Pixar's Hoppers has had a huge box office debut, taking in $88 million worldwide during its first weekend in theaters.

This is the best opening weekend for a Pixar movie ever, as well as the best opening weekend for an original animated movie since Coco in 2017, beating 2024's The Wild Robot to the title (Zootopia 2 had a $556 million opening weekend, but is a sequel). Pixar's other original output in the last nine years has included Turning Red, Elio, and Elemental.

"I do think Pixar is still investing very hard in original film," the movie's director Daniel Chong told GamesRadar+. "They understand that you can't keep making sequels. Originals have to exist. So, I do feel like they're one of the few studios that are really going hard on making more originals, and I'm excited to see what the future for Pixar brings."

Hoppers has been a hit with critics, too, and debuted to Pixar's best Rotten Tomatoes score in nine years (although it's now slipped a little to a still-impressive 94%).

The movie follows the escapades of animal lover Mabel, who hijacks new technology to transfer her mind into a robotic beaver in order to communicate with her local wildlife and save their habitat from destruction. "Chaotic, unhinged, we wanted all those things," Chong told us.

Elsewhere at the box office, The Bride! hit theaters to a much more disappointing $7 million against a budget of $80 million. Starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal's latest turn in the director's chair is a retelling of the story of the Bride of Frankenstein.

Hoppers is out now in theaters. For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Disney movies to add to your watchlist.

Disney Pixar's Hoppers has beaten out the likes of Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 to earn studio's highest Rotten Tomatoes score in almost a decade.

The new movie, which is being called "funny", "warm-hearted" and "unabashedly goofy" by critics, debuted to 97% on the review aggregator site – matching scores held by The Incredibles (2004) and Coco (2017).

Starring the voice talents of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Dave Franco, and Meryl Streep, Hoppers follows Mabel, a teenage animal lover who uses technology to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver. Now able to understand a nearby glade's wildlife, Mabel must find a way to stop the local mayor from destroying their beloved habitat.

The Film Maven's Kristen Lopez claimed it's "one of the best Pixar movies in recent years" in her review, while noting that "the script does feel slight in character motivations." She went on: "However, the delightful voice cast led by Curda and Moynihan are great, and the movie is at its best when it's weird. Who doesn't love adorable critters? Definitely a return to form, if not an instant classic."

"Hoppers is a fun, modest little movie with enough zip and charm to keep kids engaged, and as such, one doesn't want to criticize it too much," wrote Vulture's Bilge Ebiri. "But the memory of what Pixar once was, the behemoth that redefined animation for multiple generations, may still make us wonder where all that energy and originality and artistry went."

"Don't call it a comeback – but this is really strong stuff from Pixar: funny, thoughtful, sweet, making for a heartfelt paean to nature, and beavers in particular. Dam good," said Empire magazine's John Nugent.

"Hoppers has all the makings of a classic Pixar franchise. Somehow, this fantastic movie doesn't get cluttered with its themes about human-animal body swapping, environmental activism, and emotional connections with nature," Culture Mix's Carla Hay argued.

"Its zany humor, breakneck pacing —which builds in crescendo until it nearly tips into absurdity— and the occasional not-so-kid-friendly moment make it one of the studio's boldest bets in a long time," said Diario las Américas's Luis Bond.

"I wanted to not know what's going to happen next, what [Mabel's] going to do, what she's going to jump into. We knew there was opportunity here to make it almost like a spy action thriller," director Daniel Chong previously told GamesRadar+ of Hoppers' daring tonal shifts. "Comedy was number one, though, for me, and making sure it was funny and crazy, and then on top of that, grounded in a way that could be emotional. So, with all these tones that are bouncing off each other, that got us to this sweet spot that we honed over the course of six years."

Hoppers releases on March 6. For more, check out our guide to all the other upcoming Disney movies and shows heading our way.

Nobody could have blamed Naughty Dog if it had continued to make Crash Bandicoot games after the '90s came to an end. After all, its four Crash PlayStation titles had sold in their millions and Crash was arguably the console's unofficial mascot. But as the PS2 was launched in 2000, the studio was working on something different for the new console.

Rather than a solo hero it created a pair of protagonists, in the form of precocious teenagers Jak and Daxter. Then instead of depicting these young heroes' world as one defined by good versus evil, like Crash Bandicoot's, Naughty Dog opted to create an environment that was shaped by mysterious, ancient beings called Precursors.

Just as important as the place they called home was that Jak and Daxter should have depth of character and believable reasons for their actions, as the writer/designer of their debut title Dan Arey explains. "I wanted Jak to have a purpose that wasn't just rescuing a princess or collecting coins, and then Daxter was our wonderful sidekick – he made everything a counterpoint or hilarious," Arey notes.

Dynamic duo

"We had started with this idea of a rich, beautiful world with some strange mystery behind it, and that was what the Precursors became.

"If you went to their island you found Dark Eco, which was energy with very special properties. We were telling you not to go to that island because there was Dark Eco there. Of course Jak, being a rebellious teenager, does just that, and then his best friend Daxter falls into this vat of Eco and becomes an Ottsel – a part otter/part weasel!"

Jak And Daxter's world required the talents of Naughty Dog's storytellers just as much as its level designers and artists so that its plot, gameplay and aesthetics had equal appeal. The studio could have considered these distinct disciplines separately, but instead it looked to how it could weave them together to form a greater whole, as Arey points out. "As the writer, as well as the game designer, I wanted to tell a story that had mystery and suspense," Arey reasons.

"A term we used was 'Narrative as reward', which is that the narrative itself was part of the joy of the game. This was a world that had to be explored, and you were going to have to figure out what Eco was and who the Precursors were. Then because we were an art-centric studio there was a constant push to find out what the most beautiful thing was that we could pull off on the PlayStation 2."

A precursor to success

In order to make Jak and Daxter's first outing – The Precursor Legacy – as immersive as possible, an open-world mission-based structure was favoured over a hub world and spoke system like the Crash Bandicoot games had used.

This structure revolved around beautifully rendered non-player characters that Jak and Daxter would meet on their adventure. Their interactions played out in cutscenes that took inspiration from the very best animated movies rather than from anything seen in earlier games.

"We had invested pretty heavily in Crash's universe, and so we decided to do the same thing with Jak and Daxter," Arey comments. "We knew we wanted to go full open world at this point, or at least reasonably open, and we were hitting the PlayStation 2 where there could be more of that. We knew that we could go to the next level. So we basically made the villagers in The Precursor Legacy the 'keys' to the next place to visit. Back in those days nobody was expecting Pixar-level authenticity, but that was what we were gunning for."

Equal attention was being paid to The Precursor Legacy's gameplay as to its character designs. More specifically, three main collectables were devised: Eco of different colours, which gave Jak powers and affected inanimate objects; Precursor Orbs, which acted as the game's currency; and Power Cells, which were often the reward for completing missions. "We wanted to have some very specific resources in the game, and we wanted to separate their uses," Arey observes.

"Players typically went in the right direction if you did the right thing with them, and we used collectables a lot for that. You thought you were making a choice, but we were helping you along with collectables that led you in that direction. We also had natural barriers so that you didn't feel like you were coming to a stop because of an invisible wall. That was why that first level was on the ocean, so that there was a natural break there."

Second helpings

The glowing reviews and millions of sales accrued by Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy clearly validated the approach its designers had taken. Its stunning visuals and seamlessly open world were singled out as setting new standards, and as soon as it had shipped, work on a sequel called Jak 2 commenced. As Arey recollects, Jak was given an upgradeable weapon in the follow-up rather than relying on unarmed combat.

"The Morph Gun was really about what we did to introduce something that you were able to modify and change, but with it still being the same thing that you were comfortable with," Arey remembers. "We gave it different capabilities that used different variations of Eco, so the Eco fed right into that. The four Eco types were very specific, and we wanted to make sure that we leaned into that concept. So the Morph Gun was a central system of using Eco with color coding. It was also the idea that each mod was its own unique play experience."

The sprawling metropolis that was created for Jak 2 was equally unique. Haven City's streets were crowded with people and its skies were full of gravity-defying Zoomer craft. A radar-like system recommended where players could go next, but the city's open world allowed them full autonomy and freedom of movement. As Arey concedes, giving players this much choice gave the game's designers considerable challenges.

"Jak 2's open-world city was really complicated," Arey acknowledges. "It pushed every limit of the PlayStation 2 at the time. We had to design it multiple times because we had so much draw distance and so many polygons that we were having real trouble. We had to give it more of a zigzag layout, so the city streets were maze-like. We also tried to build a story like that. We wanted to have a space where you could go and meet people. It was so that it felt like a real place, within the limitations of the PlayStation 2 of course."

Efforts were also made to make Jak 2's titular protagonist seem like a real person, albeit one that lived in a world of mysterious forces. Experiments with these forces pre-game left Jak able to take on a dark and powerful form by claiming Eco from fallen foes. Naughty Dog then used the toll this took and the passing of time to shape its leading man.

"We always knew that we were going to explore Dark Eco further, so that was one of the reasons we played with that. It was all about exploring good and bad," Arey considers. "We were also one of the first studios to age our hero. We wanted to have Jak evolve, and for him to become this forever changed hero. So he got exposed to Dark Eco, and had to overcome the problems of that. We were also giving you a sense that there was real depth to this character because of his experiences, and that those experiences weren't always good."

Jakked up

Judging by the praise showered on Jak 2, and the vast numbers of copies it sold, it's fair to say that Jak's character development went down well. Work on a third Jak title – Jak 3 – began soon after Jak 2's release, with its desert environment, the Wasteland, playing a key part in its design. The Wasteland also fed into ideas that Arey had for taking Jak's story forward.

"We had this idea that there was this city out in the middle of the Wasteland," Arey ponders. "We knew we were going to do a lot of open-world driving, and we also wanted to have the story continue to evolve with Jak and the search for his identity. The thing about it was we needed a place for him to go, because he knew he didn't fit in. We wanted the Wasteland to look weathered and old. It told so much story just with that look, and it also made it different from other locations in Jak's world."

Building on the introduction of the Morph Gun in Jak 2, Jak 3 featured new gun mods including one that radiated a destructive wave around the spot where Jak was standing.

Arey considers this to be a more powerful version of the spinning kick that the hero had used ever since his debut in The Precursor Legacy, in that the two attacks achieved similar effects, albeit on different scales. "Evan Wells and myself designed most of the weapons in Jak 3," he reflects.

"Part of that was just what we had learned about 3D design; that 'area of effect' was your best friend, especially in a radius sense. You really needed to clear space around you, and you did that by using the Wave Concussor, but it was true even with the basic spin. It was all about controlling the space around you. In the worst case scenario you at least had to empty the space around you, and that was always something we wanted the player to feel empowered to do."

Go the the light

More empowerment came in the form of a third identity for Jak that gave him defensive and other non-violent abilities by drawing power from Light Eco.

Arguably the most exciting of these allowed him to slow down time for his enemies while he continued to move at his normal speed, as Arey explains. "We wanted to give you this idea of time manipulation and flying and a protection shield," he enthuses.

"We had seen how Insomniac had done Spyro, where you could leap and then glide, and I thought flying in Jak 3 would be fun. But Light Jak was really because we had Dark Jak before, so of course we had to have Light Jak. It let us ask what Light Eco was, and what were its special properties? So it was flying, protection and time manipulation. Time manipulation can be so powerful if you do it right, and we got to play around with that stuff."

In keeping with its predecessors, Jak 3 received plaudits from critics and players alike. In keeping with Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot trilogy, the third Jak platformer was followed by a racing game. Jak X retained the Wasteland from Jak 3 and built on the earlier game's driving challenges, it also channelled Mad Max, which was known as The Road Warrior in the US.

"Jak X gave me a wonderful opportunity to keep telling the story," Arey beams. "We had a Road Warrior feel in Jak 3, so I thought why not continue with that? We also had a proof of concept for Jak X already thanks to the driving sections in Jak 3. Any time we had a proof of concept that would give us a leg up for the next game we would use it. Also, we had already done Crash Team Racing, and it was very successful, so we thought we would have fun with Jak and get him out racing in the Wasteland."

One of the many differences between Jak X and Crash Team Racing was their approach to meters. Rather than a speed boost meter that filled based on the time your vehicle spent in the air, Jak X's Dark Eco meter filled as your car took or received damage, with the reward being a boost to your weapons.

"We had used Hang Time in Crash Team Racing, where the more air you got the more speed boost you got," Dan remarks. "So for Jak X it was just about how we could be different again. It was trying to be unique in the sense that it wasn't a speed boost meter. It was like an early version of a rage meter, because the more damage you took the more retribution you could give, so you could dump your frustration onto a competitor. I think that's always a fun way to soften some of the pain in a game."

Branching out

Novel features such as the Dark Eco meter and the sheer challenge offered by Jak X were recognised by reviewers when the game came out, as were its many modes and rich narrative.

A year later, Jak's wise-cracking sidekick Daxter received a solo PSP title produced by Ready At Dawn rather than Naughty Dog. Knowing how popular Daxter was, and having a high opinion of the character and the actor who voiced him, Arey was more than happy to be involved in this latest project's development.

"Daxter was a hugely successful character, he had become such a fan favourite!" Arey exclaims. "We would go to conventions and stuff, and Daxter would be all people would talk about. He was voiced by Max Casella. I did a lot of work trying to find the right person for that job. I would write jokes and then Max would come in, and we would just let him run free. So we knew Daxter was important and decided to do something with him, and why not do it for the PSP? Because it was an amazing 'anywhere' gaming platform."

In order to ramp up the comedy value of Daxter's titular PSP outing, the short-tempered hero was given an occupation where he would constantly feel ridiculed. It was also a role that got players using all manner of fun-to-use equipment and vehicles. "We were thinking since he bugged people that it would be funny if he was a bug exterminator!" Arey jokes.

"But it was really just down to a brainstorm at Ready At Dawn, we were just having fun. Everything about Daxter was the economy of him being bigger than life and the silly little things he was. So we made him crawl through tight spaces, and that was indignant for him. That was what we wanted, for him to be constantly complaining about whatever he had to do! It also gave the player gadgets, and gadgets make for a good game."

This assessment was agreed with by critics, many of whom scored Daxter's PSP adventure near-perfect marks. Three years later, the Jak And Daxter series continued with The Lost Frontier by High Impact Games, which Arey also worked on. One of his lingering memories is of Daxter being given a dark, monstrous alter ego that was inspired by a classic animated short.

"There's a Warner Brothers cartoon with a little chicken that turns into a monster, like Jekyll and Hyde. That was the concept behind Dark Daxter," Dan reveals. "We loved the idea of a puffed-up mega Daxter, where for once he gets what he wants, which is to be badder and tougher. Of course, Dark Daxter had to happen after we had Dark Jak and Light Jak. His attacks were designed to change the player's response. For the Frenzy Attack we had this idea of store and release, which is a really powerful way to make the human mind respond to something."

Flight of fancy

Aside from Daxter Hulking-out, Lost Frontier took the idea of piloting gliders and Zoomers from the earlier games, as well as vehicle challenges from the Crash Bandicoot series, and rolled them all into flight combat challenges.

These pitted Jak and Daxter against Sky Pirates in a part of Jak's world that players had never seen before. Similarly to Dark Daxter, this aspect of the game took influence from classic animations, but it was also informed by an earlier Naughty Dog title.

"Going all the way back to Crash Bandicoot we had flying in that," Arey reminisces. "The idea of Jak and Daxter being in the skies and being further out in their world was also really beautiful, and Sky Pirates were just a cool idea. I just love that kind of world, whether it's Miyazaki's animations or whatever. I just love anachronistic cool flight. So it was a beautiful theme, and we wanted to go with something powerful and new."

Although it was well received when it launched, Lost Frontier marked the end of the series, although remastered PS3 versions of the original trilogy and emulation-based PS4 versions of the first four titles followed. When considering the Jak And Daxter games now, Arey cites a convergence of talent and tech for their enduring popularity, and notes their designers' desire to engage the emotions of those that played them.

"I still miss the Jak And Daxter world to this day, because I think that it was just so rich," he laments. "I loved those days. It was a beautiful time where technology and creativity meshed so well. I really do rate the gameplay in the series, especially the dynamic difficulty adjustments. We wanted people to win and we wanted them to enjoy themselves. Even when they died we wanted it to be funny! We wanted them to feel something special was happening, no matter what, so that they had an emotional reason to be playing every level."

Check out all the best platformers out there to play next

The first teaser trailer for Toy Story 5 has landed, and even though it doesn't show very much, it has left many fans confused.

The new clip, which you can watch below, opens with a package arriving for Bonnie, whilst her other toys, Rex, Slinky Dog, Forky, Mr and Mrs. Potato Head, and Jessie all watch on in fear. Bonnie opens the box to reveal a tablet called Lilypad, which will no doubt become the villain. Text appears on screen reading, "The age of toys is over?"

However, the most interesting part of the clip is right at the end, where Buzz Lightyear and Woody appear. Which begs the question, how did Woody get back to Bonnie and the other toys after Toy Story 4? Many fans have picked up on this, too, as one wrote on Twitter, "How did Woody get back here so fast?" Another added, "This concept would be SUCH a perfect way to continue the story if they hadn’t made Toy Story 4... It’s making it very difficult for me to get on board with this movie."

Toy Story 4 saw Woody finally reunite with Bo Peep, who was donated to a new owner in Toy Story 2. Woody finds his lost love whilst on Bonnie's family road trip. At the end of the movie, Woody chooses to stay with Bo Peep at a carnival and become a 'lost toy' with her and her new friends. After an emotional goodbye, Buzz and the rest of the toys leave with Bonnie. So, how exactly has Woody found his way back?

Seeing as though the carnival was far enough that her family had to rent an RV to travel there, we cannot see how a little toy could make its way back to Bonnie's bedroom unscathed. The teaser also shows no sign of Bo Peep. This suggests that Toy Story 5 may just brush over Toy Story 4, which is confusing, as the teaser includes two characters, Forky and his new companion, who were introduced in the fourth film.

The logline is not much help either, which reads, "Lilypad, a high-tech frog-shaped smart tablet that makes Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang’s jobs exponentially harder when they have to go head to head with the all-new threat to playtime." We'll just have to wait for more teasers to see the mystery unfold.

The movie welcomes back the original voice cast, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie, and adds Past Lives star Greta Lee as Lilypad, and Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants.

Toy Story 5 is set to release on June 19, 2026. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Disney movies for everything else that's in store.

New Pixar movie Elio has opened to the studio's worst ever box office numbers.

After hitting the big screen this past Friday (June 20), the film made $21 million at the US box office and a total of $35 million globally across its opening weekend. Against a budget of $150 million, it's not looking good for Elio.

Bad reviews can't be blamed for low turnout, either. Critics and viewers alike are reacting positively to the movie, and it's currently certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a critics' score of 84% and an audience score of 91%. Instead, the internet seems to think another issue is at hand: a lack of marketing from Disney.

"The problem isn’t that audiences aren’t seeing original movies. The problem is that studios aren’t trying hard enough to get people to see them," wrote one Twitter user.

"I think it's kind of snake-eats-tail situation. Studios are not advertising original films because audiences aren't showing up to see them in theaters, so studios put less money toward ads, thus audiences don't know the films are out, so they don't show up in theaters, etc....." someone else replied.

"Everyone I've talked to about it had no idea it existed or that it was released. So, I agree with you. Because the movie itself is great and anyone who has seen it seems to have good things to say about it," agreed another user.

