida Jones in a small yet unforgettable role of Marylin Delpy, one of Mark Zuckerberg’s defense attorneys. Despite her soft tone and calm demeanor, it’s Marylin who tells the Facebook founder that he will have to settle his case against Eduardo Saverin not because he's an asshole but he just tries so hard to be one.

Stream The Social Network on Netflix.

Rent/Buy The Social Network on Amazon.

On The Rocks (2020)

Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks, which follows a young mother (Rashida Jones) who reconnects with her playboy father (Bill Murray) by going on an adventure through the heart of New York City is something that the director and star both have experience with considering their fathers’ fame and names. At the heart of this 2020 Apple TV+ exclusive dramedy, it is about the bond shared by parents and their adult children and how it’s never too late to teach your kids something while also learning a thing or two along the way.

Stream On The Rocks on Apple TV+.

BlackAF (2020)

The Netflix sitcom BlackAF features a fictionalized version of the show’s creator Kenya Barris as he and his wife, Joya Barris (Rashida Jones) become a “new money” Black family and deal with the fallout of their newfound wealth. This hilarious yet socially and culturally-conscience comedy series struck a chord with audiences who will get to come back for more as BlackAF is one of the Netflix TV shows coming back at some point in 2021. With so many reasons to watch, why not give the show a shot.

Stream BlackAF on Netflix.

I Love You, Man (2009)

The 2009 comedy I Love You, Man is largely centered on the budding friendship of Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) and Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), but the driving force of the film’s big adventure is none other than Peter’s fiancée Zooey Rice (Rashida Jones). When she discovers that her soon-to-be husband doesn’t have a best man for the wedding, or any friends to really choose from, she encourages him to go out and find a best friend. Hilarity and chaos soon follow.

Stream I Love You, Man on Amazon.

Rent/Buy I Love You, Man on Amazon.

Freaks And Geeks (1999 - 2000)

The Freaks and Geeks cast was filled with some of today’s biggest stars with people like Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel all getting one of their first big breaks on the show that ran for one season before getting the axe. The teen comedy about two interconnected groups of high school slackers and nerds set in 1980 also featured a ridiculous list of cameos and guest spots including Rashida Jones, who played Karen Scarfolli in a single episode. You probably want to hurry up and watch Freaks and Geeks as it has a habit of disappearing as quickly as it shows up on various streamers.

Stream Freaks and Geeks on Hulu.

Buy the Freaks and Geeks Blu-ray set on Amazon.

Klaus (2019)

The 2019 animated Christmas adventure Klaus serves as a new take on the origin of Santa Klaus, this time featuring Old St. Nick as a reclusive woodsman (J.K. Simmons) who is discovered by Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman), who is perhaps the worst postman of all time. The partnership eventually turns fruitful, transforming the quiet and once-frozen town into the epicenter of joy and goodwill. Add in Rashida Jones’ performance as Alva, a teacher-turned-fishmonger whose cold heart is melted and made anew with the town’s transformation and you have a recipe for a must-watch holiday classic.

Stream Klaus on Netflix.

Black-ish (2014 - Present)

Despite being one of the funniest shows on television, the long-running ABC hit series black-ish isn’t afraid to hold back with its portrayal of an upper middle class African-American family and the issues and situations they must deal with on a daily basis. Led by the outstanding duo of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, this hilarious and hard-hitting series also features one hell of a recurring cast that includes Laurence Fishburne, Wanda Sykes, Daveed Diggs, and Rashida Jones to name only a few.

Stream Black-ish on Hulu.

Rent/Buy Black-ish on Amazon.

Angie Tribeca (2016 - 2018)

Perhaps one of the strangest “crime of the week” police procedurals, the TBS comedy series Angie Tribeca really allowed Rashida Jones to showcase her offbeat and unique comedic timing in her portrayal of the veteran of the LAPD’s Really Heinous Crimes Unit. The show’s satirical approach to the crime genre, which was sometimes a little overbearing, gave Angie Tribeca a unique feel over the course of its four seasons.

Steam Angie Tribeca on Hulu.

Rent/Buy Angie Tribeca on Amazon.

The Muppets (2011)

The 2011 version of The Muppets is honestly one of the best additions to the franchise in recent memory and there’s a case to be made about it being one of the best titles in the property’s history. Centering on Gary (Jason Segel) and his Muppet brother Walter (Peter Linz), the movie follows the pair and all other sorts of characters as they attempt to breathe fresh life into the film’s version of the Muppets. When the Muppet Theater needs a big break, Veronica Martin (Rashida Jones) steps in and pulls some strings at the CDE network to get the iconic group a slot.

Stream The Muppets on Disney+.

Rent/Buy The Muppets on Amazon.

