Pixar’s worlds leap off the screen in a massive new London immersive exhibition

14 February 2026

Mike Wazowski and James P Sullivan, stars of Monsters Inc. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

London has become the latest global city to host an ambitious celebration of one of the most beloved animation studios in the world with the opening of the Mundo Pixar Experience, a sprawling immersive exhibition that invites visitors to step inside the vibrant worlds of Pixar’s films. Spread across more than 3,500 square metres in Wembley Park, the exhibition re-creates iconic settings from 14 of Pixar’s most cherished movies, giving fans of all ages the rare chance to explore life-size versions of spaces they have only ever seen on screens. Designed to capture not just the visuals but the emotional resonance of Pixar’s storytelling, the show has become a destination for families, film lovers and anyone curious about the artistry behind some of the most enduring animated stories of the last three decades.

On arrival, visitors are greeted by a scale-model re-creation of Andy’s bedroom from Toy Story, where huge furniture and towering toys make adults feel as though they have shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz. This playful entry point sets the tone for the rest of the show, where every environment is meticulously crafted to reflect not just the look of the films but their feeling. From the sun-drenched desert of Radiator Springs with Lightning McQueen waiting at Flo’s Café to the swirling coral reefs of Finding Nemo alive with colour and underwater ambience, each space blends ambient sound, detailed set design and carefully constructed props to create a sense of being inside the stories that have captivated generations.

One particularly striking section invites visitors to explore Carl Fredricksen’s floating house from Up — the very home lifted by thousands of balloons — giving a sense of wonder and whimsy that mirrors the emotion of the original film. Elsewhere, the Coco-inspired area brings the vibrant Land of the Dead to life, filled with hues and patterns that reflect that movie’s celebration of family and memory. Each of these spaces has been designed not only to be visually faithful but to feel lived-in, presenting details and Easter eggs that reward fans with an intimate, tactile understanding of these animated worlds.

The exhibition also includes an experience based on Inside Out, where visitors can navigate the colourful headquarters of Riley’s emotions. This area is particularly immersive, with tall columns of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust looming like characters brought into real space, inviting contemplation on how Pixar turns abstract concepts into stories with universal resonance. It’s a reminder of how deeply animation can tap into human experience, using colour, form and design to explore emotions we all recognise.

Creative director Jay Ward explained that the show was intended to reflect Pixar’s trademark attention to detail and emotional storytelling rather than just offering a series of pretty backdrops. He said that while many elements were sourced directly from the studio’s graphics and design teams, the exhibition also takes creative liberties to make the spaces more engaging and accessible to visitors, including plenty of photo opportunities and interactive elements that go beyond what you see in the films. He said designers studied everything from the way children interact with toys to animal behaviour that inspired character animation, in order to make the environments feel alive and responsive.

This effort reflects a broader trend in entertainment toward immersive experiences that go beyond passive viewing and invite audiences to participate in the stories they love. Following the success of shows like the Van Gogh immersive exhibitions and Netflix’s Stranger Things pop-ups, the Mundo Pixar Experience taps into a desire among modern audiences to live inside narratives rather than just watch them on a screen. For many families attending the London exhibition, the appeal lies not only in nostalgia but in the opportunity to share the worlds of their favourite films with a new generation.

Beyond nostalgia, the timing of the exhibition’s opening feels strategic. It arrives as Pixar prepares to release two new films in 2026 an original feature titled Hoppers and Toy Story 5 and the enhanced interest in Pixar’s legacy dovetails with a renewed focus on the studio’s role in shaping animated storytelling. Ward acknowledged that while some audiences have expressed sequel fatigue, there remains a strong appetite for both classic and new things from Pixar, and the exhibition offers a way to celebrate the studio’s past while building anticipation for its future.

Visitors to the exhibition have been enthusiastic, sharing images and moments on social media and recounting how the exhibition feels alive and engaging at every turn. The detail in environments like Woody’s bedroom or the eerie, colourful life of Monsters, Inc.’s scare floor has impressed fans and casual visitors alike, many of whom said they felt transported into these worlds in a way they never expected. The success of the show in its opening days suggests that the fusion of cinema and immersive design continues to captivate audiences, offering experiences that feel both fresh and deeply emotional.

Critics of immersive exhibitions sometimes argue that environments built around existing intellectual property risk being theme park attractions rather than serious cultural experiences, but supporters counter that when done with care and respect for the source material, these shows can deepen appreciation for the craft of storytelling. In the case of the Mundo Pixar Experience, the scale of the sets, the attention to visual and auditory detail and the inclusion of so many different film universes help make the point that these movies are more than entertainment they are cultural touchstones that carry emotional weight for audiences of all ages.

As the exhibition continues its run in London, it is likely to draw crowds not just from the city but from across Europe and beyond, a testament to both Pixar’s global cultural impact and the enduring appeal of visiting the places where beloved stories feel real. For now, Londoners and tourists alike can walk through the worlds that Pixar brought to life, from Andy’s bedroom to the ocean depths, and see firsthand how animation has become a language of imagination, connection and emotional resonance.