Win or Lose * An Unusual Series That Shows Just How Much Goes On Behind The Scenes At A Ball Game
February 19th, 2025
Pixar Animation Studios’ original series “Win or Lose” follows the intertwined stories of eight different characters as they each prepare for their big championship softball game. The series reveals what it actually feels like to be in the shoes of each character—the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire—with incredibly funny, very emotional and uniquely animated perspectives.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Win Or Lose is a hilarious new animated TV series about a small middle school softball team and the lives of each of its players. The story is woven together in interesting and compelling ways, almost like a puzzle, allowing you to understand the characters better with each episode.” Braedyn M. adds, “Win or Lose definitely is an unusual and out-of-the-box TV series. With its unique and imaginative perspective, it showcases just how much goes on behind the scenes in what would otherwise be labeled as a simple softball game. From assault armored umpires, to terrible but trying players, there is always more than meets the eye.” See their full reviews below.
Win Or Lose
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
NO SWEAT — Pixar Animation Studios’ “Win or Lose,” Laurie (Rosie Foss) Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Win Or Lose is a hilarious new animated TV series about a small middle school softball team and the lives of each of its players. The story is woven together in interesting and compelling ways, almost like a puzzle, allowing you to understand the characters better with each episode. Win or Lose is a show that all members of the family will enjoy and each person can choose their own character to root for!
Made by Pixar, Win Or Lose has the same style and quality of all of their great movies. It is a story about a group of kids, all connected by being on a softball team, but all with very different lives. Laurie (Rosanna Jean Foss) just wants to hit the ball and Frank (Josh Thomson) regrets letting go of his girlfriend.
STAR PITCHER — Pixar Animation Studios’ “Win or Lose,” Yuwen (Izaac Wang). Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Win Or Lose is the first Pixar original TV show, and it doesn’t disappoint. The show’s first episode centers around Laurie struggling with self-doubt, which manifests itself as a purple blob that grows in size as her doubt grows. Laurie eventually realizes that she doesn’t need to win to have fun. In addition to the great stories, the music at the end of each episode is also super fun. It’s interesting to see Pixar mix in a new animation style, kind of like a crayon animation, in Episode 3. Watching these two styles mix in this great new show is a blast. Win Or Lose is very funny, with great timing and one-liners that will make it a family favorite. I love the great idea that each episode centers around a specific member of the team, all on their journey to the championship. The characters are all funny in different ways. My favorite character is Laurie. She has great comedic lines and her motivation to hit the ball to make her father proud makes me root for her throughout the show.
The series’ message is that having fun is more important than winning. The show include includes themes of joy and friendship. Parents should note that Win Or Lose includes some fearful moments, like when Laurie gets hit by a softball.
I give Win Or Lose 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The series debuts with its first two episodes on Disney+ on February 19, 2025. The remaining six episodes will be released weekly.
Win Or Lose
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
WIN OR LOSE features the voice of Will Forte as Coach Dan. On Disney+ February 19, 2025.
Win Or Lose definitely is an unusual and out-of-the-box TV series. With its unique and imaginative perspective, it showcases just how much goes on behind the scenes in what would otherwise be labeled as a simple softball game. From assault armored umpires, to terrible but trying players, there is always more than meets the eye.
Win or Lose is an animated series from Pixar following a co-ed middle school softball team’s story as they prepare for the State Softball Championship. But instead of only seeing the week once from the perspective of the main character, each episode shows a face of the story, with different people having center stage. As everyone navigates the numerous challenges of getting ready for the big game, they must work through their own issues before coming together as a strong and united team.
WIN OR LOSE – Sweaty blob and Laurie. © 2024 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
My favorite part is definitely the animation. It is top-notch, blending not only the physical aspects of each individual’s life, but also their emotions and what they may imagine. For example, Frank (Josh Thomson) the umpire, is a bit overly cautious of what other people think of him. When some of the spectators disagree with one of his calls, he dons a suit of armor and picks up a shield, saying that his stands with his call. It’s quite hilarious to see how their emotions manifest in each situation. The series also does well tying in real world issues that are relatable today, like trying your hardest to succeed only to fail over and over again, or having to take care of an irresponsible parent when you need them most.
WIN OR LOSE, Pixar’s first-ever original long-form animated series. Directed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, streams on Disney+ February 19, 2025. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Once I watched a couple of episodes, I was able to see how the puzzle pieces fit together, and how it makes the story more well-rounded and complete when you see it from all sides. The series’ cast includes Will Forte, Ian Chen, Izaac Wang, Jo Firestone, Milan Ray, Josh Thomson and more.
The series’ message is that things aren’t always what they seem. A simple game of softball may not seem like it has that much going on, but when seen from multiple and very different angles, I found out that everything has another perspective. It only has to be found. Note that this series does contain some profanity, and a scene of stealing (real stealing, not bases in softball).
I give Win Or Lose 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Win or Lose premiers on February 19, 2025.
