
- Creators
- Carrie Hobson, Michael Yates
- Rating
- TV-PG
- Episodes
- 4
- Running TIme
- 120 minutes
- Channel
- Disney Plus
Overall Score
Rating Summary
It’s hard to believe that Disney+ is now five years old, and it has yet to feature a series from Pixar. Films are both short and feature-length, yes, but while effectively every other branch of the Disney empire has branched out into streaming series, Pixar has taken the longest to arrive. It’s shocking not only because of the business mandate to do so but also because Pixar seems like the perfect division to do it. The good news then is that not only is the wait over, but Pixar has also brought their trademark creativity and story-first attitude to their first series, Win or Lose.
Created by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, the series follows a softball team called The Pickles. From there, each episode follows a different character over the same period, from right after a win that cements the team’s place in the championships, to the night of the big championship game a week later. It’s a fun conceit –inspired by Hobson and Yates’ differing interpretation of creative meetings while working on Toy Story 4– seeing the same events unfold (or at least influence each other) in each episode from different perspectives.
These perspectives are created in a way that feels like only animation can. The series’ baseline look remains consistent, but each character’s understanding of and interaction with it looks and feels unique. In one case, a character’s emotional armour becomes literal; in another, a child’s self-image changes radically depending on with whom she is in a scene. Another still whose world feels like it is falling apart sees the world around them literally fall apart in times of stress. This choice proves to bes an incredibly clever way to give each episode a distinct feel while maintaining a sense of visual cohesiveness, and it’s the kind of thing that Pixar’s team excels at when they’re firing on all cylinders like they are here.
Similarly, each story is relatable and engaging on its own while contributing to the whole of the series. Whether it’s the coach’s daughter dealing with feeling inadequate, or an overstressed mom coping with her week, there’s something for nearly everyone in the first four episodes. As good as the stories are, it makes it all the more disappointing to know that Disney excised a story about a transgender teammate. That kind of representation can have significant and important effect for those who rarely feel seen in media or who are in the process of figuring out their journey, and this series could have been a real beacon for them like it likely will be for others.
That being said, as it stands, Win or Lose is nonetheless an excellent series that brings the visual and storytelling quality that Pixar is beloved for to television. The series is not only creative and clever, but is also resonant for viewers of all ages. The way the series plays out will help people -likely kids in particular- understand the importance of seeing things from the points of view of others. We should see that everyone has their own inner story to which we’re not privy, and perhaps be more curious and less judgemental of the people around us.
still courtesy of Disney/Pixar
If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Matthew Simpson is a freelance pop culture writer and podcaster based in Vancouver, Canada. He is a life long Star Trek fan, thinks there are few cinematic streaks on par with John McTiernans’s 1987 to 1990 run of Predator, Die Hard, and The Hunt for Red October. He is also rather tall, which is unrelated to the movie thing.