Elio is about a young boy who accidentally becomes planet Earth's intergalactic ambassador after he makes contact with aliens and is beamed up to space. The voice cast includes Avatar's Zoe Saldaña, The Good Place's Jameela Jamil, and Oppenheimer's Matthias Schweighöfer.

Elio is out now in theaters. For more on what to watch, check out our guide to the other upcoming Disney movies on the way in 2025 and beyond.

Pixar is taking us way back to the late ‘90s by reintroducing its classic blooper reels made famous by the likes of Toy Story and Monsters Inc., and the nostalgia is real.

After over two decades of omitting blooper reels at the end of their animated movies, Pixar has created a set of outtakes for the upcoming alien movie Elio. The clip, shared on Twitter by DiscussingFilm, shows aliens Ambassador Questa and Lord Grigon messing up their takes, while Ambassador Helix has a piece of the set fall on top of him. Poor little guy. Check out the reel below.

Blooper reels are largely a thing of the past, with many movies nowadays opting to show post-credits teases at the end rather than on-set slip-ups. But from the ‘90s to the ‘00s, blooper reels were a big hit. To join in on the fun, Pixar decided to go one step further and, as they didn't have on-camera slip-ups due to their stars being carefully crafted and animated, the studio decided to make its own outtakes.

Although the idea of putting together a reel of computer-animated outtakes was conceived whilst making Toy Story in 1995, the first time an animated blooper reel played on the big screen was at the end of the 1998 movie A Bug’s Life. Fans loved seeing their favorite animated characters show more of their personality and have fun 'off-camera', so the studio decided to repeat the process in Toy Story 2 (1999), Monsters, Inc. (2001), and The Incredibles (2004).

It is not clear why Pixar decided to stop making animated outtakes. It was likely due to the amount of time and effort it takes to create extra animated footage.

Elio follows an alien obsessed young boy of the same name who is desperate to know more about space. "So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking," reads the official synopsis. "Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be."

Disney Pixar’s Elio is directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Coco’s Adrian Molina. The voice cast includes Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, and Shirley Henderson.

Elio releases in theaters on June 20, 2025. For more, check out our list of the best Pixar movies, or keep up with upcoming movies heading your way.

Incredibles 3 has found its director in Elemental helmer Peter Sohn (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Brad Bird directed the 2004 original and its 2018 sequel, but he's still involved in the threequel: he's writing the script and on board as a producer.

The third Incredibles movie was announced at D23 in August 2024, but not much is known about the threequel just yet and this director reveal is the first official update we've had in almost a year.

Sohn worked on the first two Incredibles films as an animator and story consultant and, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Bird and Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter personally chose him to take the reins for round three.

He made his directorial debut with 2015's The Good Dinosaur, and his 2023 follow-up Elemental received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature and became a sleeper hit at the box office. Outside of the director's chair, Sohn has also worked on Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, and more.

The Incredibles follows Bob and Helen Parr, AKA Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, a secretly superpowered family trying to live a quiet, suburban life in a world where the government has outlawed superheroes. However, Bob can't shake his desire to help people, which ultimately gets his family into a whole lot of trouble… The voice cast includes Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sarah Vowell.

Incredibles 3 doesn't have a release date yet. While we wait for more updates, check out our guide to the other upcoming Disney movies to add to your watchlist.

My time with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage begins in Swann Holloway's bedroom. I've been transported back to 1995 to relive one of her memories, and I'm looking around for a VHS tape to pack away in my rucksack. I spend a lot of time soaking in all of the details of her room, examining every available object and admiring the decor. Everything I can interact with fills me with nostalgia, from opening up tape boxes with homemade labels, to admiring Don't Nod's take on the iconic '90s troll doll. I'm immediately reminded of Life is Strange and the way the adventure always lets me take my time to explore my environment. But here, there's a lot more interactivity in Bloom & Rage, whether it be unfolding a crumpled ball of paper I find, or choosing a greeting to say to a stick insect pet named Twiglet inside a terrarium. The bedroom paints a picture of Swann, with her belongings shining a light on her interests, and her commentary opening up a window into her personality. 

What I love the most, though, is when I'm able to get my hands on her camcorder. As she readies herself to move out, I have to film around Swann's bedroom to create a home video she can keep as a memoir. With various points of interest and a set number of shots to complete, I'm free to choose what I film, and I can even watch it back and edit the video to replace shots. The more I play, the more I come to love the camcorder's role in Bloom & Rage - it's an outlet of expression for Swann and her friends that encourages me to let my creative side loose. But it also gives me another way to view the world I'm in. 

"It's Swan's tool to interact with her surroundings," producer Cathy Vincelli tells me. "But as a player, we're giving people agency, even though you're shooting specific things for memoirs, you can still edit and swap out shots if you feel it's not good. Reshoot something, if you want, as well. So it's cool to have that kind of balance. It's a tool for gameplay, but it's also something fun for players to also be creative with." 

Making movies   

I love the way I can decide what to film at any given opportunity throughout the demo, and that I even see the characters play back and watch what I've filmed later on. It's an ever-present fixture to reflect Swann's passion for making movies, and the way I get to shape the footage is a tangible kind of feedback that makes it feel like I'm directly affecting the video memories. Not unlike the way you snap Polaroids to collect achievements in Life is Strange, there are also filming opportunities throughout that are connected to different collections. After filming my cat Pumpkin (who yes, you can pet) in my room, for instance, there are several spots I can capture marked "more cat shots", such as a part of the wall covered in scratches, or a mouse toy. I also seize the opportunity to film a little bird outside the window, and with a number indicator for more birds to capture, it's clear there will be others to find later on. 

"We were thinking back on what we did with the camera, or what we did not do with the camera, with Max in Life is Strange," creative director Michel Koch says. "And we asked the programmer, 'do you think we could capture video all the time in the game and make it work?' We felt it was the perfect tool to make you look at the environment to be immersed into the world of the game, which is so important, and to look at your friends, to look at things."

"It's cool because you can film almost all the time," studio executive producer Luc Baghadoust adds. "You can capture, of course, gameplay-related stuff, but there's also the freedom to shoot basically anything you want. It's really cool to see even with ourselves, we use the camera in a very different way when we play the game. Cathy is doing superb shots, and I'm doing messy stuff, but I'm happy to see my messy shots playback. We cannot wait to see how people will use the camcorder in creative ways." 

Since the camera allows you to zoom into the environment, the team had to ensure that every object and area was detailed, and that definitely shows. When I first stepped into Swann's shoes, I was immediately struck by how gorgeous the environments look, from her bedroom full of nostalgic decorations, to a forest I later go to with her  newfound friends to shoot a music video. Koch tells me about developing Lost Records: Bloom & Rage on Unreal Engine 5, and speaks of their aim to achieve a level of quality that's somewhat akin to a Pixar movie; striking a balance between being stylized and realistic. 

Essentially the team wanted Lost Records' style to be a continuation of the look of Life is Strange 2, only with more texture and detail. I want to spend time in the world, soaking everything in through Swann's eyes and camera lens. When I venture to a garage and meet Autumn, Kat, and Nora for the first time in the demo, I notice how all of the characters are more expressive, and I once again examine every object I come across. Not only does it all look good, but the level of interactivity just adds to the joy of exploration and brings me right into the '90s. From discovering an art pin toy I can press my face into (just as I did as a kid), to blowing into a game cartridge, I see so much of my own experience reflected back at me in the things I find. 

Past and present  

Above all, I love how relatable Swann and her friends are from the get-go. Following the story of a group of teenagers is nothing new, but I appreciate how Don't Nod makes each character feel real with a mix of personalities in the group. The level of detail means I also can see acne on their faces and imperfections that we so seldom see represented in games. The demo may only be 90 minutes long, but I come away from it already caring about the introverted Swann in particular, which speaks to the team's strengths when it comes to bringing loveable characters to life. 

Don't Nod also leaves it up to you to decide how you want to approach each conversation and scenario, and whether you want to push Swann out of her comfort zone or lean into her introverted side. Deciding to play through the demo twice, there's a point in the garage where I have to pick a spot to sit, and both times I choose something different which leads to slight alterations in how Swann remembers the moment. 

In conversation, we can choose to say nothing at all at times, or even say things too early and interrupt someone, which makes the dialog system feel more natural. I see how what I choose and say and do sometimes causes different hearts to show, which tells me I've either gotten closer to a member of the group, or they don't appreciate my response. Koch says the team decided not to directly tell you who in the group is the recipient of the positive or negative feedback, but you should still have an inkling as to who it's affected based on the conversation you're having. 

"We don't want the players to feel like they're getting punished for choosing something that they want to choose", Vincelli adds. "It should just be organic, you choose what you want, and then the relationship will adjust based on that." 

The wider concept behind Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is at once intriguing, and it's teased throughout the demo. As the initial opening outlines, in 2022 you play as 43-year-old Swann who's headed to a bar to meet up with her old friends. In doing so, she's breaking a long-held vow to never speak to them again after something mysterious happened between them 27 years earlier. But when her friend Autumn gets a package that's seemingly tied to their past, they're going back on their promise. 

As I control Swann in 1995 from a third person perspective, I'm frequently reminded at certain points that I'm playing through memories, with comments from Swann and Autumn from the future occasionally coming through. Every now and then, it will also cut to a first-person perspective in the future timeline, with me seeing Autumn sitting across the table from me in the bar through Swann's eyes. Not only does it highlight how I'm experiencing moments from their past, it also offers insight into how different characters remember how things played out through my choices, with both Autumn and Swann explaining how they felt, or what was going through their minds at the time. 

As the demo comes to a close, I watch Swann and her friends watch the music video I filmed in the forest earlier for their newly formed band - Bloom and Rage. Suddenly a mysterious purple glow starts to bleed into the footage just as the game cuts off. I'm left with so many questions: what was that package in the future that caused them to come together? And what does that glow signify? If I'm this invested already, that's a very good sign. I can't wait to discover what's in store when Lost Records: Bloom & Rage arrives on February 18, 2025.

My Gamescom highlight was DeathSprint 66, a fast, fluid on-foot racing game that's like "The Running Man meets Mario Kart".

Furiosa star Anya Taylor-Joy may be ditching fire and action for the Disney fairytale as she reveals she wants to play Ice Queen Elsa in a possible live-action Frozen movie for the sweetest reason.

"I think Frozen would be pretty great," said Taylor Joy in an interview with Vogue Hong Kong, when asked about her dream Disney role. "It would be very fun to shoot ice out of your hand. Also, you’d just be the favorite at every kid’s birthday party."

But, aside from the cool icy powers, the star had the most wholesome reason for choosing that role. "All of my siblings have children now, so I would love for them to be able to say ‘my auntie is Elsa,'" added The Queen’s Gambit actor. "That would be pretty sick."

However, the star actually already threw her hat in the Disney ring back in 2014 for the Sleeping Beauty spin-off Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie as the sorceress. Taylor-Joy auditioned for the role of young Maleficent, but the part went to Fallout’s Ella Purnell instead. 

It looks like this hasn't deterred her from another Disney movie, or even a musical for that matter, as she added, "I would love to do a musical because I’m a bit addicted to hard work. The idea of having to be able to sing, dance, and act at the same time would just really thrill me."

Although a Frozen live-action remake is yet to be announced, there is a chance it could happen as the studio has brought many of its original Disney princess tales to love such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and last year’s The Little Mermaid. The next live-action flick to hit screens is Snow White starring The Hunger Games’ Rachel Zegler as the fairest of them all, which releases in March 2025.

Next up for Taylor-Joy, the star is heading back to Netflix four years after the success of The Queens Gambit to lead the dark comedy series How to Kill Your Family. Based on the best-selling novel saga by Bella Mackie, the eight-part series will follow Taylor-Joy as disgruntled lovechild Grace as she plots revenge against her runaway rich dad and his family. 

For more, check out our list of the best Disney movies, or keep up to date with upcoming movies heading your way in 2024 and beyond.  

D23 was packed with Disneytastic news, and updates on one project in particular have me very excited. 

Now, we've known about Toy Story 5 for some time, and I'll admit to feeling some trepidation about the fivequel. After all, both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 had perfect send-offs for the gang, with the fourth movie even splitting up dynamic duo Buzz and Woody. How could a fifth installment possibly make sense, especially after Lightyear was a bit of a misfire?

Well, at D23, it was revealed that the film will be directed by Andrew Stanton, one of Pixar's best creatives. He's lent his writing talents to the likes of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Monsters Inc. – as well as all the previous Toy Story movies. He's also Pixar's vice president of creativity, meaning he oversees the studio's output. In short, the fivequel is in the safest pair of hands. 

Plus, the first plot details were unveiled at the convention, and the film will see the toys we know and love go up against their toughest foe yet: technology. In the first look at the film, which you can see above, concept art shows youngster Bonnie under the covers, enraptured by a tablet, while the toys look on in confused dismay. Tackling childhood's shift away from traditional toys to the digital world is something fresh for the franchise, and it's certainly timely, too. 

Intriguingly, Woody is also back, after he bid farewell to the gang in the last film. How he has come to return is something I'm very curious about, particularly since it could end up undermining Toy Story 4's tearjerker of an ending. But, I have faith that the filmmakers will craft another stellar entry in one of animation's finest sagas, and I couldn't imagine another Toy Story movie without Woody, anyway. 

Toy Story 5 will release this June 19, 2026. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Disney movies for everything else the House of Mouse has on the way. We also have a guide to the best Pixar movies too.

Have you ever wanted to stay in the X-Mansion with the X-Men? Or spend the night in the floating house from Pixar's Up? Airbnb is now offering both of those fan-oriented lodgings and more with the launch of what it's calling its 'Icons' series of overnight stay experiences designed to immerse people in the worlds of their favorite shows, movies, and even specific celebrities.

Right off the bat, there's the big marquee experience starting right now in May, in which guests can stay in a "2D" version of the X-Mansion actually located in its Marvel Universe location of Westchester, New York, painted and decorated to look like it does on X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men '97, right down to a flat paint job to make it appear as though you're walking around in a cartoon.

Here's what that looks like. Yes, this is actually a 3D room painted and decorated to look 2D, and you can see a lot more photos on Airbnb's official listing:

In addition to the decorations, there are a number of activities and specially designed rooms in the X-Men Airbnb to bring guests further into the world of Marvel's mutant superheroes. The X-Mansion experience was actually teased by Marvel ahead of time, with a social media post that reveals a US phone number that can be called to hear Jubilee offer her own personal invitation into the mansion.

And of course, there's the aforementioned AirBNB based on Pixar's Up, complete with balloons, located in Abiquiu, New Mexico. This one may be best suited for those who, like Up's protagonist Carl Fredricksen, crave a little bit of adventure, as the house is lifted up on a crane to simulate the lift of the balloons, as you can see below:

Airbnb is also offering 'Icon' experiences related to celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Doja Cat, and even Prince's Purple Rain house, among others announced in the first wave of the initiative, with Airbnb offering even more to come.

Booking requests for the Airbnb Icon experiences are open now, with most closing in the next few weeks. 

Every episode of X-Men '97 is jam-packed with tons of Easter eggs and cameos.

Paramount CEO Brian Robbins has revealed a new animation strategy for the studio – and Guillermo del Toro isn't a fan. 

Speaking to Variety, Robbins commented: "We're not going to release an expensive original animated movie and just pray people will come." Original animated film Under the Boardwalk has been shifted from a theatrical release to a Paramount Plus streaming debut, while upcoming releases will focus on recognizable IP that millennials grew up with, like SpongeBob SquarePants and Avatar: The Last Airbender, in the belief that the films will appeal to them.

Paramount Picture's next animated movie to release theatrically is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which lands this August 2. A sequel and a spin-off TV show are both already in the works.

"It's not about Disney and Pixar anymore," added Robbins, referencing Lightyear and Elemental's box office performances. "People are looking for animated movies that are irreverent and have a comedic point of view."

Del Toro, though, was not impressed with the news, taking to Twitter to succinctly share his thoughts: "Dear Lord-" The director's animated take on Pinocchio won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature earlier this year. 

"This is an ignorant attitude," wrote The Lego Movie director Christopher Miller (he also co-wrote Across the Spider-Verse and produced The Mitchells vs. The Machines). "No studio head would say they wouldn't make an original drama, or action movie, or biopic, or comedy, or wouldn't have made Avatar. To suggest animation alone needs to be IP is absurd."

Pixar's latest release Elemental may have faltered right out of the gate, but the film has proved to have long legs at the box office – ultimately outgrossing Warner Bros.'s big-budget superhero flick The Flash. The animated film's box office total now stands at over $360 million worldwide; its budget was $200 million. You can read our interview with the cast and filmmakers through the link. 

Fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best movies on Disney Plus or the best shows on Disney Plus. 

Pixar movie Up has gone down in animated movie history for having one of the most heartbreaking opening sequences. Taking place over the first 10 minutes of the movie, it tells the story of Carl and Ellie’s love story, from their first meeting through to her untimely death.

However, one viewer of the 2009 Disney classic noticed something odd in the sequence. Posting on Reddit (H/T CreativeBloq), they shared two screengrabs from the movie: the moment Ellie and Carl get married and the moment they find out they can’t have children.

just_rewatched_up_is_the_priest_that_marries from r/disney

"Just rewatched Up," they wrote. "Is the priest that marries Ellie and Carl also the doctor that brings them the news Ellie can't have kids?" Looking at the two shots, it does seem like the character design is pretty much the same with both characters, apart from the priest having very slightly darker hair.

"Woah that's weird to think about," replied another user. "I'd likely say they just reused the character model and slightly changed the hair color instead. It'd make more sense than a priest being a doctor."

Others wondered if there might be a reason that they look so similar. "I want to hope that there’s a great deep reason for why they made that choice," commented a second, while a third suggested: "They are twins."

"Do you know how many 3D shows/movies I’ve seen that reuse models to save some money?," added a fourth Pixar fan. "In some cases, it’s actually quite jarring. Not in this case, though, I genuinely didn’t notice that and this character is too minor for it to really matter."

Elsewhere, Pixar has been teasing Toy Story 5 with chief creative officer Pete Docter hinting at a "surprising" storyline. For more from the studio, check out some of Pixar's greatest hits in our ranking of the best Pixar movies.

Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter has teased the "surprising" Toy Story 5 in a new interview – and opened up about the "soul searching" after Lightyear failed to lift off in cinemas.

"I think it'll be surprising," Docter told The Wrap of Toy Story 5. "It's got some really cool stuff that you haven't seen before."

A fifth Toy Story movie was announced during Disney's Q1 2023 earnings call by CEO Bob Iger alongside Frozen 3 and a Zootopia sequel. Docter maintains that, despite a new Toy Story movie being in the works, it was never the plan during production of Toy Story 4.

"The thing we've been really trying to do, and this has been the case for a while, is we've been looking at them a little bit like, 'Okay, we're not planning for the future'," Docter said. "When we made the first Toy Story, we had no idea there would be a Toy Story 2. We're just trying to make this movie."

Toy Story spin-off Lightyear, an in-universe Buzz Lightyear movie that Andy watched as a child, was one of Pixar's first real flops, grossing only $226m at the box office.

On the lukewarm response, Docter said, "We've done a lot of soul-searching about that because we all love the movie. We love the characters and the premise. I think probably what we've ended on in terms of what went wrong is that we asked too much of the audience. When they hear Buzz, they're like, great, where's Mr. Potato Head and Woody and Rex? And then we drop them into this science fiction film that they're like, What?"

Toy Story 5 is currently undated. Check out some of Pixar's greatest hits in our ranking of the best Pixar movies.

