We got our next glimpse into outer space in 2007, with the wonderful Ratatouille. And no, you didn't miss the part where Remy the rat dons a miniature space suit - we're talking about its accompanying short Lifted, which sees Stu, a young alien, attempt to abduct his first victim. Call it a riskier driving test, if you will. The short was actually inspired by Fritz Lang's ever-influential 1927 sci-fi flick Metropolis, pioneering a genre of film that would captivate audiences for almost a century and counting.
Pixar in Space
To celebrate the release of Elio, we thought we'd take you on a trip back in time (and space) to remember the times Pixar has taken us on our very own intergalactic adventures.
When you think of Pixar and space, it's a fair guess that your mind instantly gravitates to the now-legendary-character Buzz Lightyear. Debuting a whole thirty years ago in the first-ever fully computer-animated film Toy Story, Buzz landed in our world surrounded by a plethora of outer space iconography - we're talking green aliens, Pizza Planet, Star Command, and the evil emperor Zurg. Throughout the Toy Story series, Buzz has quickly become a fan favourite whilst learning what it truly means to be here on Earth, and actually ends up as one of Pixar's most grounded, relatable protagonists. He even got his own spinoff TV series, and two feature films! If that's not going To Infinity and Beyond, we don't know what is.
Maybe Lifted was just getting us warmed up, because the following year Pixar delivered its first full-blown space adventure with WALL-E.This one is another award-winning fan favourite, and depicts the lovable titular trash-compacting robot as he journeys across the galaxy in the name of love. On the surface, the premise might seem somewhat bizarre, but director Andrew Stanton manages to pull it off. The film presents a thoughtful and increasingly relevant commentary on consumerism and its environmental impact in a way that audiences of all ages can engage in. And get this - the first proper line of dialogue isn't heard until around the half hour mark. It all comes together in a rather remarkable spacey package, and in 2021 WALL-E was chosen to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry for its cultural relevance. We won't judge if you shed a tear or two at this one.
Pixar's charming short La Luna premiered before the 2012 Brave, and answers the long-pondered question: why does the moon change its shape? Well, audiences must have been satisfied with the answer, as La Luna was nominated for an Academy Award and earned its director (Enrico Casarosa) a go in the driver's seat for two Pixar feature films - 2021's Luca and the upcoming Gatto.
Which brings us to the present day, as Pixar prepares to dazzle us once again with the intergalactic romp Elio. Here, the titular 11-year-old boy finds himself beamed up into outer space and mistaken for the leader of planet Earth. It's a voyage of discovery - and self discovery - for both Elio and his new alien best pal Glordon, who must race to prevent an intergalactic crisis. Already being described as an "emotional triumph" and a "whimsical, heartfelt visual delight" by critics, Elio proves that whether it be a distant planet, onboard a gigantic star-liner spacecraft or even the surface of the moon, we can always count on Pixar to deliver a visual treat of galactic proportions.
But of course, no matter which of Pixar's incredible films you choose, you'll always catch a somewhat otherworldly glimpse - since 1996's Toy Story, the studio has cleverly hidden the iconic Pizza Planet truck in every one of their films. Have you ever spotted it yourself? Which of these Easter Eggs is your personal favourite?
Elio hits our screens on Friday 20 June and tickets are on sale now! Be sure to get yours and go on a journey of discovery with Elio. It's going to be out of this world!
Written by Aiden McCarthy - Deputy Business Manager at The Light Stockport
16/06/25