The Disney+ streaming platform is creating a lot of high-profile original content based on the Mouse House’s premier IP. We’ve already had new Star Wars and Marvel series getting tons of fan attention. But what about Pixar Studios? Well, we finally have a glimpse into Pixar’s first-ever series for Disney+ based on one of their beloved franchises, made in conjunction with Disney Television Animation.
Coming on July 2: Monsters at Work, the first official series spin-off of the Monsters, Inc. franchise. And we now have our first full trailer from the series, showing the monsters on the job.
Apparently Mike and Sully will be top dogs at the firm in the series; per the teaser Billy Crystal and John Goodman will return to voice the characters. However, it looks like they’ll be little more than cameos, with the newbies taking center stage. Ben Feldman (of Superstore and Mad Men) will play a new recruit who’ll need to learn to be less “scary” to fit in with the changing landscape. His team consists of the a hyperactive Mindy Kaling and an ever avuncular Henry Winkler.
Disney Television Animation / Pixar Studios
“Monsters at Work takes place the day after the Monsters, Incorporated power plant started harvesting the laughter of children to fuel the city of Monstropolis, thanks to Mike and Sulley’s discovery that laughter generates ten times more energy than screams. It follows the story of Tylor Tuskmon, an eager young monster who graduated top of his class at Monsters University and always dreamed of becoming a Scarer until he lands a job at Monsters, Incorporated, and discovers that scaring is out and laughter is in. After Tylor is temporarily reassigned to the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT), he must work alongside a misfit bunch of mechanics while setting his sights on becoming a Jokester.”
Monsters at Work isn’t the only spin-off for a popular Pixar film coming from Disney+. Dug Days will follow Dug the dog (‘Squirrel!’) and Carl Fredricksen from Up; the show will feature the pair trying to adjust to their new life in the suburbs. Dug Days premieres in fall 2021. Then in 2022, the ever-popular Cars brand will get a Disney+ series too, focusing on Lightning McQueen and Mater. Shockingly, the Toy Story characters don’t have a series yet announced for the service. But that’s got to be in the planning stages, right?
Monsters at Work debuts Friday, July 2 on Disney+.
Originally published on May 12, 2021, with updates on May 18, 2021.