There are tons of new Disney movies on the way, especially now that summer blockbuster season is here. In fact, from fresh animated stories to some sci-fi outings and a live-action remake, fans of the House of Mouse are pretty spoilt for choice.

2026 has already given us the first new Star Wars movie in seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and next year we'll get to enjoy another trip to the galaxy far, far away on the big screen too. Toy Story 5 has also just released (which you can read more about in our Toy Story 5 reactions round-up). In short, there's plenty worth getting excited about.

Below, we've rounded up every single one of the Disney movie release dates confirmed so far, so you can get up to speed at a glance. But, if you're looking for Marvel, head to our list of all the upcoming Marvel movies. And, if you are looking for a full flick line-up, go to our guide on all the upcoming movies on the way.

New Disney movies in 2026 

Moana

Release date: July 10, 2026

A live-action Moana remake is on the way, with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson reprising his role as Maui in the coming-of-age tale of a Polynesian girl tasked with fulfilling her destiny. Original Moana actor Auli'i Carvalho won't be back in front of the camera, but she is on board as an executive producer. Instead, newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia will take on the titular role, and she'll be joined by John Tui as Moana's father, Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as her mother, Sina, and Rena Owen as her grandmother Tala. Thomas Kail (best known for his theater work on Hamilton and In The Heights) is directing. The film was delayed from 2025 to 2026.

Super Troopers 3

Release date: August 7, 2026

Super Troopers 3 is heading to cinemas this August, and if you love a good comedy, then this will be right up your street. Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, this new entry sees the Super Troopers trying to save a wedding, stop a new drug ring, and just generally save the day. Classic stuff. The last Super Troopers movie came out all the way back in 2018, so needless to say, fans have been waiting patiently to be reunited with the gang.

The Dog Stars

Release date: August 28, 2026

Calling all Ridley Scott fans, a new sci-fi movie is heading our way. The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic flick set in a world where a deadly flu has wiped out humanity. The plot focuses on a few survivors who must face threats in the new world and also try to forge their own path towards a better life. Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin are playing the two leads, and to be honest, I'm very intrigued about this one. Hopefully it is another Ridley Scott banger, folks.

Hexed

Release date: November 25, 2026

Grab your broomsticks and wands as a magical new movie titled Hexed is coming to screens in 2026. As announced at D23 in August 2025, Hexed is an original animated movie that follows an awkward teenage boy and his Type-A mom, who find that what makes him unusual is the source of his magical powers – which will unlock a secret world of magic and turn their lives upside down. Although Disney has yet to make any casting announcements for Hexed, we do know that the film is directed by longtime Disney artists: Zootopia+'s Josie Trinidad and Encanto's Jason Hand.

New Disney movies in 2027

Ice Age: Boiling Point

Release date: February 5, 2027

A new Ice Age movie was definitely not on my bingo card, but it looks like 2027 will see the return of the beloved prehistoric animated series. Ice Age: Boiling Point will be the sixth movie in the franchise and will see the return of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, and Queen Latifah as Manny, Sid, Diego, Buck, and Ellie. The last Ice Age movie was released back in 2016, so it's been over a decade since we last saw the animated gang. We are also still waiting for plot clues. It’s all very secretive right now.

Star Wars: Starfighter

Release date: May 28, 2027

It seems like we've been waiting ages for a new Star Wars movie; luckily, Star Wars: Starfighter is here to answer all our prayers. Announced during the Star Wars Celebration 2025 event, this upcoming Disney film will be after The Mandalorian & Grogu and is being helmed by Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy. So far, not much is known about the flick's plot, but we do know that some massive names are set to star in it. Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, and Amy Adams are among the few names confirmed to appear in the 2027 title. Exciting times!

Gatto

Release date: June 18, 2027

It looks like the studio is trying to reverse the stigma around black cats. In 2027, Disney Pixar will bring us a heart-warming tale about a kitty named Nero who finds himself indebted to a feline mob boss, forcing him on a path of friendship and self-discovery. The movie is set in Italy, and 'Gatto' means cat (more specifically, male cat), in Italian. The film was announced at Annecy Animation Festival in June 2025 and later confirmed by Pixar via Twitter. Longtime Disney collaborator Enrico Casarosa is set to direct the movie. Casarosa made his feature film directing debut with the 2025 Disney Pixar movie Luca.

The Simpsons 2

Release date: July 23, 2027

20 years since the first Simpsons movie released, we are due for a sequel in 2027 (feeling old yet?). So far, we don't know much about the upcoming movie, except that it has the working title of The Simpsons 2 and is set to release on July 23, 2027. No doubt Homer has done something stupid once again, and Springfield will likely be in trouble, just like it was in the last movie, thanks to Homer's antics. Stay tuned for details!

Frozen 3

Release date: November 24, 2027

A follow-up to 2019's Frozen 2 is on the way. Josh Gad, who voices Olaf the snowman in the movies, confirmed he'd be back on Twitter. "Excited to head back… into the Unknown," he wrote, quoting Elsa's big song from the sequel. Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa, also confirmed she'd be back, tweeting: "Well, now they know! Time to let it go again, people!" No plot details or further casting updates have been released yet, but the movie now has a 2026 release window. Plus, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed there might even be a fourth movie, too.

"We're really excited about where they're going, and we just have a lot of story to tell with that direction we're going in," Frozen screenwriter and co-director Jennifer Lee told us back in 2023. "So, I think, in my head, there may be enough for two in that story. But I'm really, really loving working with the team and where they're going."

New Disney movies in 2028

Lilo & Stitch 2

Release date: May 26, 2028

After the huge success of Lilo & Stitch, a sequel is on the way. So far, nothing is known about this one, but it's likely to pick up in the aftermath of the first film, which sees Nani at college and Lilo living with her alien pal. There is an animated sequel also titled Lilo & Stitch 2 (subtitled Stitch Has a Glitch) that the live-action film could draw from, too.

Incredibles 3

Release date: June 16, 2028

Our favorite superhero family is going for a trilogy. Brad Bird is working on another outing for Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, Dash, Violet and Jack-Jack, but all we know is that it's happening for now. Still, more than enough reason to be excited.

New Disney movies in 2029

Avatar 4

Release date: December 21, 2029

While Avatar 4 isn't officially confirmed just yet, we do still know a bit about the James Cameron fourquel. Sigourney Weaver's Kiri will narrate, and it will feature another time skip. "Well, they're all written, so I know what happens," Weaver told us. "I think I see Jim next week because I'm going to put my hands and feet in cement in Hollywood, and he's going to say a few words. So, maybe we'll have a conversation where he'll say, 'I'm thinking of this or that.'

"I hope we get to do it, because they're two incredible stories that fulfill everything Jim wanted to say for our benefit as Earthlings, as humans," she adds. "But, whatever they want to do is fine."

New Disney movies in 2031

Avatar 5

Release date: December 19, 2031

Like Avatar 4, Avatar 5 is not confirmed. But, it does have a 2031 release date, which feels a lifetime away. Not much is known about the fivequel just yet, but it might involve Neytiri going to Earth, according to the late Jon Landau.

TBA new Disney movies

Coco 2

Release date: TBC 2029

It's been confirmed that Miguel will be returning for another adventure in Santa Cecilia. Nothing else is known for now, but Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina are returning to co-direct the sequel. If it's anything like the first, it'll be a real tearjerker.

The Aristocats

Release date: TBA

The Aristocats is getting a live-action adaptation, with Peter Rabbit director Will Gluck and Onward scribe Keith Bunin writing the script. Not much is known about the movie just yet, but it'll reportedly have a similar look to the live-action Lady and the Tramp Disney Plus movie. Per Deadline, Questlove will direct, executive produce, and oversee music.

Cruella 2

Release date: TBA

Cruella 2 is reportedly in the works. Not much is known about the sequel yet, though director Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) and screenwriter Tony McNamara are thought to be returning. Considering the Cruella post-credits scene, it's likely the sequel will bring us closer to the events of 101 Dalmatians – though that's just speculation at the moment. We can also expect Emma Stone back as the titular villain. "Hopefully sooner rather than later," Stone told Variety when asked when the movie might start shooting. "There's a work-in-progress kind of thing going on. We'll see... She's a blast, so we'll see."

Hercules

Release date: TBA

A live-action Hercules is coming soon. Aladdin helmer Guy Ritchie will direct, and Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo are producing. Wonder Woman 1984 scribe David Callaham has written the first draft of the script. Currently, there is no news on the cast. The animated version of the film is a musical, but The Hollywood Reporter notes that it's "unclear" if the live-action movie will keep the music. "It will certainly pay homage to the original with a more modern spin on it," Joe Russo told Total Film of the movie. TikTok has been mentioned to possibly play a part in the movie...we will have to wait and see what all that means.

The Princess Diaries 3

Release date: TBA

It's been years, but we know now that The Princess Diaries 3 is indeed real and will be heading our way at some point in the future. The long-awaited sequel was announced in October 2024, and Anne Hathaway has also confirmed that she'll be back to reprise the role of Mia Thermopolis as well. Crazy Rich Asians director Adele Lim is signed onto the project, and we also know that the story will introduce us to a new character, Olivia Robinson. In the original books, Olivia is Mia's half-sister, and the Queen of Genovia tries to get custody of her new family member after her sister's mother dies. However, we still don't know if that will be the case for the upcoming movie. Hopefully, we will get more details soon!

Pirates of the Caribbean reboot and a new spin-off

Release date: TBA

Recently, it has been confirmed that the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie will indeed be a reboot, as producer Jerry Bruckheimer set the record straight. The fate of the popular franchise had been uncertain for a while, with various developments and reports. Jack Sparrow actor Johnny Depp recently suggested he would never play the character again, though executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer said the actor's future in the franchise "is yet to be decided." What we do know is that this reboot won't be the long-reported Pirates movie starring Margot Robbie.

That spin-off of the main series has been scrapped, according to Robbie. In 2025, Bruckheimer confirmed this and told The Wrap that the team is "working on a new script," and that the previous two scripts were scrapped.

Sister Act 3

Release date: TBA

Whoopi Goldberg is returning for Sister Act 3 for Disney Plus. Hallelujah! No other details are yet known aside from the fact that Regina Hicks and Karin Gist were hired to pen the script, whilst Tyler Perry would produce. It is unclear whether other actors will reprise their roles.

Untitled Tower of Terror movie

Release date: TBA

Scarlett Johansson is set to star in this big-screen imagining of the Disney theme park ride Tower of Terror. Inside Out scribe and Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley is on board to write the screenplay, and Disney is reportedly hoping for a high-profile director (it has previously been stated that Taika Waititi would take it on). Plot details are unknown, but the ride is connected to The Twilight Zone, and revolves around a group of people climbing into an elevator at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, plummeting 13 stories, and vanishing after the hotel is struck by lightning. Following Johansson's Disney lawsuit, the movie is confirmed to still be in the works with the actor attached.

For more magic, check out our lists of the best Disney Plus movies and the best Disney movies of all time.

Our Disney Dreamlight Valley guide is packed with useful articles that’ll help you learn the basics, get through some tricky quests, and unlock new Disney characters. You’ll need to know about earning and spending Dreamlight and Star Coins to unlock furniture and new areas; how Disney villagers can join your village, how you can interact with them, and how to level your friendships with them; and finally what materials and items you can find around your village to cook meals, craft furniture, or sell for a profit. Take a look through all our Disney Dreamlight Valley guides to build and lead a magical Disney valley.

If you’re wondering what we think about the game and its early access phase, you can read our Disney Dreamlight Valley review here!

Disney Dreamlight Valley starter guides

10 tips to get you started

Use these Disney Dreamlight Valley tips to help you get started and learn the basics. Things like knowing how to get the most out of the interface, whether that’s getting information from the Collection menu or tracking quests, learning how you can interact and hang out with villagers, and how to efficiently get certain resources.

Redemption codes

Disney Dreamlight Valley codes can be entered into a particular menu in the game to unlock exclusive in-game items. The only problem is, there is just one code and it gifts players with a quest item – a golden potato – and no one knows what it is for. If you need to know how to enter a code or want to see a list of all the available codes, our guide will sort you out.

All Disney characters

We’ve got a list of all the Disney Dreamlight Valley characters that you can find in the game right now. Each entry also has a bit of information on how you can get each character too, although you’ll get most of them just through story progression. More characters will be available to unlock with each update, so check out the list of upcoming Disney character additions too

Here’s how you can get the characters that have been added since launch:

• Go to the Toy Stroy Realm for the Disney Dreamlight Valley Buzz Lightyear quest.
• Once you've got Buzz, you can then complete the Disney Dreamlight Valley Woody quest.
• Disney Dreamlight Valley Stitch will arrive once you've completed three sock-related quests.

All cooking recipes

There are 164 Disney Dreamlight Valley recipes to cook, so we’ve compiled this list with ingredients lists so you can create them yourself. Food is usually eaten to regain Energy but it can also be sold for a profit, so we’ve also created a list of some of the best recipes in the game, for restoring energy and making money.

See below for three of the recipes you'll need to 

• Disney Dreamlight Valley ratatouille recipe
• How to find lobsters in Disney Dreamlight Valley and make Lobster Rolls
• Disney Dreamlight Valley crudites recipe

How Energy works

As you use your tools, you’ll gradually deplete your Disney Dreamlight Valley Energy bar which needs to be refilled if you want to continue using your tools. Food and resting are your best options, but you can find all the details on how Energy works in our guide.

Earn Star Coins

Disney Dreamlight Valley Star Coins is the main currency in the game, and you’ll need to pay for all sorts of things, from clothes and furniture, to houses for other villagers. Earning it in the early stages of the game can be slow, so our guide will help you learn how to make Star Coins quickly.

Get Dreamlight

Disney Dreamlight Valley Dreamlight is another currency that you’ll find in the game, and its used to unlock new areas, whether those are Village biomes in the Valley or Realms in the Dream Castle. You’ll earn them gradually over time by completing lots of challenges as you do anything in the valley – think Nook Miles in Animal Crossing: New Horizons!

Fast Travel

Plodding around on foot can be really slow, so knowing about how to unlock and use Disney Dreamlight Valley fast travel can help you save a lot of time. Once you unlock a new village area, getting its Wishing Well up and running should be one of your first priorities!

Upgrade your house and storage

Storage is scarce when you first start Disney Dreamlight Valley, and you’ll quickly fill up the storage chest in your house and your backpack as you collect every resource you can. For that reason, you’ll want to know how to upgrade your house in Disney Dreamlight Valley, which will also improve your storage chest and you can learn more storage tips in our guide.

Founder’s Packs

If you want to play Disney Dreamlight Valley during the current early access period, you’ll need to buy one of the Founder’s Packs. These Disney Dreamlight Valley Founder’s Packs contain all sorts of extra, including clothes, furniture, and lots of Moonstones. Learn all about them in this guide

Multiplayer

There isn’t any Disney Dreamlight Valley multiplayer in the game at the moment, but it is something that developers Gameloft have plans for. Don’t expect multiplayer to launch any time soon as it sounds like it’ll be added to the game in 2023 at the earliest, but we’ll be looking forward to trying it out when it is added!

Disney Dreamlight Valley quest guides

Royal Tools

One of the first quests you’ll need to complete involves getting all the Disney Dreamlight Valley Royal Tools. These essential items are scattered around the plaza starting area will require a bit of searching to acquire. If you’re stuck looking for them or just want to speed through this quest to get to the rest of the game. Our guide will help you out.

Find seaweed

Disney Dreamlight Valley seaweed pops up in all sorts of quests, usually because you need to get it to craft fiber – sometimes you’ll then need to craft that fiber into rope! It’s also used in a number of recipes, but you can’t just wade into the sea to get it and must instead use your fishing rod.

Mystical Cave puzzles

Once you’ve unlocked Dazzle Beach and take on the ‘With Great Power…’ quest, you’ll need to meet Ursula and eventually enter a cave to solve three Disney Dreamlight Valley Mystical Cave puzzles. These puzzles aren’t particularly difficult to figure out but they do task you with getting a few different objects which you might not know how to get, so this guide will speed things along for you.

Find Emeralds

There are a couple of quests that require you to get Disney Dreamlight Valley Emeralds to craft magical objects. Mickey will ask you for one as part of the ‘Memory Magnification’ quest and Kristoff will request two for the ‘Lost In The Dark Grove’ quest to rescue Donald Duck. Unfortunately, Emeralds are quite rare, so we’ve laid out a farming guide to help you get the gems you need quickly.

Dig up Clay and Rich Soil

There are a few crafting recipes and quests will require you to dig up lots and lots of Disney Dreamlight Valley Clay. Getting this material is largely down to luck, but you’ll need to make sure you’re digging with your shovel in the right spots to get any at all.

Like Clay, Disney Dreamlight Valley Rich Soil is another material that has uses in crafting and is required for certain quests. However, it’s not as simple to get as Clay because you need to plant and then harvest crops to get it.

Get Falling Water and the Ice Heart

For Merlin’s Final Trial quest, he’ll task you with collecting the Disney Dreamlight Valley Falling Water and Ice Heart ingredients to make a magical upgrading ointment for your shovel. These ingredients are only available for this quest and can’t be used for anything else, so they’re not some rare or hidden item that you just haven’t stumbled across yet, which means you’ll need to know exactly where to look to find them!

Find Snowballs

If you want to craft some wintry decorations and furniture or need to fulfil a few character requests involving snow, you’ll need to get some Disney Dreamlight Valley Snowballs. You can find these out and about in the Frozen Heights or you can dig them up in the same area. And before you ask, no you can’t throw them at the other villagers.

Disney Plus is a treasure trove for movie lovers. Alongside almost a century's worth of Disney's animated and live-action output, you've got every Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel Studios movie in existence, as well as most classic 20th Century Fox movies, including the entire Alien franchise. The question is how on Earth do you narrow the list of best Disney movies down to just 30 entries?

For starters, we haven't included any of those classic Fox movies (sorry, Xenomorph lovers). And this list is strictly limited to Disney Plus movies, so no Hulu insurgents. You can read our list of the best Hulu movies if you want to find out more about the top picks when you opt for the bundle, but you won't find them here, folks.

When you've finished reading here, be sure to check out our list of the best shows on Disney Plus, as well as guides on how to watch all the Marvel movies in order and all the Star Wars movies in order, too, so your watchlist never sits empty again. But for now, let's dive into the top movies currently streaming on the House of Mouse's platform.

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The best movies on Disney Plus to watch right now

Avatar

Year: 2009
Director: James Cameron

With the Earth facing collapse due to a lack of resources, mankind has turned to pillage the planet of Pandora for the valuable mineral, unobtanium. To better understand Pandora and its big, blue, alien inhabitants, the Na'vi, the Resources Development Administration creates Na’vi-human hybrids. But, when former Marine, Jake Sully, integrates with the Pandoran natives, he falls in love and vows to protect his new tribe from human invaders.

Avatar was, quite literally, a game-changer for the medium of cinema. The stunning and highly-immersive visuals will have you believing Pandora is real, and that's all down to the impressive blend of incredible computer-generated graphics and specially-modified cameras James Cameron used. None of that works, though, without a meaningful story, and Cameron's sci-fi tale is as poignant as it is exciting.

Once you finish Avatar, dive into its sequel with our Avatar: The Way of Water review and our Avatar: Fire and Ash review.

X-Men

Year: 2000
Director: Bryan Singer

Long before the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, our favorite mutants had their own sacred timeline. The first entry in the X-Men series sees Professor Charles Xavier's titular heroes clash with Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants as Senator Kelly ushers in the era of the Mutant Registration Act, laying the foundations for an epic conflict.

