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:Soul (2020 film)

{{Short description|Pixar film}}

{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Use list-defined references|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox film

| image = Soul (2020 film) poster.jpg

| alt = The poster shows Joe Gardner in his human form walking down piano key-esque stairs with a cat and buildings of New York City as a backdrop. On the letter "L" in the film's logo, Joe's soul form is standing next to 22. On top, the film's release date, along with credits on the bottom.

| caption = Release poster

| director = Pete Docter

| producer = Dana Murray

| writer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = {{Plainlist|

  • Matt Aspbury
  • Ian Megibben

}}

| editing = Kevin Nolting

| production_companies = Pixar Animation Studios

| distributor = Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures{{efn|name=Disney|Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the Walt Disney Pictures banner.}}

| released = {{Film date|2020|10|11|BFI|2020|12|25|United States; Disney+|2024|1|12|United States; theatrical; re-release|2024|3|8|United Kingdom; theatrical; re-release}}

| runtime = 101 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $150 million

| gross = $122.2 million

}}

Soul is a 2020 American animated fantasy comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by Kemp Powers, both of whom co-wrote it with Mike Jones,{{efn|Docter, Powers, and Jones were all credited as "Screenplay by" and "Story by".}} and produced by Dana Murray. The film stars the voices of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Questlove, and Angela Bassett. It follows Joe Gardner (Foxx), a middle school teacher and aspiring pianist who falls into a coma following an accident and seeks to reunite his separated soul and body in time for his big break as a jazz musician.

Docter conceived Soul in January 2016, examining the origins of human personalities and the concept of determinism. During his first meeting with Jones, he pitched the idea about spacetime involving souls with personalities. The film's producers consulted various jazz musicians, including Herbie Hancock and Terri Lyne Carrington, and animated its musical sequences using the sessions of musician Jon Batiste as a reference. Apart from Batiste's original jazz compositions, musicians Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the film's score. Production on Soul lasted for four years on an approximate $150{{nbsp}}million budget. It was the first Pixar film to feature a black lead.

Soul premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2020, and was scheduled for theatrical release on June 19 and November 20; however, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released direct-to-streaming on Disney+ on December 25, 2020, accompanied by the short film Burrow, and in theaters in countries without the streaming service. It was theatrically released in the United States on January 12, 2024, and grossed over $122 million at the worldwide box office. The film received acclaim for its story, craftsmanship, themes, characters, ideas, creativity, animation, sound design, musical score and emotional weight.

The National Board of Review and the American Film Institute named Soul one of the top ten films of 2020. It was nominated for three Academy Awards at the 93rd Academy Awards, winning two, and received numerous other accolades.

Plot

In New York City, pianist Joe Gardner teaches music part-time at a middle school while dreaming of playing jazz professionally. When he receives an offer to teach full-time, his mother Libba urges him to accept, although Joe is resistant. Joe learns famous jazz musician Dorothea Williams has an opening in her quartet and auditions at a jazz club. Impressed with his piano playing, Dorothea hires him for that night's show. As Joe heads off, his excitement distracts him, and he falls down an open manhole.

Joe finds himself a disembodied soul heading into an afterlife called the "Great Beyond". Unwilling to die, he tries to escape but ends up in the "Great Before" (aka "You Seminar"), a realm where new souls are prepared for life on Earth with guidance from otherworldly counselors — all named Jerry — and experienced souls who act as mentors. Each new soul has a badge that grants passage to Earth once it has been completely filled in with interests and personality traits. Mistaken for a mentor, Joe is assigned to 22, a stubborn soul who has been in the Great Before for thousands of years and hopes to avoid Earth. Intrigued by Joe's desperation to return to an unremarkable life, 22 agrees to let Joe help find her "spark", which will complete her badge and enable Joe to use it to return home. After Joe fails several attempts to find 22 a passion, they visit "the Zone", a place that souls enter when their passions create a euphoric trance, but which becomes a trap for obsessed, lost souls. They meet Moonwind, a sign twirler who regularly enters the Zone to rescue lost souls, who helps the duo locate Joe's soulless body in a hospital.

Joe returns to Earth but accidentally brings 22 with him, and they awaken in Joe's hospital room in the wrong bodies, with 22 inhabiting Joe's body and Joe inhabiting the body of a therapy cat. They locate Moonwind, who agrees to meet at the jazz club that night to restore Joe to his body. In the meantime, 22 settles into Joe's body and starts to find enjoyment in trivial things like food, wind, and music. She holds poignant conversations with Libba, Joe's student Connie, and Joe's barber Dez, deepening her understanding of life. Meanwhile, Terry, the being in charge of counting souls, discovers the count is off and arrives on Earth to find Joe.

As the day ends, Joe and 22 visit Moonwind to return Joe to his body, but 22, having finally discovered the joy of living, refuses to leave Joe's body and flees. As Joe chases her through a subway station, Terry disconnects them from life and returns them to the Great Before. 22 discovers her badge is complete, but Joe bitterly insists it was the result of experiencing life in his body with his preferences and that she has no purpose of her own. Distraught, 22 throws the badge at him and retreats into the Zone. A Jerry informs Joe that a spark is not a soul's purpose in life, but Joe refuses to believe this and discreetly uses 22's badge to return to Earth.

The show at the jazz club is successful, but Joe is confused when it does not bring the fulfillment he was expecting. Looking at small objects that 22 collected while occupying his body, he recalls the moments they had enjoyed together and realizes these experiences gave 22 her spark. Joe plays piano and enters the Zone to return 22's badge but discovers she has become a lost soul, obsessed with the idea that she has no purpose. Joe chases her down and shows her a helicopter leaf she collected to remind her of her time on Earth. They realize that a spark is not a soul's purpose, but simply a desire to live. Joe's actions restore 22 to normal; he returns her badge and accompanies her for as long as he can on her journey down to Earth.

As Joe prepares to enter the Great Beyond, a Jerry stops him and offers him another chance at life in thanks for finally inspiring 22 to live (while another Jerry distracts Terry to manipulate the count). The next morning, Joe returns to his body on Earth, committed to fully living life.

