Monsters University

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1:04

Monsters University

G

Released Jun 21, 2013

1h 42m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Fantasy

Adventure

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

200 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Ever since he was a kid monster, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) has dreamed of becoming a Scarer. To make his dream a reality, he enrolls at Monsters University. During his first semester, he meets Sulley (John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. Sulley and Mike engage in a fierce rivalry that ultimately gets them both kicked out of MU's elite Scare Program. To make things right, Mike and Sulley -- along with a bunch of misfit monsters -- will have to learn to work together.

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Critics Consensus

Offering Monsters, Inc. fans a return visit with beloved characters, Monsters University delivers funny and thoughtful family entertainment for viewers of any age.

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Christy Lemire

ChristyLemire.com

It is essentially Revenge of the Nerds, with fur. And scales. And whatever gooey, gelatinous substance comprises the outer coating of various other oddball creatures in this crazy parallel world.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 8, 2013

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Wesley Morris

Grantland

Studios don't often seem to be thinking about the ideal moviegoer, just about the maximum number of moviegoers ... Pixar is no different in that regard, but even in this relatively fallow period ... it's never stopped thinking the most of us.

Rated: A-

Jul 26, 2013

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

So many movies, these days, are about nerds and their market value. Dan Scanlon's prequel is the newest, but already feels old.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 12, 2013

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

It's well-performed, highly imaginative, funny at times, compelling other times, but just doesn't have that extra magic and poignancy that we are used to, and now expect, from Pixar.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 20, 2025

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Although not wholly original or as monumental as some of Pixar’s other work, it’s a film that embraces the studio’s drive for timeless, universally appealing animation.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 2, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Lacks the substantial level of unbridled creativity and emotional punch found in its predecessor.

Rated: 8/10

Dec 3, 2020

Full Review

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Michael

Monsters Inc was much better

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

Full Review

John F

Best prequel ever. The original music score is great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Jacopo D

Solito film da lezioncina: "credi in te stesso e bla bla bla..." Nemmeno ai bambini servono lezioni di questa banalità, la Pixar continuava a perdere smalto. Si ok, intrattenere, si ok animato bene, ma gli manca un vero e proprio messaggio per gli spettatori sia piccoli che grandi, come una volta sapeva fare questa casa d'animazione.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I got pretty invested in this movie and it had good parts and ideas in it, for sure. However, I couldn’t help but notice how big of a step down it was from the first movie, which was more original/authentic and even hard a darker angle to it. It was good that this movie was made though! Good origin story for good characters!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Rohaan P

It's a really good story on how Mike and Sully became best friends.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Its abe S

I have no idea why this movie is considered mediocre, its a good prequel! A great prequel actually! On my Pixar tier list of gets S tier!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

Full Review

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Dan Scanlon

Director

Billy Crystal

Mike Wazowski

John Goodman

Sulley

Steve Buscemi

Randy Boggs

Helen Mirren

Dean Hardscrabble

Peter Sohn

Scott "Squishy" Squibbles

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Monsters University: 'It All Began Here' Trailer

1:04

Monsters University: Final Trailer

2:30

Monsters University: Trailer 3

2:34

Monsters University: Trailer 2

2:23

Monsters University: 'Pony' Teaser

1:08

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Synopsis

Ever since he was a kid monster, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) has dreamed of becoming a Scarer. To make his dream a reality, he enrolls at Monsters University. During his first semester, he meets Sulley (John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. Sulley and Mike engage in a fierce rivalry that ultimately gets them both kicked out of MU's elite Scare Program. To make things right, Mike and Sulley -- along with a bunch of misfit monsters -- will have to learn to work together.

Director: Dan Scanlon
Producer: Kori Rae
Screenwriter: Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird, Dan Scanlon
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Pixar Animation Studios
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 13, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $268.5M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Datasat
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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