Let's be honest: the X-Men are the coolest and make up some of the greatest Marvel characters around, and to see them come to life on the big screen at the turn of the millennium was, frankly, life-changing for comic book fans. This movie nailed the tone needed to make the X-Men work in live-action, featured a quintessential mutant storyline, and introduced the world to Hugh Jackman's iconic Wolverine. The one downside is we don't get the classic yellow suits, but we can live with that. The sequel is also worth pairing with this movie, but this is the place to begin your X-journey.

If you want to start watching all the X-Men movies in order, you can read our X-Men review and find out more about the first chapter.

The Lion King

Year: 1994
Directors: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff

The Lion King is often heralded as the jewel in Disney’s crown and it’s easy to see why. Everything about it just feels so big: the scale of the stampede sequence, the sombre tone of James Earl Jones’ voice, the “Circle of Life”, and the grand themes of legacy and sacrifice. Thank god for Timon and Pumbaa, who step in right at the moment things start to get unbearably depressing.

It’s an epic story painted on such an exquisite canvas, from the vast plains to the bubbling green lava of Scar’s lair. It also spawned an entire generation of people who like to lift up their pets into the sky like they’re Rafiki showing off baby Simba. Who knew lions could get so Shakespearean?

The Toy Story trilogy

Year: 1995–2010
Directors: John Lasseter and Lee Unkrich

Pixar immediately branded itself as the studio obsessed with ambitious concepts. Their first-ever movie, Toy Story (aka one of the best Pixar movies ever made), puts forward the idea that all your toys are alive and run around your room when you’re not looking. Instead of giving kids nightmares, it was somehow endearing. So the studio kept pushing and pushing until we got to Toy Story 3, which has Woody and Buzz Lightyear come to terms with their own mortality after they are thrown into a garbage incinerator. There are some twisted geniuses at work here.

Toy Story really did, right out of the gate, establish the trademarks that have made Pixar a powerhouse animation studio. Its unusual premise has philosophical and moral underpinnings that adults can pore over and analyze to death. Meanwhile, the kids in the audience are kept entertained by bright colors, lively characters, and funny jokes.

As we mentioned in our Toy Story 4 review, the new film acts as a nice epilogue to the trilogy but doesn't quite compare to the first three movies. As for Toy Story 5, that's not on Disney Plus just yet.

The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy

Year: 2014–2023
Director: James Gunn

The Avengers may be the headline-grabbing super-team in the MCU, but the Guardians are surely the more beloved. James Gunn's original 2014 movie shot a jolt of energy, anarchy, and charming weirdness into the still relatively young mega-franchise, with Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) strutting across an alien planet to the sound of Redbone's 1974 hit 'Come and Get Your Love' in the first film's tone-setting opening scene. 2017's Vol. 2 felt a little bloated, but dialled up the pathos, while 2023's heartbreaking Vol. 3 focused in part on Rocket Racoon (Bradley Cooper), the most troubled of all of this damaged crew of space reprobates.

The Guardians movies are hilarious, but it's their heart that really makes them stand out. Vol. 3 marked the end of the series for now, but we think it's safe to assume that we haven't seen the last of at least some of these characters...

Before you dive into hyperspace, read our Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 review for more information on one of the best Marvel movies ever made.

Sister Act

Year: 1992
Director: Emile Ardolino

Lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier is present for a mob hit and ends up in the witness protection program. The last place her enemies would think to look? Saint Katherine’s Parish, a San Francisco convent, where she volunteers as its choir director. At first, Deloris clashes with the Reverend Mother, who disapproves of her throwing out traditional hymns in favour of gospel and rock stylings. Of course, by the time things wrap up, the two have developed a mutual respect.

This is peak Whoopi Goldberg – a performance where she can be cutting without being callous. And, wow, can she sing. The film’s so feel-good and people-pleasing that it’s hard to be cynical about it, especially when the nuns start to cover '60s classics like ”I Will Follow Him” and “My Guy” (switched to “My God”). It’s a reminder that sometimes it’s the most simple concepts that work, like pitching a lapsed Catholic against the strictest of religious institutions.

Hocus Pocus

Year: 1993
Director: Kenny Ortega

It’s sometimes a little too easy to forget that the Sanderson sisters are meant to be child-murdering villains in Hocus Pocus. After being accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem by young Max, the trio starts to cause havoc in the local town. If they’re not stopped, they’ll suck the soul out of every child for miles in order to maintain their vitality and youth.

While it wasn’t much of a hit at the time (especially with critics), Hocus Pocus has slowly grown in reputation and become a seasonal tradition. It was part of a refreshing wave of Halloween-themed movies that weren’t actually horrors, alongside The Addams Family and Casper the Friendly Ghost. It’s a perfect film for people who want to celebrate the holiday but are also complete scaredy cats.

The original Star Wars trilogy

Year: 1977–1983
Directors: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, and Richard Marquand

A princess, a scoundrel, and a farm boy: it’s this simple trio of characters that sparked one of the biggest cultural phenomena of all time. Each of them found their own way to save the day. Sometimes that involves taking up Jedi training and discovering your dad is the last person you’d want them to be; at other times it means choking a giant slug kingpin with your bare hands. Occasionally it means getting frozen into a man-sized ice cube so you can finally pay your debts.

These movies have crafted a fictional universe so rich and deep, there’s the constant threat that once you fall in, you might never come out. Next thing you know, you’re three hours deep into researching the true origins of chindinkalu flute player Droopy McCool. Star Wars is the kind of world you yearn to live in, because it’s a place where the most insignificant person can become the greatest hero and where there’s always hope that good can triumph over evil, no matter how bleak it might seem.

Want new titles? Read our list of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows heading our way.

The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy

Year: 2003–2007
Director: Gore Verbinski

The franchise is concerned chiefly with the adventures of scallywag pirate Jack Sparrow, as he crosses paths with his mutinous former first mate Barbossa, the fiercely independent Elizabeth Swann, and her bland, but altogether quite sweet, love interest Will Turner. Add to that, there are curses, krakens, maelstroms, British imperialism, and a tentacle-faced Davy Jones to keep things lively.

People tend to disagree a little with how good Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End are in comparison to the first film (come on, though, how can you resist a giant Naomie Harris exploding into a thousand little crabs… it’s so weird it’s good). But there’s something to be said for the ingenuity of this franchise, which cranked out old-fashioned romanticism and colourful characters from what was a 15-minute Disneyland ride. Let’s just never speak of the fourth and fifth films ever again…

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 

Year: 2005
Director: Andrew Adamson

A retelling of the classic children's book and one of the best fantasy movies ever made, The Chronicles of Narnia follows the Pevensie children as they stumble upon a magical world. With this hidden land ruled by the evil White Witch, it's up to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy to put an end to her tyranny and free the animals of Narnia from the endless winter.

It is incredible that, almost two decades later, the visual effects in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe hold up as well as they do (in fact, they're actually better than a lot of movies made today). Some adaptations try something different, but there's a lot to be said for films that stay loyal to the source material, and this family flick delivers all the heart and epic scale of the original C. S. Lewis story.

Logan

Year: 2017
Director: James Mangold

In a world where mutants are all but extinct, Logan (AKA Wolverine) gives everything he has to care for an ailing Professor Charles Xavier. Those efforts are strained when Laura — a young mutant who possesses the same abilities as Logan — turns up on his door, needing protection from the evil forces that created her.

If you're tired of the current crop of superhero movies, with their formulaic stories and light, fluffy tone, Logan is the breath of fresh air you need. It's packed with epic, uber-violent fight scenes for a start, but none of it is gratuitous. The movie is based on the best Wolverine comic book, Old Man Logan, with a powerful, painful story laying the foundations for one hell of a performance from Hugh Jackman.

For more information on one of the best superhero movies ever made, check out our Logan review.

Fantasia

Year: 1940
Directors: Samuel Armstrong, James Algar, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Ben Sharpsteen, David D. Hand, Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, T. Hee, Norman Ferguson, and Wilfred Jackson

Essentially a series of shorts set to classical music, the film takes us through all manner of imaginative scenarios: from the colourful world of centaurs and fauns, the extinction of the dinosaurs, to the monstrous reign of the demon Chernabog. The most famous sequence is set to Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and sees an eager Mickey accidentally summon an unstoppable army of mops.

Fantasia’s arguably the most unique and artistically ambitious entry in Disney’s collection of its best animated movies. There’s nothing else like it. It’s not fixated on talking down to children or trying to coddle them, but whisks them through the classical greats with a sense of wit and sophistication. It can be weird, sweet, psychedelic and frightening – slipping between moods and emotions with ease. Even if it’s meant to be educational, it doesn’t feel like any ordinary music lesson.

The Incredibles

Year: 2004
Director: Brad Bird

Pixar's spin on the Avengers before the Avengers ever reached cinema screens, The Incredibles keeps it a strictly family affair. In the movie, public opinion has turned against superheroes. They’ve been accused of leaving behind too much collateral damage. And so, the Parrs have done their best to keep quiet and hide their powers, having settled down in an idyllic American suburb. But Bob, otherwise known as Mr. Incredible, is struggling to let go of the “glory days”. His actions end up dragging the entire family into a deadly confrontation with an embittered former fan.

The Incredibles is a flawless blend of comic book movie stylings and earnest family comedy. For all the whizz-bang action, which easily rivals most live-action attempts at the genre, the film’s also rich with themes - it touches on bureaucracy, the family unit, and what it means to be exceptional. Less deep, but equally exciting is Edna Mode’s catchphrase, “No capes!”

Zootopia

Year: 2016
Director(s): Byron Howard, Rich Moore

Zootopia is easily one of the best animated movies of all time, and while we also think its sequel is a masterpiece, this first film has aged incredibly well and is definitely worth your time. What makes the movie really stand out is its themes dismantling prejudice. It's wild that a movie centred around a cop bunny and her unlikely Fox con-man sidekick can showcase how otherness is created, and then also dismantle that illusion in such an entertaining and digestible way.

When predators in the city of Zootopia all start acting feral mysteriously, the duo soon uncover a conspiracy that deliberately uses fears in a power grab. It's a great plot, paired with great visuals and some very funny grown-up humour at times as well. After storming the box office, Zootopia 2 is now streaming as well, but we'd give the first film the edge.

The Emperor's New Groove

Year: 2000
Director: Mark Dindal

It takes a lot for some people to learn their lesson. Say, being transformed into a llama. That’s the fate that befalls the selfish, egotistical Kuzco, who makes an enemy of his royal adviser Yzma. She plans to poison him and take the throne for herself. Unfortunately, she has a rather unfortunate taste in henchman and the hapless Kronk accidentally swaps the vial of poison with a vial of transforming potion. Only after Kuzco faces the consequences of his actions will he finally be able to turn back.

The early 2000s are too easily dismissed as an era of creative bankruptcy for Disney. The Emperor’s New Groove (and one other film on this list) prove otherwise. The film is fun, zippy, and genuinely funny in a way that feels worlds apart from the epics of the Disney Renaissance – and that’s refreshing in its own way. And how could you possibly shun a movie where Eartha Kitt pays a villain who looks likes a decrepit, centuries-old peacock come to life?

Ready to crave some cinematic spinach puffs? Read our The Emperor's New Groove review now!

Frozen

Year: 2013
Directors: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

Frozen tells the story of two sisters, Anna and Elsa, who become estranged from each other after their parents’ death and from all the years Elsa has been kept isolated – all because she possesses ice powers she struggles to control. With the help of a kind-hearted ice harvester named Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, alongside a magical snowman named Olaf, the two sisters save the kingdom of Arendelle and discover the key to their special bond.

Frozen offers the best example of the modern Disney princess, Elsa and Anna’s stories don’t prioritise getting rescued or finding some Prince Charming. It’s their relationship that remains at the heart of everything, offering a touching tribute to the power of sisterly love. Plus, the way Idina Menzel belts out “Let it Go” has given us an anthem for the ages.

Warm up by reading our in-depth Frozen review!

Inside Out

Year: 2015
Director: Pete Docter

What if your emotions had a emotions? That’s the question at the centre of Inside Out, the most thematically ambitious of all Pixar’s movies. We jump inside the head of Riley, an 11-year-old girl, and meet its colourful inhabitants: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. They’re struggling to guide Riley through the major changes that come from moving halfway across the country, after her parents relocate her from Minnesota to San Francisco.

What’s so profound about Inside Out is how director Pete Docter and his team found a way to directly and elegantly talk to children about depression and the necessary role that sadness has to play in our lives. It’s not just an entertaining film, but an effective therapeutic tool (that extends beyond just children, considering it has a reputation for causing grown adults to start blubbering away).

You can read our five star Inside Out review for more details, but make sure you have a pack of tissues nearby for all those sentimental tears.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Year: 2009
Director: Wes Anderson

Roald Dahl's iconic story is brought to life in stunning stop-motion with all the extra quirks and comedic flair you'd expect from acclaimed director, Wes Anderson. In this adaptation, Mr. Fox comes to blows with three local farmers, as he carries out clandestine missions to steal produce from the farms of Boggis, Bunce, and Bean.

Not only does Fantastic Mr. Fox look astounding — with intricate details and playful production design — but it's also superbly smart and very, very funny. Kids will love it for the more slapstick, silly moments, but adult viewers will arguably take just as much (if not more) away from the film's more sincere and sharp social commentary. Bringing it all to life is an extraordinary voice cast at the top of their game, including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, and Willem Dafoe.

Mind the farmers. Read our Fantastic Mr. Fox review next.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Year: 1993
Director: Henry Selick

After being plunged into the stop-motion imaginarium of Tim Burton (although the film, in truth, was actually directed by Henry Selick), we follow Jack Skellington, otherwise known as the Pumpkin King and the most heralded resident of Halloween Town. One day, he stumbles into the portal to “Christmas Town” and becomes fixated on the holiday, recruiting his ghoulish friends to help him become the new “Sandy Claws“ and deliver toys to the world.

The Nightmare Before Christmas serves double duty as a holiday classic, since it works for both Halloween and Christmas – meaning it can be enjoyed at any point between September and January. It’s also one of the finest examples of Burton’s trademark blend of Gothic styling and fairy tale sensibility, where the strange and unusual are not only celebrated but represent the new norm.

Lilo & Stitch

Year: 2002
Directors: Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois

Lilo, who’s under the guardianship of her adult sister after the death of their parents, is in for the surprise of a lifetime when her newly adopted dog, who she names Stitch, actually turns out to be the highly dangerous Experiment 626. He’s an alien genetically bred to be a tool of pure destruction. And while Stitch might not fit in at first, he soon discovers the real meaning of “ohana”, or family.

Out of all of Disney’s animated movies, very few have a message as grounded in reality as Lilo & Stitch. It teaches kids that families come in all shapes and sizes, are functional and dysfunctional, or are bound by blood or by friendship – that doesn't mean they’re any less legitimate. Not only is Stitch as adorable as can be, but he also issues the film’s most heart-breaking piece of dialogue: “This is my family. I found it, all on my own. It's little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good.”

For more information before adding this film to your Disney Plus watch list, read our Lilo & Stitch review.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Year: 1992
Director: Brian Henson

The story here is pretty much the same as Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, you just need to swap out most of the humans for felt puppets. On Christmas Eve, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is given a brutal lesson in human compassion, as he’s visited upon by three ghosts; the Ghost of Christmas Past (creepy), the Ghost of Christmas Present (jolly), and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (not here to mess around), We all know how it ends.

Although Muppet Treasure Island will always have its fans, The Muppet Christmas Carol is considered by many to be not only as the best Muppets movie, but one of the greatest holiday movies ever made. It captures the touching, inward-looking sentiment of the original book, while still throwing in plenty of irreverent humour to keep things feeling festive.

You can learn more about one of the best Christmas movies ever made by reading our The Muppet Christmas Carol review.

Monsters, Inc.

Year: 2001
Director: Pete Docter

The city of Monstropolis has found its own source of renewable energy: the screams of children. Sulley and his best friend Mike work at the local factory as scarers, using portals to sneak into children’s bedrooms and harvest their terror so they can help power the city. One day, a little girl manages to escape and is let loose on Monstropolis, as Sulley and Mike take it upon themselves to get her home safe.

The brilliance of pitting John Goodman and Billy Crystal against each other makes Monsters, Inc an ingenious throwback to all of the most classic of double acts. But the film isn’t just silliness for silliness’ sake, and, in true Pixar tradition, it’s got a heart of gold at its centre in the form of Boo, the lost girl. She forms a close bond with Sulley, who she calls “Kitty”. It’s a reminder to us all that the fear of the other is an entirely irrational thing.

Love a good scream? Well, check out our fantastic Monsters Inc review.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Year: 1988
Director: Robert Zemeckis

The story takes place in an alternate version of 40s Hollywood were cartoon characters are real, breathing entities, but remain an oppressed minority – exploited for their work and forced to live in the segregated borough of Toontown. One of the biggest toon stars, Roger Rabbit, is falsely accused of the murder of studio head R.K. Maroon. He turns to Detective Eddie Valiant, a jaded alcoholic, in an attempt to clear his name and uncover the sinister secret lurking in the shadows.

Roger Rabbit doesn’t use its mix of live-action and animation as some kind of flashy gimmick, but as a tool to create a rich, believable world that brilliantly parodies the noir genre. It dances on the edge of risqué without alienating its family audience, thanks to its femme fatale Jessica Rabbit (who’s not bad, just drawn that way) and the gruesome effects of Dip. It was also the first time that Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse crossed party lines and appeared onscreen together.

Sleeping Beauty

Year: 1959
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman, Eric Larson, and Les Clark

Based on the Charles Perrault fairytale, while also incorporating music from Tchaikovsky's ballet of the same name, Sleeping Beauty sees a beautiful young princess named Aurora targeted by a curse from the evil fairy Maleficent. Before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, Aurora will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and be consumed by an endless sleep. The only way the curse can be lifted is through the power of true love's kiss.

Sleeping Beauty is the most beautiful Disney film ever made, with an animation style modelled after medieval tapestries and illuminated manuscripts. And thanks to the classical touch in the film’s score, the final film feels so elegant and refined – it's a swoon-worthy dream just like the one Aurora sings of, where she's united with her handsome prince. Add to that, Maleficent’s cackle and haughty air (she only unleashes the curse because she's offended she wasn't invited to the christening) makes her an all-time great among the Disney villains.

The Star Wars sequel trilogy

Year: 2015–2019
Directors: J. J. Abrams and Rian Johnson

The Force Awakens had a lot riding on it. It needed to kick off the revived franchise and soothe everyone’s memories of the prequels. It introduced us to a new trio of heroes: Rey, a scavenger whose mysterious origins are still hotly debated today, Finn, the stormtrooper-turned-rebel hero, and Poe, the hotshot pilot. Their journeys all intersect as the Resistance stands firm against the rising threat of the First Order. The Last Jedi continues the battle against the new enemy, and The Rise of Skywalker brings the entire Skywalker saga to an end.

As much as director J.J. Abrams may have played it safe by replicating the familiar beats of the original trilogy (yes, there’s another Death Star) with The Force Awakens, he also revived many of the elements that were crucial to those movies attaining their classic status. Episode 7 has that same childish sense of excitement that sweeps you up and takes you on a journey across the stars, meeting all kinds of fascinating and bizarre individuals, revisiting old friends, and settling back into the eternal fight of good vs evil. The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker follow and are both divisive for their own reasons. But stick through the trilogy and be rewarded with a grand finale to this astonishing series.