Voice cast

{{multiple image|total_width=300

| direction = horizontal

| footer = Jamie Foxx (left) in 2013 and Tina Fey in 2014. They voiced Joe Gardner and 22, respectively.

| image1 = Jamie Foxx Django avp.jpg

| alt1 = Headshot of Jamie Foxx

| image2 = Tina Fey Muppets Most Wanted Premiere (cropped 2).jpg

| alt2 = Headshot of Tina Fey}}

  • Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardner, a jazz pianist and music teacher{{Cite web |last1=Trakin |first1=Roy |last2=Tangcay |first2=Jazz |date=January 28, 2021 |title=Trent Reznor and Jon Batiste Explain How Pixar's Soul Got Its Musical Heart |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/trent-reznor-jon-batiste-pixar-soul-1234894398/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220213110920/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/trent-reznor-jon-batiste-pixar-soul-1234894398/ |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=Variety }}
  • Tina Fey as 22, a cynical soul with a dim view of life on Earth{{Cite web |last=Crow |first=David |date=December 26, 2020 |title=Pixar's Soul: Who Are All of 22's Mentors? |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pixars-soul-who-are-all-22-mentors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220213115445/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pixars-soul-who-are-all-22-mentors/ |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=Den of Geek}}
  • Graham Norton as Moonwind, a spiritual sign twirler
  • Rachel House as Terry, an obsessive soul counter
  • Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Wes Studi, Fortune Feimster, and Zenobia Shroff as the five soul counselors in the Great Before who are all named Jerry{{Cite web |last=Sarto |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Sarto |date=December 1, 2020 |title=Designing the Illusory: Souls, Counselors, and The Great Before of Soul |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/designing-illusory-souls-counselors-and-great-soul |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220209135711/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/designing-illusory-souls-counselors-and-great-soul |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=Animation World Network}}
  • Phylicia Rashad as Libba Gardner, Joe's mother, who works as a seamstress{{cite web |date=11 October 2020 |last=Aftab |first=Kaleem |title=Soul Review: Pixar's Jazzy Existential Celebration Is One of the Studio's Very Best |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/10/soul-review-pixar-disney-plus-1234592101/ |website=IndieWire |access-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-date=October 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013222213/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/10/soul-review-pixar-disney-plus-1234592101/ |url-status=live }}
  • Donnell Rawlings as Dez, Joe's barber{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=October 15, 2020 |title=Pixar's new Soul trailer with Jamie Foxx unlocks the music of life |url=https://ew.com/movies/pixar-soul-trailer-jamie-foxx/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104131701/https://ew.com/movies/pixar-soul-trailer-jamie-foxx/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}
  • Questlove as Lamont "Curley" Baker, a drummer in Dorothea Williams' band and a former student of Joe's
  • Angela Bassett as Dorothea Williams, a jazz saxophonist

Additionally, Daveed Diggs plays Paul, Joe's neighborhood frenemy; Cora Champommier plays Connie, one of Joe's middle school band students; Margo Hall and Rhodessa Jones play Melba and Lulu, Libba's co-workers;{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/soul-film-review-london-2020|title=Soul: Film Review | London 2020|first=Leslie|last=Felperin|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 11, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012030224/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/soul-film-review-london-2020|url-status=live}} June Squibb plays Gerel, a soul who meets Joe before going to the Great Beyond; Esther Chae plays Miho, a bassist in Williams' band.{{Cite web |last=Divola |first=Barry |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Linda May Han Oh: the Perth muso immortalised by Pixar |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/linda-may-han-oh-the-perth-muso-immortalised-by-pixar-20210514-p57rz6.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220102024850/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/linda-may-han-oh-the-perth-muso-immortalised-by-pixar-20210514-p57rz6.html |archive-date=January 2, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}{{Cite web |last=Bulten |first=Izak |date=December 28, 2020 |title=Pixar's Soul: 10 Concept Art Pieces You Have To See |url=https://screenrant.com/pixar-soul-concept-art-disney-plus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220102024903/https://screenrant.com/pixar-soul-concept-art-disney-plus/ |archive-date=January 2, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=Screen Rant}} Cody Chesnutt provides his vocals, from his song "Parting Ways", as a street singer with a guitar.{{Cite web |last=Mordeau |first=Jordan |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/pixar-soul-new-trailer-teaser-1234692476/ |title=Pixar's Soul Releases New Teaser Trailer (Watch) |date=June 27, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730184407/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/pixar-soul-new-trailer-teaser-1234692476/ |url-status=live |website=Variety}}

Sakina Jaffrey, Calum Grant, Laura Mooney, Peggy Flood, Ochuwa Oghie, Jeannie Tirado, and Cathy Cavadini provide the voices of Doctor, Hedge Fund Manager, Therapy Cat Lady, Marge, Dancerstar, Principal Arroyo, and Dreamerwind.

Production

=Development and writing=

File:Pete Docter cropped 2009.jpg in 2009|alt=Headshot of Pete Docter]]

Soul began development in January 2016 following the announcement of the 88th Academy Awards when director Pete Docter pitched an idea for a new film to then-studio head of Pixar John Lasseter. Docter pondered the origins of human personalities with the concept of determinism. In his first meeting with co-writer Mike Jones, Docter pitched an idea set in the astral plane involving souls with personalities.{{cite web |first=Charles |last=Solomon |title=Soul Features Pixar's First black Lead Character. Here's How It Happened. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/movies/soul-pixar-disney-black-characters.html |url-access=limited |website=The New York Times |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-date=December 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225002524/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/movies/soul-pixar-disney-black-characters.html |url-status=live }} The film spent four years in production,{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Tim |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Soul 101: Pete Doctor Breaks Down the Team that Brought the Complex Animation to Life |url=https://variety.com/2021/artisans/production/soul-director-pete-docter-production-team-1234921296/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220209113330/https://variety.com/2021/artisans/production/soul-director-pete-docter-production-team-1234921296/ |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=Variety}} with an approximate $150 million budget.

Docter and Jones worked on the development of the main character for about two years. Initial ideas included portraying Joe as a scientist, which did not feel "so naturally pure". Pixar eventually settled on portraying the film's main character as a musician because they wanted an appealing profession for the audience. According to Docter, once the creative team decided the main character played jazz music, the filmmakers chose to make him African-American due to the race being tied to jazz history.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK9rLXMNVNc |title=Soul: 'Finding Soul' Conversation: Essence Festival|date=June 27, 2020|access-date=September 21, 2020|website=Pixar|via=YouTube|archive-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/BK9rLXMNVNc |url-status=live }}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/spotlight/soul-murray-cannes-kemp-powers-1234646745/ |date=June 23, 2020 |last=Goldstein |first=Gregg |title=Soul Producer Murray Reflects on Cannes-Selected Animated Feature |website=Variety |access-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-date=September 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908155725/https://variety.com/2020/film/spotlight/soul-murray-cannes-kemp-powers-1234646745/ |url-status=live }}

With co-writer Kemp Powers's help, Docter wrote Joe during the film's early development. Powers's initial contract was 12-weeks long, but was later extended. After making extensive contributions to the film, Powers became a co-director, making him Pixar's first African-American co-director. Powers based several elements of Joe on his personal life, but wanted the character to "transcend [his] own experience" in order to make him more accessible. Powers also placed additional emphasis on authentically depicting Joe's relationships within the black community.{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Spiegel |title=Soul began with the Great Beyond, then evolved into Pixar's film about black life |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/8/22149552/soul-pixar-interview-character-afterlife-designs |website=Polygon |date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=December 26, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218064405/https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/8/22149552/soul-pixar-interview-character-afterlife-designs |url-status=live }} In order to portray accurately African-American culture within the film, Pixar worked closely with an internal "Cultural Trust" composed of black Pixar employees, and hired several consultants. These consultants included musicians Herbie Hancock, Terri Lyne Carrington, Quincy Jones, and Jon Batiste; educator Johnnetta Cole; and stars Questlove and Diggs.

