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The Pixar Story

The Pixar Story

Documentary · 2007

A look at the first years of Pixar Animation Studios - from the success of "Toy Story" and Pixar's promotion of talented people, to the building of its East Bay campus, the company's relationship with Disney, and its remarkable initial string of eight hits. The contributions of John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs are profiled. The decline of two-dimensional animation is chronicled as three-dimensional animation rises. Hard work and creativity seem to share the screen in equal proportions.

Movie details

The Pixar Story

“Documentary about the history of Pixar animation”

2007 Documentary 1h 27m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.5 / 10

Community rating

A look at the first years of Pixar Animation Studios - from the success of "Toy Story" and Pixar's promotion of talented people, to the building of its East Bay campus, the company's relationship with Disney, and its remarkable initial string of eight hits. The contributions of John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs are profiled. The decline of two-dimensional animation is chronicled as three-dimensional animation rises. Hard work and creativity seem to share the screen in equal proportions.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Pixar Story?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Spielberg

Spielberg

Documentary · 2017

A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Handcarved Cinema

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Handcarved Cinema

Documentary · 2022

With mesmerizing footage and time lapses of animators at work, this behind-the-scenes special captures the artistry of a unique tale years in the making.

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story

Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story

Documentary · 2025

The authorized documentary celebrating the film that redefined Hollywood, 50 years after its premiere. Featuring rare archival footage and interviews with acclaimed Hollywood directors alongside Steven Spielberg, top shark scientists, and conservationists, the film uncovers the behind-the-scenes chaos and how the film launched the summer blockbuster, inspired a new wave of filmmakers, and paved the way for shark conservation that continues today.

The Walking Dead: The Return

The Walking Dead: The Return

Documentary · 2024

Stars of "The Walking Dead," Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, walk down memory lane and visit iconic locations where pivotal moments between their characters, Rick and Michonne, were filmed.

Jodorowsky's Dune

Jodorowsky's Dune

Documentary · 2013

In 1974, Chilean-French director Alejandro Jodorowsky embarked on the quixotic project of adapting Frank Herbert's influential novel Dune (1969) for the big screen. After investing two years, and millions of dollars, the gigantic project ended in failure; but the artists Jodorowsky brought together to carry it out continued to work together, and ended up laying the foundations for modern science fiction cinema.

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

Documentary · 2010

For decades, Freddy Krueger has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters, scaring up over half a billion dollars at the box office across eight terrifying, spectacular films.

QT8: The First Eight

QT8: The First Eight

Documentary · 2019

A detailed account of the life and artistic career of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, from his early days as a video club manager to the scandalous fall in disgrace of producer Harvey Weinstein. A story about how to shoot eight great movies and become an icon of modern pop culture.

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20

Documentary · 2022

An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.

Waking Sleeping Beauty

Waking Sleeping Beauty

Documentary · 2009

By the mid-1980s, the fabled animation studios of Walt Disney had fallen on hard times. The artists were polarized between newcomers hungry to innovate and old timers not yet ready to relinquish control. These conditions produced a series of box-office flops and pessimistic forecasts: maybe the best days of animation were over. Maybe the public didn't care. Only a miracle or a magic spell could produce a happy ending. Waking Sleeping Beauty is no fairy tale. It's the true story of how Disney regained its magic with a staggering output of hits - "Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast ," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," and more - over a 10-year period.

Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye

Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye

Documentary · 2022

Join the likes of Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Florence Pugh, and Vincent D’Onofrio as they reveal how Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” was conceived and created. Witness firsthand what it took to pull off the show’s pulse-pounding action set pieces, and discover how iconic characters from the pages of Marvel Comics such as Kate Bishop were adapted and brought to life for the six-episode series.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Leslie Iwerks

Written by

Jeff Vincent · Leslie Iwerks

Stacy Keach

Stacy Keach

Narrator (voice)

Edwin Catmull

Edwin Catmull

Self

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

Self

John Lasseter

John Lasseter

Self

W

William Reeves

Self

Joe Ranft

Joe Ranft

Self - Heimlich/ Lenny

George Lucas

George Lucas

Self

Court is in session

Put The Pixar Story on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.