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Turning Red

Turning Red is a 2022 American animated coming-of-age fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Domee Shi and produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures.

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

Turning Red is a 2022 American animated coming-of-age fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Domee Shi and produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. Set in Toronto in 2002, it follows Chinese-Canadian teenager Meilin “Mei” Lee, who transforms into a giant red panda when she experiences strong emotions.

Premise

The film follows Mei Lee as she navigates adolescence, family expectations, and changing friendships while dealing with an ancestral transformation into a red panda triggered by intense emotion.

Production

Turning Red was produced by Pixar for Walt Disney Pictures and marks Domee Shi’s feature directorial debut after her earlier Pixar short Bao.

Setting and themes

The story is rooted in early-2000s Toronto and uses the red-panda transformation as a metaphor for puberty, emotional change, and identity.

Reception and release

The film was released on Disney+ in 2022 and received a PG rating in the United States for thematic and related content.

Key facts

  • Turning Red is a Pixar feature film released in 2022.
  • It was directed by Domee Shi, making her the first woman to solely direct a Pixar feature film.
  • The story centers on Meilin “Mei” Lee, a Chinese-Canadian teenager who turns into a red panda when overwhelmed by strong emotions.
  • The film is set in Toronto, Ontario, in 2002.
  • The main voice cast includes Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Orion Lee.
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Canadian context

The film is set in Toronto, Ontario, and centers on a Chinese-Canadian family, making it especially relevant to Canadian audiences.[1][8][11]

Frequently asked questions

What is Turning Red about?
It follows Mei Lee, a Toronto teenager who turns into a giant red panda when she experiences strong emotions.
Who directed Turning Red?
Domee Shi directed the film.
Where is Turning Red set?
It is set in Toronto, Ontario, in 2002.
Who voices Mei Lee?
Rosalie Chiang voices Meilin “Mei” Lee.
Is Turning Red a Pixar film?
Yes. It was produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Red
    Supports: Release year, director, writers, production companies, setting, premise, voice cast
  2. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-2197b4d6-969e-4491-82c8-fde67341404c
    Supports: Director, cast, runtime, release year, genre, premise
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/turning-red
    Supports: Setting, PG rating, premise, characters, thematic interpretation
  4. Pixar — https://www.pixar.com/turning-red
    Supports: Official film premise and character description
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/turning_red
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriters, distributor, production companies, runtime, rating