Since 1995, Pixar has revolutionized the way we think about animated movies. In addition to creating gorgeous landscapes and stories that resonate with all ages, they’ve created countless unforgettable characters, And they’re constantly finding ways to not only create new worlds, but expand the universes they’ve already crafted. This summer, they’re releasing Finding Dory – a sequel to the 2003 hit Finding Nemo. Next year, they’re bringing back Lightning McQueen and Mater for another round with Cars 3. We’ll get another chance to hang with Woody and the gang in 2018 when they unleash Toy Story 4. And in 2018, we’ll finally get the long-awaited sequel to The Incredibles.
With this ambitious slate of upcoming movies, it may seem like Pixar is rapidly exhausting their options for continuing popular franchises. But they’ve rarely explored the opportunities for adapting their stories for a TV audience. They tried it out for two seasons with Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, and again dabbled with Cars Toons, but so far, TV and Pixar haven’t really gelled. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reasons for the studio to give it another try.
Here are 14 Pixar Characters Who Should Get Their Own TV Series.
14. Crush and Squirt (Finding Nemo)
These sea turtles are more than just Marlin and Dory’s intracoastal guides in Finding Nemo. Crush and his son Squirt’s surfer cool and laid-back approach stand in stark contrast to the protagonists’ frantic nervousness. And as they noggin-ed and whoa-ed their way through one of the movie’s most exhilarating sequences, they became an unforgettable part of one of Pixar’s most successful films of all time.
Crush and Squirt show up again in Finding Dory. But another brief appearance only scratches the surface of the fun fans can have with the 150-year-old bro-turtle and his adorable dude in training. A TV show centered on their travels in the EAC could only highlight their awesomely easy going personalities. With innumerable elements of marine life to explore, it could introduce Finding Nemo fans to a wealth of new aquatic adventures and oceanic creatures and expand one of Pixar’s most gorgeous universes.
13. Geri (Geri’s Game)
Pixar has become just as famous for it’s short films as it has for its blockbuster full-length features. And one of the most beloved is Geri’s Game, the enchanting story of an elderly man playing chess against himself at a park-side table. Geri is imaginative, has a great sense of humor – and let’s be real, he’s pretty spry for an old guy. Five minutes with him simply wasn’t enough. And a series focused on his unique approach to life could easily be a breakout hit for Pixar.
No, it probably wouldn’t work to just watch Geri play chess for three or four seasons. But we’ve seen two parts of his personality – the clever side and the aggressive side. And we haven’t seen him interacting with anyone else. Noisy neighbors? Navigating the subway system? A series focusing on which Geri comes out to play when he’s out in the world could be highly entertaining.
12. Princess Dot (A Bug’s Life)
She’s brave, kind, and as feisty as she is small. Dot was the first true heroine of the Pixar canon, but she and A Bug’s Life in general have both been largely forgotten over time as the Disney behemoth has expanded. That doesn’t mean the younger sister of Queen Atta isn’t worthy of a little extra attention. And a TV show that chronicles her backyard adventures could be the perfect way to introduce a new generation of Pixar fans to her awesomeness.
We got a few glimpses of how the future leader could interact with her fellow insects. But there’s plenty of material left in her largely untouched story. We could watch her learn the ropes and encounter new friends and allies. And with her proactive spirit and ability to overcome interpersonal obstacles, she could be a great example for young girls looking for a new cartoon role model.
11. Dug (Up)
In the realm of Pixar sidekicks, there may be none that were as delightful as Dug, the large and in-charge golden retriever from Up. With his fierce loyalty to Carl and buoyant enthusiasm for life in general, he’s more or less a perfect example of why we love pets. Plus, his refreshingly honest observations about his master and the world in general – via the computerized collar around his neck – give us some pretty awesome insights into what animals could be thinking.
Though Dug has appeared in two Pixar shorts, Dug’s Special Mission and George and A.J., there’s still plenty of reasons why he deserves his own TV show. Like, his dozens of mini-Dug puppies for a start. We’d love to see a TV show focused on his growing family and how he navigates the trials and tribulations of parenthood.
10. Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl (The Incredibles)
In the opening sequence of The Incredibles, we get an idea of what life was like before our favorite Pixar superheroes settled into the domestic grind. And yes, the whole point of the movie was to remind us that we all have a little fight left in us no matter how much we change over the years. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see more of their yesteryear adventures.
We all love a good origin story, right? Pixar has an awesome opportunity to explore how Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl fought crime before their wedding day. We could see how they came to embrace their destinies, and learned how to harness them to battle the forces of evil. And a TV show focused on their pre-child lives could not only showcase them in their earlier glory, but give us the opportunity to see how they fell in love – and meet some other superheroes and villains.
9. Jessie (Toy Story 2)
Ever since Jessie the cowgirl yee-hawed her way into Woody’s life, she’s been a favorite among younger Pixar fans. A classic toy that hearkens back to a simpler time in life, she’s not only fun and fearless, she’s a dedicated friend that represents so much of what the Toy Story has taught us about childhood. Jessie was a major focal point in Toy Story 2 – a toy with a chip on her shoulder who’d experienced the trauma of being left behind. But in Toy Story 3, she was mostly relegated to a being pseudo-love interest for Spanish Buzz Lightyear.
Okay, an overly confident space ranger and a feisty cowgirl do make a pretty great OTP. But there’s a lot more to discover in Jessie’s world. A weekly TV series would give us a lively, adventurous glimpse into life at the toys’ new home – and tide us over while we wait for Toy Story 4.
8. The Fishtank Crew (Finding Nemo)
Part of the fun of Finding Nemo is exploring the vast territories of life underwater. But another key component is looking at domesticated sub-aqueous living through the dentist’s office fish tank that Nemo lands in midway through the movie. Gill, Jacques, Peach, Deb, Gurgle and Bubbles – the tank’s other inhabitants – are the equivalent of an aquatic Breakfast Club of sorts. A mixture of personalities, all contained in a relatively small space, forced to coexist as they ponder what life in bigger waters has to offer. In other words, they’re the perfect subjects for a Pixar spinoff.
Imagine a TV series focusing on the fish tank before Nemo showed up. We’d get innumerable ways to enjoy the inhabitants’ medley of personalities. And given that their escape into the Sidney port clearly wasn’t their first try for freedom, watching them try to concoct a way to break loose would be well worth tuning into.
7. Yeti (Monsters Inc.)
He’s one of the more mysterious creatures created by Pixar. Yeti – he hates being called the Abominable Snowman – has a quick but memorable appearance in Monsters Inc., leaving us to wish we’d had more time to get to know him. Monsters University gave us some idea of what may have led to his banishment, but there’s still a ton of unanswered questions about the friendliest monster this side of the Himalayas.
Yeti’s kindhearted nature and gregarious personality makes him a prime candidate for a Pixar spinoff. And we’d love to see a TV series tracking his adventures in the tundra – and to get a chance to meet some of his fellow banishees. Plus, after his years of work for the wildly successful studio, John Ratzenberger – the actor behind the Yeti and several other minor characters – deserves a chance to be in the spotlight.
6. Doc Hudson (Cars)
When we first meet Doc Hudson, he’s a judge and doctor with a stately presence – and a racing legend who’s doing his best to leave the past behind. Though we get a sense of the exciting life he lived before Radiator, he mostly serves as a mentor and trainer to Cars’ protagonist, Lightning McQueen. But given how fun the hotshot red corvette’s adventures are in the first two films, there’s likely much more we could learn about our favorite Hudson Hornet. That’s why a prequel would be a perfect.
A Doc Hudson TV show could refocus the Cars franchise on the racing element that brought so many fans on in the first place. And by focusing it on Hudson’s glory days and his quest for the Piston Cup, it could appeal to anyone who loves a little bit of nostalgia with their Saturday morning cartoons.