Beauty and the Beast

Year: 1991
Directors: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Based on an old French fairytale, the “beauty” of the film’s title refers to Belle, whose love of reading has made her an outsider in her own village – probably because they think a vain, arrogant slab of meat like Gaston is the best there is. But when she becomes the prisoner of a monstrous lion/buffalo hybrid, she discovers that she’s developed a very unusual case of Stockholm Syndrome.

Beauty and the Beast is a wonderful example of what Disney does best: it uses modern technology (including computer animation, which was still in its relative infancy) and modern thinking (Belle is a smart, independent princess), but the result is still as sweepingly romantic as the oldest of folktales. That’s thanks partially to the songs, created by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

Mary Poppins

Year: 1964
Director: Robert Stevenson

Although this adaptation of the P.L. Travers book series had its troubles (see Saving Mr Banks), the film was still much more warmly regarded than its source material. The Mary Poppins in question is a magical nanny who flies in to help troubled families, including the Bankses, who live on Cherry Tree Lane. The patriarch of the clan, you see, has become far too obsessed with his job at the bank and has lost sight of how much his children need him.

It’s a fairly simple celebration of the joys of imagination and playtime, but the whole affair is wrapped up in an irresistible, whimsical bow. We get to jump into chalk paintings, float up to the ceiling, or tidy rooms with a single snap of a finger. Mary Poppins captured how limitless and full of potential the world felt as a child – which makes it as soothing for adults as it is for the little ones. And what a practically perfect presence Julie Andrews is, making Mary as stern and correct as she is secretly mischievous. Everyone needs a Mary Poppins in their life.

The Little Mermaid

Year: 1989
Directors: John Musker and Ron Clements

Hans Christian Andersen’s original version of this story was a little more upsetting than what we’re used to. Instead of Ariel getting both her man and her voice back after defeating the evil sea witch Ursula, she, A. has to deal with her new human feet bleeding constantly and being agony to walk on, and, B. ends up sacrificing herself to save the prince and dissolves into a pile foam. It’s hard to imagine Disney trying to market “Ariel as foam” or “Ariel with realistic bleeding feet” dolls.

The Little Mermaid kicked off the Disney Renaissance and arguably still boasts the studio’s best princess. Unlike pretty much all of her predecessors, Ariel isn’t some genteel, perfect doll waiting to be rescued. She drives the film’s plot, and, importantly, she’s deeply flawed. Rebellious and excitable, her story is defined by her curiosity and her committed belief to the idea that the grass is always greener on the other side – or, in this case, that the grass exists in the first place.

The Avengers movies

Year: 2012–2019
Directors: Joss Whedon, Anthony Russo, and Joe Russo

It’s hard to pack the entire decade-long history of the MCU into one paragraph. Weaving together characters and plotlines from every single entry of the series, the Avengers movies act as the big cornerstones for Disney and Marvel's huge series. the conclusion is, of course, Endgame. After the warmongering Thanos collects all the Infinity Stones and causes the Snap, instantly wiping out half of all living things, the surviving heroes are left to pull up their bootstraps and save the day.

Endgame is unlike any other film that’s existed before it. It’s the final chapter of a story that’s been gradually told over 20 different movies – including a few on this list, although we've kept only the best here. That’s the kind of ambition that would be doomed to fail if Marvel didn’t get the balance right: it needed to be epic on an unimaginable scale, while still servicing the characters that fans had grown so attached to over the years. We recommend – if you haven't already – diving into the Marvel movies now!

The Sound of Music

Year: 1965
Director: Robert Wise

This classic musical is actually based (although it’s no winner when it comes to historical accuracy) on the real-life Maria Von Trapp. She was a nun who married the Austrian naval commander Georg von Trapp and became the stepmother to his seven children. They performed concerts together under the growing shadow of Nazi rule, before packing their bags and moving to the United States. In reality, they just took a train to Italy, although the film creates a much more dramatic escape.

It’s the unwavering sense of optimism that makes this musical sing, as best exemplified by “My Favourite Things”. When the dog bites, when the bee stings, or when evil is encroaching from all sides, sometimes it’s the smallest and most fragile of joys that can get us through the darkest of times.

To get the best deal on the streaming service, check-in with these Disney+, Hulu Bundles.

If you thought Disney Dreamlight Valley was a relaxing and jolly Animal Crossing-esque life-sim filled with quests, exploration, and a heap of friendly faces from Disney and Pixar, think again. It turns out the land of Dreamlight Valley can be a pretty scary place to be if Mickey Mouse is around.

This revelation was shared by Twitter user Chwistopher | DLV Hell, who posted footage of a character cheerfully running around in search of buried treasure when Mickey Mouse suddenly appears as if out of nowhere. Initially, the player attempts to snap a selfie with the famous mouse, but he's clearly camera shy and looks the other way. Either that or he doesn't want any photographic evidence. 

Things take a turn for the worse when the player tries to ditch Mickey by making a run for it. As you can see from the footage below, the iconic character chases after the player, who pleads for the mouse to leave them alone. "Get away from me, Mickey!" they cry. Eventually, the player reaches the safety of their house, and who's waiting inside for them but Mickey Mouse with a wide grin and a cold stare. The player, so shaken by the day's events, decides to shut down the game, which means they're now safe from the mouse… probably.

Mickey's stalker-like behaviour isn't the only thing Disney Dreamlight Valley fans have to contend with; there's also Donald's short temper, which is leading some players to suggest he seek anger management. It's worth noting that the game's still in early access, so we could see characters acting a little less quirky in future updates. 

The first DLC for Disney Dreamlight Valley was announced during last week's Disney Marvel showcase. The upcoming expansion will let you pal around with beloved characters from Pixar's Toy Story like Woody and Buzz Lightyear. 

Check out the Disney Dreamlight Valley roadmap to see what the future holds for this new life-sim.

The D23 schedule has already proven to be an invaluable resource. Marvel and Disney's gaming panel brought superheroes to the convection, while Walt Disney Studios and Pixar's huge showcase revealed a whole lot about their upcoming releases – including an enticing first teaser trailer for The Little Mermaid. 

• Follow along with our live-blog of the Marvel and Star Wars D23 panel

Now comes the huge Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Centruy Fox panel that will inevitably have a whole load of huge announcements. Expect Kevin Feige to set tongues wagging with more surprise MCU announcements. Elsewhere, there are even some cool celebration panels, including a look back at the iconic Tron. 

To help keep track, we've put together a complete guide to the D23 schedule across all three days, whether it can be streamed, and what else we’re expecting to find out. Be sure to keep an eye on the Total Film Twitter account, where we’ll be keeping you updated on all the announcements from the convention floor all weekend.

When is D23 2022?

D23 takes place from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11. The biggest panels take place across Friday and Saturday, but there’s plenty more on throughout the weekend as well that could wield some interesting news about Disney’s upcoming projects. We’ve compiled our pick of the panels below, and what time they’ll be on in the US and in the UK.

D23 2022 schedule

Friday September 9

• Disney Legends Awards Ceremony: 10:30am-12pm PT/6.30pm-8pm BST (Hall D23)
• The Simpsons panel: 10:45am-11:45am PT/6.45pm-7.45pm BST (Premiere Stage)
• ABC’s Home Economics panel: 12:30pm-1:30pm PT/8.30pm-9.30pm BST (Backlot Stage)
• Disney and Marvel games showcase: 1pm-2:30pm PT/9pm-10.30pm BST (Premiere Stage)
• The All New Mickey Mouse Club reunion event: 2:00 pm-3:00 pm PT/10pm-11pm BST (Archives Stage)
• Disney and Pixar panel: 3:30pm-5:30pm PT/11.30pm-1.30am BST (Hall D23)

 Saturday September 10

• Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios panel: 10am-12pm PT/6pm-8pm BST (Hall D23)
• Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur panel: 11:45am-12:45pm PT/7.45pm-8.45pm BST (Hyperion Stage)
• Bob’s Burgers: A Conversation with the Cast and Creative Team 12pm-1pm PT/8pm-9pm BST (Backlot Stage)
• Magic in the Air: 30 Years of The Muppet Christmas Carol: 1pm-2pm PT/ 9pm-10pm BST (Premiere Stage)
• Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!: 3:30pm-5:15pm PT/11.30pm-1.15am BST (Hall D23)
• Sneak Peek at the new Zootopia+ series: 6pm-7pm PT/2am-3am BST (Backlot Stage)

Sunday September 11

• Disney+ Series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder panel: 10:30am-11:30am PT/6.30pm-7.30pm BST (Premiere Stage)
• Back to the Grid: 40 Years of TRON Presented by Enterprise: 12pm-1pm PT/8pm-9pm BST (Backlot Stage)
• FX's AHS: Behind the Screams 4pm-5pm PT/12am-1am BST (Backlot Stage)
• Conversations with Disney Character Voices: 6pm-7pm PT/2am-3am BST (Premiere Stage)

Can you watch D23 2022 panels from home?

Disney will be live-streaming some of the panels from the D23 Expo throughout each day. They’ve released a full schedule here, but the main highlights will be Disney and Marvel games showcase, a special on the Marvel comics, and a fun trivia quiz to round out the weekend. These will all be available across the D23 social platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Twitch.

However, Disney’s major panels on Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel won’t be live-streamed from Anaheim for fans. But don’t worry, Total Film is at the convention so we’ll make sure you get all the information you need to know as soon as it's announced.

What announcements can we expect from D23 2022? 

We’ve already had some huge announcements from Disney this year, after Star Wars Celebration in May and San Diego Comic-Con in July, which means D23 2022 might not be as dramatic. Nevertheless, we’ve rounded up all of the potential updates Disney could be planning for the convention – and spoiler, there are still a lot. 

Disney and Pixar 

One of Disney’s biggest upcoming releases is Strange World so this will likely make an appearance in the panel ahead of its release in November 2022. We’ve only had a short trailer for the animated movie so far, so it’s possible we’ll get some more footage and details about what to expect. Elsewhere, the long-awaited Enchanted sequel Disenchanted is likely also on the slate. The movie is out on Thanksgiving on Disney Plus but we’ve had no trailers yet. Finally, Pixar will probably also shed some light on their next film Elemental. It’s not due out until next year but no cast has been confirmed for the project yet, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Marvel Studios

Given Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is releasing in just a few months time, it seems almost certain some new footage will be released, as well as a potential full-length trailer to match the teaser we got at SDCC. Other potential news that could drop include confirmation that Deadpool 3 is happening, some casting announcements for Blade, and new details about Wonder Man. We might get some casting news for the Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four after Feige dropped dates for both movies during the SDCC panel. There are also some big gaps in Feige’s line-up for Phase 6 releases as well, which may well be filled during the panel. 

Lucasfilm 

Lucasfilm will likely give us some updates on its already-announced projects. One thing we’re expecting is the release of the official trailer for The Mandalorian season 3, following its preview at Star Wars Celebration earlier this year. Lucasfilm may also make some casting announcements for Ashoka as well as provide some insight into The Acolyte. On the movies slate, we’d expect to hear a bit more about both Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron and Taika Waititi’s so-far untitled movie, including a potential confirmation about both projects’ release dates. Lucasfilm may also have some surprises up its sleeve as well – after all, it was at D23 in 2019 when the Obi-Wan Kenobi series was confirmed. There's also the chance of an Indiana Jones 5 trailer – if we're lucky. The movie has been confirmed for 2023 but it is still untitled, so D23 could be a prime opportunity to find out more. 

20th Century Studios 

Avatar 2: The Way of Water will be landing at the end of the year and given this is set to be one of Disney’s biggest releases of the year, we’d expect to hear or see a bit more about it. 

Check out all of the confirmed movie release dates coming in 2022 and beyond

Disney Dreamlight Valley has revealed its first DLC: A Toy Story expansion launching in the Fall.

Revealed during today's Disney Marvel showcase, the Disney Dreamlight Valley Toy Story DLC will feature a new area to explore that looks a lot like Andy's bedroom from the Pixar movies. Naturally, you'll also get to pal around with the iconic pull-string toy doll Woody and Buzz Lightyear, taking them around the world to mingle with their fellow Disney stars like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.

Today's trailer showed some interesting interactions. One was Buzz Lightyear hanging out with Ursula from The Little Mermaid, which is about as unlikely a pair as can be fathomed. Then there was poor Woody looking like he was about to be gobbled down by Scar from The Lion King, but thankfully it appears he survived the ordeal.

The Toy Story DLC will also bring new outfits inspired by Woody and Buzz for you to dress up with and, presumably, there will be additional Toy Story-themed goodies for you to play around with.

Disney Dreamlight Valley just launched into early access on September 6, so it's a pleasant surprise to see it's already getting such a robust content update. Our early access review sees a lot of promise in Disney's take on the Animal Crossing formula, praising the fun stories and solid cast of characters while noting that collecting some resources can be pretty annoying.

For more games to chill out with, don't miss our guide to the best games like Animal Crossing out there.

So that's it folks for the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase - the very first of them! I think we were all hoping for a little bit more there than we got. That's especially true for the incredibly teasey tease for Amy Hennig and Skydance New Media's Marvel game that was meant to be the headliner of sorts. 

But, let's take a look at the biggest stories of the night:

• Marvel's Midnight Suns gets new December 2 release date
• Amy Hennig's Marvel game got a really really small teaser
• Disney Dreamlight Valley is getting a Fall update with Toy Story realm
• Tron Identity is a brand new game from Mike Bithell
• Superhero card game Marvel Snap gets October release date
• Avatar Reckoning is an MMO RPG mobile game
• Marvel World of Heroes is Niantic's next AR game

You can read up on all the announcements, as they happened, below:

Interestingly, Marvel itself has teased that today's stream will feature "announcements, trailers, and reveals for new and upcoming games from Marvel Games, Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios". That makes us think we're in for some surprises, but these are some of the games that could feature today – although some are more likely than others. 

AMY HENNIG'S MARVEL GAME

Now, what we do know is that Amy Hennig's Marvel game is getting a "sneak peek" at today's event. Announced last October, the Skydance New Media game is described as a "narrative-drive, blockbuster action-adventure game", but that's basically all we officially know about it. Fans are convinced that the title is a Fantastic Four game, but a new rumor now suggests that it'll star Black Panther and Captain America during World War 2. The studio has teased that it will be an "ensemble" game too, so we're going to have to see what it's all about later.

MARVEL'S MIDNIGHT SUNS

Marvel's Midnight Suns may have been delayed to an unknown date "before March 2023" but that doesn't mean it's not prime for a spotlight session at today's showcase. We went hands-on with Marvel's Midnight Suns back in June, but aside from the delay announcement, it's been pretty quiet the last few months. Could 2K and developer Firaxis have something new to show? It feels likely.

DISNEY DREAMLIGHT VALLEY

Another strong contender could be Disney Dreamlight Valley. Released into Early Access just this week, the title is a Disney and Pixar-inspired take on the Animal Crossing life sim experience. It's already going down well with critics and fans alike, and with a full release due sometime in 2023, we could get a glimpse at something akin to a road map for the title at D23.

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR

Originally announced at Star Wars Celebration back in May, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is due to drop sometime next year. All we've had so far is a teaser trailer, which confirms we're rejoining the story of Cal Kestis and BD-1 five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. From the looks of the trailer, it's going to be much darker in tone than the original game, with our hero still on the run from the Empire. According to developer Respawn, Cal will have to do "whatever it takes to stay alive" as one of the last remaining Jedi in the galaxy, including the potential need to make allies with some unsavory characters. We're desperate to see more of this one, and the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase feels like a perfect place for it. 

SKYDANCE NEW MEDIA'S STAR WARS GAME

Amy Hennig and the team over at Skydance New Media also happen to be working on a Star Wars game. It's being described as a "narrative-driven, action-adventure game featuring an original story" set in the Star Wars universe. While we know the developer's Marvel title is definitely getting a tease, info on this one is a little more scarce – and was the second of the team's projects to be announced too. However, we'll keep our fingers crossed that there's just a sneaky hint at what's to come with this one later today.

STAR WARS: HUNTERS

Due out next year, Star Wars: Hunters is a multiplayer team-based title in development at Zynga in conjunction with Lucasfilm Games. It's set after the fall of the Galactic Empire with maps said to be inspired by iconic locations from the Star Wars universe. Seems like the roster will be made up with a cast of new characters, each with their own backstories and relationships with other members. 

MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN 2

One of the most anticipated upcoming PS5 games out there, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is set to drop in 2023. However, the first and last we saw of the game was the September 2021 PlayStation Showcase where the game was revealed – yes almost a year ago to the date. Insert *eyes* emoji here. Peter Parker and Miles Morales are teaming up for this one, and will be fighting a number of classic foes, including Venom. However, details aside from that are pretty scarce, so we're desperate to learn more about this one – hopefully today's the day. 

1 HOUR TO GO

Disney's Game Showcase will start in one hour! You have been warned!

STAR WARS ECLIPSE

Revealed at the Game Awards 2021 last December, Star Wars Eclipse has proved rather elusive ever since. It's in development at Quantic Dream in conjunction with Lucasfilm Games. Like previous Quantic Dream titles, it's going to be a branching narrative story, but this one is set during the High Republic Era somewhere in the "uncharted region of the Outer Rim". It was revealed with the caveat that it was in the early stages of development, so perhaps too soon for a bigger look here. 

UBISOFT MASSIVE'S OPEN-WORLD STAR WARS GAME

Massive Entertainment, the studio that brought us The Division series, is also working on a Star Wars game. The upcoming Ubisoft Star Wars game is a story-driven, open-world adventure that aims to be a "unique game in the saga with a captivating story and set of characters". Unfortunately, that's basically it though, so it remains another title we're hungry to hear more about. Interestingly there's also a Ubisoft Forward tomorrow, so it could be it holds until then?

RESPAWN'S TWO OTHER STAR WARS GAMES

Along with Jedi: Survivor, Respawn's also working on another Star Wars title. All we know is that it's an FPS, and game director Peter Hirschmann is leading development. He's previously worked on the Battlefront series along with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, so he's definitely got the right creds. However, it's very unlikely we'll see this one later as when it was announced in January it was revealed work had only "just begun" on the title. Maybe a bit early to expect to see anything, but hey, we can hope, right? 

Respawn's also working on a Star Wars strategy game too with newly established studio Bit Reactor. It is another one with very little info about it so again we don't expect to hear anything more on this yet, but worth flagging all the same.

KINGDOM HEARTS 4

Kingdom Hearts 4 was one of those surprises that came so out of the blue we almost didn't believe it. Snuck into the Kingdom Hearts 20th anniversary event back in April, the debut came with a rather lavish reveal trailer and confirmation that this would be the start of the Lost Master Arc. It also revealed a rather different new and more realistic art direction, which caused everyone to lose their minds about Sora's shoes. Nothing of the game has been seen since then, but Nana Gadd, director of Walt Disney Games did say the team couldn't wait to show more when the "time is right". Maybe the time is… right now?

30 MINUTES TO GO

Just 30 minutes to go until the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase. Time to gather your snacks.

AVATAR: FRONTIERS OF PANDORA

The mention of 20th Century games in Disney's tease for this event makes me think that we could see some more of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The game recently got delayed into 2023, which is a particular shame as the new movie, Avatar 2 aka Avatar: The Way of Water, drops on December 16. It's an open-world adventure title, but Ubisoft and developer Massive Entertainment have been pretty coy so far on what you'll actually be doing. We definitely want to see more of this one ASAP.

