There are currently twenty Pixar movies that have had a short accompany their theatrical release. These are brief-length, original films that premiere before the feature-length film, known as traditionally "shorts," and some of them are just as famous as the movies they precede.
Originally created by Pixar in order to showcase developing animation technology, these films have become a beloved tradition with every new Pixar film release that shows the variety of their animation team's creativity. The users of Letterboxd have rated each out of five stars, and their thoughts paint a clear picture of the best shorts Pixar has to offer.
For The Birds (2000) - 3.5
Released in conjunction with Monsters Inc., For The Birds stars a large blue bird who meets a flock of baby birds. This quickly turns into a rivalry of small vs large when they fight to occupy the telephone pole wire.
This film won the Oscar for best animated short - and it's not hard to see why. The slapstick is reminiscent of the early days of Disney classic cartoons like Mickey Mouse, and the attention to detail in its animation and computer graphics were groundbreaking for their time.
Partly Cloudy (2009) - 3.7
Gus, a goofball of a grey cloud, is tasked with sculpting babies to give to storks for delivery. Unlike the other clouds, his sculpting often goes awry as he makes a series of increasingly dangerous "babies" normally reserved for the animal kingdom.
Even though he may be a cloud with magic sculpting powers, Gus makes for one of the most relatable Pixar characters. His feelings of ambition and defeat in the face of obstacles while trying to sculpt resonates with all audiences and make for a deeply touching short.
Lou (2017) - 3.7
Accompanying the feature-length Cars 3, Lou tells the tale of a lost-and-found box in a playground that assembles as one and comes to life. Lou crosses paths with a playground bully with a tendency to steal from other kids, and the two form a reluctant partnership in returning toys to their rightful owners.
In a similar manner to the Toy Story movies, this tale of a boy and his toys makes for a film that tugs at the heartstrings with its uplifting tale of redemption. On Letterboxd, TheNasophiliac wrote in their review, "My dismembered soul reassembles."
The Blue Umbrella (2013) - 3.7
The Blue Umbrella is a musical short that features a rainy day in the city, where the rain activates the city's rainy day objects. Within the sea of plain umbrellas, two vibrantly colored umbrellas cross paths and quickly fall in love.
The Blue Umbrella is arguably the most realistic style of animation Pixar has produced, but it has its own unique visionary artistic flair. On Letterboxd, Tentin Quarantino reviewed the film by saying, "Pixar told a love story with umbrellas and no dialogue. And it was excellent," a perfect sentiment for a film that perfectly encapsulates what Pixar does best.
Presto (2008) - 3.7
Shown prior to WALL-E, Presto chronicles the great magician of the same name and one particularly bad night at the theater. When Presto neglects to give his rabbit, Alec Azam, his favorite carrots once again, Alec tricks the magician's very own tricks in a theatrical game of cat-and-mouse.
While only 5 minutes long, both Presto and Alec make for some of the funniest Pixar characters ever put on screen. The slapstick back-and-forth between the pair feels akin to the early Disney cartoons, as well as classic capers like Tom & Jerry.
Day & Night (2010) - 3.7
Pixar tackled the classic opposites in the short Day & Night - the first Pixar film to use real-life photographs in its animation. The two personifications of daytime and nighttime meet for the first time and realize their differences and form an instant rivalry before getting to know the benefits of one another.
On Letterboxd, justinC called Day & Night "Thought-provoking, fun, and full of moody humor, this a short film that was done right." Pixar took a tale of two contrasts as old as time itself and included empathy and humor in a way that makes it feel fresh.
Geri's Game (1997) - 3.8
Shown before A Bug's Life, Geri's Game reintroduced Pixar shorts, allowing moviegoers a glimpse of the talent of their animators and storytellers prior to the main feature. The short depicts an elderly man, Geri, playing a game of chess in the park with two sides of himself that battle it out to become the winner.
It's no wonder shorts continued to this day after Geri's Game. In just a few short minutes with no dialogue, Pixar managed to get audiences to fall in love with Geri's character, using a well-written and concise story as well as groundbreaking animation.
La Luna (2011) - 3.8
Set in Italy, La Luna follows three generations of one family as they go on their sea expedition that takes them to the moon as part of their star-hunting business. The grandfather, father, and son argue over the best hunting methods as the young son unlocks a unique ability.
On Letterboxd, Sam Morrison called the film a "small, stirring tale about a young boy coming into the world of occupations in his own way" - and they are correct. In a short period of time, La Luna manages to expertly convey the classic coming of age tale with themes of familial love and self-discovery.
Bao (2018) - 3.9
The Academy Award-winning Bao follows a mother struggling with her empty nest as her son goes to college. She takes comfort in her love of cooking meals that she fed to her son growing up until one of her steamed bao buns bears a familiar face.
Not only is Bao one of the greatest Pixar shorts ever made, it is one of the best Pixar movies ever made, period. Director Domee Shi wonderfully conveys the importance of food as an expression of love in Chinese culture as well as the highs and lows of motherhood. These themes are equally clear in Shi's later feature film for Pixar, Turning Red.
Piper (2016) - 4.0
In Piper, a sandpiper bird with a phobia of water meets a hermit crab on the shore. Desperately hungry, the titular Piper is engulfed in a wave, and the hermit crab teaches her the ways of the water.
The most acclaimed Pixar short on Letterboxd, Piper has incredibly detailed and lifelike graphics without disregard for unique animation style. The short uses classic Pixar themes of opposites coming together for the common good, as well as what it means to survive, well worthy of its Academy Award win.