Kate McKinnon Shares Why She Believes These Two Pixar Films Offer Timeless Wisdom
Kate McKinnon at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 26, 2026; a ‘Finding Nemo’ scene (2003).
Credit:
Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic; Disney/Pixar
NEED TO KNOW
- Kate McKinnon discussed her appreciation of Andrew Stanton-directed Pixar animated movies exclusively with PEOPLE.
- Stanton directed McKinnon’s latest project, sci-fi film In the Blink of an Eye, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
- In the Blink of an Eye, also starring Rashida Jones and Daveed Diggs, will be available to stream on Hulu on Feb. 27.
Kate McKinnon recently shared her admiration for certain Pixar films during an exclusive interview at the premiere of her new sci-fi project, In the Blink of an Eye, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on January 26, 2026.
The 42-year-old actress expressed her deep appreciation for Pixar films, particularly those directed by Andrew Stanton, who also directed her latest project. “I’m a lifelong fan, absolutely,” McKinnon stated. “The themes of the stories that he tells, to me, the films are quasi-religious texts.”

A ‘WALL-E’ scene (2008).
Disney/Pixar
McKinnon described Stanton as possessing “an ancient wisdom,” highlighting the profound themes present in his storytelling. She cited notable works such as Finding Nemo (2003) and WALL-E (2008), both of which won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature.
“These are tales that speak about time, humanity, life itself. Absolutely. And this film was no exception,” McKinnon remarked, reflecting on her current project.
In the Blink of an Eye centers on three intertwining storylines that explore themes of hope, connection, and the circle of life. McKinnon plays the role of Coakley, a character who travels on a spaceship alongside a sentient onboard computer to address a crisis affecting the ship’s oxygen-producing plants.

Andrew Stanton and Kate McKinnon on Jan. 26, 2026.
Randy Shropshire/Getty
In the Blink of an Eye, featuring co-stars Rashida Jones and Daveed Diggs, will be available for streaming on Hulu starting February 27.