INDIANA JONES GAME

Another long shot for a reveal today, but this one is so intriguing that we can't help but keep our fingers crossed. It's an Indiana Jones game coming from MachineGames, the creators of the brilliant Wolfenstein series, which has such interesting mechanics and narratives that we can't wait to see what they can do with an Indiana Jones tale. Back when it was announced in the summer of 2021, Bethesda admitted that it was in the "very, very, very" early stages of development, so it could be quite some time before we see more of this one. But like we said, we can't resist being overexcited.

15 MINUTES TO GO

That's your 15-minute warning klaxon, so get comfy now!

STARTING NOW

And we're off! The Disney and Marvel Games Showcase is starting now on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Twitch.

First out of the gate we've got a lovely little recap of everything that's going on in the world of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars for the game space. Avatar, Disney Dreamlight, Lego Star Wars Skywalker Saga all feature...

Tron Identity is the first game to be revealed - coming in 2023 from Mike Bithell and co! Surprise! 

Another World Premiere! this one is a cute, cartoonish game that offers four-player couch co-op where you can play as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. It's TBD 2023 exclusive on Switch and it's called Disney Illusion Island. 

Marvel's Midnight Suns, as we kind expected has received another gameplay trailer, but it's very cinematic in nature. 

However, interestingly it's got another release date - December 2 2022

That date is getting a follow up though, with a confirmation of some prequel shorts featuring characters such as Blade, Nico, Iron-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, and Hunter.

A Marvel game we can play today, you say? Tell us more

Ah, Marvel Strike Force. That's a mobile game that's been out since 2018. 

Sorry for the excitement folks...

A Marvel card game where you can finally answer those questions of who'd beat who in a fight? 

Marvel Snap that is and it's coming October 18 on Android and iOS.

Super quick Aliens: Dark Descent segment there, before moving very swiftly onto almost a reminder that Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora exists... 

Sad that's all we're getting for that one.

Lego Star Wars: Skywalker Saga is getting a special Galactic Edition

Return to Monkey Island gets a little shoutout where they highlight the game's scrapbook that'll recap some of the story so far. 

Loving the Halloween vibes of this, which is like Disney meets Nightmare Before Christmas. Hades, Ursula and co are starring in a mobile game called Disney Mirrorverse.

It actually came out in June, but apparently this is the Halloween-themed event where you'll take on Hades

I mean, what a face

An impressive trailer for Disney Speedstorm there - Disney's take on Mario Kart. Monster Inc's Sully in a kart is brilliant though 

Oh hello Disney Dreamlight Valley! That's confirmation of the Toy Story Realm coming this Fall, with a new door added to the Dream Castle. 

Buzz and Woody will be new Disney Dreamlight Valley characters, and there will be new clothes to celebrate the new additions too. 

I love the fact that you're toy sized in their world!

Avatar: Reckoning is a brand new mobile game too. It's all go at this showcase!

Oh heck, that was such a tease for Amy Hennig's new Marvel game. It really didn't give much away beyond a WW2 setting and the characters

King Captain Soldier Spy, the trailer teases....

Huh, not even a title reveal for that one, so that's a little underwhelming. 

We spied Captain America and Black Panther, a cobra hat and, well the Eiffel Tower. 

okay so that's a wrap on that! 

Slightly disappointing that the majority of the major titles were relegated to the sizzle reels there... but I guess it shows just how many games Disney does have in development right now across all its partner studios. 

Disney Lorcana is a new trading card game that teams up different Disney characters in a Magic: The Gathering-style battle, and it's set to launch toward the end of 2023. 

Along with being "rooted in the magic of Disney characters and storytelling", the press release notes that this game is accessible for newcomers while still providing "thoughtful" gameplay where veterans of the best card games are concerned. Disney Lorcana will also feature "more original Disney artwork than any other single product ever created" according to the vice president of Disney product design.

Although nothing has been revealed about Lorcana's mechanics just yet, the setup sounds more than a little reminiscent of MTG - especially with the inclusion of several elemental colors in the game's logo. Taking place in a world called 'the Great Illuminary' where every Disney song and story is stored, players become sorcerers known as Illumineers that can band together with characters from across franchises. Some of these heroes (or villains, for that matter) are set to be revealed at the D23 expo between September 9 and 11.

However, don't assume you'll be commanding icons from Disney-owned properties such as Marvel and Star Wars just yet. The announcement makes it clear that this is a collaboration between Disney Villainous publisher Ravensburger and Walt Disney Animation Studios (the team behind classic movies like The Lion King and more recent hits including Encanto, Moana, and Frozen). In other words, Pixar and the rest seem to be off the table for now. We've reached out to Ravensburger for clarification on this subject and although Lorcana co-designer and brand manager Ryan Miller noted that they'd be disclosing more in due course, it might be safer to assume Iron Man's sitting this one out for now at least.

Regardless, the team is dreaming big with Disney Lorcana. Ravensburger North America CEO and global head of games Filip Francke says it's "the result of the powerful alchemy of Disney magic, Ravensburger game excellence, and several years of dedicated work and investment. This potent combination has poised Disney Lorcana to be a game-changer in the billion-dollar-plus trading card game market". Because that market is dominated by MTG and the Pokemon Trading Card Game (which has had the family-friendly angle sealed up tight for the past 20+ years), this newcomer is up against stiff competition. It hopes to level the playing field with "four new card set releases each year as well as a robust organized play program".

In terms of how it compares to rival games, Miller said: "Disney Lorcana was designed to be easy to learn and welcoming for TCG newcomers while still offering strategic depth and challenges for experienced players. Disney collectors will love it as well since it contains more original Disney artwork than any other single product ever created".

We'll be able to find out more during D23 in a few days, but if nothing else, Lorcana might be worth keeping an eye on for future Disney gifts.

For more tabletop recommendations, be sure to check out the best board games, these essential board games for families, and the top board games for kids. 

There are now an even 30 of them in the studio's roster, and picking out the best Pixar movies is a trickier task than ever. You'd be hard pressed to find a bad one in the bunch, admittedly, though their quality can differ drastically depending on what sort of stories you're in the mood for – and how young those you're watching 'em with is.

For littluns, colorful classic likes Cars and Toy Story might hit the spot. But if you're looking for something a bit more emotional and thought-provoking, then Soul or Inside Out might be better suited. Some have songs (Coco!) while others are more grounded (The Good Dinosaur). In short, there's something for everyone.

Its latest release, Hoppers, may be breaking records at the worldwide box office, but how does it compare to the titles we've loved for many years? We dig into that below. So keep scrolling for our complete ranking of the best Pixar movies.

30. Cars 2

The first Cars movie concerns an arrogant racecar who learns humility from a ragtag group of small-towners; a heartfelt take on the returning-to-your-roots trope. Its lesser sequel, however, drives a lesser gone path. Cars 2 takes the side-character Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, and puts him front-and-centre as he becomes an unassuming spy. As a result, the series loses its found-family values – and its heart. Cars 2 became the first "rotten" Pixar movie on Rotten Tomatoes. Kachow?

29. Cars 3

The third and final chapter in the Cars saga finds Lightning McQueen in an existential stench. The former champion grapples with mortality after realising he can’t be the best race car forever. Confronting his own privilege, McQueen returns to his roots, saying one final "kachow!" to his hotshot persona. Whilst the Cars movies are far from the best Pixar have to offer, it’s hard not to be moved as McQueen takes one final victory lap. Cars 3 remains an exceptionally animated movie and marks a fitting conclusion to the tad forgettable series.

28. Lightyear

Lightyear follows the adventures of the titular Space Ranger, Buzz – but not the plastic toy as we know and love him. Instead, it's a whole new take on the character, as the opening text explains: Andy received a Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday, and that action figure was based on his favorite movie. Lightyear is that very same movie. The animation is gorgeous, robotic cat Sox steals the show, and there's a heartwarming tale of teamwork to enjoy… but there's also the sense that the movie could have been bigger, bolder, and gone for more powerful emotional swings. You can find our interview with director Angus MacLane, producer Galyn Susman, and stars Taika Waititi and Keke Palmer through the link.

27. Monsters University

This college-set prequel to Monsters Inc. centres on the pivotal moment when Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan first met. Pixar brings the college green of Monsters University to vivid life, with fraternity parties and late night study sessions abound. Interestingly, the iconic pair don’t get along to begin with, and their fierce rivalry results in the two being expelled from the Scare Program, leading to a reluctant team-up. Monsters University packs a punch with its message: that hard work isn’t always enough to achieve your dreams. A little bleak for Pixar, but wrapped up in the whimsical world of the Monsters means it’s easy to stomach.

26. Finding Dory

While you would never typically call those imaginative brains at Pixar "predictable", Finding Dory treads that thin line ever so slightly. The long-awaited sequel to Finding Nemo is pleasant enough, with the story certainly packing a familiar emotional punch as Dory seeks her own parents. The plot may veer towards the fantastical a little too much, but thankfully that doesn’t undermine Dory’s heartfelt search, and the ocean looks pretty spectacular.

25. The Good Dinosaur

An anomaly of sorts in the Pixar catalogue, The Good Dinosaur remains perhaps one of the studio’s more forgettable movies, only landing 76 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. However, while lacking a truly engaging story, The Good Dinosaur certainly makes for one of the most beautiful Pixar movies. Vast, photorealistic backdrops elevate the journey of a young boy travelling across the American West with his dinosaur companion.

24. Brave

The studio's first attempt at a Disney Princess tale, Brave follows Scottish heroine Merida as she fights back against her kingdom’s expectations as to who she "should" be – including dodging an arranged marriage. This journey leads to Merida accidentally turning her mother into a bear and the two learn a whole lot more about each other. Merida ends up perhaps one of the most fully realized of the Disney Princesses, and the stakes feel suitably high as the future of the kingdom rests on her shoulders. Unfortunately, though, compared to Pixar's catalogue of innovative stories, Brave feels a tad familiar.

23. Elio

One of the very few Pixar movies to arrive without much fanfare, Elio follows the story of a child named Elio who, after a family tragedy, becomes withdrawn and distant – with his head firmly in the stars. After drawing the attention of alien lifeforms, Elio is soon whisked away to join the Communiverse as Earth's ambassador.

At once heartbreaking and charming in a cosmic backdrop bursting with imagination, Elio grapples with his place in the universe, as well as what it truly means to be alone. While it doesn't fly as high as some of Pixar's more recent efforts (and held back by the studio's continued fascination with its current house style of slack-jawed humans), Elio has tonnes of heart, laughs, and a winning hero at its centre. Much like Turning Red and Soul, audiences might look back on Elio more fondly in the years to come.

22. Toy Story 4

Nothing Pixar does is pointless – especially not Toy Story 4. After the Toy Story trilogy seemingly wrapped things in a neat bow, the announcement of a fourth movie was met with some understandable consternation. But this epilogue is far from a quick money-grab, offering up a sweet farewell to Woody and Buzz, while also giving Bo-Peep a much-needed chance to shine. It’s also probably the funniest of the Toy Story quartet, with Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key’s Ducky and Bunny providing just as many laugh-out-loud moments as the first three movies combined. Two words: plush rush.

21. Turning Red

Turning Red tackles a previously unexplored idea in Pixar – puberty. Our hero is Meilin, a 13-year-old Chinese Canadian living in early 2000s Toronto. She's a hard-worker, doing her best to make her strict mother proud. However, she has one big problem: every time she gets emotional, she turns into a big red panda. The charming movie is one of Pixar's biggest recent successes. It also marks a historic moment for the studio, finally branching out its remit as the first movie helmed by a female filmmaker and with an Asian-led cast. Funny, enjoyable as well as an original concept? This is a shoo-in for the top half of Pixar's releases.

20. Onward

In Onward, two elf brothers attempt to bring their late father back to life for 24 hours using a spell. However, things don’t quite go to plan as they only get half of their father – and the bottom half at that. Cue a perilous journey with some dismembered legs to add a body to those pins. It sounds bizarre, but – like all the best Pixar movies – it truly tugs at the heartstrings. Onward’s setting is what really makes this fantastical adventure stand out: a world where magic has faded away, centaurs have forgotten how to run, and sprites have forgotten how to fly. The two brothers’ quest takes some fun turns, and the finale is expectedly tear-wrenching.

19. Luca

Set on the beautiful Italian coastline, Luca tells the story of a young sea monster who takes human form whenever he's above the water. In this charming coming-of-age classic, he embarks on a summer adventure with his new friend Alberto Scorfano. The beautiful palette of Pixar's 24th movie takes inspiration from director Enrico Casarosa’s childhood summers on the beaches of Genoa. As such, it feels like it captures the warmth and wonder of the Italian coast. What holds Luca back is the slightly unimaginative story that takes center stage as our hero battles it out to win the Portorosso Cup. It all feels a little tried-and-tested for a studio we're used to seeing break new ground.

18. A Bug's Life

A Bug's Life was Pixar's second film – and while it doesn't reach the dizzying heights of Toy Story, the charming movie is a firm favorite among viewers. It tells the story of a world beneath our feet. Flik is an ant whose dreams of helping his ant colony often don't turn out the way he wants them to. After another mishap leads him needing to defend the colony, he sets out to recruit a band of warriors. Instead, he finds a band of circus insects to much hilarity in the Pixar classic. Sure, A Bug's Life it more muted than some of the studio's other hits, but it has a whole lot of heart. It all culminates in a rip-roaring final act, featuring a fist-pumping showdown and a dogfight (antfight?) as the rain lashes down.

17. Inside Out 2

Pixar's first sequel in five years continues the story of Riley and her gang of emotions, including Joy (Amy Poehler), Anger (Lewis Black), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). Now a teenager, Riley has to contend with growing up and growing apart from her friends and family – and all the conflicting emotions that come with it. Smartly, Pixar uses this opportunity to draft in some fresh feelings such as Maya Hawke's Anxiety and the perma-bored Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) join the fray. As Riley navigates the perils of puberty across a three-day hockey camp (go Firehawks!), the OG emotions are quickly disposed of and must find their way back to Riley to keep the new emotions and frequent outbursts in check.

While it lacks the emotional heft of the original and is a little by-the-numbers in places, Inside Out 2 remains a sweet, funny coming-of-age adventure that plays just as well with parents as it will with the kids in the audience.

16. Elemental

Elemental tells the story of Ember and Wade, two diametrically opposed residents of Element City. After a classic meet cute, the duo begin to fall in love – but, they're facing their fair share of problems, including literally not being able to touch. Director Peter Sohn used his own family history as inspiration for the second-generation immigrant story, making the whole thing even more heart-warming. With stunning animation and an adorable romance, Elemental is eminently enjoyable, but the plot involving the city's infrastructure isn't quite as strong as we've come to expect from Pixar. For more on the film, check out our interview with the cast and filmmakers.

15. Incredibles 2

Incredibles 2 puts Elastigirl front and centre as she takes part in a new initiative to make superheroes legal again. However, while Elastigirl drives away on a flashy motorbike, Mr. Incredible looks after the children at home. These domestic scenes are both self-aware and utterly hilarious, as Jack-Jack discovers his superpowers – which Bob has to deal with alongside a teenage daughter who’s dating for the first time and a bored pre-teen son. Most parents will contest this is just as hard as saving the world. The seamless action scenes and catchy score aid the whip-smart script in bringing the Incredibles to life once more, making this a worthy sequel.

14. Hoppers

With its manic energy and themes of conservation, Pixar's latest Hoppers is the perfect mix of Despicable Me and The Wild Robot. Starring the voice talents of Dave Franco, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, and Piper Curda, it centers on spirited 19-year-old Mabel, who's hellbent on stopping Beaverton's smarmy Mayor Jerry from building a beltway over her nature-loving grandmother's beloved glade. Desperate, she decides to infiltrate the animal kingdom using 'Hopper' technology, which transfers the user's brain into a robotic creature – and convince them to take back their land.

It's genuinely hilarious, but still has those trademark tearjerker moments. With all that's going on in the world right now, there's never been a more important time for youngsters to learn about the importance of togetherness; about respecting different people (and species), as well as looking after our planet.

13. Cars

What if toys could talk? Sure! What if ants could talk? Yeah, that’s fine. And cars? You’d be forgiven for thinking Pixar had run the imagination well dry by the time Cars screeched into sight in 2006. However, despite its shortcomings – including a plot that never leaves second gear – the genuine heart on show from an ensemble of instantly-memorable racers shows that the studio can still keep up with the best of ‘em. Cars also marks Pixar’s last movie before being snapped up by Disney and, as finish lines go, it’s far from being forgettable, despite not quite being worthy of a place on the podium.

12. Soul

Soul tackles a surprisingly macabre topic for Pixar as it focuses on Joe, a teacher who finds himself on the way to the afterlife amid a tragic accident. This all happens before he could realize his dreams of becoming a great jazz musician. He's desperate to keep living, leaving him in limbo in The Great Beyond before he hatches a plan to make it back to his old life. Soul is a beautifully told, poignant tale of missed dreams, legacy, and our own mortality. But it retains Pixar's feeling of levity despite the dark topics in its warm approach, with hilarious moments and Jamie Foxx's wonderful voice performance as Joe. Steel yourself though, this is an emotional one...

11. Ratatouille

Ratatouille proves that Pixar movies don’t require high stakes to maintain their usual brilliance. The 2007 flick excels at cooking up several rib-tickling moments of breathless intrigue – revolving around whether Remy, the rat-turned-chef, will be caught – and ties them together with a heartwarming tale about what it means to break out of the box. Each scene with Remy guiding Alfredo ranks up there with some of Pixar’s best physical slapstick, and shows that the studio can do anything – action, adventure, comedy, and everything else in-between – without missing a beat. Toy Story may have put Pixar on the map, but Ratatouille ultimately broadened its horizons.

10. Finding Nemo

It says a lot about Pixar’s outstanding oeuvre that Finding Nemo only just cracks the top 10. It has all the hallmarks you’ve come to expect from the studio, plus the added backdrop of an aquatic world that lets the design team fully embrace eye-popping visuals for the first time. With Finding Nemo, they honed their animation craft while also hitting upon another magical component to their enticing formula: let the plot do the heavy lifting. The characters – from the amnesiac Dory to the ever-worried Marlin – stand out, but the thrill comes from the hunt for Nemo as the pair fizz through sea-bound set-pieces and a memorable detour into a dental practice before finally arriving at the promised land.

9. Coco

Coco may be deeply entrenched in Mexican culture, yet the story and emotions are completely universal. The movie centres on the music-mad Miguel celebrating the Day of the Dead alongside several generations of his family. Something goes awry, and Miguel ends up heading into the Land of the Dead on a journey to find his great-great-grandfather. Each scene, somewhat ironically, bursts with life and, as this story about family and what it means to follow your dreams draw to a close, you will have laughed, danced, sang, and been surprisingly moved in equal measure. Trust in Pixar to make a tribute to one culture universally beloved, with an Academy Award-winning song tucked away in there to boot.

8. Inside Out

Following the huge success of Toy Story 3, Pixar became somewhat fixated on pumping out sequels. Between 2010 and 2017, they released Finding Dory, Cars 2, Monsters University, and Cars 3. Meanwhile, the studio's original works failed to land with critics, as Brave and The Good Dinosaur received muted reviews. There was, however, one exception: Inside Out, a shining star among Pixar's output at the time.

Inside Out centers on a young girl, Riley, whose emotions are personified as colourful anthropomorphic characters that work the controls within her brain. After some family struggles and a new start, Sadness becomes... sad... and goes missing, leaving Joy to search deep within Riley for Sadness. Meanwhile, Anger, Fear, and Disgust take control of Riley, and things quickly get out of hand. As with every great Pixar movie, there's a wonderful message at Inside Out's core – one that will strike differently with children, teenagers, and adults alike.

