Monsters, Inc. (franchise)
A monster franchise about laughter and screams.
Monsters, Inc. is an American media franchise from Pixar that started with the 2001 film *Monsters, Inc.* The stories take place in a world that runs parallel to Earth, where monsters make up society and use the energy from human children to power their cities. The company Monsters, Inc. does this by using portal doors that connect to children's bedrooms.
The franchise includes two feature films. The first, *Monsters, Inc.*, introduces Monstropolis, a city powered by the screams of human children. Monsters enter the human world at night through bedroom closets to scare them. One night, a little girl named Boo accidentally enters the monster world, and the monsters James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski must hide her from the authorities and get her home. Along the way, they discover that what they believed about humans is not entirely true. Released in the United States on November 2, 2001, it became the third highest-grossing animated film at the time, behind Disney's *The Lion King* and *Shrek*, and was one of the first animated films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
The second film, *Monsters University*, is a prequel that shows how Sulley and Mike met in college. They start as rivals but end up on the same team in the university's Scare Games. With a group of misfits, they must win the competition or be expelled. Through their struggles, they learn to work together and become best friends. It was released in the United States on June 21, 2013.
A third film is in development, as reported in March 2026.
The television series *Monsters at Work* is a sequel to the first film, produced by Disney Television Animation for Disney+. Announced in November 2017, it was revealed in April 2019 as *Monsters at Work* with a spring 2021 premiere. Seven original cast members returned, including John Goodman and Billy Crystal as Sulley and Mike. After a delay, it was released on July 7, 2021. A second season was confirmed in September 2021, officially announced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2022, with new showrunners Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers. The second season aired on Disney Channel on April 5, 2024, and on Disney+ on May 5, 2024. The series begins the day after Monsters, Incorporated switches to laugh power, following Tylor Tuskmon, who hopes to join the Laugh Floor with Mike and Sulley.
Short films include *Mike'
Quick Facts
- Title
- Monsters, Inc.
- Origin
- Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- Owner
- The Walt Disney Company
- Years
- 2001–present
- Films
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) / Monsters University (2013) / Untitled third film (TBA)
- Atv
- Monsters at Work (2021–2024)
- Vgs
- List of video games
- Soundtracks
- Monsters, Inc. (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2001) / Monsters University (Original Score) (2013) / Monsters at Work (Original Soundtrack) (2021)
- Music
- Monsters, Inc. Scream Factory Favorites (2002)
- Attractions
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! (2006–present) / Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (2007–present) / Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek (2009–present) / Monstropolis (2027)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The franchise began with Monsters, Inc. (2001), which introduced the monster world of Monstropolis, powered by the screams of human children. Monsters enter the human world at night through closet doors to scare children. The story follows friends James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski as they hide a little girl named Boo and learn that not everything they believed about humans is true. The film was released on November 2, 2001, and was one of the first animated films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
A prequel, Monsters University (2013), depicts Sulley and Mike's college days where they initially start as rivals but become best friends through the Scare Games.
Reader's Guide
The Monsters, Inc. franchise is significant as one of Pixar's early successes, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide across its film series, making it the 15th highest-grossing animated film franchise. The original film was a box office hit, ranking No. 1 its opening weekend and becoming the second highest-grossing animated film at the time behind The Lion King. It was also among the first animated films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The franchise expanded with a prequel, a television series, and multiple theme park attractions, including an interactive comedy club show and dark rides. The franchise's legacy includes its exploration of the monster world and the shift from scream power to laugh power, reflecting themes of friendship and understanding. The franchise continues to develop, with a third film in development as of 2026 and ongoing theme park presence.
Did You Know?
- Monsters, Inc. was one of the first animated films to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
- The franchise has grossed a total of $1,306,110,769, making it the 15th highest-grossing animated film franchise.
- The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor attraction at Magic Kingdom replaced the Circle-Vision attraction The Timekeeper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Monsters, Inc. franchise?
It is a Pixar animated film series that debuted in 2001, set in a hidden society of monsters who harvest energy from human children through portal doors leading to kids' bedrooms. The franchise currently includes two released feature films, with a third untitled project in development.
How does the power system work in the Monsters, Inc. world?
In the original film, Monstropolis runs on the electrical energy generated by children's screams, which monsters capture by slipping into bedrooms at night through closet doors. The sequel reveals that laughter actually produces far more power, which is why the company's entire business model shifts.
What is the difference between Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University?
Monsters, Inc. (2001) follows Sulley and Mike as adult coworkers navigating corporate espionage in Monstropolis, while Monsters University (2013) is a prequel tracing their friendship from college days. Together the two films cover both their professional and personal histories.
How much has the Monsters, Inc. franchise grossed worldwide?
The two released films have collectively earned roughly $1.3 billion at the global box office, placing the series as the 15th highest-grossing animated film franchise of all time. The 2001 original also received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Is there a third Monsters, Inc. movie in the works?
As of March 2026, an untitled third installment is confirmed to be in development, though no release date or plot details have been publicly announced. It is expected to continue the story of Sulley, Mike, and the broader monster world.
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