Overview
A journey of self-discovery through the vibrant world of jazz and the afterlife.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- contemplative
- family movie night
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Soul as a visually inventive, emotionally resonant Pixar film that combines sophisticated existential ideas with outstanding all-ages entertainment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joe's pursuit of a jazz career is reframed through small moments and everyday connection rather than a narrow life purpose.
The Great Before visualizes counselors, personality formation, and pre-life assignment through abstract cosmic systems.
Joe's work as a jazz musician and teacher, along with New York performance spaces, gives the fantasy a strong jazz foundation.
The film shifts between tactile New York streets and brightly abstract spaces such as the Great Before and the zone.
Films like Soul, and why
Inside Out
shared all-ages animation, metaphysical fantasy, emotional self-discovery, and philosophical themes
Coco
shared Pixar craftsmanship, afterlife worldbuilding, bittersweet humor, and reflections on purpose
The Truman Show
shared gentle fantasy, musical identity, existential questions, and warm emotional resolution
The Boy and the Heron
shared animated fantasy, unconventional mentorship, and themes of identity and finding meaning
Movie Details
- Director
- Pete Docter
- Release Date
- 2020-12-25
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 8.1 / 10 (11771)
Cast
- Jamie Foxx
- Tina Fey
- Graham Norton
- Rachel House
- Alice Braga
- Richard Ayoade
- Phylicia Rashād
- Donnell Rawlings
- Questlove
- Angela Bassett
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Soul about?
- A jazz-loving teacher crosses into a surreal afterlife realm and learns that a meaningful life is found in ordinary moments, not just grand ambitions.
- What is Soul like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Soul as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Soul violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Soul.
- What did critics think of Soul?
- Critics broadly praised Soul as a visually inventive, emotionally resonant Pixar film that combines sophisticated existential ideas with outstanding all-ages entertainment.
- Which films are like Soul?
- Films with a similar feel include Inside Out, Coco, The Truman Show, and The Boy and the Heron.
- How long is Soul?
- Soul runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Soul?
- In United States, Soul streams on Disney Plus.