7. Toy Story 3

Goodbyes are never easy. Toy Story 3 achieved the impossible, though, and delivers an emotional gut-punch of a finale (so we assumed). Woody, Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, and the rest of Andy’s playthings have to deal with letting go, taking in a brand-new locale at Sunnyside Daycare in the process. Those who grew up with the franchise, too, had to face the fact that all our old favorites wouldn’t be around forever, and those two aspects work in unison throughout. Yes, we cried at the furnace fake-out, and we cried even harder as Andy gave his toys away. There have been better Pixar movies – though not many – but none were able to pull on the heartstrings quite like this.

6. The Incredibles

Superhero movies are ubiquitous nowadays, but The Incredibles arrived when spandex-clad do-gooders still felt fresh and provided a twist on the genre that remains timeless today. Fantastic Four this ain’t, as Mr. Incredible settles down from being a superhero to working a white-collar job while juggling home life, the kids, and a nagging sense that he could be doing some more. Enter Syndrome: the red-headed supervillain that draws The Incredibles back into action. Rewatching now, you’ll be overjoyed to see just how little it falls into the trappings of traditional genre fare. Instead, it – whisper it – ranks up there as not only one of the best Pixar movies of all time, but one of the best superhero ones, too.

5. Monsters Inc.

Before Monsters Inc., Pixar pretty much kept things rooted in our world. So, diving headfirst into a reality filled with one-eyed neurotic goofballs, a big, cuddly monster that’s scare-averse, and a society powered on children’s screams felt like a huge risk. Instead, the team uses it as an opportunity to take the shackles off, filling the screen with as many silly visual gags, creative designs, and side-splittingly funny, offbeat jokes as monsterly possible. The unique premise, centering around the timid child, Boo, also carries with it enough heart to keep your Disney Plus subscription running for years to come.

4. Toy Story 2

It’s easy to look back now and consider Toy Story 2 as one of the greats. But it was no sure thing at the time, especially when coupled with the pressure of following up an original movie that made the world notice what computer animation could do for the first time. So, how did it attempt to top Toy Story? By being bigger – introducing Jessie and Stinky Pete helps flesh out Woody’s personal struggle to belong – and, in some places, simply better.

While it’s not as well-rounded as the first, bouncing from set-piece to set-piece like a Slinky taking a tumble down the stairs, it has some of the best action sequences Pixar has ever produced, thanks mainly to Buzz and Zurg’s showdowns. There’s also a killer Randy Newman-penned soundtrack (try not to cry at 'When She Loved Me,' I dare you). Whether you prefer the original over this or not, you can’t deny Toy Story 2 is a flashier, looser, and more energetic bout of Pixar magic.

3. Up

Up is more than its tear-jerking opening sequence. But there’s a reason that lump-in-your-throat lead-in lives long in your memory. Carl and his betrothed, Ellie, live out a rich, full life in the first few minutes. Then it’s all gone. Up grabs your attention like no other and refuses to let go during its rapid 96-minute runtime. It makes Carl’s journey to live out his dreams alongside the cheerful Russell and a talking dog an even more poignant one, and ultimately lifts the viewer up just as high as the balloon-fuelled house where Carl and Ellie once walked through the threshold.

2. Toy Story

It may be a more than a quarter of a century old, but that doesn’t stop Toy Story being just as funny, clever, and overwhelmingly creative today as it was back in 1995. In fact, it’s incredible just how much Pixar gets right on its first go. The success of this film wasn’t guaranteed: the technology was new, the premise a little weird, and it was unlike anything we’d seen before. But there’s a reason Pixar remains a household name. And this is it. It’s at once scary, surprising, and bursting at the seams with invention. Bonus points, too, for 'You’ve Got a Friend in Me,' the earworm to end all earworms.

1. WALL-E

Here it is. The best Pixar movie. Why? All the evidence you need is in the opening half-an-hour. Pixar scraps the rulebook and strips it for parts, giving us an outstandingly brave tour-de-force silent film that follows the robotic WALL-E around a post-apocalyptic Earth. His curiosity is soon chipped away by a larger (fully-voiced) tale revolving around the remnants of the Earth’s population surviving in space, but it loses none of its charm and appetite to tell a genuinely meaningful story about environmentalism and much more. This is Pixar at the peak of its powers and its most affecting. We’ve all wanted to live in a Pixar world – let’s just hope it’s not this one.

Want more Disney goodness? Then check out our lists of the best Disney movies, best movies on Disney Plus, and best shows on Disney Plus.

To infinity and beyond...

We're about to get the unusual bonus of two Pixar films in one calendar year as The Good Dinosaur is soon to arrive in cinemas. The film poses the question of what would have happened if the dinosaurs weren't wiped out, and led us to realise that a world without Pixar would be a very dark one, indeed.

Happily, that's not a world we live in and we felt it was right to champion the happiness (and the emotional trauma) that the animation giant has brought into our lives. Taken from its very beginnings to this year's exceptional Inside Out, here is our rundown of the 50 greatest Pixar moments.

50. Perfectly matched

The moment: Buzz, Woody and RC are stuck in the road towards the end of Toy Story, their chances of catching the removal van fading fast. Then realisation: "The rocket! The match!" Saved! At least until a passing car blows out the match.

Why it's great: Screenplay formula has rarely been subverted with such grace and glee, as Pixar's writing staff set up an obvious get-out-clause simply to make it another joke.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on the film's appeal - "We wanted to tell a good story, first and foremost, because we knew that's what audiences like - a good story and characters. Technique and technology doesn't entertain audiences, it's just what you do with it. We just made a movie we would like to see."

49. Dinner at Harryhausen's

The moment: Pandemonium at Monstropolis' best restaurant, as the assembled beasts realise there is a human interloper amongst them in Monsters, Inc.

Why it's great: No other set-piece in Monsters, Inc. better shows off Pixar's ability to create a host of inventive creatures; aptly, the restaurant is named after the godfather of movie monsters, Ray Harryhausen.

Pixar say: Pete Docter on Ray Harryhausen - “He was always looking to push techniques, to make the animation smoother and more lifelike. His pioneering efforts were always in support of fantasy. So when we were making a film about monsters… we thought, what a better way to make a slightly obscure tribute to this guy?”

48. Aboard the Axiom

The moment: Wall-E arrives on the Axiom, only to find that the surviving humans have become obese, indolent blobs in thrall to fast food and entertainment.

Why it's great: Pixar's most political statement (essentially: pull yourselves together, folks) is achieved via a bold switch in tone, genre and visual style, setting up a second half far removed from anything we've seen in the film so far.

Pixar say: Andrew Stanton on the future of humanity - "If you had no reason to do anything anymore, if everything had been figured out, you know, health, regenerative food, all the other needs to get up, and technology made it that easy to never have to get up - it’s kind of happening just with my remote in my living room - then I guess this would sort of set in. So I thought alright, I’ll make them big babies."

47. Toying with success

The moment: John Lasseter's Tin Toy sets in place many of the elements for future Pixar classics with its tale of a tin soldier reluctantly allowing himself to be played with to placate a crying baby while protecting his fellow toys.

Why it's great: Winning Pixar's first Oscar, Tin Toy's success cemented the company's future in entertainment at a time when many employees saw it as a manufacturer of computers.

Pixar say: The late Steve Jobs on why he funded Lasseter's early shorts - "I believed in what John was doing. It was art. He cared, and I cared. I always said yes."

46. The tank gang

The moment: While Marlin is busy Finding Nemo, his son arrives in a dentist's aquarium in Sydney, where he meets the tank gang - Gill, Jacques, Gurgle, Peach, Deb, Bubbles and Bloat.

Why it's great: Pixar is justly famous for putting together great ensembles and this motley bunch takes that to the extreme by imprisoning a group with plenty of wit and character (we love the treasure-hoarding Bubbles).

Pixar say: Co-director Lee Unkrich on the film's educational value - "Back when we were making Nemo I was at an aquarium with my wife. It was fun for me to see all the different fish I knew were in the movie, but nobody was giving them any particular attention. I remember saying to my wife, ‘Watch, in six months when this movie’s out you’re gonna see all the kids in this aquarium pushed up against that glass’ and that’s exactly what happened. It’s amazing that ten years later that’s still the case."

45. You can't have Joy without Sadness

The moment: After Joy and Sadness make it back to Headquarters, they stop Riley's attempt to run away which leads to an emotional family reunion as Riley breaks down.

Why it's great: We love a good message and Inside Out's central revelation that, basically, growing up is hard is a perfectly realised one. Not to mention that it gives the movie's real star, Sadness, a chance to shine as she saves the day.

Pixar say: Co-director Pete Docter on pairing Joy with Sadness - "In early development, we tried to pair Joy with Fear instead of Sadness. But we veered off course from that in the long run. We realised that wasnt really saying what we were trying to talk about, with the laws of childhood and the pain of growing up. That was a real pivotal moment of redoing the story, pairing Joy with Sadness."

44. You say potato

The moment: Mr Potato Head, disguised as a tortilla, is busy working on the escape plan in Toy Story 3 when he gets attacked by pigeons, his body gradually disintegrating as he is pecked to bits.

Why it's great: Frankly, we could have filled this list with gags at the expense of Mr Potato Head. Kudos to Pixar's writing team for still getting such surreal mileage out of him three films in.

Pixar say: Lee Unkrich on Mr Potato Head - "you look at Mr. Potato Head now and think, "Oh he's Don Rickles; he's a curmudgeonly old guy and acerbic," you have to remember that prior to Toy Story he had no personality. We have just had so much fun over the years taking toys that we remember from our childhood and giving them personalities."

43. The not-so-Magnificent Seven

The moment: In A Bug's Life, Flik the ant finds what he thinks is a gang of warrior bugs… but we have just found out (via a glorious piece of slapstick) that they are hapless troupe of circus performers.

Why it's great: Rival insect animation Antz had stunt casting on its side, but Pixar - as always - opted for something more timeless with its comic spin on the plot of Seven Samurai.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on the battle with Antz - "It was teeth-gnashingly annoying. Let’s leave it at that."

42. Behind the scares

The moment: Mike and Sully, rivals at Monsters University, finally bond after Mike realises his new friend isn't the Alpha-Monster he purports to be: "I act scary, Mike. But most of the time I'm terrified."

Why it's great: Monsters University might be one of Pixar's slightest offerings, but it does provide the opportunity to flesh out one of the studio's great double acts by adding some smart, affecting psychological depth to the characters.

Pixar say: Dan Scanlon on the film's themes - "We liked the idea of doing a story about Mike and about dealing with failures in life, which we thought was not dealt with a lot in movies. A lot of times, people say that if you work hard and never give up, it will always work out, which is a great message. However, that’s not always the case. We really wanted to make a movie for people who were dealing with that because it’s such a universal thing. That was the genesis of the idea."

41. Title decider

The moment: The tiebreaker in the Piston Cup at the end of Cars becomes a three-way duel between Lightning McQueen, Strip Weathers and Chick Hicks, with the latter in no mood to play fair. Cue serious racetrack drama.

Why it's great: Pixar is so good at story it's sometimes a shock to remember they can do spectacle, too. This immersive, incredibly detailed set-piece is one of cinema's most thrilling races.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on his love of cars - "My father was a parts manager for a Chevrolet dealership all my life, and I grew up going to the dealership to look at all the latest new cars, and I got my love of cars from that. And also I live in Sonoma California, which is a kind of wine region of northern California, but we do have a raceway there in the town, a road course, and all the big race circuits come there so I’ve really grown to have a love of racing as well."

40. Pow!

The moment: On the run from Syndrome's henchmen in The Incredibles, Dash and Violet discover hitherto hidden powers, from running on water to generating an "IncrediBall" force-shield. Then, joined by their parents, they combine powers for the first time in their lives.

Why it's great: The sheer delight of the characters at finally being able to act like the superheroes they've never been allowed to be makes for one of Pixar's most exhilarating set-pieces.

Pixar say: Brad Bird on the family's awakening - "You have a husband and wife who had used their abilities and to sublimate them, and then you have kids who were never encouraged to use them. So, what would it be like for those kids to finally unleash them? And then you have the story of a guy who’s living in the past, and a mom that’s so living in the present that she’s cut off a certain part of herself that is still alive. It should come through that Helen gets a little bit reawakened as well. But she thinks that she’s not missing anything, but it turns out that she is a little bit."

39. Barracuda attack

The moment: The tragic opening of Finding Nemo sees clownfish Marlin's life torn apart when a barracuda kills wife Coral and all but one of their offspring.

Why it's great: Earlier films had hinted at Pixar's willingness to go to dark places; Finding Nemo makes it unignorable, establishing an emotional resonance that carries through the film.

Pixar say: Andrew Stanton on finding the theme - "And then at the end of A Bug's Life I was very, very busy, and I wasn't seeing my family much. I felt like I needed to spend some special time with my son, who was five at the time, and just take a walk to the park. During that walk to the park I spent the whole time going, Don't touch that! Watch out for cars! You're going to poke your eye out! You don't know where that's been! I just sort of stopped myself and realised that I was so afraid of something bad happening that I was eclipsing any chance to connect with him in the moment."

38. Put that thing back

The moment: Caught in the act of trying to take Boo out of Monsters, Inc., Mike Wazowski hastily improvises the excuse that he and Sully are rehearsing a play. Brilliantly, we see the result ("Put That Thing Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me") during the end credits.

Why it's great: Monsters, Inc. thrives on the interplay between Billy Crystal and John Goodman, who were allowed to share a mic while recording the film - and this scene captures their comedic interplay at its best.

Pixar say: Billy Crystal on his dynamic with John Goodman - "I love playing this guy, and playing him with John is phenomenal because we work together in the studio and we can act together. We’re not just reading line. We’re performing them and playing them, and we feel them. I think that’s why their relationship, on screen, is really great. It’s a real thing."

37. Weather forecast

The moment: Partly Cloudy, the short that accompanied Up in cinemas, sees a long-suffering stork find his peace with the baby-creating cloud that keeps giving him violent newborn animals to deliver.

Why it's great: A smart blend of light and dark (the various injuries inflicted on the stork are very funny), this also doubles - like so much of the studio's output - as a metaphor on its emphasis on teamwork.

Pixar say: Director Peter Sohn on the film's genesis - "I had grown up in New York and from Korean parents and they spoke very broken English and there were always miscommunications between my mother or father and me. So, from the very beginning, it was: How do these two guys work, a bird and a cloud?"

36. Game over

The moment: The action-packed opening to Toy Story 2 follows Buzz Lightyear on his latest mission, only to see the space ranger blasted in half by his nemesis Emperor Zurg. Alas, it's just a video game that Rex is playing.

Why it's great: Pixar effortlessly calmed sequel anxiety - while hinting at growing ambition - with a bold, witty statement of intent. And then they did it again with Toy Story 3's Wild West opener.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on the film's straight-to-video origins - "The story was strong, we all started looking at it and saying, ‘why don’t we make this for theatres? It doesn’t make any sense to go direct to video.’ So collectively we made the decision, about October 1997 to make it a theatrical release, and we then started ramping-up to make a theatrical movie, instead of trying to scale down the budget."

35. Bows and arrows

The moment: Are any of Merida's suitors going to prove good enough to win her hand in Brave's archery tournament? Not if she has anything to do with, scoring three bullseye against the objections of her parents.

Why it's great: Much was made of Pixar making a "Disney princess" movie, but Merida is very much a Pixar heroine, as bold and talented as Jesse, EVE or Mrs Incredible.

Pixar say: Producer Katherine Sarafian on Merida - "I don't think you'll see a single piece of marketing that says, 'It's Pixar's first female!' We started on this character so long ago, and yeah, it is interesting timing that she ends up coming into the marketplace at the same time as Katniss and Snow White, but there's going to be more and more of these moments of convergence in the future."

34. Spark of life

The moment: EVE repairs and reactivates a severely damaged Wall-E, only to find he's reverted to factory settings and doesn't recognise him. So she gives him a kiss and the spark of electricity restores his memory circuits.

Why it's great: It's a lovely, literal expression of the film's themes.

Pixar say: Andrew Stanton on the film's theme - "I realised that what I was pushing with these two programmed robots was their desire to try and figure out what the point of living was and it took these really irrational acts of love to sort of discover them against how they were built. And I said, 'That’s it, that’s my theme, ‘irrational love defeats life’s programming.’"

33. Supply and demand

The moment: Driving around Al's Toy Barn in Toy Story 2, Barbie points out the Buzz Lightyear aisle to the gang. "Back in 1995, short-sighted retailers did not order enough dolls to meet demand."

Why it's great: Pixar's finest in-joke refers to the real-life situation that emerged when Toy Story became a hit, only for kids to discover that they couldn't get a Buzz Lightyear for Christmas.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on the toy debacle - "Most of the big retailers passed on selling it. Albert [Chan, the toymaker] only sold about 60,000 Buzz Lightyears in all of North America. But by this stage he had faith, so he invested his own money and made another quarter of a million. He’s been making them ever since."

32. Hay un amigo en mi

The moment: During Toy Story 3's daring escape from Sunnyside, the gang accidentally resets Buzz to Spanish mode - as if things couldn't get any more complicated.

Why it's great: It's proof of Pixar's inability to settle for easy solutions. In narrative terms, the only important thing is restore Buzz from being a 'baddie,' but by creating Spanish Buzz the filmmakers set up a whole new running gag.

Pixar say: Lee Unkrich on Spanish Buzz - "We knew that we were going to have Buzz switched into a mode where he wasn’t acting like himself, where he was going to become a prison guard, and we had to get him back out of that in a fun way. So we were brainstorming one day and somebody came up with the notion of him accidentally getting into a mode where he could only speak Spanish. We ran with that idea and decided to have his whole physicality and personality changed into a Latin lover."

31. A whale of a time

The moment: When Dory and Marlin are swallowed by a whale in Finding Nemo, it looks like game over. Good job that Dory can speak whale, then.

Why it's great: Pixar ensembles are usually so strong it's hard for a character to steal the show… but nobody told Ellen DeGeneres.

Pixar say: Ellen DeGeneres on playing Dory - "I got to love that Dory has memory loss. It makes her so innocent and optimistic. She’s like a child not a jaded adult. Having such a limited attention span makes her so childlike. It made me feel like a happy child every time I went into the studio to do a recording session."

30. Plastic corrosion awareness

The moment: When Andy isn't looking, it turns out the gang in Toy Story likes to make jokes about Picasso and hold staff meetings: "Tuesday night's plastic corrosion awareness meeting was, I think, a big success."

Why it's great: Having sent children of all ages reeling with the awe of seeing toys come to life, Pixar sets a standard for adult-friendly wit it has never lost.

Pixar say: Co-writer Joss Whedon on the film's humour - "I think the thing that I can point at and say, 'This I am proud of,' is really the voice and the sensibility of the characters, keeping them from being that sort of old-school Disney – what my wife would refer to as 'old-man humour.' Getting a little more voice and a little more edge into the jokes and into the bits, and just helping the structure, seeing it through."

29. Puppet on a string

The moment: Unlikely culinary partners Remy and Linguini figure out how to work together in Ratatouille, when the rat discovers he can control the human's movement by manipulating Linguini's hair like a marionette.

Why it's great: Ratatouille is arguably the most left-field premise in Pixar's history, but having spent a good 40 minutes setting up the idea of a rat working in a cordon-bleu restaurant, Brad Bird has eased us into willing suspension of disbelief.

