Traum Studios

Let's be honest-spinoff miniseries from major franchises often feel like unnecessary add-ons. They usually ride on the coattails of the main story without adding much substance. So I was surprised when Dream Productions, Pixar's series set in the world of Inside Out, turned out to be a genuinely enjoyable watch.

Released on Disney+ in December 2024, Dream Productions cleverly positions itself between the events of Inside Out and Inside Out 2, but manages to stand on its own without relying too heavily on nostalgia. The story focuses on Paula Persimmon (voiced by Paula Pell), an old-school dream director in Riley's mind, and her collaboration and occasional tension with the enthusiastic daydreamer Xeni (Richard Ayoade). Told in a mockumentary style that gives off strong The Office vibes, the show pulls back the curtain on Riley's dream-making department, showing us just how much behind-the-scenes brainpower is working to keep her emotional world afloat.

What I really appreciated was that Dream Productions didn't try to outdo the emotional weight of the films. Instead, it leaned into the idea that not every part of Riley's journey needs to be a dramatic ordeal. Sometimes, it's the little quirks, like the way her brain processes dreams or how her subconscious deals with change that are the most fascinating. It gave us more of those fleeting, imaginative corners of Riley's mind we only caught glimpses of in the movies, and it made the world feel bigger without feeling bloated.

The voice cast is top tier, with familiar voices like Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black returning, but it's Paula Pell and Richard Ayoade who carry the heart and humor of the show. The animation is on point, and Nami Melumad's funky, jazzy score gives the whole thing a unique energy that helps set it apart from the films.

So while I went in a skeptic, Dream Productions won me over. It may not be essential viewing for Inside Out fans, but if you're looking for something clever, heartfelt, and just plain fun, it's a surprising little gem that proves even side stories can shine.

There's a lot of negatives and positives from this show but I'll recommend it to anyone who likes the inside out franchise.

Unlike most Disney plus shows this one is quite a relaxing sight that will put a smile on your face. It starts off a basic master student drama but as the show progresses it connects to a much more emotional story that anyone could relate to.

I found a lot of moments in the show quite predictable but still very interesting. Some of the characters are a bit boring and too easy to understand while others are quite the watch.

Overall it's not what you think it better than that.

Have just finished watching and Pixar have struck gold with the TV documentary style show depicting the stars and creators of our dreams. Genuinely funny and I was personally just as emotionally invested in this as I was during the famous beats in Toy Story 2 and Up. Funny, Uplifting. Genuinely worth making some popcorn and loosing a couple of hours in an evening. I sincerely hope that the creative team come back for more. My only and main criticism is that it is clearly a movie split into 4 parts. I want more. Someone get this show a second season! With the concept it could genuinely go on for years and remain this good.

Like a little dessert, it has all the spirit of Inside Out but explores a world so interesting and beautiful that you can't help but want more. The characters are just perfect, each with their unique charm and depth, and the quality is stunning-just like the movie. However, while it's undeniably delightful, it feels like a missed opportunity to fully delve into the richness of this world. There's so much potential to expand the storylines, deepen the emotional arcs, and truly immerse the audience. With only four episodes, it feels like a brief taste of something that could have been a masterpiece if given more time. Still, it's a joy to watch, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a short but memorable experience.

Have you run out of shows while you wait for a new season of your favorite show, well Disney+ has this little hidden gem!

I really recommend it, it's not the same emotional roller-coaster as the films, but it's good and definitely worth the watch and I'm even a big Disney critic when it comes to alot of their newest releases.

People obviously have different tastes, that's also when it comes to Disney spin off shows, in my opinion this is worth a watch.

I am hoping for another season of this and I don't mind it being only a few episodes like this one, they could actually keep this up for a few seasons, market it alittle more and maybe have Riley grow up and having her dreams progress more, just an idea.