Pixar has made many lovable characters, so much that it can sometimes get confusing keeping track of them. There are Woody, Buzz, Nemo, Dory, Mike, Sully, and that’s only a few from their early movies. Sometimes, one movie just isn’t enough to appreciate the characters. Maybe a smaller, more self-contained story will fill your desire for more of them.
Fortunately, Pixar is no stranger when it comes to making spin-offs of their films. While there aren’t many, there are a few in their arsenal that stand out. There’s even a spin-off headed soon to Disney Plus based on Monsters Inc. But before that came some spin-offs of Pixar films that all appear ranked on this list.
Planes
While the Planes series may not feature any recognizable characters, it’s nonetheless a spin-off of the Cars franchise. In the first Planes film, Dusty Crophopper (played by Dane Cook) is a plane who’s stuck crop dusting, when in reality, all he wants to do is be a racer. Planes is harmless, but it does leave much to be desired.
The biggest downside to Planes is that as the film continues, it becomes apparent how everything will play out. Because of this, it becomes easier for audiences to disconnect from the experience. The reason it isn’t of Pixar’s usual quality is because the film was made by the now-defunct Disneytoon Studios, which was responsible for multiple sequels to original Disney films. It’s interesting to think how different Planes would be if Pixar had made it.
Planes: Fire & Rescue
The sequel to Planes, still released by Disneytoon Studios, is an improvement over the first. In Planes: Fire & Rescue, Dusty still wants to race, but finds out he can’t anymore because one of his parts have been damaged. Upset, Dusty flies away and accidentally creates a fire. Once a local firefighting team comes to put it out, he’s determined to learn from them to make up for his mistake.
Planes: Fire & Rescue tops its predecessor by being less formulaic. Even though he gets his damaged part fixed, Dusty doesn’t immediately rush back to racing, like how it might be expected of him to do. Instead, he becomes a firefighter along with his new friends. As all Dusty cared about was racing, it communicates how much he’s grown over the film.
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
The beginning of Toy Story 2 is a fun introduction into the world of Buzz Lightyear. It’s a moment that gives the audience a taste of what it’s like to battle the evil emperor Zurg. Fortunately, Pixar produced an entire series based on this introduction called Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.
In the show, Buzz is joined by several new allies, including Booster and Princess Mira Nova, as they battle Emperor Zurg and other evil tyrants of the galaxy. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command is a fun adventure for anyone looking for adventures throughout space, or just more of everyone’s favorite space ranger.
Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales
Lightning McQueen may have been the original protagonist of the Cars franchise, Mater has taken that title several times throughout its run. In Cars 2, he was at the forefront, but it wasn’t the first time. Two years after the first Cars film was released, a series of shorts called Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales began airing on Disney Channel.
In Mater’s Tall Tales, Mater tells a highly imaginative story to Lightning McQueen, like how he used to be a rock star or a private detective. After he’s done, Lightning usually says that he doesn’t believe the story, followed by something passing by that proves it may be true after all. The shorts are entertaining and remind us of how innovative the Cars series can be.
Forky Asks A Question
Toy Story 4 featured an abundance of new characters, from Keanu Reeves’s Duke Caboom to Christina Hendricks’s Gabby Gabby. Arguably the most popular new character in the film is Forky, played by Tony Hale. A funny and charming spork/toy, it made sense that he was given his very own spin-off show on Disney Plus.
In Forky Asks a Question, Forky needs answers to life’s most complex questions. He goes around Bonnie’s room and asks the other toys questions, such as what is love, reading, or probably most important, cheese. The episodes of Forky Asks a Question are short and sweet doses that serve as a nice trip back into the world of Toy Story.
Jack-Jack Attack
In Incredibles 2, baby Jack-Jack is discovering his extraordinary powers, like laser eyes, combustion, and multiplying himself. Though the family first discovers his powers in this film, he actually showed it in The Incredibles and in the short film Jack-Jack Attack.
Jack-Jack Attack describes the events of the first film, where babysitter Kari was taking care of Jack-Jack while the rest of the family was away. As Jack-Jack develops more and more powers, Kari struggles to handle them on her own. Aid comes to her rescue in the form of Syndrome, posing as a replacement babysitter. Kari gives Jack-Jack to him, which leads to the end of the first Incredibles. Jack-Jack Attack is a hilarious spin-off that provides even more of the adorable super baby.
BURN-E
Even though BURN-E was only seen for a brief moment in WALL-E, he was such a favorite among producers that he was given his very own short film. In BURN-E, the titular character has to fix a light that WALL-E broke in the original film. He’s constantly fixing it and accidentally breaking it, distracted by WALL-E and EVE’s antics. When he finally fixes it, he is mistakenly locked outside the ship.
BURN-E is a sweet story that makes you feel for the little robot. No matter how much he goes through in the film, he is determined to finish the job. It builds him up perfectly, and the audience is rooting for the moment when he finally gets to rest.
