The beloved Pixar film 'Monsters, Inc.' operated under a different title during its early development, according to Jay Ward, Creative Director for Franchise at Pixar. The film, which premiered in 2001 and follows best friends Sulley and Mike, was initially named 'Hidden City.'
Ward, 55, shared this detail in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail this week while promoting the Mundo Pixar Experience in London. He explained that working titles are common for Pixar films, serving as preliminary names before the final title is established.
As a nod to its original working title, director Pete Docter featured a 'Hidden City Cafe' in a background scene of the released film, visible as Mike and Sulley walk past on their way to work.
Ward also discussed the Mundo Pixar Experience, an exhibition that has drawn visitors to London. The exhibition showcases 14 Pixar universes with over 25 sculptures, recreating environments from popular films such as 'Toy Story,' 'Monsters, Inc.,' 'Cars,' and 'Finding Nemo.' Ward expressed his enthusiasm for the immersive nature of the exhibition, noting the positive reactions from attendees who experience recreated scenes.
When asked about the possibility of a 'Toy Story 6,' Ward remained non-committal, stating that it was too soon to confirm after the recent release and success of 'Toy Story 5.' He acknowledged the strong audience affection for the characters and the surprise and poignancy of the latest installment, which achieved a significant box office debut. 'Toy Story 5' reportedly earned $160 million in its opening weekend in North America, marking the largest domestic debut of 2026 and the biggest start for the franchise, surpassing 'Toy Story 4.' Globally, the film opened to $152 million, resulting in a worldwide total of $312 million on a $250 million budget.
The Mundo Pixar Experience in London is scheduled to run until November.