Monsters University

Before they were incorporated, they had to be educated.

2013 • 104 min • Animation · Family · Comedy · Fantasy

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Synopsis

A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University — when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.

Our family guide

Best from age 6

Movie Knight Score

11455 reviews

100 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
71 Audience · 11451 · 40%

Monsters University is a prequel that shows how Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan met in college. Initially rivals, they must learn to work together to prove themselves in the university's Scaring Program. The film explores their journey from adversaries to best friends, highlighting the challenges of finding your place and pursuing your dreams.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 3/10

Heads up

Mild peril during challenges
Some characters may appear frightening

What it models well

Friendship and teamwork
Perseverance and self-acceptance
Overcoming prejudices
Finding your unique strengths

Talk about it after

What does it mean to be a good friend?
How do you handle not being the best at something?
The importance of embracing what makes you different

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Monsters University. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Dan Scanlon • Crew: Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird, Dan Scanlon, Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird

Trailers & clips

Monsters University Clip - Mike and Sulley's First Morning | Official Disney Pixar HD

Monsters University "Properly Inspired" Clip

Official Final Trailer

Official Trailer 3

Official Trailer 2

Official UK Trailer

Official Teaser - Clothes

Reviewer notes

Recommended
It might have been a better idea to rather than follow up "Monsters, Inc." (2001) with a sequel, instead to wait twelve years and tell us all just how "Sully" and "Mike" et al actually met. So off we go to university where the takes it all for granted "Sully" is a natural at scaring folks, "Mike" - well he couldn't scare the skin off a custard! Initially, it's "Randall" that makes more of an impact on the young gr...
Geronimo1967, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
This is a great movie. The quality of animation is amazing, and they captured the University feel perfectly. Lots of fun little scenes, backgrounds, and homages to the original movie.
johnmills, TMDB Community

Recommended
A fun prequel to <em>'Monsters, Inc.'</em>. It isn't on the same level as the preceding film, but <em>'Monsters University'</em> is a pleasing film nonetheless. It takes a trip backwards in time to see Mike and Sully pre-Inc. and it comes out good, it doesn't have as much as heart but the comedy is still there at a strong level. John Goodman (Sully) and Billy Crystal (Mike) are again fantastic, while Helen M...
r96sk, TMDB Community

Recommended
Monsters University, it’s great, it’s the best thing Pixar’s brought out in the past three years leading up to it. It’s enjoyable, it’s well casted and it’s cute without being too cheesy. It’s also the third miss in a row for Pixar. MU, just like Brave (and unlike Cars 2) is filled with merit, and well worth watching. But in 1995 when Pixar came out swinging with Toy Story, people expect that sort of a trend to...
Ruuz, TMDB Community