WRITER'S NOTE: The following was originally published on November 13, 2015. Only original theatrical shorts will be discussed, while spin-offs of Pixar's feature films are in a category of their own. (The following short films can be viewed on Disney+ or on the three "Pixar Short Films Collection" DVD/bluray discs.)
La Luna (2011)
A lovely fable about three generations of an Italian family, centered on a little boy travels with his father and grandfather to the moon to collect shooting stars. Directed by Enrico Casarosa and featuring a Fellini-esque score by Michael Giaachino, this wonderful story is about discovering our place in our family and in the world. It also honors a family heritage and illustrates the theme of passing the baton from one generation to the next. (Preceded Brave in theaters in 2012.)
The Blue Umbrella (2013)
A bittersweet and captivating story (and possibly an homage to the classic Oscar-winning 1956 short film, The Red Balloon) about two inanimate objects who meet on a rainy night in New York City. Directed by Saschka Unseld and featuring a creative score by Jon Brion, as well as delightful animation of anthropomorphized objects and buildings. (Preceded Monsters University in theaters in 2013.)
Lava (2014)
Another captivating love story (and fitting companion piece to the full-length film it preceded), in which two volcanoes long for companionship over thousands of years. Directed by James Ford Murphy as a loving homage to the late beloved musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, the results are beautiful and universal. (Preceded Inside Out in theaters in 2015.)
Sanjay’s Super Team (2015)
An Indian boy is torn between childhood fantasies and his family's religion, until he imagines Hindu gods as superheroes. A semi-autobiography of director Sanjay Patel's own childhood, this colorful and mesmerizing short features daring themes that Pixar had never tackled before. (Preceded The Good Dinosaur in theaters in 2015.)
Piper (2016)
Another wonderful companion piece to the feature film it preceded, this charming short tells the story of a baby sandpiper who overcomes its fear of the ocean waves and forms an unlikely friendship with a tiny crab. Directed by Alan Barillaro, the attention-to-detail in the animation (from sand to bubbles) and characters is incredible. (Preceded Finding Dory in theaters in 2016.)
Lou (2017)
This inventive story centers on an anthropomorphic assortment of lost-and-found items and a toy-snatching schoolyard bully. Directed by Dave Mullins, the short is also energetic and poetic as it captures a particular part of elementary school adolescence. (Preceded Cars 3 in theaters in 2017.)
Bao (2018)
Domee Shi's original short follows a Chinese immigrant (and empty nester) in Canada, and a small dumpling that comes to life. Groundbreaking for its cultural significance, the premise may be weird, but it's also genuine and relatable. (Preceded Incredibles 2 in theaters in 2018.)
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