With "Cars 3" in theaters now, it's time to brush up on The Pixar Theory. Don't know what that is? Get ready to have your mind blown.
This theory, parsed out by superfan Jon Negroni, has two parts. One: All Pixar movies not only exist in the same universe, but in one circular timeline.
"Brave" takes place in the Dark Ages, far before any other film in the Pixar Theory timeline. It also introduces magic to the universe through a mysterious witch (who will be important later on).
This magic, powered by closeness to humans, can bring inanimate objects to life, turn people into animals and turn doors into magical portals.
"The Incredibles" happens next in the Pixar Theory timeline, maybe in the 1960s. In the movie, the government uses human "energy" to create artificial intelligence. That energy, Pixar Theory says, is the magic left over from "Brave."
This is the next one in the Pixar Theory timeline. Again, we have an animal who comes in contact with humans and is, or becomes, really smart through their friendship. Pixar Theory once again credits "Brave"-era magic for that.
The growth of tech company BnL is a good way to track the Pixar Theory timeline. In "Up," BnL has grown so much that the company can kick Carl out of his home.
But that's not the only clue that the Pixar movies are in the same universe...
"Toy Story 3" is full of hints that all Pixar movies are connected. Andy receives a postcard from "Up" characters Carl and Ellie, Boo from "Monsters Inc." appears as an older child in daycare (confirmed by Pixar)and Darla from "Finding Nemo" is on the cover of a magazine.
The Pixar Theory actually places the Cars franchise after "Wall-E," when humans are gone. That same "Brave"-era magic is still lingering, though, which is why we have talking cars all over the place.
This part of Pixar Theory comes from some DVD extras. Here it goes: Monsters aren't really monsters; they're a human-animal hybrid that emerges far in Earth's future.
At the end of "Monsters Inc.," the monsters learn that joy is a more powerful emotion than fear, which theoretically ends the Pixar timeline in a moment of happiness and harmony between humans, animals and technology.
Yes, human love is original magic from "Brave" that keeps this whole timeline together.
However, according to Pixar Theory, this is when the timeline collapses in on itself. When Sully goes back into time to collect human energy and accidentally reveals himself to a little girl named Boo, he changes everything.
What's the next story? The first story, according to Pixar Theory.
It's theorized that as Boo grows up, she cannot forget the "kitty" who appeared to her through a portal door. She grows into a powerful witch. Trying to track down Sully, she goes in and out of history through those magical portal doors.
Why do fans think this? The witch from "Brave" can use magic portals, and she has items from throughout history in her house. Cross-movie Easter eggs can also be interpreted as Boo leaving clues throughout history as she travels through time. And if you look closely you can even see a drawing of Sully, etched into her things.