The idea of Joe's soul entering the body of a therapy cat came from Mike Jones. Docter and Powers appreciated the idea, as it allowed Joe to "be able to look at his own life from a different perspective" and appreciate it. According to Murray, the filmmakers were undecided on Soul{{'s}} ending before the last screening. Some test versions of the film ended featuring Joe pondering whether to pass on to the Great Beyond; returning to Earth a year later; or staying in the Great Before as a mentor. Initial storyboards featured several brief scenes showing 22's life on Earth after her new birth, including one of her reuniting with Joe in New York. These scenes were ultimately discarded.{{cite web |first=John |last=Boone |title=Soul Filmmakers Reveal the Movie's Original Ending (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/pixar-soul-alternate-ending-spoiler-breakdown-158021 |website=Entertainment Tonight |date=December 28, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102154628/https://www.etonline.com/pixar-soul-alternate-ending-spoiler-breakdown-158021 |url-status=live }}

=Casting=

In August 2019, it was announced that Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Questlove, Phylicia Rashad and Daveed Diggs had joined the cast. In March 2020, Angela Bassett announced she was cast in the film. During the release of the film's trailer in October 2020, Richard Ayoade, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Wes Studi, Fortune Feimster, Zenobia Shroff, Donnell Rawlings and June Squibb were also announced to be in the cast.

Docter said Jamie Foxx (himself a classically trained pianist) was perfect for Joe, citing his comedic skills and musical background.{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Making of Soul: How Pete Docter Helped Pixar Explore the Meaning of Life |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/making-of-soul-how-pete-docter-helped-pixar-explore-the-meaning-of-life-4115277/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104133301/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/making-of-soul-how-pete-docter-helped-pixar-explore-the-meaning-of-life-4115277/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Foxx related the film's "bittersweet [feeling] of losing someone but gaining a vision of joy".{{cite web |first=James |last=Mottram |title=Soul: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and crew of Pixar's new film on Disney+ talk about its black lead character and poignant message |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3114902/soul-jamie-foxx-tina-fey-and-crew-pixars-new-film-disney |website=South China Morning Post |date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102154608/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3114902/soul-jamie-foxx-tina-fey-and-crew-pixars-new-film-disney |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |title=Jamie Foxx opens up about role in Soul as Pixar's first black lead |url=https://abc11.com/jamie-foxx-soul-pixar-disney/8844641/ |website=WTVD |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102154556/https://abc11.com/jamie-foxx-soul-pixar-disney/8844641/ |url-status=live }}

Tina Fey, in addition to voicing 22, also contributed to the screenplay, helping to write her character's lines. She considered the film, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a "helpful reminder that [life] isn't defined by achievement or attainment".

=Animation and design=

Soul is Pixar's first film to feature an African-American lead. Pixar and Docter were mindful of the history of racist imagery (particularly caricatured depictions of African-Americans) in animation and wanted to create black characters as well as integrate authentic African-American culture into the film's "DNA" to prevent caricatures, stereotypes, and tropes.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=December 25, 2020 |title=Jamie Foxx on Voicing Disney-Pixar's First Black Lead in Soul and Being Unapologetically Black in Hollywood |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/jamie-foxx-soul-pixar-first-black-lead-1234874587/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220213105516/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/jamie-foxx-soul-pixar-first-black-lead-1234874587/ |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=Variety}} Pixar sought to capture the fine details of the characters, including the textures of black hair and the way light plays on various tones of black skin. According to Powers, the animators used lighting in emphasizing the character's ethnic features.{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Rick |date=October 9, 2020 |title=Interview: How the directors of Pixar's Soul artfully animated the afterlife |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/pixar-soul-directors-interview-music-disney-plus-pete-docter-kemp-powers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012115532/https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/pixar-soul-directors-interview-music-disney-plus-pete-docter-kemp-powers/ |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |access-date=October 11, 2020 |website=Digital Trends}} Cinematographer Bradford Young worked as a lighting consultant on the film.

Animators used footage of several music performers, including Batiste, as reference for the film's musical sequences. By capturing MIDI data from the sessions, animators retraced the exact key being played on the piano with each note and animated the performances authentically. According to Docter, the animators assigned to specific musical instruments often either had experience playing them or a great appreciation for them.{{cite web |first=Mekado |last=Murphy |title=How Pixar's Soul Animates Jazz |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/25/movies/soul-jazz-animation.html |website=The New York Times |date=December 25, 2020 |access-date=December 26, 2020 |archive-date=December 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226004340/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/25/movies/soul-jazz-animation.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

The souls were animated by the filmmakers in a "vaporous", "ethereal", and "non-physical" way. Souls were designed to depict various religious and cultural outlooks. The designs were also inspired by early drawings made by Docter. Animators created two designs for the souls in the film: one for the new souls in "The Great Before" (described as "very cute, very appealing, with simple, rounded shapes" by supervising animator Jude Brownbill) and one for mentor souls (feature distinctive characteristics since they have been on Earth).{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Kage |date=December 10, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Get to Know the Fantastic Worlds of Disney Pixar's Animated Soul |url=https://theknockturnal.com/exclusive-get-to-know-the-fantastic-worlds-of-disney-pixars-animated-soul/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210170527/https://theknockturnal.com/exclusive-get-to-know-the-fantastic-worlds-of-disney-pixars-animated-soul/ |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2020 |website=The Knockturnal}} They differentiated souls from ghosts by adjusting their color palette accordingly.{{cite web |first=John |last=Jurgensen |title=How Pixar Brings Soul and Existential Ideas to Life |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-pixar-brings-soul-and-existential-ideas-to-life-11608735964 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103185928/https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-pixar-brings-soul-and-existential-ideas-to-life-11608735964 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} Animating the souls' designs was challenging and substantial. According to Murray, several artists helped create the souls' designs by giving their suggestions and opinions on how they should look.{{Cite web |last=Rui |first=Zhang |date=August 5, 2020 |url=http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-08/05/content_76348849.htm |title=Creators of Pixar's Soul share their vision |website=China Internet Information Center |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224234314/http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2020-08/05/content_76348849.htm |url-status=live }}

