Pixar rarely ever gets it wrong when it comes to their movies and TV series, and the same can be said for some of the shorts they’ve published over the years. Believe it or not, there are nearly 50 different Pixar shorts available to watch on Disney+, ranging from movie-related spin-offs like Toy Story’s Small Fry, through to Pixar originals like The Adventures of André & Wally B — which was actually Pixar’s first ever production, all the way back in 1984.
Here are 5 Pixar shorts you need to watch on Disney+:
Piper (2016)
Piper is an Academy Award-winning short that released alongside Finding Dory, back in 2016 and honestly, it’s one of my favourite Pixar shorts ever released. The premise is simple; it follows a baby sandpiper learning to overcome fear and feed herself at the shoreline.
Despite the simple premise, the animation is absolutely breath-taking, with many viewers actually mistaking it for live-action at first glance!
There’s also an Easter egg where Piper appears in the background of one of the final scenes in Finding Dory — it’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but a lovely touch for fans paying close attention. (Pixar hasn’t officially confirmed it’s the same sandpiper, but the resemblance is pretty clear!)
Bao (2018)
Bao is a heartwarming story about a lonely Chinese-Canadian mother who gets a second chance at motherhood when one of her handmade dumplings comes to life. Yes, the premise is a little bit quirky that at first you may raise an eyebrow, but by the end you are an emotional wreck.
It’s a real testament to Pixar that they are able to explore topics like love, parenting and letting go, all through a dumpling!
Purl (2019)
Purl is a must watch for anyone who has ever worked in any kind of office environment! It follows a ball of pink yarn (again, stick with it!) who tries to fit in at a toxic, male-dominated corporate office. The tone of Purl is a little edgier than the vast majority of Pixar’s other works, but it does a great job of tackling a number of social issues.
It’s part of Pixar’s SparkShorts initiative – a platform where studio artists can tell more personal, experimental stories – and this one really hits the mark.
Kitbull (2019)
Kitbull is another absolutely fantastic short from Pixar, which is probably more relevant to watch now than ever! Kitbull brings together a fiercely independent stray kitten and an abused pitbull in a story about friendship and healing. As an animal lover, Kitbull really does tug at the heartstrings and I can’t recommend it enough.
Uniquely, it’s animated in 2D – which is rare for Pixar. With the recently announced Gatto (a new Pixar film set in the world of Luca) also using 2D animation, Kitbull is a great taste of what’s to come.
Luxo Jr. (1986)
Of course, I can’t recommend Pixar shorts without mentioning Luxo Jr., starring the studio’s very own mascot. The short follows a curious baby lamp playing with a ball under the watchful eye of its parent.
It may only be 2 minutes long, but Luxo Jr. is emotionally rich and hugely significant — it’s considered a massive breakthrough in computer animation. It was also the first CGI film ever nominated for an Academy Award, making it a must-watch for animation fans and Disney historians alike.
Final thoughts
While Pixar’s incredible feature films get most of the spotlight, their shorts are equally powerful, offering compact, creative storytelling packed with emotion and artistry. Whether you’ve only seen a few or you’re deep-diving into the full library, these five are a great place to start.
What’s your favourite Pixar short? Let me know in the comments!
Steamboat Charlie 