These 4 underrated Pixar movies will be remembered as classics

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These 4 underrated Pixar movies will be remembered as classics

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Pixar is the champion of animation, but not all of their films have had the chance to shine. For 40 years, the studio has brought families together through 30 films. Some films never enter the discussion for being among the studios’ best – they’ve been overshadowed by other films, or they’ve gone straight to streaming on Disney+.

In honor of the 40th anniversary, here are four Pixar films worth re-evaluating in 2026.

Toy Story 4

A surprisingly strong sequel

In 2010, Toy Story 3 brought an emotional end to Pixar’s first franchise, as Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang said goodbye to Andy, preparing for a new life with Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw). After completing their genre-defining animated trilogy, I doubted a follow-up could ever live up to the trilogy’s legacy. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I finally found the time to watch Toy Story 4.

As the toy gang and Bonnie embark on a journey, Woody sets out to help the hand-made toy Forky (Tony Hale) while finding Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who has become a rescuer of lost toys. As expected, Pixar’s animation remains as impressive as ever, but Toy Story 4 manages to recapture the charm of the original 3 films and offer an epilogue surprisingly suited to the story of Woody in particular. Even with a new opus on the horizon, the emotion behind Toy Story 4The major change in status quo for the gang ensures that the film will be able to stand up for many years to come.

Toy Story 4

Release date: June 21, 2019
Runtime: 100 minutes
Director: Josh Cooley

Turn red

A stylistic reinvention

2022 Turning point Red saw Pixar attempt a coming-of-age story again. Young Mei (Rosalie Chiang) clashes with her mother, Ming Lee (Sandra Oh), leading her to learn that she has inherited the power to transform into a gigantic red panda in moments of heightened emotion. With her favorite boy band in town, Mei and her friends plan to use these gifts to attend the concert. However, as the concert approaches, Mei continues to clash with her mother, creating a generational showdown to cure her family’s curse.

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Compared to what existed before, Turning point Red is a radical stylistic departure from Pixar’s filmography. Mei’s story is told more casually compared to other features, as Mei breaks the fourth wall and is incredibly expressive compared to how past features have toed the line between cartoony and realism. However, this stylistic decision gives Turning point Red a unique charm while making her story all the more personal and emotional, as we get a clearer insight into Mei’s state than any other Pixar protagonist before.

Turn red

Release date: March 11, 2022
Runtime: 100 minutes
Director: Shi Dome

Monsters University

Expand a universe

While Toy History had proven that Pixar could create successful sequels, developing a film was still a rare move for the studio in the early 2010s, with said franchise and Cars being an exception. As such, Monsters University had a lot of pressure put on his shoulders when he released. Set several years before the events of Monsters Inc, the prequel explores how Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman) went from fierce rivals to strongest friends during their time at the titular spooky school.

Mixing up the setting and casting Monsters Inc. with a college teen film was an ideal choice for expanding the world of this Pixar film, as most of the charm found in Monstropolis comes from how radically it imagined elements of our own world within its monstrous lens. Additionally, it’s interesting to see that Sully and Mike started out as rivals, and Mike’s arc focusing on his struggle to be scary adds layers to the end of his journey in the original film. As such, Monsters University is a worthy prologue to one of Pixar’s most enduring franchises.

Soul

A deeper story with age

Pixar isn’t afraid to tackle deeper, more mature topics. However, I have the impression Soul constitutes one of their most ambitious explorations to date. On the verge of realizing his dream, Joe (Jamie Foxx) is caught in a near-death experience, which leads him to become a disembodied soul in the “Great Before.” When his soul is tasked with guiding the reluctant 22-year-old (Tina Fey) toward finding the passion that will motivate her during her time on Earth, Joe is taken on a journey to not only return to his body, but also reconsider what motivates him and what is important in life.

For a studio that has prided itself on packing deeper themes into a family-friendly package, Soul easily presents itself as a film that seems aimed at its older viewers. Children can be inspired to enjoy all that life has to offer throughout the journey of 22, but Joe’s story is particularly relevant to those who have had to deal with the loss of their passions or an unpredictable turn in life putting an end to a dream, and seeing him find that again through his experiences with 22 is incredibly moving. Although it may not have had the chance to shine at the box office, Soul will go down as a fondly remembered Pixar classic. Hopefully new viewers and young fans can begin to see the film from different perspectives as they face their own trials.