The design of soul counselors ("Jerrys") originated from line drawings made by story artist Aphton Corbin. Another artist created wire sculptures of them, and the design was finalized. Together, with the design of "Terry", they were seen by critics as a reference to Osvaldo Cavandoli's 1971 Italian animated series La Linea.{{Cite news|last=Zinsli|first=Hans Jürg|date=2020-12-26|title=Seelenwanderungen mit Pixar|trans-title=Transmigration of Souls with Pixar|language=de|work=Tages-Anzeiger|url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/seelenwanderungen-mit-pixar-684055517736|url-status=live|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127000206/https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/seelenwanderungen-mit-pixar-684055517736}}{{Cite news|last=Schneider|first=Johannes|date=2020-12-29|title=90 Minuten Trost|trans-title=90 Minutes of Solace|language=de|work=Die Zeit|url=https://www.zeit.de/kultur/film/2020-12/soul-film-pixar-rezension-disney-plus-animationsfilm|url-status=live|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230190132/https://www.zeit.de/kultur/film/2020-12/soul-film-pixar-rezension-disney-plus-animationsfilm}}{{Cite news|last=Gombeaud|first=Adrien|date=2020-12-22|title=Soul : la belle âme animée de Pixar|trans-title=Soul: Pixar's Beautiful Animated Soul|language=fr|work=Les Echos|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/weekend/cinema-series/soul-la-belle-ame-animee-de-pixar-1276057|url-status=live|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125124119/https://www.lesechos.fr/weekend/cinema-series/soul-la-belle-ame-animee-de-pixar-1276057}}

Soul{{'s}} fantastical elements were difficult to render. To address the issue, Docter referred to his film Inside Out (2015), where the filmmakers personified through physicality. For the Great Before, the filmmakers did not want it to be based in any specific culture given its nature of universality. They sought inspiration from the architecture of 1930s–1960s world's fairs, making a "sense of awe and importance".{{cite web |first=Sonaiya |last=Kelley |title=How the makers of Pixar's Soul envisioned a before-life place that kids can grasp |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-12-24/pixar-soul-great-before |website=Los Angeles Times |date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103185842/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-12-24/pixar-soul-great-before |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Production designer Steve Pilcher believed in the simplicity of the Great Before, saying that it was complicated and naive. According to Docter, the aim of the design was to "make a grand statement about learning and knowledge."Astral Taffy, 2020. Disney+ Extras, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment The personality pavilions were designed to be "abstract-looking shapes" as a literal interpretation of the abstract ideas they represent. For the Great Beyond, the filmmakers conceptualized "going toward the light", which they believed the audience would understand.

The astral plane sequence took months to create, despite the actual scene having a short duration. Visual effects supervisor Bill Watral compared the sequence to the shower scene from Psycho (1960), taking a long time to film in spite of the actual short time span. During this sequence, filmmakers painstakingly animated sands, liquids, and rocks for the brief sequence.{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Tim |date=April 15, 2021 |title=Soul VFX Team Break New Ground by Landing Their Astral Plane |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/soul-vfx-pixar-astral-plane-1234951544/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220118231536/https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/soul-vfx-pixar-astral-plane-1234951544/ |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=December 25, 2021 |website=Variety}}

To animate New York, the filmmakers explored jazz clubs and pizzerias for inspiration. A barbershop scene received additional input from Powers. The animation style moved away from photorealism, depicting the city as distorted and crooked.{{Cite web |last=Desowitz |first=Bill |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Soul: How Pixar Designed a Tactile New York and an Ethereal Great Before for Its First Black-Led Feature |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/01/soul-pixar-design-new-york-great-before-1234610371/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220212070747/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/01/soul-pixar-design-new-york-great-before-1234610371/ |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=February 12, 2022 |website=IndieWire}}

=Music=

{{Main|Soul (soundtrack)|l1=Soul (soundtrack)}}

Musicians Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails composed an ambient score for the metaphysical segments of the film, while Batiste composed a number of original jazz songs for the New York City-based segments of the film.{{Cite web|last=DeVille|first=Chris|date=December 3, 2020|title=Soul, Pixar's Metaphysical Jazz Movie With A Score By Nine Inch Nails|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2109069/soul-review-pixar-disney/reviews/movie-review/|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=Stereogum|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225154528/https://www.stereogum.com/2109069/soul-review-pixar-disney/reviews/movie-review/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Cremona|first=Patrick|date=December 25, 2020|title=Soul soundtrack – everything you need to know about the music for the Pixar film|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/2020-12-25/soul-soundtrack-pixar-disney-plus/|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=Radio Times|archive-date=December 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227161837/https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/2020-12-25/soul-soundtrack-pixar-disney-plus/|url-status=live}} Batiste created a "user-friendly jazz", which felt "authentic" but could still be appreciated by a general audience.{{cite web |first=Tatiana |last=Hullender |title=Pete Docter, Kemp Powers & Dana Murray Interview: Soul |url=https://screenrant.com/soul-movie-pete-docter-kemp-powers-dana-murray-interview/ |website=Screen Rant |date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103185855/https://screenrant.com/soul-movie-pete-docter-kemp-powers-dana-murray-interview/ |url-status=live }} Ross composed a "somewhat ominous" musical cue in the afterlife walkway scene, which also incorporated real-world sounds. Reznor and Ross were brought in on the recommendation of sound designer Ren Klyce, who had worked extensively with the duo on David Fincher films.{{Cite web|last=Howard|first=Courtney|date=October 9, 2020|title=[Interview] Music is at the heart of Pixar's Soul|url=https://freshfiction.tv/interview-music-is-at-the-heart-of-pixars-soul/|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=FreshFiction.tv|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103185928/https://freshfiction.tv/interview-music-is-at-the-heart-of-pixars-soul/|url-status=live}}

The score and the original songs from Soul were released in two vinyl-exclusive albums, while also compiled onto a single digital album.{{Cite web|last=Cornelius|first=Ray|date=December 17, 2020|title=Disney and Pixar's & Soul Soundtrack + Two Vinyl Albums Available 12/18 (Video)|url=https://www.wclk.com/post/disney-and-pixar-s-soul-soundtrack-two-vinyl-albums-available-1218-video|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227002917/https://www.wclk.com/post/disney-and-pixar-s-soul-soundtrack-two-vinyl-albums-available-1218-video|archive-date=December 27, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=WCLK}}{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Ethan|date=November 4, 2020|title=Pixar's Soul Will Have Two Soundtracks, One for the Score and Another with All That Jazz|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/pixars-soul-soundtrack/|access-date=December 27, 2020|website=/Film|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230105042/https://www.slashfilm.com/pixars-soul-soundtrack/|url-status=live}} "It's All Right", the end credits song performed by Batiste, was originally recorded by The Impressions. A second cover of the song, a duet between Batiste and British soul singer Celeste, was released alongside the film.{{Cite web|date=December 18, 2020|title=Maggie Rogers, NIKI, and More: Best New Music Friday|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/maggie-rogers-niki-and-more-best-new-music-friday|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224234301/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/maggie-rogers-niki-and-more-best-new-music-friday|archive-date=December 24, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=Teen Vogue}}

