Piglet's Big Movie

Piglet's Big Movie is currently streaming in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus, and it uses the format for more than just a visual hook. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it in order — the character development is cumulative. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Piglet's Big Movie is worth clearing space for. Piglet's Big Movie has the visual identity that makes it immediately recognisable, and the writing to back it up. When the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood begin a honey harvest, young Piglet is excluded and told that he is too small to help. Feeling inferior, Piglet disappears and his pals Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger, Roo and Winnie the Pooh must use Piglet's scrapbook as a map to find him. In the process they discover that this very small animal has been a big hero in a lot of ways. John Fiedler and Jim Cummings lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2003. The visual gags in Piglet's Big Movie reward close attention without ever depending on it. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Piglet's Big Movie belongs on any best-of list regardless of format. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. John Fiedler's voice work is a big part of what makes it distinctive. If you have been sleeping on it because of the format, the format is not the thing here.