The Big Picture
Pixar has a track record of box-office and critical success, which can be attributed, in part, to their "good luck charm," actor John Ratzenberger.
John Ratzenberger started his acting career in the 1970s, but it was his portrayal of Cliff Clavin in Cheers that brought him widespread recognition and paved the way for his collaboration with Pixar. Ratzenberger became an integral part of Pixar's work, lending his voice to characters in all their movies up until Onward in 2020.
It would be fair to say, even without crunching numbers, that Pixar has a significantly higher success rate in terms of both box-office performance and critical acclaim. With a total box-office revenue of $15,407,450,839, Pixar has encountered only one film, Cars 2, with a Rotten rating (40% on Rotten Tomatoes). Even Cars 3, rated at 69%, stands as the second-lowest rated film in their repertoire. So, how has Pixar managed to maintain such consistent success? Could it be attributed to their groundbreaking animation techniques? Perhaps their ability to create imaginative and clever storylines? Business Insider suggests that it is due to the deep, emotional core at the center of each film. However, there may be something more mystical at play. Want a clue? Take a look at the top 10 critically acclaimed Pixar films on Rotten Tomatoes, and you'll notice one common factor—a "good luck charm" of sorts—actor John Ratzenberger.