Release

=Theatrical and streaming=

Soul had its premiere on October 11, 2020, at the BFI London Film Festival.{{Cite web |last=Laird |first=James |date=February 23, 2021 |title=How to watch Soul online: stream the Pixar movie on Disney Plus today |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-watch-soul-online-stream-the-new-pixar-movie-on-disney-plus-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220209112959/https://www.techradar.com/news/how-to-watch-soul-online-stream-the-new-pixar-movie-on-disney-plus-today |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |website=TechRadar}}{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |date=October 12, 2020 |title=Disney's Soul Decision Upsets European Cinemas |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/global/soul-direct-to-disney-plus-european-cinemas-1234801018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012154231/https://variety.com/2020/film/global/soul-direct-to-disney-plus-european-cinemas-1234801018/ |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2022 |website=Variety}} It was initially scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on June 19, but was later pushed back to November 20, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, before Disney decided to release the film on Disney+ on December 25. Unlike Mulan, Soul was not released through Disney+ Premier Access, making it free for all subscribers.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pixars-soul-bypasses-theaters-sets-disney-christmas-debut|title=Pixar's Soul Bypasses Theaters, Sets Disney+ Christmas Debut|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011125640/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pixars-soul-bypasses-theaters-sets-disney-christmas-debut|url-status=live}} On December 5, 2023, it was announced that Soul, as well as Turning Red (2022) and Luca (2021), would be released in theaters in the United States throughout early 2024, with Soul being released on January 12, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=December 5, 2023 |title=Pixar's 'Soul,' 'Turning Red' and 'Luca' Coming to Theaters After Disney+ Debuts During Pandemic |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/pixar-soul-turning-red-luca-theaters-1235822031/ |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=Variety}}

In international markets where Disney+ was not available, Soul was released theatrically.{{Cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Hipes |first2=Patrick |date=2020-10-08 |title=Disney/Pixar's Soul Moving To Christmas Day Release On Disney+ |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/soul-release-date-disney-plus-christmas-day-1234594147/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2020-10-12 |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011135504/https://deadline.com/2020/10/soul-release-date-disney-plus-christmas-day-1234594147/ |url-status=live }} These included China,{{Cite web|last1=Frater|first1=Patrick|last2=Davis|first2=Rebecca|date=2021-01-04|title=China Box Office: Huge Weekend Sees Soul Soar and Little Red Flower Shoot|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/china-box-office-soul-wonder-woman-1234878028/|access-date=2021-01-10|website=Variety|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105110728/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/china-box-office-soul-wonder-woman-1234878028/|url-status=live}} the Philippines,{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2020 |title=Pixar's Soul to skip theaters for Disney+ release |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/pixar-soul-disney-plus-release/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220126020214/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/pixar-soul-disney-plus-release/ |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=Rappler }}{{Cite web |last=Cu Unjieng |first=Philip |date=December 26, 2020 |title=All that jazz, plus more: A review of Soul |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/26/all-that-jazz-plus-more-a-review-of-soul/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220126020402/https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/26/all-that-jazz-plus-more-a-review-of-soul/ |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2022 |website=Manila Bulletin}} Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, among others.{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Shawn |date=December 23, 2020 |title=Christmas Weekend Box Office Forecast: Wonder Woman 1984{{'s}} Unconventional Release; News of the World and Promising Young Woman Debut |url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/christmas-weekend-box-office-forecast-wonder-woman-1984s-unconventional-release-plus-news-of-the-world-and-promising-young-woman/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211203010646/https://www.boxofficepro.com/christmas-weekend-box-office-forecast-wonder-woman-1984s-unconventional-release-plus-news-of-the-world-and-promising-young-woman/ |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=Boxoffice Pro}} The film was included in their lineups of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival and the Rome Film Festival; it opened on October 15.{{Cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Pixar's Soul Will Open Rome Film Festival |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/disney-pixars-soul-by-pete-docter-is-rome-film-festival-opener-1234773200/ |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=Variety |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919184806/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/disney-pixars-soul-by-pete-docter-is-rome-film-festival-opener-1234773200/ |url-status=live }} In theaters, Soul was intended to be accompanied by SparkShorts short film Burrow, but it premiered on Disney+ instead;{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Ryan |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Burrow Creators Madeline Sharafian And Michael Capbarat On Sharing Vulnerability: 'There's No Shame In Admitting You're In Over Your Head' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/burrow-creators-madeline-sharafian-and-michael-capbarat-on-sharing-vulnerability-theres-no-shame-in-admitting-you-are-in-over-your-head-1234732554/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211202022007/https://deadline.com/2021/04/burrow-creators-madeline-sharafian-and-michael-capbarat-on-sharing-vulnerability-theres-no-shame-in-admitting-you-are-in-over-your-head-1234732554/ |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=December 2, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} the short would accompany the film's 2024 theatrical release. A prequel short to Soul was released in 2021, titled 22 vs. Earth. It focuses on 22 leading a rebellion against her superiors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/04/22-vs-earth-pixar-animation-short-disney-1234633329/|title=22 vs Earth: Pixar Follows Soul with a Prequel Short About the Skeptical Sidekick|first=Bill|last=Desowitz|date=April 27, 2021|website=IndieWire|access-date=June 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609093151/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/04/22-vs-earth-pixar-animation-short-disney-1234633329/|archive-date=June 9, 2021|url-status=live}}

=Home media=

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released Soul on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download on March 23, 2021. Physical copies contain an audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes.{{Cite web |last=Latchem |first=John |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Pixar's Soul Coming to Disc and Digital Sellthrough March 23 |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/pixars-soul-coming-to-disc-and-digital-sellthrough-march-23/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211121234708/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/james-bond-actioner-no-time-to-die-heading-to-blu-ray-and-dvd-dec-21/ |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=Media Play News}}

