40 years ago today a small group of tech visionaries spun off from Lucasfilm to change the face of cinema forever. From the early days of the Pixar Image Computer to the global dominance of the “Brain Trust,” we’re celebrating four decades of the studio that taught us how to feel.
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The Genesis
Forty years ago today, Steve Jobs purchased the Computer Division of Lucasfilm for $10 million, incorporating it as an independent company known as Pixar. Led by computer scientist Edwin Catmull and artist Alvy Ray Smith, the studio didn’t start as a movie powerhouse; they were originally a hardware company selling the high-end Pixar Image Computer.
However, a young animator named John Lasseter had a different vision. While the hardware struggled, the short films he created to demonstrate the technology—most notably 1986’s Luxo Jr.—proved that computer-generated imagery (CGI) could possess a soul. That desk lamp became their mascot, and by 1995, Pixar had released Toy Story, the world’s first fully computer-animated feature, launching a revolution that eventually led to their multi-billion dollar merger with Disney in 2006.
To Infinity and Beyond: Pixar’s 15 Best Movies Ranked
Toy Story (1995)
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The one that started it all. Beyond its technical innovation, it established the “Pixar formula”: a high-concept world anchored by a deeply human friendship. Woody and Buzz aren’t just toys; they are icons of cinema.
WALL-E (2008)
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A near-silent masterpiece for its first act, WALL-E is perhaps Pixar’s most ambitious film. It manages to be a heartbreaking romance, a sharp environmental critique, and a hopeful vision of humanity, all centered on a rusty trash-compactor.
Inside Out (2015)
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Pixar at its most cerebral. By personifying emotions, the studio created a visual language for mental health that resonated with children and adults alike. It’s a profound exploration of why we need sadness to truly experience joy.
Coco (2017)
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A visual and emotional triumph. Coco is a vibrant love letter to Mexican culture and the importance of memory. Its climax, featuring the song “Remember Me,” remains one of the most tear-jerking moments in animation history.
The Incredibles (2004)
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Before the superhero boom took over Hollywood, Brad Bird gave us the definitive “super-family” story. It’s a sleek, mid-century modern action flick that is as much about the mundanity of domestic life as it is about saving the world.
Finding Nemo (2003)
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A breathtaking underwater odyssey. The story of a neurotic clownfish searching for his son captured the universal anxiety of parenthood, while Ellen DeGeneres’ Dory became one of the most beloved sidekicks of all time.
Ratatouille (2007)
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“Anyone can cook.” This film is a sophisticated meditation on art, criticism, and passion. The animation of the food alone was a technical milestone, making it arguably the most “delicious” movie ever made.
Up (2009)
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The first ten minutes of Up are legendary, telling a lifetime of love and loss in a wordless montage. The rest of the film is a whimsical, high-flying adventure that proves it’s never too late to start a new chapter.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
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A masterclass in world-building. The concept of monsters using children’s screams for energy was genius, but the bond between the giant, blue Sulley and the tiny “Boo” is what gave the film its enduring heart.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
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The rare sequel that arguably surpasses the original. It expanded the lore of Woody’s past and introduced Jessie, whose “When She Loved Me” sequence added a layer of bittersweet depth to the franchise.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
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A perfect conclusion (at the time) to the trilogy. The incinerator scene and Andy’s final goodbye to his toys provided a definitive catharsis for the generation that grew up with the films. This year Toy Story 5 will be released.
Soul (2020)
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Released during the pandemic, Soul asked the biggest questions Pixar has ever tackled: What makes life worth living? It’s a beautiful, jazz-infused journey through the “Before” and the “Great Beyond.”
A Bug’s Life (1998)
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Often overshadowed by Toy Story, this “Seven Samurai” with insects is a charming underdog story with a fantastic villain in Kevin Spacey’s Hopper. It showcased Pixar’s early ability to handle massive crowds of characters.
Turning Red (2022)
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A bold, vibrant, and unapologetically specific look at female puberty and the mother-daughter bond. Its 2000s Toronto setting and boy-band obsession made it a fresh, energetic entry in the modern Pixar canon.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
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The highest-grossing animated film of all time for a reason. By introducing Anxiety and Ennui, Pixar proved they still have their finger on the pulse of the adolescent experience, creating a sequel that felt both necessary and hilarious.