Inside Out (2015)

The 2015 Pixar film Inside Out explores the ways in which our emotions dictate essentially every function of our lives and how quickly things can get out of hand when our emotions lose control of what’s happening behind the scenes. The film does a tremendous job of showing that everyone goes through these battles in their lives, even when it looks like they have everything in order. This is seen with the “Cool Girl” character whose emotions are voiced by Rashida Jones, who shows that everyone has their own insecurities.

Stream Inside Out on Disney+.

Rent/Buy Inside Out on Amazon.

Tag (2018)

Despite being a movie based on a schoolyard game, the 2018 action comedy Tag is surprisingly about more than a group of lifelong friends playing a seemingly never-ending game at the expense of everyone around them. Sure, that does happen throughout fun-loving film, but it’s also about the meaning of friendship, even if that means chasing one another through various situations. In addition to the central cast of Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Jon Hamm, and Hannibal Buress, the movie also features a well-rounding supporting crew including Rashida Jones, Isla Fisher, Leslie Bibb, and Brian Dennehy.

Rent/Buy Tag on Amazon.

Our Idiot Brother (2011)

The 2011 comedy Our Idiot Brother follows Ned Rochlin (Paul Rudd) a lovable slacker who falls under the care of his three sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer) whose lives are subsequently thrown into disarray due to his actions. Once Cindy (Rashida Jones), the girlfriend of one of his sisters, agrees to help Ned gain custody of his dog, even more lives are thrown into chaos with more to follow.

Stream Our Idiot Brother on Netflix.

Rent/Buy Our Idiot Brother on Amazon.

Celeste And Jesse Forever (2012)

The 2012 romantic comedy-drama Celeste and Jesse Forever follows the titular couple (Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg) in the years after they married young. As the years go by and they begin to mature into adulthood, the two begin to drift apart, reaching the brink of divorce. Co-written by Jones, this emotional and at times funny love story will bring a tear to your eye (or two).

Stream Celeste and Jesse Forever on Starz.

Rent/Buy Celeste and Jesse Forever on Amazon.

The Sound Of Silence (2019)

The 2019 offbeat and almost surrealist drama The Sound of Silence follows Peter Lucian (Peter Sarsgaard), a “house tuner” who helps improve the sonic environments of his clients’ homes in hopes of improving their day-to-day lives. Things take a turn when Peter is introduced to Ellen Chasen (Rashida Jones), a client who quickly begins to have deep feelings for the tuner, forever changing their lives.

Stream The Sound of Silence on Hulu.

Buy The Sound of Silence on Amazon.

Those were just a few of the best Rashida Jones TV shows and movies you can stream right, rent, or buy right now. If you’ve already blown through all of those you could always take a look to see what all the 2021 movie premiere dates so you don’t miss another big release.

Mindy Kaling can do just about anything: acting, writing, producing, directing, and much more. She carved out her place in Hollywood when she appeared on The Office as Kelly Kapur. Kelly’s obsession with pop culture, her witty lines, and entertaining romance with Ryan (B.J Novak) helped make her one of the most memorable characters on the series. Now Kaling is once again bringing funny, relevant, and unforgettable characters to life with her new series Never Have I Ever.

The series is a fresh coming-of-age romantic comedy series that showcases Mindy Kaling’s brilliant comedic voice. If you’re a fan of The Mindy Project star, then this is a series you need to watch for smart writing and likable characters. Also if you’re a Mindy Kaling fan, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have plenty of options to start your Kaling binge-fest.

Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Mindy Kaling acts as creator and writer on Never Have I Ever, a Netflix original series. It follows Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) as she deals with a tragic loss, and typical teen angst, like parents, crushes, and having John McEnroe as a personal narrator. The series debuted in April 2020.

Never Have I Ever is a modern teen comedy with a very enjoyable and quirky main cast. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan gives Devi depth, sincerity, and humor as she and her friends tackle most of the things that modern teens struggle with, like coming to terms with sexuality, grief, how to make a great TikTok, and dealing with a nemesis that will likely become a love interest later down the line.

Stream it on Netflix here.

The Mindy Project (Hulu)

Mindy Kaling created and stars in The Mindy Project. She plays Mindy Lahiri, an OB/GYN who works at a private practice and deals with various romantic entanglements. The comedy aired for six seasons, first as a Fox series and then exclusively on Hulu.

The Mindy Project premiered in 2012, and it was her first TV leading project after appearing on The Office. The cast included Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Ike Barinholtz, and Xosha Roquemore. The Mindy Project was a great launching pad for Kaling, who had already won viewers over from her role on The Office, but this series allowed her to add her own comedic style and tone.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Inside Out (Disney+)

Inside Out is a 2015 Pixar movie directed by Peter Docter. It follows the inner-workings of young Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) as she deals with the emotions of a major move. Joy (Amy Poehler) acts as the ringleader inside Riley’s mind and tries to keep everything operating as it’s supposed to, but Joy is finding it difficult to keep Riley happy and stop Sadness (Phyllis Smith) from taking over.