Reception

= Box office =

Soul grossed $946,154 domestically and $121{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total gross of $121.6 million. It grossed $7.65 million in its opening weekend in 10 markets, including $5.5 million from China.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |title=Wonder Woman 1984 Tops Box Office on Opening Weekend |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/wonder-woman-1984-box-office-opening-weekend-1234874859/ |website=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228233724/https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/wonder-woman-1984-box-office-opening-weekend-1234874859/ |date=December 27, 2020 |archive-date=December 28, 2020 |access-date=December 27, 2020 |url-status=live}} By February 2021, it had become the highest-grossing Pixar release ever in Russia ($18.3 million), Ukraine ($1.9 million) and Saudi Arabia ($5.9 million). Its top international markets at that point were China ($57.9 million), Russia, South Korea ($14.8 million), Taiwan ($6.4 million) and Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news |url= https://deadline.com/2021/02/hi-mom-detective-chinatown-3-soul-china-global-international-box-office-1234697868/ |title= Chinese New Year Pics Hi, Mom & Detective Chinatown 3 Top $600M Each As Middle Kingdom Exceeds $2B In 2021 – International Box Office |work= Deadline Hollywood |first= Nancy |last= Tartaglione |date= February 21, 2021 |access-date= February 22, 2021 |archive-date= February 22, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210222074934/https://deadline.com/2021/02/hi-mom-detective-chinatown-3-soul-china-global-international-box-office-1234697868/ |url-status= live }} The 2024 re-release debuted outside top-10 for a first weekend of under $431,840.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/box-office-mean-girls-mlk-2024-1235726596/|title='Mean Girls' Too Cool For School With $33M+ Opening – Monday Box Office Update|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=January 15, 2024}} By the end of its run, its domestic gross was $946,154.

= Streaming viewership =

Following the release of Soul on Disney+, research firm Screen Engine reported that 13 percent of viewers watched the film, and it over-indexed among parents, particularly mothers. The company also said that Soul was among the most-watched straight-to-streaming titles of the year, behind Hamilton and Wonder Woman 1984.{{cite web |last= McClintock |first= Pamela |date= December 30, 2020 |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wonder-woman-1984-shows-promise-for-hbo-max-audience-survey-finds |title= Wonder Woman 1984 Shows Promise for HBO Max, Audience Survey Finds |website= The Hollywood Reporter |access-date= December 30, 2020 |archive-date= December 31, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201231161931/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wonder-woman-1984-shows-promise-for-hbo-max-audience-survey-finds |url-status= live }} On December 21–27, 2020, the film gathered 1.669 billion minutes of watch time, making it the number 1 streaming title that week.{{Cite web|first=Rick|last=Porter|date=2021-01-22|title=Soul Leads Nielsen Streaming Rankings for Dec. 21–27|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/pixars-soul-debuts-no-1-nielsen-streaming-rankings|access-date=2021-01-26|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126061300/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/pixars-soul-debuts-no-1-nielsen-streaming-rankings|url-status=live}} Nielsen reported that Wonder Woman 1984, with 2.252 billion minutes of streaming on HBO Max, had surpassed Soul, with 1.7 billion minutes on Disney+, in streaming numbers on Christmas weekend.{{cite web|title=Wonder Woman 1984 Soars To Christmas Streaming Win On Updated U.S. Nielsen List, With 35% Margin Over Soul|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/wonder-woman-1984-hbo-max-streaming-win-christmas-soul-nielsen-1234683058/|first=Dade|last=Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 29, 2021|access-date=January 29, 2021|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129150200/https://deadline.com/2021/01/wonder-woman-1984-hbo-max-streaming-win-christmas-soul-nielsen-1234683058/|url-status=live}} Samba TV later reported that 2.4 million households streamed the film over its opening weekend.{{cite web|url= https://observer.com/2021/04/justice-league-hbo-max-ratings-viewership-subscribers-netflix-disneyplus-amazon/ |title= Was Zack Snyder{{'s}} Justice League a Hit for HBO Max? Here's What the Data Says. |first1= Katz |last1= Brandon|date= April 1, 2021|access-date=July 3, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704030506/https://observer.com/2021/04/justice-league-hbo-max-ratings-viewership-subscribers-netflix-disneyplus-amazon/|archive-date=July 4, 2021|work=The New York Observer}} Nielsen reported that Soul was the most streamed film across all platforms, during the week from January 4–10, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Gruenwedel |first=Erik |date=2021-02-09 |title=Nielsen: Disney's 'Soul' Tops Weekly Streamed Movies on TV |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/nielsen-disneys-soul-tops-weekly-streamed-movies-on-tv/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}

= Critical response =

{{undue weight section|date=December 2023}}

Soul received critical acclaim.{{Cite web |last=Brodnik |first=Laura |date=December 21, 2020 |title=5 things you need to know about Disney and Pixar's most uplifting film this year, Soul. |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/disney-soul-movie-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118181015/https://www.mamamia.com.au/disney-soul-movie-review/ |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2023 |website=Mamamia}}{{Cite web |date=December 25, 2020 |title=The maker of Pixar's Up and Inside Out talks about Soul and life's big questions |url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/pixar-soul-pete-doctor-up-inside-out-258626 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917144341/https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/pixar-soul-pete-doctor-up-inside-out-258626 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2023 |website=CNA}}{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Matt |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Why no Soul from Oscar voters is unfair for animated feature directors |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/soul-oscar-animated-feature-directors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311183102/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/soul-oscar-animated-feature-directors/ |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=Gold Derby}} On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The consensus reads; "A film as beautiful to contemplate as it is to behold, Soul proves Pixar's power to deliver outstanding all-ages entertainment remains undimmed."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Soul (2020) |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}{{cbignore}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned Soul a score of 83 out of 100 based on 55 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite Metacritic|id=soul|type=movie|title=Soul|access-date=January 15, 2021}}{{cbignore}}