Anthony Mackie returns as the high-flying hero Sam Wilson, who’s officially taken up the mantle of Captain America. After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
Full of Paddington’s signature blend of wit, charm, and laugh-out-loud humor, Paddington in Peru finds the beloved, marmalade-loving bear on an exciting, high-stakes adventure. When Paddington discovers his beloved Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the wilds of Peru to look for her, the only clue to her whereabouts a spot marked on an enigmatic map. Determined to solve the mystery, Paddington embarks on a thrilling quest through the rainforests of the Amazon to find his aunt…and may also uncover one of the world’s most legendary treasures.
Paddington in Peru is the third Paddington movie based on the classic children’s books written by Michael Bond. While sequels are often a letdown, Paddington in Peru is beautifully executed with great characters and acting, hilarious timing, and a heart-warming storyline – making it the best of the Paddington series to date!
Along with the Aunt Lucy adventure, this movie also shows us Paddington’s origin story – taking us back to when he was a cute baby bear who first finds Aunt Lucy. The animation used for the bears is so adorable and fun, especially when they mix it with the live action aspects. It blends in seamlessly and makes the movie fun for kids and adults. I enjoyed the various animation and filming effects, like early in the movie when Mrs. Brown makes a painting that comes to life to help tell the story of how the Brown family is changing as the kids become teenagers.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the brand new Paddington in Peru! This is an engaging, hilarious family-friendly film that easily lives up to its expectations. With relatable characters, colorful scenery, and a story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way, Paddington in Peru is a must-see for kids and families.
Taking place primarily in the jungle of Peru, the camera shots are magnificent and add so much to the viewing experience. Paddington visits Machu Picchu, which is a stunning location. The combination of Paddington’s animation along with the live action actors and scenery is seamless. They appear to clearly be there together and living in the same world, making the film even funnier and more engaging.
Paddington in Peru is a bear-y new and interesting film to the Paddington Franchise. It is full of action, adventure, and the sights of Peru. This film gives a sense of family, trust, and finding your tribe.
The main characters are Paddington, the Browns, Hunter Cabot, and Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman). I like all the references to the past two films such as, Paddington doing the hard stare or referencing the Prison scene of Paddington 2. This movie is certainly different from the other Paddington films. Besides the film taking place in Peru, they definitely made this more of a grown hero film for Paddington. They kind of changed Paddington’s character to where he is more mature and adventurous than usual. With that in mine, it is lacking in action and has mostly soft or filler moments. I like that we get to explore Peru and see where Paddington lived before going to London, but action movies need action. Still, this is a cute film that sheds new light on Paddington and builds his character. Plus, it answers some questions fans have been curious about since the first two movies.
The message of this movie is about family. Paddington is looking to find Aunt Lucy and more about the place where he grew up and came from. But along the journey with the Browns, Paddington looks back and realizes that, while Peru is part of his roots and who he is, the Browns are now his home and family.
As the Paddington and his entourage navigate the lush landscapes and face unexpected challenges, Paddington’s signature kindness and optimism shine through. Ben Whishaw once again brings Paddington to life with his endearing voice performance, capturing the bear’s innocence and unwavering spirit. The Brown family, portrayed by Hugh Bonneville, Samuel Joslin, Emily Mortimer, and Madeleine Harris and the rest of the talented cast add warmth and humor to the story. The breathtaking cinematography showcases the vibrant and lush beauty of Peru, making the film visually captivating. The use of practical effects and CGI seamlessly blend to create a world that feels both whimsical and immersive. My favorite part of the film is Paddington’s heartfelt reunion with Aunt Lucy. The emotional depth in this moment is beautifully handled, reinforcing the film’s central themes of love and family. The adventure sequences, infused with humor and thrilling moments, kept me engaged, while the touching relationships make the story deeply resonant.
At its core, Paddington in Peru carries a powerful message about perseverance, kindness, and the importance of family—both the ones we are born into and the ones we choose. The film encourages viewers to embrace curiosity and compassion, making it a positive and uplifting experience for all ages. There is no inappropriate language or concerning behavior, making it a perfect choice for young audiences.
When a police officer and his faithful police dog get injured in the line of duty, a harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together — and Dog Man is born. As Dog Man learns to embrace his new identity, he must stop feline supervillain Petey the Cat from cloning himself and going on a crime spree.
Dog Man is such an amazing film! The movie provides messages about how sometimes, no matter how evil one is, all a person (or cat, dog, or fish) needs is a little bit of love. Dog Man has fun, comic-like animation and a musical score that always matches the scene.
The animation in this film immediately stands out – it looks like a 3-D comic book, but moves. These images are created by an entire team of people, including Paul Phippen and Aymeric Arnaud, the lead DMP artists. What makes this animation so amazing is that it includes certain features that would normally be seen in print comic books such as a pencil-like stroke, or words coming out of a person’s mouth. These features truly strike the movie as an adaptation of an incredible comic book franchise. Of course, the animation is perfectly paired with the music, which is another thing that is noticeable to the audience.
I really love the film Dog Man. Not that I’m surprised, I just knew I would. If you, like me, are a fan of the Captain Underpants and Cat Kid comic books, then this is definitely a film you will enjoy as much as I did. It has all the fun and crazy characters of Dav Pilkey’s comics brought to animated life.
This animated series follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.