Kaling plays Disgust in Inside Out and really captures the general attitude and persona one would expect from Disgust personified. Inside Out is a Pixar movie, and the company rarely makes bad ones, so you can expect all the brilliant animation, unique and fun storytelling, and adorable, merchandise ready characters in this film.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

The Office (Netflix)

The Office fans better watch the series on Netflix while it is still there. The Office focuses on the employees of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The cast includes Kaling, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and B.J Novak.

Kaling played Kelly Kapoor for most of The Office’s nine season run (from 2005-2013). She also performed the duties of writer, director, and executive producer on the series. With Mindy’s flare for comedy and love of pop culture, she was able to make Kelly one of the scene stealing characters with a great toxic romance with Ryan. Kelly is one of my favorite The Office characters because she’s just such an entertaining character to watch, which is all credited to Kaling’s comedy and acting skills.

Stream it on Netflix here.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia “The Gang Makes Paddy's Great Again” (Hulu)

Mindy Kaling appeared on the season 13 premiere as a character named Cindy who has now become a member of the gang. Dennis (Glenn Howerton) left the gang to take care of his child. With Cindy, the gang actually excels at their schemes, a new and unusual thing for them.

If you know the gang, then you know an ethnically diverse woman running the gang is totally out of character, and Mindy’s character Cindy feels completely out of place among these lovable trash people, and that’s kind of the point. Kaling doesn’t feel right on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia because her persona is way too normal and civilized for the gang.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Wreck-It Ralph (Disney+)

Two misfit arcade game characters, Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) form a bond and vow to help each other. Wreck-it Ralph is treated as a villain in his game, Fix-It Felix Jr., and Vanellope glitches, so she’s not allowed to race in her game, Sugar Rush. Wreck-It Ralph was released in 2012 and directed by Rich Moore.

Kaling only has a small role as Taffyta Muttonfudge, one of the racers of Sugar Rush who is quite skilled, but also very mean especially to Vanellope. She’s one of the best racers in Sugar Rush and the mean girl leader of the gang. Kaling creates a great antagonist with Taffyta.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Champions (Netflix)

Mindy Kaling created and had a recurring role on Champions. The series followed Vince (Anders Holm) as he has to learn to take care of his fifteen year old son Michael (Josie Totah). Fortune Feimster and Andy Favreau also star.

This series only ran for ten episodes before being swiftly cancelled by NBC. I always thought Kaling and Anders Holm had great on-screen chemistry when he played one of her boyfriends on The Mindy Project, so I was very excited to see them work together on Champions. Unfortunately, the series got cancelled before it found its rhythm. But for Kaling fans, Champions is a fun, quick watch.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Four Weddings and A Funeral (Hulu)

Based on the movie of the same name Four Wedding and a Funeral follows a group of college friends now in their thirties as they deal with their complicated relationship with each other, and various people in their lives. The main romance of Four Weddings and a Funeral revolves around Maya (Nathalie Emmanuel ) and Kash (Nikesh Patel) as they try to ignore their growing feelings for each other.

Mindy Kaling is great at creating romantic comedies, and this is no exception. Kash and Maya, and their whole group of friends are appealing characters that make you want them to figure it all out. Besides the characters and storyline, another big strength of Four Weddings and a Funeral is the music choices. It had a very good Season 1 soundtrack.

Stream it on Hulu here.

A Wrinkle in Time (Disney+)

In 2018, Ava DuVernay directed Disney’s latest adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time. The film follows Meg (Storm Reid), her brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), and her friend Calvin (Levi Miller) as they travel through planets looking for her father played by Chris Pine.

Mindy Kaling plays Mrs. Who, who along with Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) and Mrs. Whatsis (Reese Witherspoon) guide the three children on their quest. Mrs. Who is known for using random quotes to offer advice and give wisdom to people.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Late Night (Amazon Prime)

Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling star in Late Night.Kaling also wrote the screenplay to this film. The 2019 dramedy was directed by Nisha Ganatra and focuses on Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson), a late night host on the brink of losing her show, and Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling), the new writer. Both women work to prove themselves, Katherine to her audience and network ready to turn her off, and Molly to Katherine and an all male writer’s room.

Thompson and Kaling both give great performances as opposite personalities who need each other to grow, succeed, and find their way. Late Night is a funny, charming, and insightful movie about finding how to stay true to yourself while altering your voice to match a changing landscape.

Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Despicable Me (Netflix)

Despicable Me is an animated film starring Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, and Kristen Wiig. It was released in 2010 and directed by Pierre Coffin. The film follows super villain Gru (Steve Carell) as he adopts three girls (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Elsie Fisher).

