Steamboat Charlie

Tag: Disney movies

  • 10 Underrated Side Characters in the Toy Story Franchise

    10 Underrated Side Characters in the Toy Story Franchise

    The vast, colourful cast of characters in the Toy Story franchise is a huge part of what makes the movies so enjoyable. From fan favourites like Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie, to Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and their adopted Alien children, every character brings something unique to the Toy Story universe.

    But alongside the main cast, Toy Story also has a huge number of smaller characters who don’t always get the same amount of screen time, yet somehow manage to steal every scene they appear in.

    For this list, I’ve decided to focus on some of the more underrated side characters, rather than the obvious choices like Hamm, Rex or Bo Peep. These are the characters that might only have a few moments on screen, but still leave a lasting impression.

    Here are 10 of the best side characters in Toy Story:

    Sarge & Bucket o’ Soldiers

    As someone who spent most of their Saturday mornings growing up playing with toy soldiers and recreating epic battles across the living room floor, it’s no surprise that I have to include Sarge & the Bucket o’ Soldiers in my list! I really love the concept of the toys having their own personal army and the opening scene in Toy Story, where the soldiers spy on Andy’s birthday party, is just pure cinema! I’m a bit gutted we’ve not seen them since Toy Story 3 and even that was pretty much a farewell to the characters, but nevertheless, they are one of the best side character groups in the franchise.

    Three green plastic army men toys standing on a wooden shelf near a window, with one soldier saluting against a background of green trees and blue sky.

    Barrel of Monkeys

    Based on the real life toy by Milton Bradley, Barrel of Monkeys actually appears in all four Toy Story movies. I really love how Pixar used a board game and created ‘toys’ from it to bring it to life for the Toy Story films. Their hooked arms actually serve a lot of purpose in the Toy Story universe too, whether that’s attempting to rescue Buzz or to save RC. The “Death by Monkeys” scene in Toy Story 3 is genius too and a great example of how a child’s imagination can run wild.

    Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, and Rex looking out a wooden window frame at a chain of red plastic Barrel of Monkeys toys hanging down the outside wall.

    Chunk

    Toy Story 3 introduced us to a huge number of characters, and Lotso’s henchmen crew provide some of the more interesting minor characters in the movie. One of my personal favourites is Chunk, a rock-like monster from Sunnyside Daycare. He is the epitome of a tough guy goon, providing the muscle for Lotso while also delivering some great comic relief – one of his best lines is: “He ain’t the sharpest knife in the…uh…place where they keep the knives!”.

    Chunk, the rock-like monster toy from Toy Story 3, smiling with bright blue eyes alongside other henchmen toys at Sunnyside Daycare.

    Rocky Gibraltar

    Rocky Gibraltar is another character based on a real-life toy; the collectible Wrestling Superstars figures made by Hasbro. The character features fairly prominently in Toy Story – I love the “Strange Things” sequence in the movie where he works out with Buzz and then helps him repair his ship with the tape dispenser. We don’t see much of him outside of the first Toy Story, albeit a few scenes in Toy Story 2, but he’s a character who really stands out for me.

    The muscular Rocky Gibraltar action figure toy standing on a wooden floor in front of a closed door, flanked by four small green plastic army men.

    Peas-in-a-Pod

    A really unique set of characters, the Peas-in-a-Pod first appear in Toy Story 3 as one of Bonnie’s toys. I really love the concept of there essentially being three individual characters coming together to create one collective character and the Peas-in-a-Pod tie in works really well for this. They have a few funny interactions with both Woody and Mr Potato Head in Toy Story 3, but only have a minor appearance in Toy Story 4. Fingers crossed we see them again in Toy Story 5!

    Lenny

    Lenny is one of my favourite side characters in the Toy Story franchise, mainly because I had my own Lenny action figure way back in the late 90s which brings me so much nostalgia just thinking about! Lenny actually plays a fairly big role in Toy Story and then a bit of a smaller role in Toy Story 2, often acting as the eyes for the toys. I really love Lenny and Woody’s relationship in the first movie too, they really seem like good pals.

    Lenny the blue wind-up binoculars toy standing in the foreground, with Woody, Bo Peep, Rex, Slinky, and Mr. Potato Head gathered behind him inside a moving box.

