Monsters University
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: June 21, 2013 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews
Positive:
26
Mixed:
15
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzJun 21, 2013
True to the spirit of the original film, "Monsters Inc.", and matches its tone. But it never seems content to turn over old ground. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyJun 19, 2013
Speaking of second chances, Monsters University is exactly the rebound Pixar needed after 2011's "Cars 2" left some wondering if the studio had lost its magic. Read full review
91
The PlaylistDrew TaylorJun 17, 2013
It’s easily the most enjoyable animated film so far this year, one that is visually stunning, wickedly subversive, incredibly funny (Day's character is a hoot), and (at times) lump-in-your-throat emotional. Read full review
83
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerJun 21, 2013
Keep your ears tuned for Helen Mirren as the imperious Dean Hardscrabble. Hogwarts would have loved her. Read full review
80
Time Out LondonTrevor JohnstonJul 12, 2013
While Monsters University can’t claim outright originality, this is a far richer movie than most were expecting. Read full review
80
The TelegraphRobbie CollinJul 12, 2013
The animation is photoreal – startlingly and mesmerisingly so. And the depth of feeling the tale of their friendship evokes is matched only by your incredulity, as you paw at your eyes six minutes later, that you are crying about two computer-generated umbrellas. Read full review
80
EmpireOlly RichardsJul 8, 2013
Dazzlingly clever and hugely funny, it succeeds both as a broadening of the Monsters universe and as a film in its own right. Monsters University had a tough task, and it’s passed with honours. Read full review
80
Time OutJoshua RothkopfJun 18, 2013
Monsters University aces a two-part test—first, appealing to kids with gorgeous, hyperrealistic animation that teases out every pink hair on a beastly art student; then luring in parents with several knowing jokes about strumming your guitar on the quad or playing beer pong. Read full review
80
VarietyJustin ChangJun 9, 2013
Even when the story mechanics feel more than a bit secondhand, the exquisite interplay of vibrant pastel hues and almost photorealist textures (smoothly but not crucially enhanced in 3D) makes the film a continual pleasure to behold. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliJun 21, 2013
A charming, family friendly endeavor and, although it falls short of the best Pixar has brought to the screen over its long association with Disney, it's nevertheless worth a trip to the theater, especially for kids. Read full review
75
USA TodayClaudia PuigJun 20, 2013
The visuals are impressive, while the goodhearted and endearing story is a little slight. Read full review
75
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanJun 20, 2013
Crystal, 65, and Goodman, 61, are a long time out of college, but they somehow manage to carry off the callowness of youth. Read full review
75
Rolling StonePeter TraversJun 20, 2013
It's all infectious fun, despite the lack of originality. In the art of tickling funny bones, Crystal and Goodman earn straight A's. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubJun 20, 2013
The ending takes an unfortunate detour that stretches the running time, but this is still quality Pixar work.
75
The A.V. ClubA.A. Dowd Jun 19, 2013
True to its name, Monsters University brims with cleverly designed creatures, a student body worthy of the recently deceased Ray Harryhausen. What the movie lacks is its precursor’s human ace-in-the-hole—that pint-sized, inadvertent agent of chaos, Boo. Read full review
75
Tampa Bay TimesSteve PersallJun 19, 2013
The movie is mostly fun and ultimately disposable, which is a letdown after Pixar's previous greatness. Read full review
75
IndieWireEric KohnJun 9, 2013
Monsters University, the latest Pixar offering, charms in an excessively familiar way that illustrates a troublesome eventuality: Pixar has lost its edge. Read full review
70
SlateDana StevensJun 21, 2013
Though this is a sweet, clever, gorgeously animated movie I’d be glad to take my kid to on a Saturday afternoon, I’m not sure it’s one I’d insist all my grownup friends drop what they’re doing to see. Read full review
70
New York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriJun 20, 2013
Perhaps only Pixar could give us such a rare beast: a delightful disappointment. Read full review
70
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzJun 19, 2013
It’s cute, funny, exciting to look at but not quite magical. Read full review
65
NPRBob MondelloJun 21, 2013
What hasn't advanced is the plotting, which was nothing special last time and is so formulaic now that it's basically surprise-free. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam LaceyJun 21, 2013
The background designs are beautiful and there are plenty of lively sight gags, but magic isn’t in the cards. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperJun 20, 2013
Though colorful and sweet-natured and occasionally capable of producing the mild chuckle, this is a safe, predictable, edge-free, nearly bland effort from a studio that rarely hedges its bets. Read full review
63
St. Louis Post-DispatchJoe WilliamsJun 20, 2013
Despite its brainy title, Monsters University only earns a passing grade on its looks. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeTy BurrJun 19, 2013
This is not a bad movie, and to small children it will be a very good one. But it is closer to average than one would wish from the company that gave us “Up,” “Wall-E,” “The Incredibles,” and “Toy Story 3." Read full review
63
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceRoger MooreJun 18, 2013
Monsters University is a prequel that is far more conventional, not nearly as witty or clever as that original. Read full review
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