Kaling has a blink and you might miss it appearance in the opening of Despicable Me. She voices Justin’s mom, a mother whose rambunctious son falls into an inflatable pyramid. This isn’t a major role for Mindy Kaling, but it’s just an overall great animated film if you feel like adding something else to your watchlist.

Stream it on Netflix here.

No Strings Attached (Hulu)

Remember 2011 when both No Strings Attached and Friends with Benefits came out? The films basically follow the same premise: friends who decide just to have detached sex, only to fall for each other. No Strings Attached is the one directed by Ivan Reitman and stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher.

Mindy Kaling has a very small role as one of Natalie Portman’s character’s friends. Her best scene is alongside Greta Gerwig, Guy Branum, and Ashton Kutcher as they trick Kutcher’s character into being confused who he had sex with. The answer: no one.

Stream it on Hulu here.

It’s a great time to be a Mindy Kaling fan with plenty of options available on your favorite streaming site. With Never Have I Ever being so great, we can’t wait to see her future projects.

With the early release of Onward on Disney+, almost every film ever made by Pixar is now on Disney+. (we're waiting, Incredibles 2) And since you probably don't have anything else to do, it's the perfect time for a movie marathon. If you're taking the opportunity to watch a lot of Pixar movies, it's hard to go wrong with one of the studio's best films, Inside Out.

The story of the trials that come with growing up is one of the most heartwarming, and heartbreaking, films that Pixar has ever made. It's a movie worth watching again and again, and when you do that, you start noticing cool little details, and funny easter eggs, in the background that you maybe had never seen before. Here are few of the random things we hadn't noticed about Inside Out that makes us love it that much more.

Pixar Easter Eggs

We could fill an entire list with the Pixar easter eggs found in Inside Out, there are always a lot in every Pixar project, but for this list, we'll just group them into a single entry. As usual, you can find the Luxo Ball, the Pizza Planet truck, and a reference to The Good Dinosaur, the Pixar film that came after Inside Out. One of my favorites, however, is this shot of Colette from Ratatouille, who can be seen on the cover of a magazine on the coffee table.

Bing Bong's Real Introduction

Here's something that you might miss the first time you see Inside Out, but might make you start to cry the second time you see it. By the time you actually meet Bing Bong in the movie, you may have forgotten that we saw him in the first few minutes of the film, as a young Riley draws him on the wall. Riley even says his name, but her voice is almost entirely drowned out by the score, so it's easy to overlook. The image also includes the "rocket ship" which plays an important role itself later in the film.

Newspaper Foreshadowing

Throughout Inside Out, we see Anger reading a newspaper where the headline of the paper describes whatever is happening to Riley in that moment. That much is obvious, but that's not the only thing you can find in the paper. Here, the first newspaper that we see in the film, references the future being shaky because the emotions are discussing earthquakes while on the way to Riley's new house. However, on the back page, we see the question "Why does everything smell funny?" This is actually foreshadowing, as the emotions, and therefore Riley, ask this same question upon entering the new house, which Disgust thinks smells odd.

The Control Panel

A lot of the action in Inside Out surrounds the control panel. It's full of buttons and levers and it's designed to control Riley's emotions, so whichever of the emotion characters is using it, is obviously bringing up that emotion. However, the panel also lights up based on who is using it. So when Sadness hits a button it turns blue. When Disgust flips a switch, it all goes green, and it flashes back and forth between all the colors when they're all fighting over it, which is often.

Dad's iPhone

Inside Out mostly takes place in the San Francisco bay area, which is a great spot for the film as it's where Pixar is located. Riley's dad is working for some sort of ambiguous tech startup, prompting the move for the family. Inside Out is one of the few Pixar films that takes place in a real, and modern world, so of course, dad has the newest cell phone. Specifically, he has an iPhone. Rather than just showing dad with a generic, made up, cell phone, it's clear from this image that Dad uses an iPhone, and the choice isn't random either. Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple, also co-founded Pixar, and Apple products make a number of appearances in Pixar films as a tribute to the old boss.

San Francisco Shops

As mentioned, the city of San Francisco is almost a character unto itself in Inside Out. A number of city landmarks are on display, but what's more fun, for those of us that know the city, is how well the mood is captured. In the scene after Riley and her mom attempt to get pizza, they walk by a number of shops with cute names, but if you look closely, you'll see this pet grooming (and massage) shop that apparently is open "most days around 10" but then, "some days" are apparently different. The sign might as well read "We're open when we feel like it, good luck." Welcome to San Francisco.

Riley's Family Playing Cards

In Imagination Land we see a house of cards that is being built, by Riley's mind. However, these cards don't look like the standard Hoyle set. The Queen of the deck has the face of the Riley's mother, while the Jack card, actually has a R rather than a J, and it looks like Riley herself. Shortly after we see the house of cards, it falls down, which is a less than subtle reference to the relationship between Riley and her parents at this moment in the film.

