Why Pixar Movie Costumes Appeal to Adult Disney Fans

By Mitch Uppman

Ever wish you could just go back to being a care-free child without a worry in the world, if at least for one day?  Disney-Pixar movies have a way of helping adults disconnect from everyday stressors while still reminding us that they [stressors] are just a normal part of life.  In the Halloween world, the same elements are at play.  Pixar movie costumes offer a temporary escape from the monotonous rat race routine that most adults experience.  Being an adult is hard and sometimes it is necessary to have distractions that take us away (mentally) from our problems.  Pixar movie costumes appeal to adult Disney fans because their films explore subjects that, while intended for children, still speak loud and clear to a grown up audience that strongly identifies with their struggles and victories.  Dressing up in a costume from a Pixar flick is a way of expressing your thoughts through the character’s own because you can identify.   

The human race has grown to realize that drama is a key factor in most lives.  Without some of these dramatic events, some may never know how to actually learn and grow.  They are rites of passage into adulthood for most and they stay with us for a lifetime, making us wiser and appreciative of the journey that makes us become adults.  Miserable, sad and unwanted things always enter our circle.  Pixar understands these themes and tries to share their empathy with the crowd by presenting them in a manner that children and adults alike can relate to.  

Pixar appeals to adult Disney fans with engaging themes that represent the entire spectrum of emotions; so much that grown men and women develop the same passion for Pixar films as children do.  It is not rare to see adults pack a theater during a Pixar film or dress up in Pixar character costumes for Halloween.  Disney costumes have always been popular among adults, but Pixar costumes have almost become a standard choice since they are more relatable.  

Touching Themes 

So what are the themes that Disney-Pixar uses to capture the hearts of adult audiences?  Let’s explore them.

Loss

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Loss is one of the major roles in Pixar films.  We see the loss of Ellie in Up, Marlin's wife in Finding Nemo, and Arlo's father in The Good Dinosaur.  Many people can relate to this hard theme and find it very daring for Pixar.  Pixar presents the true feeling of what it means to lose someone you love.  Pixar is showing adults that there is always a place for them.  Maybe that is why costumes from these emotionally charged films are so popular.  Halloween costumes are a form of expression since the holiday allows us to step out of our shoes and get into a character that represents our inner voice.  Pixar costumes seem to be that “voice” for many adults.

Need to Feel Wanted

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This theme presents humanity as a whole.  Without others, humans feel alone and not cared about.  Pixar tackles this theme rather well.  All Woody wanted, was to be played with by Andy.  The Incredibles wanted the world to respect them as normal.  Lightning McQueen wanted the world to know he was the best.  Pixar shows the world that they are here for us and that they understand the feeling of loneliness, and the wanting to have an approval of others.  Pixar costumes help adult Disney fans express this best.  Dressing up as Toy Story’s Woody can be a personal statement to let others know that you, like Woody, are a person that they’ve “got a friend in.”  Just like Woody and Buzz, every Pixar film has at least one character whose costume conveys a similar message.

Love

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This is relevant in every Pixar film.  Whether it's the romantic feelings between Walle and Eva, or the compassionate love between Sully and Boo, love has brought all different types of people closer together.  Love is the ultimate theme of peace, and Pixar wants to show the world that they are ready to make a difference through the love movement.  Pixar movie costumes present opportunities for us to pair up with loved ones and translate connection of the characters on film to our own realities.  As adults, expressing love for those who make our lives special should be a priority.  We can all use a little more love in our lives and Pixar costumes definitely help.

Animation Mixed with Story

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Pixar has, hands down, the greatest animators of our time.  Everything, from the virtual set to the characters’ appearance and costume design is otherworldly.  Children are easily amused by any animation (most kids, at least), but it takes a giant like Pixar to captivate an adult mind.  It amazes audiences and critics alike that such a great story can be mixed with such beauty.  One of the main reasons adult Disney fans flock to these films is because of the dazzling sight on screen.  Rarely does a studio pull off great efforts as these.  These films open up whole new worlds and crazy adventures through a new light.  Every story has its own original take, and they all make us wonder what it would be like to fill the shoes of the characters living in world that can only exist in our imagination.  Pixar costumes are about as close as we can physically get to being a part of these magnificently animated worlds. 

Downright Good Fun

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Although Pixar has dark themes and animation to boast, the studio has improved on its adventures and overall fun.  This is where adults really get to disconnect from the everyday monotony and where Pixar movie costumes tap into the fun side of adulthood.   We get to take a ride with memorable characters through whacky and crazy rides.  The Pixar characters really know how to show off a good time, such as Barbie from Toy Story and Bing Bong from Inside Out.  These characters may seem to be off to the side but in our hearts, they are a principal necessity.  They are characters that give us those feel-good vibes; we can only hope that dressing up in these characters’ costumes for Halloween will convey those same positive feelings to others.    

Changing Animated Films Forever

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Pixar has turned down the idea that animated films are just merely for children.  Adults now can be entertained as they bring their young ones to a showing of a Disney-Pixar film.  Before Pixar, many children films set out a very low standard of senseless humor with very little teaching.  Pixar has managed to teach while entertaining all ages.  There has been a huge rise in adult Pixar costumes due to this fact alone.  Many adults have taken to dressing up as their favorite Pixar character for Halloween or just for fun!  This major animation studio has brought dark themes to a greater light, and even today they are pulling at our heart strings.

Pixar Costumes are an Escape

Adult Disney fans are that for a simple reason: They stay in touch with their inner child.  Even though the realities of daily life can pile on the stress, adults like knowing that there is a way to escape it.  Merely watching a Pixar film is not enough.  If anything, it leaves you wondering what life would be like if you were a character in a Pixar film.  Pixar costumes are special to adult Disney fans because their movies are special to adults in the first place.