Pixar wouldn't be the studio they are today if they didn't earn their reputation with both their technology and the short films they used to createe them. Before Toy Story was even conceived, the studio was working on imaginative mini-movies that helped them develop their storytelling craft.
They might not be as iconic as Toy Story's Buzz and Woody might be, but Pixar's shorts star a whole cast of characters just as recognizable and lovable as those of their feature films. Despite their short time on the big screen, many of these characters have left a lasting impression on many viewers.
Luxo And Luxo Jr. (Luxo Jr.)
There's no better place to start than with one of Pixar's earliest projects. Before their bouncy mascot was jumping up and down on the letter I, he debuted in this short little tableau featuring a ball and a pair of surprisingly emotive desk lamps.
It's Pixar at their simplest, featuring no lines of dialogue and a very bare-bones situation, essentially a child playing with a ball. While that might not win many awards by today's standards, it was a project that helped put Pixar on the map and introduce them to the realms of animation.
Tinny The Tin Toy (Tin Toy)
Before they created their break-out hit, Pixar already had their own toy story featuring an excitable windup toy on the run from a giant baby. There really isn't much in terms of plot for Tinny's first outing, but his expressions and design are so surprisingly realistic that he becomes unforgettable, though his name might not be.
While the animation is definitely still in its primitive stages for the studio, it's easy to see how the project would later influence the adventures of plenty of other iconic characters.
Geri (Geri’s Game)
An old man playing chess with himself alone in a park might seem like one of the most boring plots for a movie of any length, but this one did win an Academy Award for its creative presentation and its eccentric, elderly lead. With a chessboard and a pair of glasses, Geri creates two personas having a war of wits on a crisp autumn day.
The short is truly a testament to Pixar's creative team, displaying how a simple idea can be ripe with comedic possibilities. Of course, Geri's expressions, wit, and personalities certainly do a lot to aid the short as well.
The Birds (For The Birds)
Simply known as "the birds," this flock of foul-tempered fowl and their goony-looking interloper are essentially the backbones of the entire short. Though they might only communicate with a series of squeaks, honks, and squeals, their over-the-top silliness is what wins them a spot on the list.
The short is essentially a comedic variation of "do unto others," as a troupe of territorial birds is forced to learn how to share their wire with a strange new guest. To say that the feathers fly in this little film is an understatement.
Bass and Treble (One Man Band)
In Pixar's One Man Band short, Bass and Trebel are two musicians with bright personas that match their names. Bass, with his large body and low-registered brass instruments, makes the perfect foil for his rival. Treble, as his name implies, is the complete antithesis; he's a thin, jester-like character with high-pitched string instruments.
The short relies on its music and visuals to tell its story, and these two characters are prime examples of that maxim. It's a delightful clash of tastes and designs that creates an entertaining spectacle worthy of the Pixar name.
Purl (Purl)
Purl is the leading lady for her Pixar Spark short of the same name. Purl is a feisty little ball of yarn trying to make a place for herself in the corporate world, but in a business populated by dude-bro tycoons, one either learns to blend in or evolve.
Purl is a surprisingly adult Pixar short film, and not just because it has a dirty joke or two. It's a reflection of how new environments and mingling with new people in today's modern work environment can be a culture shock. But, it also shows that there are ways to adapt and overcome with surprising results.
Presto and Alec (Presto)
Presto is easily one of the funniest shorts Pixar has ever released. Presto the Magician and his little buddy Alec Azam are performing for a full crowd at the opera house, but, when Presto forgets to feed his furry assistant before showtime, his haste leads to an all-out slapstick brawl with his bunny backstage.
This short is absolutely hysterical, a triumph of physical comedy with brilliant and brutal gags that would give Looney Toons Bugs Bunny a run for his money. But, as with most Pixar shorts, it concludes with a happy ending—even if the magician is a little bruised by the time the curtain falls.
Everything (The Blue Umbrella)
The Blue Umbrella is an unconventional love story told with extremely unconventional visuals. While the two umbrellas are definitely the center of the short, it's hard to include them alone as the best characters in the film. On the contrary, everything in this film should be considered a character.
The short film is powered by a phenomenon called "pareidolia," meaning the ability to find faces or images in objects. Everything in this short has some sort of face or personality to give life to the world they inhabit. If nothing else, fans should watch for the visuals alone.
Uku And Lele (Lava)
Some fans might consider Carl and Ellie from Up to be Pixar's greatest love story, but that title could also go to the pair of lovesick volcanoes in Pixar's Lava. If the tropical island visuals didn't win animation fans over, the catchy heartfelt song from Uku to his lady love definitely will.
A common film trope is having the background or the scenery become a character, but this short takes the idea literally as a pair of island formations take on lives of their own and tell a brief yet beautiful love story. It's honestly hard not to fall in "lava" with this one.
The Snowman (Knick Knack)
When one hears the term "Pixar Short," chances are Knick Knack is the one they think of. It might be for the delightful animation or the catchy music, but it's more than likely for the snowman trapped in the snowglobe trying to reach the attractive swimmer on the other side of the shelf. Though he goes through a Sisyphean series of trials, it makes for a short but sweet comedy of errors.
It's a case of simple-yet-effective, as are most of Pixar's early material, but it has stood the test of time. Though other films and shorts have come and gone, Knick Knack is still graet, and fans continue to watch, stream, and enjoy it.