    Hockey Puck

    Very much the definition of a minor character, Hockey Puck is only seen briefly in Toy Story after Mr. Potato Head grouchily asked him what he was looking at, to which he just shrugged. Little is known about what happens to the character after that, he is not seen in the moving van later in the movie or in any subsequent Toy Story features. Despite the limited screentime, I think this is just such a fun minor side character and the fact we never see him again other than that one scene where he has beef with Mr Potato Head, make Hockey Puck even more of a mystery!

    The minor character Hockey Puck from Toy Story, featuring a black puck body with crossed red hockey sticks, yellow hands, and red boots standing on a wooden floor.

    Mr Pricklepants

    Another of Bonnie’s existing toys we were introduced to in Toy Story 3, Mr Pricklepants is pretty iconic as far as side characters go! Sporting a William Shakespeare-esque accent, Mr Pricklepants serves as a nice change of pace from some of the more excitable toys that Bonnie has. I also love the fact that Mr Pricklepants is voiced by former James Bond star Timothy Dalton – how cool is that! Interestingly, John Hopkins will voice the character in Toy Story 5.

    Mr. Pricklepants the stuffed hedgehog wearing green lederhosen and a Tyrolean hat, standing on a table next to Buttercup the unicorn and Trixie the triceratops.

    Combat Carl

    Combat Carl action figures appear in various forms throughout the Toy Story franchise. First, in the first Toy Story movie, Sid famously explodes a Combat Carl figure with a firecracker. In the short Toy Story of TERROR!, a Combat Carl figure and a 4-inch one called Combat Carl Jr both appear, voiced by Carl Weathers. Then in Toy Story 4, three Combat Carl Jr.s assist Bo Peep – this time voiced by Ernie Hudson. Combat Carl is based on G.I. Joe action figures and whilst they often only have minor roles, I really love the continuity to the ‘Combat Carl’ brand in the Toy Story franchise.

    A binocular view of a green camouflage Combat Carl action figure with a firecracker strapped to its back, running as Sid's hand lights the fuse.

    Buster

    Of course, no side character list would be complete without a dog featuring! Andy’s dog Buster actually has a really great character arc over the course of the movies. Right at the end of Toy Story, Andy receives Buster as a Christmas present, much to the concern of the toys. By the time Toy Story 2 rolls around, Buster is an integral part of the toy group, with Woody even being able to train him. By Toy Story 3, Buster is old and a little chubbier than he was as a puppy – the scene where he falls asleep and falls on Woody will always make me chuckle!

    Whilst it’s unlikely that we will see Buster again, he definitely goes down in my list of best boys in the Pixar universe.

    In all honesty, this list could have been 30 of the best side characters in Toy Story, but I tried to keep this as concise as possible and based on my personal preference!

    What characters would you add to this list? Who do you want to make an appearance in Toy Story 5? Let me know in the comments.

  • 5 Disney Movie Soundtracks That Deserve More Love

    5 Disney Movie Soundtracks That Deserve More Love

    It’s hard to think of a Disney movie that doesn’t feature some sort of hit soundtrack. From “Part of Your World” to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, there’s nothing quite like a Disney banger to listen to, full blast, on a road trip! But certain movie soundtracks definitely get more love than others… I’m looking at you The Lion King and Frozen!

    Below are 5 movies that I think deserve a little more love when it comes to their soundtracks:

    The Aristocats

    With only six songs on its entire soundtrack, The Aristocats may not be exactly the first Disney movie that comes to mind when you think of underrated soundtracks, but I really think it’s the epitome of ‘less is more’ when it comes to tracklists! “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat” is truly iconic and has been remixed numerous times over the years for Disney parades and firework shows, showing how much staying power it has. “The Aristocats” is also absolutely brilliant and feels so authentically French. In fact, the legendary French singer and actor Maurice Chevalier was even brought out of retirement to sing the titular song – you can’t get much more genuine than that!

