Pixar creates many movies that feature animals as its stars. We relate because they face similar situations, emotions, and dilemmas as humans do. Here are the 10 best Pixar animal characters we can all learn from.
10. A Bug’s Life (1998): Flik
A colony of ants is forced every year to give food to a gang of bullying grasshoppers, led by Hopper. Flik is a courageous but clumsy inventor ant. He inadvertently destroys the food offering. Now, Hopper says they must compensate with twice as much food. Flik journeys to recruit warrior bugs to fight the grasshoppers but recruits circus performer bugs.
9. Finding Nemo (2003): Nemo
Despite Nemo getting lost and separated from his family, he’s an intelligent character we all can learn from. Nemo’s brazenness gets him into trouble and reminds us that we need to listen to and cooperate with others. At the same time, he teaches us that with independence comes the responsibility of self-sufficiency.
8. The Good Dinosaur (2015): Arlo
Told as an alternative history where dinosaurs avoided extinction, Arlo is a timid Apatosaurus. He gets separated from his family during a rainstorm. Teaming up with a feral cave boy, Spot, Arlo journeys home. It’s a coming-of-age story where naturally kind Arlo learns to develop courage so that his fear doesn’t prevent him from living and enjoying life.
7. Luca (2021): Luca
Luca is a timid young sea monster. He’s forbidden to go on land, but he does anyway and meets a fellow sea monster child. Alberto shows him sea monsters can turn into humans but must stay dry. Luca’s parents discover his actions and send him to live with his uncle in the deep. Luca runs away and the adventure begins.
6. Finding Nemo (2003): Crush
One of the coolest characters ever in a Pixar movie, Crush from Finding Nemo is one-of-a-kind. This laid-back 150-year-old sea turtle talks like a twenty-something California surfer dude. He lets Marlin and Dory hitch a ride on his shell. If there’s anything this wise character teaches us it’s to it to chill out and ride the wave life gives us.
5. Soul (2020): Joe
Joe dies in an accident, he goes to a place called the Great Before. If he can help another soul, 22, he can get his life back. When they return to Earth, Joe is stuck in a cat’s body. Joe and 22 search for their purpose. Being turned into an animal helps Joe appreciate what it means to be alive.
4. Up (2009): Dug
Dug’s infectious, lovable, and sometimes goofy personality is one nobody can resist. He once belonged to a pack of ruthless dogs. They were well-trained, agile, and fearless. Dug, however, was none of that. Nonetheless, what Dug lacked in ability he more than made up for in heart and his happy-go-lucky attitude.
3. Finding Dory (2016): Dory
In this sequel to Finding Nemo, the forgetful Regal Blue Tang Dory returns. Dory’s on a mission to find her parents. She’s aided by her friends, the clownfish Marlin and his son, Nemo. Her famous line: “Just keep swimming” sums up what wisdom Dory has to teach us: No matter what happens in life, we must keep trying.
2. Toy Story (1995): Hamm
Hamm is more than simply a wisecracking piggy bank with the gift of dry wit. He’s is a stalwart character who brings a lot of personality and heart to the film. Hamm is positively content and is ready to enjoy whatever comes along. He’s intelligent, with a surprising knowledge of the outside world and technology.
1. Ratatouille (2007): Remy
Remy, an intelligent rat, desires to become a chef in Paris. Secretly collaborating with a kitchen boy, he helps create scrumptious meals that impress a food critic. Remy encourages his fellow rats to savor their food and find beauty in the details. The adorable character of Remy inspires us all to demand more of ourselves and follow our dreams.
Read More: 10 Best Movies for Dog Lovers
