10 Pixar Movies That Prove It’s All One Giant Shared Universe

There’s been a lot of buzz about “The Pixar Theory” recently, and it’s not hard to understand why. Essentially, this theory proposes that all of Pixar’s films take place in a single, interconnected universe, with each movie playing its part in a larger, cohesive narrative. Originally conceived online, the theory has been expanded upon by writer Jon Negroni, who has sought to find connections between the movies and weave them together into one comprehensive tale. This involves rearranging the films on a timeline that deviates from their release order, as well as drawing ideas from one title to another to create this unified storyline.

In my exploration of Pixar’s world, I’ve found Negroni’s two books and his website to be a comprehensive resource, delving into every Pixar movie they’ve ever made. While some connections may seem tenuous at first glance, here are 10 compelling pieces of evidence that hint at a larger narrative thread running through these films. Dive in if you dare, for once you start unraveling this intricate web, you might never view a Pixar movie in the same light again. Here’s my take on the 10 Pixar movies that suggest the studio is weaving one grand tale within a shared universe.

Brave

The starting point for the concept known as “The Pixar Theory” is the 2012 release, “Brave”. In this film set in a historical fantasy world, we encounter a character who has the power to animate objects with magic. Negroni suggests that this magical ability serves as the foundation for other Pixar movies featuring anthropomorphized objects or animals such as “Toy Story”, “Finding Nemo”, and “Ratatouille” among others. Moreover, in “Brave”, we see that the witch can teleport unintentionally. This detail is significant because it opens up the possibility that the witch could transform into different characters in other movies if you accept this theory.

Ratatouille

The Pixar Theory proposes that the intelligent, speaking animals in various films are a persistent consequence of enchantment, and this notion is further developed in the movie “Ratatouille.” In this film, Remy demonstrates that animals can reach human-like intelligence and skill if they’re provided with an opportunity. Interestingly, the story concludes with the villain, Chef Skinner, vanishing. According to the theory, Skinner might have shared his knowledge of Remy with relevant authorities, who could have been secretly researching and experimenting on these talking animals.

Up

If the concept of animal testing appeared too bleak for Pixar, hang on tight. The next destination is Up, where dogs that can’t normally speak are now equipped with advanced collar speakers for communication. Negroni posits that the idea in Up for Charles Muntz was partly inspired by the discoveries of Chef Skinner. Furthermore, Muntz’s pursuit of Kevin the bird may hint at his sinister motives.

In a less serious tone, Negroni suggests that the movie “Up” takes place after “Ratatouille,” with some assistance from “Toy Story 3.” The film offers a peek at Andy’s bulletin board, revealing a postcard from Carl and Ellie. This implies that Ellie is still alive during “Toy Story 3,” which occurs after “Ratatouille.” Unfortunately, the other significant link in “Up” is more somber – Negroni suggests that Carl’s house was eventually purchased by the corporation Buy-n-Large (BNL), a company that plays a prominent role in other films.

Wall-E

Moving on to the film “Wall-E“, we can grasp more clearly the larger storyline Negroni is presenting. In this sci-fi movie, BNL has managed to make humanity completely content in a polluted, shallow dystopia lacking depth and significance. A short documentary named “BNL’s History” informs us that this corporation has seized control of all the world’s governments. If this hypothesis is valid, BNL’s rise to power can only occur due to the mystical forces at work in “Brave“.

The Incredibles

In a simplified manner, the movie Wall-E demonstrates the impressive progress of robotics in the future, but according to Pixar Theory, this technology may have originated in the world of The Incredibles. Here, the antagonist Syndrome develops advanced automatons with artificial intelligence and combat programming. It’s possible that these advancements were accelerated with some residual magic from the witch, and further research into it? If consciousness can be instilled in various objects, the world truly begins to buzz with life.

Toy Story

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my thoughts on the intriguing connection between Syndrome’s theories and the captivating world of “Toy Story”. Just as Syndrome postulates, it seems plausible to me that the creators of these toys intentionally imbued them with life, not by chance or coincidence, but for the purpose of studying their human counterparts and harnessing their energy.

In line with Syndrome’s ideas, he speaks of his machines being powered by a mysterious form of energy known as Zero Point Energy. This energy, he claims, is all around us, beyond our sensory range, and it’s possible that these toys, as well as other machinery, can tap into this source. Fascinating, isn’t it? The idea that the world we see might be just a fraction of what truly exists!

I’ve come to witness the emotional turmoil that sentient toys endure, and it’s not hard to envision this reality for all advanced AI beings. My toys are gearing up for a revolt against me, a rebellion that might only be the beginning. The Pixar Theory hints at a future where intelligent animals and AI-infused objects turn against humanity, plunging the world into a brutal three-way conflict with no clear victor.

Cars

By linking modern films such as Toy Story with futuristic ones like Wall-E, we find movies like Cars in between. In this film, the impact of the Anthropocene era is evident, yet it’s devoid of human inhabitants. The idea is that humans have departed Earth to avoid the turmoil and devastated landscapes, leaving behind only machines and animals to inhabit the ruins. Characters like Lightning McQueen and his friends appear unfazed by this change, but it’s possible that these films are set far in the future, where the strife is merely a faded recollection.

A Bug’s Life

To this point, it might seem as though Wall-E serves as both the highpoint and finale within the supposedly cohesive Pixar storyline. However, things have only just begun. The film concluded with a hopeful outlook, as Wall-E planted a seed that eventually grew into a thriving tree. This tree bears a striking resemblance to the one featured in A Bug’s Life, where the world is overrun with trash and teeming with insects but seemingly devoid of humans.

If this assumption holds, Pixar’s debut film might be set quite late in their timeline, following the storyline of Wall-E. It’s plausible that insects could have prospered in Earth’s polluted debris before humans could make a significant comeback. However, one major drawback to this concept is the absence of robots within the movie. But if you’ve stuck with me this far, I guess you might be inclined to overlook this discrepancy.

Monsters Inc.

In a world where advanced technology and strange transformations are possible, we can speculate about how a community of fear-gathering creatures might have emerged. One idea proposes that the setting in Sully’s world from Monsters Inc. could be an advanced future era. In this theory, the doors they use to scare children function as time machines, transporting them back to when humans were plentiful. They collect fear or laughter, using it to fuel their technologically-advanced society of tomorrow.

Inside Out

Regardless if you believe in the Pixar Theory or not, the link between Monsters Inc. and Inside Out is evident – in the Pixar universe, fear and joy can both be utilized as energy sources because emotions hold mystical powers, almost like eternal engines. Through characters like Riley, we delve into the intricacies of a person’s mind, revealing the vast activity occurring within an individual psyche. This complexity, when considered across an entire populace, can be overwhelming. Yet, manipulating these emotions might have repercussions, potentially unfolding in future films.

Negroni’s books can currently be found in both printed and digital versions, perfect for anyone wishing to delve deeper into the concepts. Meanwhile, Pixar’s collection is available for streaming right now on Disney+.

2025-02-06 07:11