History of Pixar Timeline

(February 3, 1986 – Present)

Pixar Animation Studios, founded in 1986 after Steve Jobs purchased Lucasfilm's computer graphics division, revolutionized animation with fully computer-generated feature films. Its debut film, Toy Story (1995), was the first entirely CGI-animated feature, launching a legacy of critically acclaimed hits such as Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Up, and Inside Out. Acquired by Disney in 2006, Pixar remains a dominant force in animated storytelling, earning numerous Academy Awards and shaping the industry's technological and creative evolution. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Founding and Early Years

Ed Catmull joins NYIT computer graphics lab

1974

Edwin Catmull, a pioneering computer scientist, joined the New York Institute of Technology's Computer Graphics Laboratory, where he began developing foundational technologies for digital animation that would later underpin Pixar.

Image source: Pixar

Ed Catmull joins NYIT computer graphics lab

Lucasfilm founds its Computer Division

1979

George Lucas recruited Ed Catmull from NYIT to lead the new Computer Division at Lucasfilm, tasked with exploring digital film editing, visual effects, and computer animation for motion pictures.

John Lasseter joins Lucasfilm

1984

Animator John Lasseter left Disney to join Lucasfilm's Computer Division, bringing traditional animation storytelling sensibilities together with emerging computer graphics technology.

Image source: John Lasseter

Steve Jobs purchases the group and founds Pixar

Feb 3, 1986

After Lucas sold the Computer Division amid financial pressures following his divorce, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs bought the group for $5 million plus $5 million in capital, establishing it as an independent company named Pixar.

Pixar goes public on NASDAQ

Nov 29, 1995

One week after Toy Story's release, Pixar held its initial public offering, becoming one of the year's most successful IPOs and giving Steve Jobs a controlling stake worth billions.

Technology and Innovation

The Adventures of André and Wally B. premieres

1984

This short film, directed by John Lasseter with technical work by Alvy Ray Smith's team, premiered at SIGGRAPH and demonstrated groundbreaking character animation techniques on computers.

Image source: The Adventures of André & Wally B.

Pixar Image Computer released

1986

Pixar launched its high-end computer designed for visualization in medical imaging, aerospace, and animation. Sales were disappointing, pushing the company toward animation production as its core business.

Image source: Pixar Image Computer

Luxo Jr. premieres at SIGGRAPH

1986

John Lasseter's short film about two animated desk lamps stunned audiences with emotionally convincing character animation. The lamp Luxo Jr. became Pixar's mascot, appearing in its logo ever since.

Image source: Luxo Jr.

RenderMan software development begins

1988

Pixar developed RenderMan, a rendering system based on its Reyes architecture, which became an industry standard for photorealistic visual effects and won multiple Academy Awards for technical achievement.

Tin Toy wins Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film

Mar 27, 1989

Lasseter's short Tin Toy, featuring a wind-up toy and a mischievous baby, became the first computer-animated film to win an Oscar, proving CGI could carry genuine emotional storytelling.

Image source: Tin Toy

Geri's Game wins Academy Award

Mar 23, 1998

Pixar's short about an old man playing chess against himself won the Oscar for Best Animated Short, showcasing advances in human skin rendering and cloth simulation.

Image source: Geri's Game

Disney Partnership and Acquisitions

Pixar signs deal with Walt Disney Feature Animation

May 1991

After years of financial struggle, Pixar signed a landmark agreement with Disney to produce three computer-animated feature films, with Disney handling marketing and distribution while Pixar created the films.

Disney acquires Pixar for $7.4 billion

Jan 24, 2006 - May 5, 2006

The Walt Disney Company acquired Pixar in an all-stock deal valued at $7.4 billion. Ed Catmull became president of both studios, John Lasseter became chief creative officer, and Steve Jobs joined Disney's board as its largest individual shareholder.

Feature Films

Toy Story production begins

1993

Production commenced on the world's first fully computer-animated feature film. After a difficult story process, Lasseter and his team reworked the script around Woody and Buzz Lightyear's rivalry-turned-friendship.

Image source: Toy Story

Toy Story premieres

Nov 22, 1995

Toy Story opened to critical acclaim and massive box office success, grossing over $370 million worldwide and revolutionizing the animation industry by proving computer animation could anchor a feature film.

A Bug's Life released

Nov 25, 1998

Pixar's second feature, a retelling of Aesop's ant fable, grossed over $360 million worldwide and demonstrated the studio could deliver consistent hits beyond its debut success.