Figment Of Imagination

If you've been to a Disney theme park recently, you know that Pixar and its characters are becoming more and more prominent. Disney's Hollywood Studio's has an entire Toy Story Land and Disneyland Resort's California Adventure has Pixar Pier which includes an Inside Out attraction. So it's only fair that Pixar occasionally returns the favor. One of the most popular characters Walt Disney World has ever created is Figment, the purple dragon who starred in the popular Journey into Imagination attraction, and still appears in the ride's current iteration. A framed picture of Figment can be found as Bing Bong, Joy and Sadness are leaving Imagination Land to get on board the train of thought. It's a fitting place to find this Figment of Imagination.

As with nearly every Pixar movie, there's a lot more where all this came from. There's something new to discover every time you watch one of their movies. And let's face it, it's not like right now you don't have the time to watch them all, perhaps multiple times. Although, if you're going to watch Inside Out multiple times, you may need to stock up on tissues.

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There are a lot of us out there. I'm talking about parents stuck in self-isolation with a house full of young kids who are obsessed with one thing and one thing only: Frozen 2. Ever since the popular 2019 animated feature popped up on Disney+, millions of parents have been subjected to constant viewings as if Elsa and Anna are the only characters in the history of Disney. But we don't have to stand for it, we're the parents after all, and so I think it's about time we show our sons and daughters who's in charge and show them all the great movies on the streaming platform that everyone can watch as a family.

It's going to be hard, and we'll probably have to settle for watching Frozen 2 at least 20 more times, but in between viewings, now is the perfect time to open our kids' eyes and hearts to the wonder and magic of the extensive Disney catalogue that's available to stream on this impressive streaming service. With a little help from "The House Of Mouse," we'll get through this. I promise. Just be strong.

The Princess And The Frog (2009)

Long before my wife and I had children (actually before we were even married), she introduced me to The Princess And The Frog, Disney's 2009 reimagining of the classic Brothers Grimm story The Frog Prince. From that first viewing, I was transfixed by the beautiful imagery, engaging story, and those well-crafted songs. And while the Anika Noni Rose's performance as Tiana, and Burno Campos' take on Prince Naveen were great, it's Keith David's spin as the villainous Dr. Facilier that steals the show. I mean, who doesn't love "Friends On The Other Side" and all its demented magic. With elements of a classic love story, voodoo, and good Louisiana culture, The Princess And The Frog is a crowd pleaser for the whole family.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Tangled (2010)

What's not to love about a retelling of an old fairy tale that is shockingly relevant during modern times thanks to a quarantine? Tangled, Disney's retelling of the classic Rapunzel story is getting a lot of attention right now, so why not make the most of it and watch this instant classic? With a cast that includes Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, and Donna Murphy as the evil Mother Gothel, this 2010 animated film is one of the best on Disney+. There's a great story, superb animation, and some of the best Disney songs we've heard in ages, including "When Will My Life Begin," which is probably the best introductory song since Ariel sang "Part Of Their World" in The Little Mermaid.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

101 Dalmatians (1961)

Full disclosure: 101 Dalmatians has been my favorite Disney movie for as long as I can remember. When I was a little kid, my grandmother broke her leg and asked me to call 911 for her. Instead of doing the right thing, I simply replied, "I can't right now, I'm watching 101 Dalmatians." So imagine how excited I was to show this beloved 1961 classic to my kids when Disney+ launched in late 2019. They might not be as enthusiastic about it as I was at their age, but they enjoy it nonetheless. And also, watching the high-definition version on the streaming platform is like watching 101 Dalmatians for the first time. It's amazing how beautiful the backgrounds look nearly 60 years later.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Honey, I Blew Up The Kid (1993)

I know what you're thinking — why is Honey, I Blew Up The Kid on this list instead of the 1989 family classic Honey, I Shrunk The Kids? Well, my daughter is the reason. She's obsessed with "Big Baby" as she calls it, and you know, she's not wrong. Sure, the special effects haven't aged well, and the story is preposterous, but this 1993 Rick Moranis-led family comedy is just as enjoyable as it was all those years ago. It has a fun concept for the kids and just enough familial love for the parents to make it a fixture of family movie night. And who doesn't love seeing a 50-foot toddler walking through the Las Vegas strip?