Several journalists praised Soul for its craftsmanship,{{Cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Ann |author-link=Ann Hornaday |date=December 19, 2020 |title=Pixar's Soul has plenty of visual razzle-dazzle, and a convoluted, existential plot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/soul-movie-review/2020/12/18/aaea274e-3f28-11eb-8db8-395dedaaa036_story.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211203230841/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/soul-movie-review/2020/12/18/aaea274e-3f28-11eb-8db8-395dedaaa036_story.html |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last=Kois |first=Dan |date=December 14, 2020 |title=Pixar's Wandering Soul Is a Movie in Search of Its Own Meaning |url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/soul-review-pixar-movie-disney-plus.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211203230830/https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/soul-review-pixar-movie-disney-plus.html |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=Slate}} which they saw as an exercise of Docter's expertise,{{Cite web |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Soul review – Pixar's rapturous tale of a jazz nut on a surreal out-of-body journey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/13/soul-review-pixars-rapturous-tale-of-a-jazz-nut-on-a-surreal-out-of-body-journey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211203230827/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/13/soul-review-pixars-rapturous-tale-of-a-jazz-nut-on-a-surreal-out-of-body-journey |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Collin |first=Robbie |author-link=Robbie Collin |date=April 26, 2021 |title=Soul, Disney+ review: Pixar stares death in the face with warmth, wit and wonder |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/soul-review-pixar-stares-death-face-warmth-wit-wonder/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211203230814/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/soul-review-pixar-stares-death-face-warmth-wit-wonder/ |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} as the film was considered a return of Pixar's form by some critics.{{cite news |last=Utichi |first=Joe |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/film-review-pixar-soul-pete-docter-jamie-foxx-1234595436/ |title=Film Review: Pixar's Soul Recalls The Lofty Ambitions Of The Studio's Finest |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 11, 2020 |access-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012052653/https://deadline.com/2020/10/film-review-pixar-soul-pete-docter-jamie-foxx-1234595436/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Tasha |date=December 23, 2020 |title=Soul revives the ambitious storytelling that defined Pixar for so long |url=https://www.polygon.com/disney-plus/22197520/soul-review-pixar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211203224124/https://www.polygon.com/disney-plus/22197520/soul-review-pixar |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=Polygon}} Leslie Felperin (The Hollywood Reporter) and Jason Solomons (TheWrap) described the film as its peak, with Solomons characterized its "colorful visuals and gentle wisdom".{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/soul-film-review-pixar-gets-existential-in-dizzying-animated-film/|title=Soul Film Review: Pixar Gets Existential in Dizzying Animated Film|first=Jason|last=Solomons|work=TheWrap|date=October 11, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224234302/https://www.thewrap.com/soul-film-review-pixar-gets-existential-in-dizzying-animated-film/|url-status=live}} A. O. Scott of The New York Times expressed its "combination of skill, feeling, and inspiration".{{cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |title=Soul Review: Pixar's New Feature Gets Musical, and Metaphysical |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224140334/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/movies/soul-review-pixar.html |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/movies/soul-review-pixar.html |date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |url-status=live}}

The story, characters, and music were also commended. Kaleem Aftab of IndieWire felt the narrative "[veered] off in many unexpected directions, so that even the inevitable end point feels just right." USA Today{{'s}} Brian Truitt commended the performances of Foxx and Fey.{{Cite web |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Review: Pixar's exuberant Soul explores life, the hereafter and all that jazz |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/12/24/soul-review-pixar-disney-plus-spirited-film-explores-life-hereafter/4029071001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211225033354/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/12/24/soul-review-pixar-disney-plus-spirited-film-explores-life-hereafter/4029071001/ |archive-date=December 25, 2021 |access-date=December 25, 2021 |website=USA Today }} For Time Out Dubai, Whelan Barzey believed Joe's story could appeal to many generations.{{Cite web |last=Barzey |first=Whelan |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Movie review: Soul |url=https://www.timeoutdubai.com/movies/456681-movie-review-soul |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211225130212/https://www.timeoutdubai.com/movies/456681-movie-review-soul |archive-date=December 25, 2021 |access-date=December 25, 2021 |website=Time Out Dubai}} Felperin and Peter Travers (ABC News) praised the musical score, calling it "sublime".{{cite news |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/soul-review-disneys-latest-years-best-animated-movie/story?id=74780554 |title=Soul review: Disney's latest is year's best animated movie – by a mile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222200554/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/soul-review-disneys-latest-years-best-animated-movie/story?id=74780554 |work=ABC News |date=December 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |url-status=live}} Truitt and Travers credited Batiste, Reznor, and Ross for their music merits.

Reviews were not uniformly positive. Kirsten Acuna from Insider felt that "the studio had taken a few steps backward" in their racial "sensitivity" as Soul used the same trope of "turning Black characters into creatures".{{Cite web|last=Acuna|first=Kirsten|date=December 26, 2020|title=Pixar's Soul is getting rave reviews, but it left me cringing up until the very last minute|url=https://www.insider.com/pixar-soul-movie-review-2020-12|access-date=2021-03-03|website=Insider|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20210101041448/https://www.insider.com/pixar-soul-movie-review-2020-12|url-status=live}} Molly Freeman of Screen Rant acknowledged the film's "message about the meaning of life and finding purpose, but it's messy and only made muddier by the questions the movie sets up then fails to answer. The result is Soul loses much of its emotional impact, with the third act playing out more like a rush to the finish line of the story without giving as much weight to the themes and emotional throughline of the film."{{cite news |last=Freeman |first=Molly |url=https://screenrant.com/soul-2020-movie-reviews/ |title=Soul Review: A Heartfelt, If Not Entirely Impactful Pixar Movie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201232957/https://screenrant.com/soul-2020-movie-reviews/ |website=Screen Rant |date=December 1, 2020 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020 |url-status=live}} Charles Pulliam-Moore of Gizmodo wrote that "Soul comes across less like an earnest and casual celebration of everyday Blackness, and more like a twee depiction of it that's meant for white audiences' consumption."{{cite web|last=Pulliam-Moore|first=Charles|title=Soul Feels Like Pixar's First Black Movie Made With White People in Mind|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/soul-feels-like-pixars-first-black-movie-made-with-whit-1845956107|work=Gizmodo|access-date=January 2, 2021|date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103215418/https://io9.gizmodo.com/soul-feels-like-pixars-first-black-movie-made-with-whit-1845956107|url-status=live}} Namwali Serpell of The New Yorker published an extensive critical essay of the film, citing among other issues, "Not only does Twenty-two use Joe as a vehicle but the movie must also make the grandiose and grotesque claim that he has learned to live through her" and concluding that "The most glaring artistic error in 'Soul' is its misprision—its elision, really—of what soul means for black culture."{{cite news |last1=Serpell |first1=Namwali |title=Pixar's Troubled "Soul" |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/pixars-troubled-soul |access-date=22 August 2023 |date=January 24, 2021}}

= Accolades =

{{Main|List of accolades received by Soul (2020 film)|l1=List of accolades received by Soul (2020 film)}}