    Soul

    Soul is one of the best Pixar movies of the 2020s and is of course heavily musically focused, following Joe Gardner as he pursues his passion for jazz and what it means to have a soul. Music plays a big role throughout the movie, but I genuinely don’t think the soundtrack gets near enough love! Jazz is nowhere near appreciated enough in modern movies, let alone modern animation, so I really do enjoy the authenticity of the score in Soul. Unsurprisingly, the soundtrack won both the Golden Globe and the Oscar for Best Original Score!

    Mulan

    There are a lot of Princess movies out there with fantastic music that takes the limelight, but for me, Mulan’s soundtrack is amongst the very best. I love the playfulness and charisma of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” and also love the beauty and gentleness of “Reflection”. The whole soundtrack is the perfect blend of Disney charm and appreciation for Chinese culture. Granted, I may be slightly biased given Mulan is one of my favourite Disney movies of all time, but it still deserves more love!

    Tarzan

    Phil Collins famously wrote, composed, and performed hit songs for Brother Bear (which could have easily made this list!) and Tarzan. For me, Tarzan’s soundtrack is flawless. The driving, drum-heavy energy of “Trashin’ the Camp” and the emotional weight of “Two Worlds” fit the narrative of the movie perfectly and don’t even get me started on “You’ll Be in My Heart”! Phil Collins completely broke the traditional Disney mould by not having the characters sing the songs diegetically, which is exactly why the music fits the narrative arc so seamlessly.

    A Bug’s Life

    After the unparalleled success of the Toy Story soundtrack, John Lasseter teamed up with Randy Newman to deliver the soundtrack to A Bug’s Life – and I’m so glad he did! While A Bug’s Life doesn’t have the same heavy-hitting standalone songs as Toy Story, the entire score is so authentically Randy Newman, it’s hard not to listen to it and smile. The soundtrack has a really great blend of orchestral music and 1940s jazz which really makes A Bug’s Life feel atmospheric. I would even argue that “The Time of Your Life” is as good as “Strange Things” from Toy Story!

    The next time you’re queueing up a Disney playlist for a road trip, skip the usual anthems and give these brilliant soundtracks another spin. You might just find a new favourite.

    What do you think? What Disney soundtrack do you think deserves way more love?

  • 10 Must-Watch Disney+ Movies and Documentaries to Celebrate Earth Day 2026

    10 Must-Watch Disney+ Movies and Documentaries to Celebrate Earth Day 2026

    Earth Day 2026 is one week away and for Disney fans, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with some awe-inspiring content on Disney+. From stunning, in-depth documentaries to classic Pixar movies, there is something for fans of all ages to celebrate Earth Day. Here are 10 of my picks ahead of Earth Day 2026.

    Documentaries to Watch on Disney+ for Earth Day

    Disneynature’s Orangutan (Releasing April 22nd)

    Narrated by Josh Gad (Voice of Olaf), Disneynature’s Orangutan is Disney’s flagship 2026 Earth Day release and frankly, it looks awesome! The film follows Indah, an inquisitive adolescent orangutan learning how to navigate life as she prepares to leave her family and venture out on her own for the first time. From the trailer, the visuals of Borneo and Sumatra look stunning and the soundtrack really gives me Tarzan vibes. It definitely looks like a documentary not to be missed!

    Secrets of the Bees

    Another recent documentary addition to Disney+ is Secrets of the Bees, produced by National Geographic. The two-part documentary discovers the hidden world of bees and their incredible intelligence. James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) serves as the executive producer for the documentary so as you’d expect, the visuals are phenomenal. It’s a fantastic documentary to understand the impact bees have on the natural world and humanity as a whole.

    Disneynature’s Tiger

    Much like Disneynature’s Orangutan, Tiger is another Disneynature documentary film, which as the title suggests, follows the journey of a young tigress raising her cubs in the forests of India. Priyanka Chopra Jonas serves as the narrator and it’s a really wholesome tale of parenthood and understanding the life and journey of tigers.

    A Real Bug’s Life

    Spanning 2 seasons, A Real Bug’s Life transports viewers into the micro-universe of insects of all shapes and sizes. It’s another fantastic documentary that shows the extraordinary lives insects live and as someone who is fascinated by bugs, this really hits the spot for me as a series! Again, some of the visuals are phenomenal and there is even an episode at the end of the second series which shows how the series was filmed – I’d highly recommend checking it out!

