2019
WISE Score
A three-minute philosophical deep dive from a spork who still isn't entirely sure why he's not in a trash can.
6.2
6.2View →If you need three minutes of peace or a quick palette cleanser after a heavy day, this is your win. It’s Pixar at its most stripped-down: just two characters, one big question, and a lot of heart.
It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s not trying to be. It’s a character study of a spork who is doing his absolute best to understand a world that doesn't always make sense. For a kid, that’s incredibly relatable.
Perfect for the 3-6 crowd who are just starting to navigate preschool social dynamics, but honestly, any Toy Story fan will get a kick out of the 180 seconds of nonsense.
It is exactly what you expect from the Toy Story universe: sweet, slightly chaotic, and fundamentally centered on kindness and curiosity.
Forky’s entire existence is a masterclass in divergent thinking. He sees the world through the eyes of someone who wasn't born into it, which invites kids to question 'obvious' definitions.
Zero concerns. No violence, no language, no hidden adult jokes that would require an explanation. It is as safe as media gets.
Great for social-emotional learning. It breaks down complex social concepts (like friendship) into bite-sized, funny dialogues that actually stick with preschoolers.
Forky was the breakout star of Toy Story 4 for a reason: he represents the pure, unadulterated confusion of being a child. In What Is a Friend?, we see him paired with Hamm, who is the perfect foil—literal, slightly arrogant, and very confident in his wrongness.
The short works because it doesn't talk down to kids. It treats Forky’s existential crisis with the same weight a toddler treats a dropped ice cream cone. It’s high-stakes for him, and that makes it engaging for the audience.
In an era of over-stimulated kids' content, these Pixar shorts are a relief. There are no flashing lights, no aggressive 'subscribe' buttons, and no frantic pacing. It’s just a conversation. If you’re trying to move away from high-dopamine YouTube loops, this is a great bridge to more narrative-driven content.
Use this short as a template. After watching, ask your kid to 'be Forky' and ask you about something—like 'What is a job?' or 'What is a vegetable?' It’s a fun way to see how they process the world and practice their own communication skills without it feeling like a lesson.
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