Monsters at Work: The Disney+ Series & Pixar’s Monster World

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced a Monsters, Inc. TV series for Disney+ in a 2017 earnings call. This signaled Disney’s commitment to original streaming content, alongside planned Star Wars, High School Musical, and Marvel series. While a release date was uncertain, Disney+ launched in late 2019.

The series, part of Pixar’s Monsters franchise, promised the return of Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan. Unanswered questions included the show’s timeline (prequel, sequel, or spin-off) and whether Billy Crystal and John Goodman would reprise their roles.

Mike and Sulley in Monsters, Inc.

Iger emphasized Disney+’s lower initial price compared to Netflix, reflecting its smaller content library, with planned price increases as content grew. Unlike ESPN+, it would be ad-free, family-friendly, and feature parental controls. This direct-to-consumer service was Disney’s top priority.

Monsters at Work premiered on Disney+ in July 2021. Set six months after Monsters, Inc., it follows Tylor Tuskmon, a Monsters University graduate who discovers scaring is out and laughter is the new energy source. Tylor navigates this change alongside Mike and Sulley (voiced by Crystal and Goodman). New characters and storylines expand the Pixar universe, offering a fresh perspective while retaining the heart and humor of the original films.