Pixar say: Brad Bird on the film's unusual genesis - "It was going to have to go into production soon and it wasn’t ready. The look was great, as was the premise, but they weren’t getting enough out of the premise. So they asked me if I would step in."

28. Fashion guru

The moment: Just when Andy's toys think they've met everybody at Sunnyside in Toy Story 3, Ken - making quite the entrance - comes down from his house, locks eyes with Barbie and falls instantly in love.

Why it's great: Amazing to think that, once upon a time, Mattel wouldn't lend its brands to Pixar. Ken is a brilliant study in the ironies of playtime (a boy designed to be played with by girls!) and easily the stand-out character in Toy Story 3.

Pixar say: Lee Unkrich on Ken - "It was looking at all the different Kens and all the different fashions over the years that gave me the idea to have Ken show up in a different outfit in every scene. Every single scene he shows up in a different outfit, and I imagined this whole weird back-story – before every scene he thinks to himself 'what is the right outfit for what I am going to do?' He will match the outfit to the occasion."

27. Squirrel!

The moment: After heading Up, Carl and Russell are back on the ground in search of Paradise Falls when they meet Dug, a hyper-excited, easily distracted dog who wears a collar that can verbalise his every thought.

Why it's great: While we're also partial to bad dog Alpha, the Doberman with the dodgy collar that gives him a squeaky voice, there's nothing to beat Dug's more dog-like exuberance, voiced to perfection by co-writer Bob Peterson.

Pixar say: Bob Peterson on Dug - "The distractibility of Dug (SQUIRREL!!) is based on a game I'd play with my dogs. On a hot day the dogs would be panting to cool themselves down. So, I'd jump in and pant along with them. Then I'd stop abruptly and pretend I'd seen something important. The dogs would do the same and go to attention along with me. Long pause. Then, everyone back to panting. It was hilarious."

26. Space dance

The moment: After Wall-E completes a daring mission to rescue the priceless plant and zooms off into space using a fire extinguisher, he and EVE celebrate with a romantic dance amongst the stars.

Why it's great: Wall-E is an unashamed love story, and this is the moment where it becomes clear that Wall-E's affections are reciprocated - a gorgeous grace note amidst the pandemonium of the film's second half.

Pixar say: Andrew Stanton on EVE - "We didn’t want to literally make her be Apple, but we wanted her to feel that same design sensibility, where the functions are hidden. It’s a mystery and you’re not exactly sure how it all works, but it seems almost magical and everything is almost perfectly moulded into one another. It became obvious to us, but I wanted Steve [Jobs] to be comfortable with it and he said we should have Johnny Ive come over and see what he thinks, because he designs everything for Apple. He came over and pretty much fell in love with immediately and it was the biggest shot in the arm. He didn’t have anything to approve on, he just said, ‘I love her.’ It was a great afternoon with him that was pretty much the stamp of approval."

25. Jack-Jack's discovery

The moment: Jack-Jack has been kidnapped by Syndrome at the end of The Incredibles, with no possibility of help - so he takes matters into his own hands by revealing his superpower, morphing into a flaming devil.

Why it's great: It's an amazing triple-decker punchline to the whole film, as 1) we find out what Jack-Jack can do; 2) Syndrome is killed by his cape and 3) the kid next door witnesses the pyrotechnic carnage. As he says, "Oh man, that was totally wicked!"

Pixar say: Brad Bird on the family unit - "I tried to base the powers on family archetypes. The father is always expected to be strong, so I had him have strength. Mums are always pulled in a million different directions, so I had her be elastic. Teenagers are insecure and defensive, so I had her be invisible and have protective shields. Ten-year-old boys are hyperactive energy balls, so I had him be speed. And babies are unknown—they may have great powers, they may have none."

24. Bloopers

The moment: Forgotten lines, on-set accidents, boom mikes in shot... A Bug's Life reveals the hidden obstacles of 'filming' animation.

Why it's great: A crucial part of the Pixar formula in its earlier films, that obliquely endorses the behind-the-scenes craft of CGI while, paradoxically, making its pixelated heroes appear more life-like.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on the expectations following Toy Story - "It was kind of like we were making a movie in a fishbowl. There was all this pressure with stockholders and a lot of worry about the sophomore slump, but we just learned from the first one and we refined. We had a real faith in ourselves, and we decided we wanted to make this a bigger movie. We called it 'an epic of miniature proportions.'"

23. Laser envy

The moment: Woody goes on the warpath in Toy Story as the gang falls in love with Buzz Lightyear. As he ridicules the 'spaceman' for thinking he's a real toy, Hamm asks "What's with him?" "Laser envy," reckons Mr Potato Head.

Why it's great: Themes of rejection, jealousy, self-denial and the fickle affections of the crowd? Disney, this isn't, as Pixar rebuilds animation as existential buddy comedy.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on creating the central dynamic - "We didn’t want it to have like a good guy and a bad guy, and you know, sidekicks and all that stuff. Because that was all Disney's thing. So we started to look at different kinds of film genres and we landed upon the buddy picture. We loved The Odd Couple and The Defiant Ones and Midnight Run."

22. Return of the superheroes

The moment: The Incredibles climaxes in a full-scale pitched battle in the streets of Metroville, as the entire family has to take on the Omnidroid.

Why it's great: You want action? Here's action. Pixar proves itself the equal of - if not better than - any of Hollywood's live-action auteurs when it comes to busting blocks.

Pixar say: Brad Bird on CG animation - "We were fighting the computer. I felt that the computer had an agenda on this film. The agenda was the computer wants to make everything look really clean, really small, really weightless-and hard. It likes hard surfaces; it doesn't like soft surfaces. And we had a whole movie where we wanted things to be big and heavy and squishy and dirty. It was like we were fighting it every step of the way."

21. Turtley awesome

The moment: In Finding Nemo, Marlin and Dory are transported along the East Australian Current by sea turtle Crush and his family.

Why it's great: Never mind the brilliant surf-dude characterisations. What's really great here is how Crush's sense of adventure contrasts with Marlin's parental timidity, as he shows the clownfish the glories of an ocean that Marlin has been too afraid to experience.

Pixar say: Supervising animator Dylan Brown on the animation style - "We knew we could make a Jacques Cousteau-type of documentary, but that's not what we were trying to do. What we do at the studio is caricature and it would look funny to have cartoony caricatures of fish in this realistic world. We didn't want to fool the audience that they are in a real world. You have to believe you are underwater, but it doesn't have to be photo-realistic to do that."

20. Riley opens her eyes

The moment: Starting with just Joy and a button to make Riley laugh, we see Riley's mind being shaped as all the other emotions arrive with their own particular skill set.

Why it's great: The exquisite opening sequence expertly establishes the rules and mechanics of Inside Out without the need for lengthy exposition or being too complex for younger audiences. Film-making of the highest order.

Pixar say: Producer Jonas Rivera on the development of Inside Out - "For three or four screenings, it wasn't even really a movie. I remembered the notes we'd get would all start like, 'this is a great idea' and for a minute we're like 'Okay cool, thank you, we agree!' then we realise, 'They're not even saying movie'. It took us a while to rein it in and go 'that needs to be funnier, that needs to be slower, that needs to be clearer'."

19. Courting EVE

The moment: Wall-E doesn't know what's hit him when 'female' droid EVE arrives on Earth in search of life… not least because she really is trying to hit him, with lasers.

Why it's great: Few movie characters are given such depth of feeling as Wall-E, with his initial euphoria at finding a soul mate turning to heartbreak when EVE goes into standby mode and Wall-E selflessly keeps vigil over her come rain or shine.

Pixar say: Andrew Stanton on the character of Wall-E - "We came up with the last robot on Earth, this robot that just keeps doing the same thing, that got left on for whatever reason, and it's just doing the same job. And I just thought that was the saddest character I had ever heard of and I just loved that and I remember Pete Docter and I couldn't drop it for a couple of weeks."

18. Rounded up

The moment: After being toy-napped in Toy Story 2, Woody discovers his heritage as the much-loved hero of 1950s TV show, Woody's Round-Up, when he meets the gang: Jesse, Stinky Pete and Bullseye.

Why it's great: By giving Woody not only a backstory but a choice - is he Andy's toy, or a museum piece? - Pixar elaborated on the existential themes of the first movie in sad, profound ways. The idea remains one of Pixar's best.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on deepening the original - "Most sequels are just part of the same old story being told again, which actually makes the original less interesting. And we always looked at The Empire Strikes Back and Godfather Part II, which are two sequels we held up as our model, because both expanded on the original. And that’s what we wanted to do."

17. A la Mode

The moment: Mr Incredible pays a visit to superhero costume designer Edna Mode in The Incredibles.

Why it's great: Voiced by writer/director Brad Bird, Mode is a fabulous creation with her Edith Head-inspired obsession with form and function, and disdain for capes. Yet she's the perfect embodiment of the film's tongue-in-cheek approach to realism: of course superheroes outsource their clothing requirements!

Pixar say: Brad Bird on creating the character - "The idea was that superheroes always have these flamboyant costumes, and nobody explains who designs them. Every once in a while there would be a half-hearted attempt where they'd show some muscle-bound guy sewing in the basement. And I never really bought it that suddenly this guy had an interest in fashion, you know?"

16. Lightbulb moment

The moment: Cute lamp Luxo, Jr is crestfallen when he deflates his ball, but quickly regains his puppyish enthusiasm by finding an even bigger ball.

Why it's great: While not Pixar's first short, Luxo, Jr was its breakthrough, securing an Oscar nomination and proving the viability of CG animation. No wonder the l'il lamp is now world-famous as the studio's ident.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on realising he had a hit - "After the film show, Jim Blinn, who's one of the pioneers in this field, came running up to me and said, 'John, I have to ask you a question.' And I thought, 'God, I don't know anything about these algorithms; I know he's going to ask me about the shadow algorithms or something like that.' And he asked me, 'John, was the parent lamp a mother or a father?'"

15. The claw

The moment: Thinking he's found a way home in Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear stumbles into a claw game filled with evangelical aliens - "the claw is our master!"

Why it's great: Even in an ensemble filled with strong, engaging characters, the unexpected arrival of these space cadets adds further wit and charm to the story.

Pixar say: Jeff Pidgeon on doing the voices - "The key is to sound awestruck most of the time, as if you’re seeing something incredible happening in front of you."

14. The doors

The moment: The climax of Monsters, Inc. sees Mike, Sully and Boo pursued by Randall through dozens of magic doors, cueing up a surreal, globe-trotting chase in and out of various bedrooms and the vertiginous factory vault where the doors are stored.

Why it's great: Few blockbusters have set-pieces this original, funny and exciting. Fewer still can tie them so well to the film's theme - the doors are charged by Boo's laughter, setting up the ending's transition from horror to comedy.

Pixar say: Co-director David Silverman - "We were referring to it as the international door chase... and I just thought the door chase thing was a great thought. It went through quite a bit of development once we really rolled up our sleeves, but that was always a key element and always a great idea."

13. Up, up and away

The moment: The authorities arrive to take Carl Frederickson off to a retirement home, but Carl has other ideas. "So long, boys!" he whoops as his entire house takes off and heads Up into the sky, under the power of 10,297 balloons.

Why it's great: It's a simple, arresting, instantly iconic image, layered with symbolism and nostalgia (it's very Wizard Of Oz) and the perfect subject for Pixar's first 3D movie.

Pixar say: Supervising technical director Steve May on animating the balloons - "in every frame of the animation, [the computer can] literally compute the forces acting on those balloons, [so] that they're buoyant, that their strings are attached, that wind is blowing through them. And based on those forces, we can compute how the balloon should move."

12. Disciplinary action

The moment: Mr Incredible - stuck in a dead-end insurance job and banned from using his powers - takes out his frustrations on his supervisor by throwing him through the wall - or, as it soon turns out, several walls.

Why it's great: The slow pan to reveal the extent of the supervisor's journey is one of the great Pixar sight gags, and a literal depiction of The Incredibles' themes about meritocracy vs mediocrity that caused some pundits to accuse Bird of fascism.

Pixar say: Brad Bird on the film's themes - "Well the cool thing about it was even though I may have disagreed with a couple of writers' analysis of what it was, the fact that it was written about in the op/ed section of the New York Times several times was really gratifying to me. Look, it's a mainstream animated movie, and how often are those considered thought provoking? It's meant to be a great time at the theatre, but it's also designed to work on more than one level."

11. A fiery end

The moment: Abandoned by Lotso towards the end of Toy Story 3, Andy's toys face what is surely certain death in the furnace at the Tri-County Landfill. Resigned to the inevitable, they hold hands in a gesture of love and solidarity.

Why it's great: They wouldn't, would they? It seemed scarcely plausible that Pixar would kill off its most beloved characters… but then, after Up, anything was possible.

Pixar say: Lee Unkrich on the furnace scene - "I didn't want characters cracking jokes or making light of the situation. I wanted to treat it as realistically and honestly as possible. I always thought of it as a family in a plane that's going down. What are you going to do? Are you going to shriek and scream or are you going to become quiet and take your family's hands and hold them close, and go down together? I think that's what would happen. So I tried to stay truthful to that idea -- these toys facing their end with dignity. Quiet dignity. And I think it's that idea that became a very powerful idea and thing for the audience to experience."

10. A kind of magic

The moment: In Presto, a disgruntled rabbit gets revenge on his magician owner by taking advantage of the magic hat he's meant to be pulled out of.

Why it's great: Doug Sweetland's anarchic film is arguably the finest short in the Pixar canon, a gag-filled homage to the golden age of Looney Tunes animation.

Pixar say: Doug Sweetland on the central concept: "I just loved the physics of the hats. There was no end to the variations on ‘in one hat and out the other'; I could spend all day doing that. What I found, is that’s not necessarily a story!"

9. Beeps and whistles

The moment: The radical first act of Wall-E breaks new ground for Pixar by being nearly - with the exception of the songs from Hello Dolly - dialogue-free.

Why it's great: A glorious throwback to the heyday of Charlie Chaplin, Pixar proves it can create a brilliant character through just the personality of the animators and a few beeps and whistles from Star Wars sound guru Ben Burtt.

Pixar say: Andrew Stanton on finding Wall-E's voice - "There's dialogue from frame one. Each of those beeps and those squawks and those whirrs mean something and they're trying to convey a specific thing, so I actually wrote the script with dialogue – wrote it just like a regular script. I would just put the dialogue in brackets. So if he says 'hey, come over here,' I wrote 'hey, come over here' and I put it in brackets."

8. Play nice

The moment: Sid gets his comeuppance in Toy Story, as Woody leads the boy's 'mutant' toys in a revolution that sees them reveal their sentience.

Why it's great: A playful yet sinister riff on Close Encounters of the Third Kind that harnesses the surreal wonder of toys coming to life.

Pixar say: Editor Lee Unkrich on the scare factor - "We were worried about that, whether Sid’s mutant toys were going to be too frightening for kids. At the end of the day, kids like being scared a little bit, and everything works out. Again, it’s all about being in that safe environment of everything working out, and being safe in a movie theatre."

7. The adventure

The moment: In Up, Carl finally takes a look at Ellie's scrapbook and realises she has added photos of their marriage, ending with the hand-written note, "Thanks for the adventure".

Why it's great: While the opening sequence broke new ground in animation, this unexpected grace note is one of Pixar's most seismic emotional beats, restoring the misanthropic, grieving Carl back to kindness and positivity.

Pixar say: John Lasseter on the film's meaning - "That’s really what the message of Up is - that the adventure of life is not particularly big, it’s the wonderful, everyday, simple things that make your life so special."

6. When she loved me

The moment: Jesse sings her heart out in Toy Story 2, as she explains to Woody just why she's so cynical about the long-term prospects of having an owner.

Why it's great: Positioned at the exact centre of the Toy Story trilogy, this marks the point where the series truly grows up, shifting from a tale of childhood imagination to a mature reflection on growing up.

Pixar say: Composer Randy Newman on working with Pixar - "Pixar is the only example I know of where they produce art by committee. They take notes, listen to each other, change it."

5. Bing Bong's emotional trauma

The moment: Joy is stuck down in the Memory Dump with Riley's imaginary friend Bing Bong and both are in danger of being forgotten. They spot Bing Bong's flying wagon but he has to make a noble sacrifice to allow Joy to escape.

Why it's great: Pixar are adept at making adults weep and this moment is no exception. It's one of the darkest moments in their canon, but so beautifully delivered - "take her to the moon for me" - that you applaud them through the tears.

Pixar say: Richard Kind (who voices Bing Bong) on original version - "The scene down in the valley was about 40 seconds to a minute longer. And I loved it. The reason why they cut it - and I think they're sort of right - was because that earlier version was [so] heart-wrenching. I likened it to the scene in Bambi when his mother dies. We don't need to see that again."

4. The final piece of the puzzle

The moment: Having thought he'd never see Boo again, Sully is delighted when Mike reveals he has recreated the girl's door at the end of Monsters, Inc. All Sully has to do is add the splinter he'd kept as a memento.

Why it's great: The greatest final shot in any Pixar film is a close-up of Sully's face erupting into pure joy - emotion that any live-action actor would be hard pushed to replicate.

Pixar say: Pete Docter on Sully - "So with monsters, it just seemed like 'Okay, you gotta have fur. You gotta have something that’s approachable and fuzzy and monster-y at the same time.' So we put a lot of development into that. It was scary at the beginning, because no one was convinced that we could do it. That’s not totally true; the technical guys who did it were pretty assured. But it had never been done, anyway. And it was something we were betting a lot on. So luckily, that paid off."

3. Anton's epiphany

The moment: In Ratatouille, merciless food critic Anton Ego is dismissive when Remy sends him a plate of the titular stew… until he tries it and is transported back to a childhood memory of his mother's cooking.

Why it's great: It's a spine-tingled, unexpected emotional rush that effortlessly nails the film's themes about not judging by appearance and appreciating the virtues of talent.

Pixar say: Brad Bird on the challenges of animating food - "Computers aren’t really very interested in making things look delicious. They’re interested in things looking clean and things looking geometrically precise, and usually hard not squishy – not tactile. Computers are great for perfection. They’re not great at organic things. We had to work really hard to get the food to look like you could taste it and smell it and enjoy it.”

2. Farewell, Andy

The moment: Woody has fixed it so that Andy's toys are given away to Bonnie at the end of Toy Story 3. But when she sees Woody, it's obvious that it's also time for the cowboy to say goodbye to his owner, too.

Why it's great: It's the moment the entire trilogy has been building towards, and Pixar aces it by being as joyous as it is melancholy, and setting up new adventures for the gang without compromising on the sustained richness of everything to date.

Pixar say: Lee Unkrich on the film's emotional core - "We had lost friends here and there. We had raised children and some of us were sending kids off to college. We thought a lot of it had to do with our own personal ride so it really did surprise us that, on a global level, people were so affected by the movie. We realised that we had inadvertently tapped into some really deep-seated emotions."

1. Carl and Ellie

The moment: The opening montage to Up remains the studio's most moving, ambitious sequence, tracing the characters' relationship from childhood courtship to Ellie's devastating death.

Why it's great: Forget this is animation, and it's a sequence to rival Ozu or Bergman for emotional impact and narrative sophistication, showing just how far Pixar has come.

Pixar say: Pete Docter on creating the sequence - "I wanted it to feel almost like Carl’s memory of the events in his life so the saturation of colour and even the way we shot things, or a little more just kind of as though we’re standing back presenting it instead of experiencing it quite as much. I think all of that contributed to the emotion of it."