If anyone says Pixar movies are just for kids, wave them goodbye! Pixar films are noted for their emotional depth and universal appeal, but not every scene in their feature films has the same impact on children as it does on adults, with some situations presented that are beyond what most children have experienced at their age.
Although some components of Pixar’s stories are broadly relevant, certain plot elements and character interactions are only fully recognized by adults, whether due to a character’s age or a storyline that is unique to the adult experience.
1. Toy Story 3
Picture: Insider
Toy Story 3 is one of the best long-awaited sequels, and it follows Andy’s toys as they come to terms with the fact that he is no longer a child who needs them as he prepares to enter college. Andy copes with the shift by eventually handing over his toys to Bonnie, the new kid. The part where Woody says ‘so long partner’ definitely got us grabbing out tissues. These gestures are emotional not only from the standpoint of the toys but also for Andy himself since his gift to Bonnie marks the beginning of a new period in his life and represents the transition that every adult has gone through as they grow up. And it is so relatable for adults because we were just like Andy, shifting from childhood to adulthood so quickly.
Also, in another scene wherein a brief moment, it appeared that Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of our favorite toys were set to perish due to a massive furnace! That made us all think they were done for good and of course made us cry too.
2. Up
Picture: Flipkart
The beginning of this movie is touching enough. Carl and Ellie of Up have a romance that spans decades, as evidenced in the movie’s opening montage. They are one of the best non-royal Disney couples. It takes viewers on a journey from childhood until Ellie’s tragic death, with Carl’s subsequent grief serving as a driving force in the plot. While children can have grieving experiences, the longevity of Carl and Ellie’s relationship, as well as the way their time together is condensed within the movie’s setting, is rich with emotion and a sense of time that children have yet to completely grasp.
3. Coco
Picture: Forbes
Coco is noteworthy for its explorations of life and death through the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead, which is a profoundly emotional film for many reasons. Miguel’s elderly great-grandmother Coco, whose memory has begun to deteriorate, is an important character in the plot. Miguel returns home after seeing Coco’s father, Héctor, in the Land of the Dead, and plays one of his songs, “Remember Me,” to Coco, who is able to sing along with him, with the song prompting memories of her father. The elderly Coco’s reunification with her father is profoundly emotional, providing a cathartic moment for older people who have recently lost a parent or have experienced something similar.
4. Inside Out
Picture: Twitter
This movie is definitely relatable because we have lots of emotion running in our heads every day! Riley’s childhood imaginary best friend Bing Bong sacrifices himself by jumping from a waggon rocket in order for it to be light enough to let Joy return to Riley’s brain’s Headquarters. Inside Out is a movie packed with things you only notice after re-watching it, but one scene that viewers can’t miss is when Riley’s childhood imaginary best friend Bing Bong sacrifices himself by jumping from a wagon rocket in order for it to be light enough to let Joy return to Riley’s brains. While Inside Out does an excellent job of explaining Riley’s feelings in a way that children can understand, the full consequences of Bing Bong’s sacrifice, which represents letting go of pieces of one’s childhood that are dragging down one’s present, might be difficult for children to grasp.
Another scene is when Joy realizes Sadness is the key for Riley to balance out everything. After running away, Riley returns home and expresses herself of how much she missed her old home in Minnesota. It’s heart breaking but sometimes we adults do this. We move our family away from home because of work or other issues.
5. Ratatouille
Picture: Cinema Blend
Being moved by emotion does not imply that something dreadful has occurred. It might also indicate that we are overjoyed. These overjoy feeling at times gives our heart that warm feeling, just like Ego in Ratatouille. Before this, Ego was the personification of everything we despise in critics, and his frigid demeanor rendered him virtually insufferable. However, one bite of Ratatouille transported Ego back to his boyhood. I’m sure we all have that one food that brings us down memory lane.
6. Toy Story 2
Picture: Disney Wiki
Toy Story 2, the first of Pixar’s sequels, had a lot riding on it, and it lived up to the hype, with a plot that takes the titular toys through a variety of new experiences. The arrival of Jessie, whose biography reveals the kid she once loved, Emily, is one of the most important of these. Jessie was put in storage for years after Emily had grown out of playing with her toys, and she now has a fear of dark and enclosed rooms. This reminds us of our transition from child to adult, where we give away or throw our toys when we no longer needed them. Watching this part, definitely makes us think a lot.
7. Onwards
Picture: Variety
The central theme of Onward is the bond between Ian and Barley, two brothers. While the narrative of the film revolves around the two brothers attempting to perform a visiting spell in order for their deceased father to pay them a visit for a day, it soon becomes clear that the brothers are the emotional center of the picture. While Ian’s younger brother spends a lot of time reflecting on what he lost out on without his father, he eventually realizes – in a heartbreaking montage – that even without him, he had his brother Barley to fill in for him. Onward portrays a very true relationship, with many siblings having to stand up as parents for various reasons.
8. Finding Nemo
Picture: Mental Floss
I think the key player of this movie has got to be Dory. Marlin’s sadness over the alleged loss of Nemo and desire to be alone is the one that would affect adults the most. Dory, on the other hand, talks about how much Marlin helps her remember things, and how she’s afraid of forgetting things. Sometimes we adults are like Dory, too attached to someone because they bring out the best in us.
9. Monster Inc
Picture: Killing Time
Mike Wazowski fixing Boo’s door all by himself for Sully is an underappreciated emotional moment. It was a selfless gesture. Think about it, What did Sully do for Mike?
Sources: Screen Rant Youtube