Image source: A Bug's Life

Toy Story 2 released

Nov 24, 1999

Originally planned as a direct-to-video sequel, Toy Story 2 was elevated to theatrical release after the team produced a superior story. It grossed nearly $500 million and earned widespread critical praise.

Image source: Toy Story 2

Monsters, Inc. released

Nov 2, 2001

Pixar's fourth feature introduced Sulley and Mike Wazowski and featured breakthrough fur simulation technology. It became one of the highest-grossing films of 2001.

Image source: Monsters, Inc.

Finding Nemo released

May 30, 2003

The underwater adventure about a clownfish searching for his son became the highest-grossing animated film at the time and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Image source: Finding Nemo

The Incredibles released

Nov 5, 2004

Brad Bird's superhero family film won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and pushed Pixar's technology with complex human characters, hair, and action sequences.

Image source: The Incredibles

Cars released

Jun 9, 2006

Directed by John Lasseter and inspired by Route 66 nostalgia, Cars launched a multibillion-dollar merchandising franchise despite more modest critical reception than earlier films.

Image source: Cars (film)

Ratatouille released

Jun 29, 2007

Brad Bird's tale of a rat who dreams of becoming a chef was a critical triumph, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and cementing Pixar's reputation for sophisticated storytelling.

Image source: Ratatouille (film)

WALL-E released

Jun 27, 2008

The near-silent first act of this environmental fable about a lonely trash-compacting robot was hailed as a masterpiece of visual storytelling, earning Pixar another Best Animated Feature Oscar.

Image source: WALL-E

Up released

May 29, 2009

Pete Docter's adventure about a widower flying his house with balloons opened the Cannes Film Festival, a first for an animated film, and won Oscars including Best Animated Feature.

Image source: Up (2009 film)

Toy Story 3 released

Jun 18, 2010

The emotional conclusion to the original trilogy grossed over $1 billion worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, becoming one of the most acclaimed sequels in cinema history.

Image source: Toy Story 3

Cars 2 released

Jun 24, 2011

Pixar's spy-themed Cars sequel received its weakest critical reception to date, marking a rare stumble for the studio even as it performed well commercially.

Image source: Cars 2

Brave released

Jun 22, 2012

Pixar's first fairy tale and first film with a female protagonist, set in medieval Scotland, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and showcased advanced hair simulation for Merida's curls.

Image source: Brave (2012 film)

Inside Out released

Jun 19, 2015

Pete Docter's exploration of emotions inside a young girl's mind returned Pixar to critical dominance, winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar and grossing over $850 million worldwide.

Image source: Inside Out (2015 film)

Coco released

Nov 22, 2017

The celebration of Mexican culture and Día de los Muertos won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for 'Remember Me,' and became a massive hit in Mexico.

Image source: Coco (2017 film)

Toy Story 4 released

Jun 21, 2019

Woody's journey with Bo Peep grossed over $1 billion worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, extending the beloved franchise nine years after its predecessor.

Image source: Toy Story 4

Soul released

Dec 25, 2020

Pixar's meditation on purpose and passion, featuring Pixar's first Black protagonist, debuted on Disney+ during the pandemic and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Image source: Soul (2020 film)

Luca and Turning Red premiere on Disney+

Jun 18, 2021 - Mar 11, 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pixar shifted several features to direct streaming releases on Disney+, beginning with Luca in June 2021 and followed by Turning Red in March 2022.

Image source: Luca (2021 film)

Lightyear released theatrically

Jun 17, 2022

This sci-fi spinoff depicting the 'real' astronaut who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy marked Pixar's return to theaters, though its box office performance fell short of expectations.

Image source: Lightyear (film)

Elemental released

Jun 16, 2023

Peter Sohn's story of fire and water elements falling in love had a slow start but strong word-of-mouth carried it past $495 million worldwide, becoming a sleeper hit.

Image source: Elemental (2023 film)

Key Facts

Pixar originated as the Graphics Group of Lucasfilm before Steve Jobs acquired it in 1986 for $10 million, renaming it Pixar Animation Studios.
Toy Story (1995) was the world's first fully computer-animated feature film and a massive box office success, grossing over $370 million worldwide.
The Walt Disney Company acquired Pixar in 2006 for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock deal, making Steve Jobs Disney's largest individual shareholder.
Pixar has won more than 20 Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature wins for films like Finding Nemo, Up, Inside Out, and Coco.
Luxo Jr., the hopping desk lamp from Pixar's 1986 short film, became the studio's iconic mascot and appears in its production logo.

Source

This History of Pixar timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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