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Inside Out (2015)

Pixar has produced some of the most technologically advanced yet emotionally driven animated films since the release of Toy Story in 1995. And over the past 25 years, many of us have grown up watching each and every one of Pixar's theatric releases, showing them to children of our own in the process. One of the best examples of this is the 2015 literal emotion thrill ride Inside Out. The film follows the life of Riley as the young girl's family moves across the country. From the point of view of Riley's personified emotions (highlighted by Amy Poehler as Joy and Phyllis Smith as Sadness), we see how young children deal with change. Thought not as lighthearted as other features on this list, Inside Out could be a great way to discuss what's going on in the world with your kids.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Picking just one Toy Story movie to watch with your kids is not the easiest of tasks. With so many iconic scenes and memorable lessons from each of the four theatrical releases, this franchise is full of greatness. For the sake of brevity, however, I think Toy Story 3 is the right choice if you want a fun, yet thoughtful movie to watch with your kids while cooped in the home. It has a lot of eye candy for the younger kids (all those toys at Sunnyside Daycare), but it also has some great messages that parents and older children can enjoy. Bring the tissues, because you'll be crying by the end of this 2010 masterpiece.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Mary Poppins (1964)

It would be hard to find a better introduction to live-action musicals than the original Mary Poppins. Released in 1964, this musical fantasy blended an all-star cast including Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke with some of the best animation Disney had released up to that point. Following the magical nanny as she comes to save the Banks family in a time of great need, this beloved family-friendly classic has brought endless amounts of joy to families around the world over the past 55-plus years. I mean, where else will you hear songs as spellbinding as "A Spoonful Of Sugar," "Jolly Holiday," and "Chim Chim Cher-ee" in the same movie? The 2018 sequel is worth checking out as well.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Aladdin (2019)

I personally prefer the original 1992 animated Aladdin, but my kids are obsessed with Guy Ritchie's 2019 live-action version. Before it came out on Disney+, my daughter had me check it out at the local library multiple times (and multiple late fees), so it's safe to say she and her brother are crazy over this action-oriented adventure film. Despite some minor differences, this version of Aladdin is very similar to the one we all saw nearly 30 years ago, including the famous "A Whole New World" sequence. Also like the original, some scenes might be a little too scary for the younger kids, but that's what parents are for, right?

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Finding Nemo (2003)

If you feel like you've spent way too much time around your kids since you entered quarantine, then I cannot recommend Finding Nemo enough. This 2003 Pixar animated dramatic comedy tells the story of Marlin (Albert Brooks), a clownfish looking for his missing son who has been captured. This tale of a father searching the depths of the ocean to save the only family he has left makes for a gut-wrenching yet adventurous story. With plenty of action and hilarious characters, including Ellen DeGeneres as the lovable Dory, the kids will surely be entertained as much as the adults, just as long as they aren't traumatized by the opening moments of the movie. You'll probably want to hold onto your kids tightly during this one. And hey, you might rethink the whole "I've been spending too much time with my kids" mentality.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Cinderella (1950)

To finish things off is another classic from Walt Disney Productions, the 1950 animated musical fantasy Cinderella. There's a good reason this groundbreaking film is still so highly regarded 60 years after its initial release. This adaptation of Charles Perrault's fairy tale of the same name is filled with so much wonder and joy as it tells the story of the poor girl who is forced to withstand the never ceasing torment of her evil stepmother and her disgusting daughters before a chance encounter with Prince Charming. If your children haven't seen Cinderella in a long time, or haven't seen it all, you should definitely turn it on while you're sheltering in place. And plus, Cinderella is one of the original Disney princesses, so why not show your kids just one of the inspirations for their favorite modern princesses.

Stream It On Disney+ Here.

Those are just 10 of the great movies on Disney+ (that aren't Frozen 2 or Frozen) that you can enjoy with the whole family, no matter how old or young you may be. However, we all know that all of our kids will probably want watch Elsa and Anna go off on their adventures for like the millionth time this week. And if you think there's something I left off the list, make sure to let me know; I'm always looking for something for my kids to watch over and over again until we can leave the house again.

See that man in the photo above? If you do not recognize his face, you should at least be able to recognize his voice, especially if you love Pixar. The man in question, John Ratzenberger, has voiced 15 characters in all 22 of the animation company's films, including its latest release, Onward.

After playing scene-stealing mailman Cliff on the hit sitcom Cheers for 11 seasons, John Ratzenberger got a job voicing a sentient piggy bank in Pixar's very first movie, Toy Story, in 1995, before being asked to voice a character in the next film, and the next, and the next. Soon, the actor would gain a reputation as the company's "good luck charm," earning a role in one of their movies, no matter how big or small.

If you are just now starting to realize that that voice you keep hearing in Pixar is this man and you wish to revisit the films to figure out where he pops up, look no future. The following list is a compilation of every Pixar character voiced by John Ratzenberger...

Construction Worker Fenwick (Onward)

When I saw Onward, Pixar’s most recent release set an a modern-day, urban fantasy world, one of my first feelings of anticipation was all about John Ratzenberger's appearance, but once the film was over, I had to scan the credits to figure out which character was his. I probably should have realized that he was one of the construction workers, considering this marks the third that the actor has played one in a Pixar movie.

