Given that Pixar is such an animation powerhouse, you might think there couldn’t be 5 Pixar movies that don’t get the attention they deserve. Well, even though many of their classics like Toy Story, Inside Out, Wall-E, and The Incredibles are highly acclaimed, there are others that slipped through the hype cracks. Here are 5 Pixar movies that need more love.
5 Pixar Movies That Demand Attention
1. Elemental
Sadly, this beautiful love story didn’t get the appreciation it deserved. The story of a fire person and a water person who fall in love despite being opposite elements is both quirky and strangely moving. Ember and Wade are lovable characters, the story deals with important issues such as immigration and racism, and the world is full of the creativity we expect from Pixar.
2. Onward
Like Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, this movie fell victim to poor timing. It was released in March of 2020, right when the COVID-19 pandemic was reaching the West. Had it been released at a different time, it might be seen as a classic now. It gives us a world full of fanciful creatures, and yet magic itself has vanished from this world, which is a highly creative idea. In addition, the movie tells a heart-wrenching story about grief and family bonds growing stronger through loss. Therefore, a must-watch and well-deserving of the 5 Pixar movies that need more love.
3. Turning Red
With a direct-to-streaming release and an uneven marketing campaign, a lot of people passed this movie by. It’s a shame because there’s a lot to like in this movie. It celebrates the adolescent female culture that is so often shunned. The relationship between Mei and her mother is one of the most complex parent-child relationships in any animated movie. They love each other, but they each think they know what’s best and don’t want to see the other’s point of view. Perhaps as the years pass, this movie will gain a cult following.
4. Finding Dory
Very few people were asking for a sequel to Finding Nemo and even fewer were asking for one that stars the forgetful fish Dory, but surprisingly, this movie delivers. That is why it is one of the 5 Pixar movies that need more love. Dory naturally rises to the role of protagonist as the movie takes an honest look at her memory disability. In Finding Nemo, her short-term memory loss was played mostly for laughs, but Finding Dory shows the audience what it’s like to be unable to trust yourself and afraid to do anything because you’ll forget what you’re doing. Dory manages to work with her disability and show the audience that they too can work with their difficulties.
5. Monsters University
Few people were asking for Finding Dory, but probably no one was asking for Monsters University, which defintely deserves a place in the 5 Pixar Movies mentioned. At first glance, it may appear that Pixar ran out of ideas, but actually watching the movie brings a fun, touching experience. It’s a treat to watch Sulley and Mike’s friendship develop, the new characters are fun, and the movie gives the audience an honest look at life. Instead of telling people that they can do anything if they want it enough, the movie shows that sometimes you can’t achieve your dreams, but that’s okay. You can learn to find an achievable dream after failure.
Conclusion
Years from now, there will be far more than just 5 Pixar movies that don’t get the love they deserve. Fans are already suspicious of upcoming sequels like Coco 2 and Toy Story 5, but given how Pixar can surprise, perhaps these movies deserve an open mind. No matter what, Pixar’s library is sure to include many more gems in the future.