    Best Disney Movies for Earth Day

    The Lion King

    Arguably one of Disney’s most iconic movies of all time, it’s hard not to include The Lion King as part of any Earth Day watch-along! It’s not just the Savannah setting or the abundance of animal species that make The Lion King essential Earth Day viewing, it’s the message the movie conveys. Mufasa famously says the following quote, which I think embodies the beauty of our natural world and captures the essence of Earth Day:

    “Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope… When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life”.

    A Bug’s Life

    We can’t have A Real Bug’s Life in the list without having the Pixar classic! A Bug’s Life is a fantastic depiction of the weird and wonderful insect world and I think does a fantastic job at giving an insight into how organised and intelligent bugs actually are. As a film too, it’s one of the funniest Pixar movies in my opinion and is severely underrated!

    Elemental

    Another Pixar movie to watch ahead of Earth Day is the fantastic Elemental! The premise and backdrop of the film is literally built on the four elements; fire, water, air and earth. It’s a visually stunning animated movie that cleverly plays on how all of the elements tie in to one another. Plus, at the heart of the movie is a love story that gets me every time I watch it!

    Short Films & Relaxing Picks on Disney+

    Lava

    Lava is a short film (10-minute run time), produced by Pixar which really embodies Earth Day. In essence, it’s a musical love story about two volcanoes that takes place over millions of years. If you’ve never watched it before, it does sound like an odd concept, but in typical Pixar fashion, they do a fantastic job of making the characters so relatable. Also, the song is particularly catchy, so be warned!

    Zenimation

    I feel like the short Zenimation series on Disney+ has totally gone under the radar for Disney+ fans, but it’s such a wonderful little series. Essentially, it’s a series of short clips from Disney movies (like the water from Moana or the forest from Bambi) edited together for a relaxing visual experience. It’s a really simple concept and if you’ve seen the movies, there is no extra content here, however it really does allow you to appreciate the animation and the calming effects of nature.

    Earth Moods

    Okay so not quite a ‘short’ as such, Earth Moods is a National Geographic series of videos, ambiently exploring various biomes across the world. There’s no narration, it’s purely an ambient journey through some of the most beautiful places on earth. They remind me of the sort of thing you’d see on display on a TV in an electronics store, but nonetheless, they are perfect for having on in the background while you work or relax.

    The Verdict

    Whether you’re in the mood for a deep dive into the jungle with Josh Gad or just want some calming scenery while you finish your work, Disney+ really has gone all out for 2026. For me, Earth Day is all about taking a moment to appreciate that “delicate balance” Mufasa talks about – and if I can do that while eating popcorn and watching a Pixar classic, even better.

    I’m definitely going to be sat front and centre for Orangutan on the 22nd. There’s just something about those Disneynature films that makes you want to go out and plant a tree (or at least buy a reusable water bottle!).

    What are your Earth Day plans? Are you going to be diving into the new Orangutan documentary, or are you sticking with a classic like The Lion King? Let me know your watchlist in the comments below!

  • Why is there a lack of merchandise for modern Disney films?

    Why is there a lack of merchandise for modern Disney films?

    Disney merchandise, be it toys, clothing, video games, plushies or pins, is seemingly unavoidable. Everywhere you look there is a new partnership or collaboration being announced on social media. It’s unsurprising, particularly when you consider how much revenue merchandise generates for the Walt Disney Company.

    According to their 2025 Annual Report, Disney’s total “Product” revenue (which covers merchandise, publishing, and games) reached a whopping $9.8 billion. Despite this, there has been a noticeable lack of merchandise in recent years, specifically for modern Disney films.

    After watching Pixar’s Hoppers recently, I was incredibly excited to check out what merchandise would be available, particularly given the impressive marketing push Disney and Pixar gave the movie. With the film’s cast of cute and cuddly characters, I was expecting a range of plushies and maybe even a series of pins too, but I was frankly left incredibly disappointed with what I could find on the Disney Store.

    A screenshot of the Disney Store UK website showing only two results for "Hoppers"—a King George soft toy and a character figure set—highlighting the lack of merchandise for the new Pixar film.
    A very disappointing search on the Disney Store!

