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Entertainment • Animation studio

Pixar

Pixar Animation Studios is an American computer animation studio based in Emeryville, California.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Pixar Animation Studios is an American computer animation studio based in Emeryville, California. It is known for its computer-animated feature films, including the *Toy Story* series, and has been a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company since 2006.

History

Pixar originated as a graphics division within Lucasfilm in 1979 and became an independent company in 1986 after Steve Jobs purchased it. Disney acquired the studio in 2006, after which it continued operating as Pixar Animation Studios within The Walt Disney Company.

Films and productions

Pixar's first feature film was *Toy Story* in 1995, the first full-length CGI-animated feature released theatrically. The studio has since released a long-running slate of feature films and shorts distributed through Disney.

Technology and influence

Pixar became known not only for storytelling but also for advancing computer animation technology. Its RenderMan software is closely associated with its early technical reputation in the industry.

Corporate structure

Pixar is based in Emeryville, California, and operates as a subsidiary of Disney. It functions as one of the best-known animation studios in the world and remains closely linked to Disney's animated film output.

Key facts

  • Pixar began as a division of Lucasfilm in 1979 before becoming an independent company in 1986.
  • Steve Jobs bought Pixar in 1986 and later played a major role in its growth.
  • Disney acquired Pixar in 2006, making it part of Disney's film operations.
  • Pixar is widely associated with computer-generated animation and films such as *Toy Story*, *Finding Nemo*, *The Incredibles*, and *Up*.
  • Pixar's software and technical innovations, including RenderMan, helped establish its reputation in digital animation.
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Canadian context

Pixar films are widely distributed in Canada and have had major influence on Canadian audiences, theatres, and home media markets. Pixar-related merchandise, screenings, and franchise tie-ins are also common in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pixar?
Pixar Animation Studios is an American animation studio known for computer-animated feature films.
Where is Pixar headquartered?
Pixar is headquartered in Emeryville, California, United States.
Who owns Pixar?
Pixar is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
When was Pixar founded?
Pixar began in 1979 as part of Lucasfilm and became an independent company in 1986.
What was Pixar's first feature film?
Pixar's first feature film was *Toy Story*, released in 1995.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixar
    Supports: Overview, headquarters, parent company, founding history, and technical reputation.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pixar_films
    Supports: Filmography context and first feature film release.
  3. Pixar Wiki — https://pixar.fandom.com/wiki/Pixar_Wiki
    Supports: General description of Pixar-related works and scope of the fan encyclopedia.