When people talk about “Pixar movies,” a specific set of films comes to mind: Toy Story , Up , Inside Out , The Incredibles . But tucked away in the conversation—often dismissed or even forgotten—is Planes (2013). And here’s the first thing to clear up: Planes is a Pixar film. It was produced by Disneytoon Studios, a now-defunct division of Disney known for direct-to-video sequels and spin-offs. Yet because it’s set in the same universe as Pixar’s beloved Cars and shares its aesthetic, Planes is perpetually lumped into the Pixar catalog—and judged by Pixar’s sky-high standards.
If you watch Planes expecting Cars —or worse, Cars 3 , which deals beautifully with legacy and aging—you’ll be disappointed. But if you approach it as a modest, direct-to-DVD-quality adventure for young aviation fans, it’s perfectly fine. Not good. Not bad. Just… sky-filling. pixar movies planes
Here’s a thoughtful and engaging piece on Planes in the context of Pixar movies: When people talk about “Pixar movies,” a specific
The script leans on clichés. The villain is mustache-twirlingly flat. The side characters (a zany forklift, a gruff mechanic) feel like Cars leftovers. And the lack of Pixar’s signature narrative nuance—that ability to make adults cry over a cartoon—is glaring. Planes is unapologetically a kids’ movie, not a family masterpiece. It was produced by Disneytoon Studios, a now-defunct
Dusty Crophopper (voiced by Dane Cook) is a shy crop-duster with a fear of heights—and a dream of becoming a world-class air racer. Sound familiar? It’s Rocky with propellers. Dusty trains under a gruff naval veteran named Skipper (Stacy Keach), competes against arrogant jets like Ripslinger, and flies around the globe in a race that tests his courage more than his speed.