5. Frozone (The Incredibles)
With his ultra-cool powers and even cooler personality, Frozone – a.k.a. Lucius Best – is undoubtedly one of the most memorable characters Pixar has ever created. He’s the ally and best friend of Mr. Incredible himself, Bob Parr. He can turn water into ice with his fingertips. And he doesn’t get nearly enough to do in the first Incredibles movie.
Sure, he might get a bigger role in the upcoming sequel. But for good measure, he should get a chance to really show his stuff with his very own TV series. Watching him navigate his day-to-day life, and keep his superhero identity secret, would be fun all on its own. And while he’s awesome when he teams up with other crime fighters, we’d love to see what he can do when he’s up against a villain one-on-one. Just as long as he can find his super suit, that is.
4. The Sunnyside Daycare Gang (Toy Story 3)
Toy Story is, without a doubt, the most explored universe of the Pixar empire. But though we’ve met dozens of toys and seen everything from a child’s bedroom to the inside of an incinerator, we’ve mostly spent time with a few core characters. If Pixar ever got an itch to start fresh on TV and take a look at other parts of the Toy Story world – or wanted to cash in on the mega-successful franchise without having to call in the big gun voice actors behind it – there’s always Sunnyside Daycare.
It’s one of the main locations in Toy Story 3. But we don’t really get a chance to enjoy it once Lotso’s dictatorial method of handling the other toys is revealed. Luckily, he’s now safely ensconced on the front of a truck, and the rest of the Sunnyside inhabitants have a chance at a normal toy life. Between Big Baby, Trixie and Ken, there were definitely enough interesting characters introduced in Toy Story 3 to keep their story going .
3. Russell (Up)
If there’s any Pixar movie that represents the spirit of adventure, it’s Up. Carl Fredrickson’s whirlwind journey through South America in his balloon-powered home reminds us all that it’s never too late to shake things up a bit. And when he lands in Paradise Falls, we’re not quite ready for his exciting travels with Russell, Dug and Kevin to end.
We’ve already talked about how much fun a Dug spinoff could be. But what about the energetic Wilderness Adventure scout Russell? His youthful energy stood in stark contrast to Carl’s curmudgeonly approach to the world. But from his persistent friendliness to his deep-seated drive to earn merit badges, Russell is a pretty entertaining character all on his own. Whether set in exotic locations or right back at home with his family and friends, he could easily carry a TV series about his ongoing adventures all on his own.
2. The Oozma Kappa Brothers (Monsters University)
Gimme an O. Gimme a K. Or just give us a whole series devoted to the fraternity of scarers-in-training that we met in Monsters University. We’ve spent two movies getting to know Mike and Sully – but their Oozma Kappa brothers proved to be a highlight in the Monsters Inc. sequel. Squishy, Terri, Gerry, Art and Don all bring something unique to MU – whether it’s their method of scaring or their eccentric personalities. And their status within the Monsters University Greek system – especially before Sully comes around – makes them perfect fodder for an underdog story.
An OK TV spinoff would let us become better acquainted with the newer monsters (and their chaperone mom). We could get a better idea of the other types of jobs monsters can get when they’re not up to par for the scare floor. And we’d get to see more of the trials and tribulations associated with Greek life and growing up scary.
1. Edna Mode (The Incredibles)
She’s stylist to superheroes. But more than that, she’s a true artiste, darling. Edna Mode only makes a brief appearance in The Incredibles, but it’s impossible to forget her. With her perfectionist tendencies and her desire for excellence in all affairs, Edna – or ‘E’ for short – isn’t the warmest, fuzziest character Pixar ever created. But her fierceness is what makes her great – and since she’s out of retirement and back on the fashion circuit, there’s more than one reason to give her a spotlight of her own.
A TV series centered on Edna Mode would dish out everything that’s great about The Incredibles universe. Glimpses of superheroes we know and love, along with some we haven’t met yet. An outsider’s take on the ups and downs of fighting crime. And to top it all off, Edna’s spunky personality on full display as she whips her superheroes into shape – and style.
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Are there any other Pixar characters you’d like to see on TV? Let us know in the comments!