In his brief appearance in Onward as the voice of Fenwick, John Ratzenberger struggles to keep Barley Lightfoot (Chris Pratt) away from a condemned fountain which the elvish fantasy enthusiast is convinced holds a few enchanted secrets. Like many of Ratzenberger’s characters, this construction worker is in for quite a surprise.

Hamm (Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4)

The beginning of John Ratzenberger’s collaboration with Pixar begins with the company’s first ever feature-length film, Toy Story. Ratzenberger provides the voice of Hamm, a plastic piggy bank who resides in Andy’s room with fellow playthings Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) to name a few.

John Ratzenberger would reprise the wisecracking character in three more feature-length sequels, most recently in 2019’s Toy Story 4, as well some made-for-TV half-hour specials. Technically, Ratzenberger has a dual role in the franchise as Hamm’s villainous alter ego, Evil Dr. Porkchop.

Underminer (The Incredibles, Incredibles 2)

Speaking of villainy, John Ratzenberger had a decidedly small role in writer and director Brad Bird's Oscar-winning 2004 superhero movie The Incredibles. However, it was big enough to get a video game named after him.

As the Underminer, a mole-like humanoid with mechanical hands who terrorizes the city with his giant drill, John Ratzenberger gets to close out The Incredibles and open its 2018 sequel, which picks up right where the 2004 original left off, with an epic battle against the titular family of costumed vigilantes. Unfortunately, the Incredibles fail to catch him, so perhaps this will not be the last we see of his “war on peace and happiness.”

Juan Ortodoncia (Coco)

Clearly, John Ratzenberger has had his fair share of brief roles in Pixar movies, but none have been smaller than his part in the 2017 tearjerker, Coco. For further context, he only has one word of dialogue: “Gracias.”

This expression of thanks, in Spanish nonetheless, comes after John Ratzenberger’s character, a brace-faced skeleton named Juan Ortodoncia, manages to cross over the bridge into the Land of the Living on Dia de los Muertos because his photo happens to be on his dentist’s ofrenda. Cleverly enough, Juan’s last name translates in English to “orthodontics.”

Mack (Cars, Cars 2, Cars 3)

John Ratzenberger’s second most frequently recurring Pixar character is Mack, from the Cars franchise. The 1980s-era Super-Liner semi appears in all three films taking place in a world overrun with sentient motor vehicles as the truck responsible for transporter race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) to his races. In fact, he has, arguably, the most important role in the film as his failure to stay awake on the road results in McQueen getting lost in Radiator Springs.

Mack is also one of John Ratzenberger’s most meta characters, serving up the funniest Easter Egg in the film. During the closing credits, as Mack is watching the Cars equivalent of various Pixar movies, he notices that the same voice actor is being used repeatedly in every film, prompting him to wonder out loud, “What kind of cut-rate production is this?”

Bill (Finding Dory)

For his second dive into Pixar’s franchise set in the Great Barrier Reef, instead of reprising his role from Finding Nemo (more on that later), John Ratzenberger took on a new kind of undersea species: a crustacean. In Finding Dory, he plays Bill, a hermit crab seen snipping grass with his bare claws right before Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) slips through a pipe that takes her to her aquarium home.

Finding Dory viewers might not have been able to spot John Ratzenberger in the role initially. His signature, unmistakable voice is hidden by some high-pitched re-tuning. It might have been the right move, given that his larger than life voice might not have the perfect fit for such a small animal.

Earl (The Good Dinosaur)

The Underminer is not the only villain that John Ratzenberger has voiced for Pixar. However, that mole man might not be the most threatening when compared to this raspy, hick-accented prehistoric antagonist.

In 2015’s The Good Dinosaur, John Ratzenberger plays Earl, a member of Bubbha’s (David Boat) gang of velociraptors who have it out for friendly Apatosaurus Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) and his human companion, Spot (Jack Bright). His one line of dialogue may be his cruelest quote in a Pixar film, as he angrily threatens to kill Arlo right as he is about to pounce. Fortunately, he and the other raptors get their tails handed to them by T-Rex’s.

Fritz (Inside Out)

Remember when I said that John Ratzenberger has played three construction workers for Pixar? Well, you might not have considered his Inside Out role, Fritz, as one considering he is a jellybean-looking, non-human character that lives within the mind of a young girl, but I think that his hard hat, utility belt, and mustache are firm evidence that it counts.

Fritz shows up at the end of the highly acclaimed 2015 hit, which follows the personified inner emotions of 12-year-old Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) struggling to help her adjust to a new life in San Francisco. The “Mind Worker” shows up to Headquarters to install an upgraded control console, which includes a button labeled “PUBERTY.” This means that Riley is in for a fun next couple of years.

Yeti (Monsters Inc., Monsters University)

It only made sense for Pixar to give the larger-than-life voice of John Ratzenberger to a larger-than-life character after previously casting him as a flea at one point (more on that later). In 2003, the actor was cast as Yeti, also known as The Abominable Snowman (a name he actually abhors), in Monsters Inc.