At the 93rd Academy Awards, Soul received a nomination for Best Sound, and won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.{{Cite web |last=Khatchatourian |first=Maane |date=April 25, 2022 |title=Oscars 2021: The Complete Winners List |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-oscar-winners-list-1234955947/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504223933/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-oscar-winners-list-1234955947/ |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=Variety}} Its other nominations include ten Annie Awards (winning seven),{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/soul-wolfwalkers-wins-annie-awards-in-features|title=Soul, Wolfwalkers Wins Annie Awards in Features|date=April 16, 2021|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417115243/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/soul-wolfwalkers-wins-annie-awards-in-features|archive-date=April 17, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2021}} three British Academy Film Awards (winning two),{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bafta-awards-2021-winners-unveiled|title=BAFTA Awards: Nomadland Dominates, Winning Best Film, Director, Actress and Cinematography|date=April 11, 2021|first=Alex|last=Ritman|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425131832/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bafta-awards-2021-winners-unveiled|archive-date=April 25, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2021}} a Critics' Choice Movie Award (which it won),{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Critics Choice Awards: Mank Leads With 12 Nominations, Netflix Makes History With Four Best Picture Nominees |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/critics-choice-nominations-2021-mank-netflix-1234902895/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208211947/https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/critics-choice-nominations-2021-mank-netflix-1234902895/ |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |access-date=May 14, 2021 |website=Variety}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-1234922714/|title=Critics Choice Awards 2021 Full Winners: Chloe Zhao's Nomadland Continues Its Reign on Awards Season|date=March 7, 2021|first=Clayton|last=Davis|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502013239/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-1234922714/|archive-date=May 2, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2021}} and two Golden Globe Awards (winning both).{{Cite web |last1=Oganesyan |first1=Natalie |last2=Moreau |first2=Jordan |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Golden Globes 2021: The Complete Nominations List |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-1234896457/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203182501/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-golden-globes-nominations-list-nominees-1234896457/ |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=May 14, 2021 |website=Variety}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-golden-globes-winners-list-1234916650/|title=Golden Globes 2021: The Full Winners List|date=February 28, 2021|first=Maane|last=Khatchatourian|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502013643/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/2021-golden-globes-winners-list-1234916650/|archive-date=May 2, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2021}} The National Board of Review and the American Film Institute named Soul one of the ten-best films of 2020; it also won the National Board of Review's Best Animated Film award.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/2021-national-board-of-review-winners-da-5-bloods-1234892415/|title=National Board of Review Names Da 5 Bloods Best Picture, Spike Lee Becomes Second Black Director Winner|date=January 26, 2021|first=Clayton|last=Davis|website=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425125330/https://variety.com/2021/film/awards/2021-national-board-of-review-winners-da-5-bloods-1234892415/|archive-date=April 25, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=August 15, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/afi-awards-2020-film-tv-winners-full-list-4121349/|title=AFI Awards: Da 5 Bloods, Minari, Soul Among Picks for Best Films of 2020|date=January 25, 2021|first=Hilary|last=Lewis|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815080404/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/afi-awards-2020-film-tv-winners-full-list-4121349/|archive-date=August 15, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=August 15, 2021}}

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id= 2948372 |title= Soul (2020) |access-date= January 25, 2024}}{{cbignore}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=November 6, 2019 |title=Pixar bares its Soul in first look at film with Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/06/pixar-soul-photo-jamie-foxx-tina-fey/ |access-date=November 6, 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106194858/https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/06/pixar-soul-photo-jamie-foxx-tina-fey/ |url-status=live }}

{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2016 |title=Pete Docter – Oscars: What the Nominees Are Saying |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-oscar-nominations-reactions-855599/item/pete-docter-oscar-nomination-reaction-855818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626193538/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-oscar-nominations-reactions-855599/item/pete-docter-oscar-nomination-reaction-855818 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=June 22, 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter }}

{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2016 |title=Interview: Pixar president Jim Morris – The Good Dinosaur |url=http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/75455/interview-pixar-president-jim-morris-the-good-dinosaur.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216092203/http://www.timeout.com.hk/film/features/75455/interview-pixar-president-jim-morris-the-good-dinosaur.html |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |website=Time Out Hong Kong}}

{{Cite web |first=Corinne |last=Reichert |date=June 19, 2019 |title=Pixar announces Soul, a journey from New York City to the 'cosmic realms' |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/pixar-announces-soul-a-journey-from-new-york-city-to-the-cosmic-realms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210601132224/https://www.cnet.com/news/pixar-announces-soul-a-journey-from-new-york-city-to-the-cosmic-realms/ |archive-date=June 1, 2021 |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=CNET}}

{{Cite web |last=Kenyon |first=Sandy |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Black History Month: Disney-Pixar's Soul a celebration of African-American culture |url=https://abc7.com/black-history-month-soul-disney-and-pixars-plus/10307692/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510084029/https://abc7.com/black-history-month-soul-disney-and-pixars-plus/10307692/ |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=WABC-TV}}

{{Cite web |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |date=August 24, 2019 |title=Soul: Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey Star in Pixar's Most Existential Adventure Yet |url=https://www.thewrap.com/soul-jamie-foxx-and-tina-fey-star-in-pixars-most-existential-adventure-yet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824190938/https://www.thewrap.com/soul-jamie-foxx-and-tina-fey-star-in-pixars-most-existential-adventure-yet/ |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |website=TheWrap}}

{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=August 24, 2019 |title=Pixar's latest film Soul is a metaphysical comedy with the studio's first black lead |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/24/20827001/pixar-soul-jamie-foxx-cast-plot-description |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824231223/https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/24/20827001/pixar-soul-jamie-foxx-cast-plot-description |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |access-date=August 25, 2019 |website=Polygon}}

{{Cite news |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |date=April 13, 2020 |title=Disney Moves Soul, Raya and the Last Dragon Release Dates |work=TheWrap |url=https://www.thewrap.com/disney-moves-soul-raya-and-the-last-dragon-release-dates/ |access-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927052548/https://www.thewrap.com/disney-moves-soul-raya-and-the-last-dragon-release-dates/ |url-status=live }}

{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Sam |author-link=Sam Sanders (journalist) |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Angela Bassett Draws On Her Love Of Drama And Music In Pixar's Soul |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/22/948744837/angela-bassett-draws-on-her-love-of-drama-and-music-in-pixars-soul |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101070332/https://www.npr.org/2020/12/22/948744837/angela-bassett-draws-on-her-love-of-drama-and-music-in-pixars-soul |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=NPR}}

{{Cite web |first=Elsa |last=Keslassy |date=June 3, 2020 |title=Pixar's Soul, Wes Anderson's French Dispatch, Steve McQueen Movies Among Cannes 2020 Lineup |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cannes-2020-lineup-pixar-soul-wes-anderson-french-dispatch-1234624250/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622084333/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cannes-2020-lineup-pixar-soul-wes-anderson-french-dispatch-1234624250/ |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |website=Variety}}

}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • {{Official website|https://movies.disney.com/soul}}
  • {{IMDb title}}
  • {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
  • {{Disney+ movie}}
  • [https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2020.07.17_Soul_Final_Script.pdf Script] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125212952/https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2020.07.17_Soul_Final_Script.pdf |date=January 25, 2021}}

{{Navboxes

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{{Navboxes

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|list =

{{Academy Award Best Animated Feature}}

{{Annie Award for Best Animated Feature}}

{{Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Production}}

{{BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Animated Motion Picture}}

{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature}}

{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}}

{{Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Feature}}

{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film}}

{{Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film}}

{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie}}

{{National Board of Review Award for Best Animated Film}}

{{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film}}

{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture}}

{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Feature}}

{{St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature}}

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Category:Cultural depictions of Mother Teresa

Category:Films with screenplays by Mike Jones (screenwriter)

Category:English-language musical comedy-drama films

Category:English-language fantasy films

Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films