    A single plush toy of King George and a figurine set of a handful of the characters made up the merchandise available here for fans in the UK. Upon checking the US Disney Store, stateside Hoppers fans didn’t get much of a better treatment, with only a handful of T-shirts available in addition to the soft toy and figurine set. As a fan who is partial to a Disney collectable or two, I was really disappointed with what was available to coincide with the release of Hoppers.

    So, why are we getting less and less merchandise for original Disney movies? Why are we seemingly getting more and more merchandise for the classic Disney movies instead? I’ve taken a look at why this might be happening…

    The Financial Unknown

    Despite the vast amount of revenue which merchandise delivers for the Walt Disney Company, to ensure that revenue is profitable, Disney’s current strategy is built on “guaranteed wins.” It’s reported that in 2025, Lilo & Stitch merchandise alone generated over $4 billion. When one 20-year-old movie makes that much (granted, the live-action remake certainly had an impact on that figure!), Disney is less likely to risk floor space on a brand-new movie like Hoppers until they are certain it has the same “staying power.”

    A close-up of the bright red Disney logo on a glass storefront, reflecting the surrounding city lights with a classic Mickey Mouse figure visible on the right.
    Walking past the Disney Store, you’d expect to see the latest hits front and centre, but the reality inside the shelves is often very different.

    From “Toy Aisle” to a “Lifestyle Brand”

    Have you noticed how the toy aisles in supermarkets seem to be shrinking, while the adult sections in shops like H&M or Pandora are growing? Disney is undergoing a massive pivot. They’ve realised that while a child might play with a plastic figurine for a week, a Gen Z or Millennial fans will pay a premium for a high-end collaboration they can actually wear or display.

    We’re seeing fewer traditional “playthings” and more “lifestyle” items – designer handbags, jewellery, and “streetwear” collections. By targeting fans with disposable income who grew up with the classics, Disney is essentially trading the £10 plastic toy for a £100 fashion statement. It makes sense for their bottom line, but for those of us who just want a decent plushie of a new character we love, it feels like we’re being left behind.

    The Digital Takeover

    It’s not just physical aisles that are changing; it’s digital ones, too. Disney has realised that a lot of their audience, especially the younger generation, would rather spend their money on a digital “skin” for Fortnite than a plastic toy for their bedroom. With Disney’s massive $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, we’re seeing a shift where characters like Buzz Lightyear or the Incredibles gang show up as playable avatars before they even hit the Disney Store shelves.

    These digital goods are a goldmine for Disney; there are no manufacturing costs, no shipping delays, and no clearance aisles. When you consider that in-game spending is projected to hit over $170 billion by 2030, it’s easy to see why Disney might prioritise a virtual “Mabel” skin over a physical plushie. In their eyes, a digital item that you can show off to millions of other players online has more “social currency” than a toy sitting on a shelf at home.

    The “Wait and See” Strategy

    In the 90s, you couldn’t move for merchandise hitting the shelves months before a movie even premiered. Today, the strategy has flipped. To avoid the dreaded “clearance aisle” fate that hit films like Wish, Disney often waits for a movie to prove its “staying power” before mass-producing a full range.

    It’s a frustrating cycle for fans. We want to celebrate a movie like Hoppers while the hype is at its peak, but Disney is playing it safe, waiting to see if the streaming numbers justify the manufacturing costs. It feels like they’re missing the “magic” of the moment in favour of a spreadsheet.

    A vibrant Disney Store display featuring a large Mickey Mouse statue surrounded by backpacks, water bottles, and classic Pixar character posters in the background.
    While new films struggle for shelf space, the “Classics” like Mickey Mouse and Stitch continue to dominate the physical Disney Store aisles.

    The Verdict

    It’s a bittersweet time to be a Disney fan. While it’s great to see the classics getting so much love, the lack of support for original stories like Hoppers feels like a missed opportunity. If Disney doesn’t let us bring these new characters home through merch, how are they ever supposed to grow into the ‘classics’ that the next generation falls in love with?

    What do you think? Have you struggled to find merch for your favourite modern Disney films, or are you happy sticking with the classics? Let me know in the comments!