John Ratzenberger’s role comes into play when Waternoose (James Coburn) banishes James “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) to the Himalayas, where they meet Yeti, who treats them to snow cones in his cave. We caught a glimpse at Yeti’s employment with Monsters Inc. at the end of the prequel, Monsters University, when he introduces Sulley and Mike to their new jobs as mail sorters. You can hear him hint at how he will eventually get himself banished in in his advisement to the duo to never peek at the mail.

Gordon (Brave)

Pixar loves to bring John Ratzenberger back over and over just to hear his charming voice spoken through a new character. However, sometimes they love to challenge him with a character that requires him to alter his voice a bit. It is difficult to recognize his character in Brave, a retelling of the Celtic folktale “The Bear and the Bow,” due to his Scottish accent.

John Ratzenberger provides the voice of Gordon, one of the spear-carrying guards who stand outside the castle at which aspiring heroine Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) resides. Gordon is also a man of action, despite proving unsuccessful in both assisting King Fergus (Billy Connolly) in killing a bear he is unaware is really Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) and attacking demon bear Mor’du.

Construction Foreman Tom (Up)

And now we come to the final construction worker character on our list, and the first that John Ratzenberger has voiced for Pixar. He is also one of the few characters the actor has voiced that provides exposition for a film.

In Up, considered one of Pixar’s finest achievements, Tom (John Ratzenberger) is the foreman of a construction site surrounding the home of elderly widow Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), who refuses to leave his house despite multiple monetary offers from Tom’s boss. This, of course, is what prompts Carl to rig his house with enough helium balloons to fly away to and sought after Paradise Falls.

John (WALL-E)

WALL-E, about a lonely robot tasked with cleaning up a desolate Earth who follows his mechanical love interest onto a spaceship where the remaining humans live a lazy, completely automated lifestyle, is one of Pixar’s most challenging, high-concept, satirical science fiction masterpieces. However, for what must have been his least challenging, lowbrow, and meta role yet, the animation company cast John Ratzenberger as a man named John.

It is actually through WALL-E’s (Ben Burtt) indirect, accidental assistance that John is able to break free of the Axiom’s distractions, fall in love with Mary (Kathy Najimy), and assist WALL-E, EVE (Elissa Knight), and the Captain (Jeff Garlin) in defying the ship’s computer (Sigourney Weaver) and returning humanity to Earth for the first time in centuries. John’s story is a hero’s journey hidden with the heroic journey of the titular robotic character that could have made for an entertaining film on its own.

Mustafa (Ratatouille)

In Ratatouille, Brad Bird’s follow-up to The Incredibles named after a French dish that also serves a rodent-like pun, John Ratzenberger plays Mustafa, one of the top waiters at Parisian restaurant Gusteau’s, In yet another example of Pixar trying to challenge their good luck charm, they had him play the character with a French accent.

After it is revealed that Linguini Alfredo (Lou Romano) is only posing as a chef and that a rat, Remy (Patton Oswalt), is the true food expert, Mustafa believes Linguini has gone mad and promptly leaves Gusteau’s with the rest of the staff following suit. There is no telling where he is now, but I imagine he must have been kicking himself after food critic Anton Ego (Peter O'Toole) ended up swooning over how the rodent prepared the titular dish.

Fish School (Finding Nemo)

Usually John Ratzenberger plays just one character per Pixar film. However, for Finding Nemo, starring Albert Brooks as a clownfish in the Australian Reef searching for his son (Alexander Gould) with the help of his new friend (Ellen DeGeneres), he played an entire school of characters, hence the name.

When Marlin (Brooks) and Dory (DeGeneres) need help with directions, they enlist the assistance of a school of moonfish passing by, who use their collective ability to form various shapes as visual aids in their descriptions of how to get to Sydney. It is one of John Ratzenberger's most dazzling voice roles and certainly a memorably funny moment from Finding Nemo, the first Pixar film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

P.T. Flea (A Bug’s Life)

John Ratzenberger returned for his sophomore Pixar film role in A Bug's Life. Similarly, the 1998 hit about a colony ants struggling to defy their evil grasshopper overlords, is the animation company's sophomore film.

John Ratzenberger lends his large, booming voice to the small speck of a creature, P.T. Flea, the selfish, greedy owner of a traveling bug circus who has more in common with circus pioneer P.T. Barnum than Hugh Jackman's portrayal in The Greatest Showman. After a show goes wrong, he fires his troupe, who then unwittingly take Flick's (Dave Foley) offer to help defend the colony from Hopper (Kevin Spacey).

In addition to clever humor and climactic tearjerkers, I always look forward to hearing who John Ratzenberger will be in the next Pixar movie. Check back for more updates on the next role for Pixar's good luck charm and the animation company's forthcoming releases here on CinemaBlend.