As one of the greatest animation studios of all time, Pixar has built some incredible franchises, but they have one film that should never be followed by a sequel. While series like Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Inside Out all benefited from follow-up films, certain stories deserve to remain just one singular release.

While hit children’s films do very well at the box office, Pixar has been smart enough not to cash in on all their successes and understands that not everything needs to be turned into an ongoing franchise. This allows the legacy of great films like WALL-E, Up, and Ratatouille to stand for themselves and remain all-time great standalone movies.

Ratatouille Is A Movie With A Perfect Beginning, Middle & End

Ratatouille was one of Pixar’s most creative movies, as it told the story of a food-loving rat named Remy who dreams of becoming a gourmet chef in Paris. With the juxtaposition between fine dining and the filthy reputation of rodents at the center of its story, this tale of commitment and perseverance against all odds boasted a heartfelt message.

Remy was a character with clear goals and ambitions who audiences instinctively rooted for, and watching the way he bonded with the restaurant employee Alfredo Linguini made for the perfect duo. The two had what each lacked, and together they filled in each other’s gaps and helped achieve their dreams.

The arc of Ratatouille was satisfying as Remy found a way to become a chef by pulling Alfredo’s hair under a chef’s hat and guiding him through culinary delights and complex recipes. With a mix of sentimental storytelling and wonderful depictions of food, Ratatouille tapped into the joy of cooking as it spread a message around the importance of pᴀssion.

As a movie that was a joy to witness from start to finish, Ratatouille was perfect from beginning to middle to end, as its natural three-act structure felt totally complete. While the film’s conflict hinged on the consequences of Remy’s secret being discovered, the end result was that his cooking was so good it didn’t even matter.

To try to return to the well and expand on the story of Ratatouille would spoil all that came before it, and it’s a movie that does not invite a sequel. With a perfect happily-ever-after as Remy, Linguini, and Colette open a bistro called La Ratatouille, there’s nobody crying out for Pixar to disappoint audiences with a cash-in Ratatouille 2.

What Would Ratatouille 2 Even Be About?

The original Ratatouille already wrapped up Remy’s arc as he achieved his dream of becoming a chef, which leaves the question of what a sequel would even be about. A sequel without meaningful stakes will always be disappointing, and any attempt at a follow-up that didn’t try something new would simply be retreading the past to lesser effect.

There’s the possibility that Ratatouille 2 could introduce new characters and have Remy act as a kind of mentor to an apprentice rat chef, but this would just sideline the protagonist and feel unsatisfying. If a sequel were to go in a totally new direction like this, it would have audiences wondering why Pixar didn’t just create an original movie.

There’s also the possibility of following Linguini’s new career at the restaurant, but it was the animal characters who gave Ratatouille its sense of heart, and this would make for a pretty boring film. No matter what avenue you choose to follow, the harsh truth is that Ratatouille 2 just doesn’t work, and that’s likely why Pixar hasn’t even attempted it.

Every Other Standalone Pixar Movie Has Scope For More Stories

Pixar has been quite smart about which movies it chose to expand into franchises over the years, as Toy Story stands as one of the greatest series ever made. Other releases, such as Cars, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Inside Out, have all showcased their value as their sequels expanded on the themes introduced in the original films.

If Pixar were determined to make sequels out of their other standalone movies, there’s plenty of scope for more stories set in the A Bug’s Life, Brave, and WALL-E universes. These are films that remain beloved by viewers of all ages, and returning for a sequel could mix audience nostalgia with a genuinely compelling narrative.

Even more recent Pixar releases like Coco, Onward, and Luca could benefit from having more stories told in their world, as they each boast well-realized universes that offer endless opportunities for expansion. These are all different areas I’d love to see Pixar investigate before they even think about tarnishing their legacy with Ratatouille 2.

Ratatouille told a complete story, and the fact that it was set in the real world, albeit one where talking animals exist, means it doesn’t offer the same opportunities for sequels as other Pixar movies. Never has the phrase “let sleeping dogs lie” been more accurate, as although viewers would likely turn up for Ratatouille 2, it just wouldn’t work.