What is the iRankMovies score for Monsters University?

Name: Monsters University
Director: Dan Scanlon
Genre: animation, family
Released: 2013
Duration: 1 h 44 min
Rating: 7.2

Monsters University has an iRankMovies score of 72.5/100, based on a weighted combination of IMDb (×3.0), Rotten Tomatoes (×2.0), Metacritic (×1.5), and TMDb (×1.0).

Monsters University (2013)

Before they were incorporated, they had to be educated.

Release:2013

Runtime:1h 44m

Country:United States

Director:Dan Scanlon

Language:English

Genre

AnimationFamily

See the best animation movies →

Keywords

friendship monsterDoorTraining CampDormitoryFeudBullyPrequel

iRank73

Monsters University rating: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic

IMDb7.2/10· 421K votes

Rotten Tomatoes80%

Metacritic65%

TMDb7/10· 11K votes

With 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, backed by 7.2/10 on IMDb and 65/100 on Metacritic, critical reception of this film has been positive.

About Monsters University

A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University — when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.

Cast of Monsters University

Billy Crystal
as Mike (voice)
John Goodman
as Sullivan (voice)
Steve Buscemi
as Randy (voice)
Helen Mirren
as Dean Hardscrabble (voice)
Peter Sohn
as Squishy (voice)
Joel Murray
as Don (voice)
Sean Hayes
as Terri (voice)
Dave Foley
as Terry (voice)
Charlie Day
as Art (voice)
Alfred Molina
as Professor Knight (voice)
Tyler Labine
as Greek Council VP (voice)
Nathan Fillion
as Johnny (voice)

Monsters University facts

Budget: $200M
Box office: $743.6M
Collection: Monsters, Inc. Collection

Our take on Monsters University

This 2013 Pixar prequel rewinds to Mike and Sulley's college days, before the mismatched pair became the friends fans first met. Directed by Dan Scanlon, it reframes a familiar animated world as a campus comedy about ambition, rivalry and figuring out where you belong. The pleasure here is watching an eager, undersized striver and a coasting natural learn they need each other, wrapped in the studio's warm, detailed animation and gentle humor. It's built for families and younger viewers, but the theme of failing at your dream and finding another path gives grown-ups something too. A bright, good-natured origin story that values effort over easy triumph.

Ranked by the iRankMovies editorial teamUpdated August 2026Methodology Data sources

Audience opinions

What the audience liked

•Prequel structure subverts expectations by making heroes initially unlikeable
•Animation quality maintains Pixar standard while exploring new visual environments
•Friendship arc carries genuine emotional weight beyond franchise obligation