A Bug's Life

A Bug's Life is a 1998 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It was the second film produced by Pixar. Directed by John Lasseter and co-directed and written by Andrew Stanton, the film involves a misfit ant, Flik, who is looking for "tough warriors" to save his colony from hungry grasshoppers, only to recruit a group of insects that turn out to be an inept circus troupe. The film stars the voices of Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Hayden Panettiere among others.

The film is inspired by Aesop's fable The Ant and the Grasshopper. Production began shortly after the release of Toy Story in 1995. The screenplay was penned by Stanton and comedy writers Donald McEnery and Bob Shaw from a story by Lasseter, Stanton, and Ranft. The ants in the film were redesigned to be more appealing, and Pixar's animation unit employed technical innovations in computer animation. Randy Newman composed the music for the film. During production, a controversial public feud erupted between Steve Jobs and Lasseter of Pixar and DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg due to the parallel production of his similar film Antz, which was released the same year.

The film was released on November 20, 1998, and grossed $363 million in receipts, receiving positive reviews from critics. It was the first film to be digitally transferred frame-by-frame and released to DVD, and has been released multiple times on home video.

Plot
Ant Island is a colony of ants led by the retiring Queen and her daughter, Princess Atta. Every season, they are forced to give food to a gang of marauding grasshoppers led by Hopper. One day, when Flik, an individualist and inventor, inadvertently knocks the offering into a stream with his latest invention, a grain harvesting device, Hopper demands twice as much food as compensation. When Flik suggests in earnest that they seek help from other stronger bugs, the other ants see it as an opportunity to remove him and send him off.

At the "bug city", which is a heap of trash under a trailer, Flik mistakes a troupe of Circus Bugs (who were recently dismissed by their greedy ringmaster, P.T. Flea) for the warrior bugs he seeks. The bugs, in turn, mistake Flik for a talent agent, and accept his offer to travel with him back to Ant Island. During a welcome ceremony upon their arrival, the Circus Bugs and Flik both discover their mutual misunderstandings. The Circus Bugs attempt to leave, but are pursued by a nearby bird; while fleeing, they rescue Dot, Atta's younger sister from the bird, gaining the ants' respect in the process. At Flik's request, they continue the ruse of being "warriors", so the troupe can continue to enjoy the hospitality of the ants. Hearing that Hopper fears birds inspires Flik to create a false bird to scare away the grasshoppers. Meanwhile, Hopper reminds his gang how greatly the ants outnumber them and suspects that they will eventually rebel against them.

The ants finish constructing the fake bird, but during a celebration, P.T. Flea arrives, searching for his troupe, and inadvertently reveals their secret. Outraged by Flik's deception, the ants exile him, and desperately attempt to gather food for a new offering to the grasshoppers. However, when Hopper returns to discover the mediocre offering, he takes over the island, and demands the ants' winter food supply, planning to assassinate the Queen afterwards. Overhearing the plan, Dot persuades Flik and the Circus Bugs to return to Ant Island.

After the Circus Bugs distract the grasshoppers long enough to rescue the Queen, Flik deploys the bird; it initially fools the grasshoppers, but P.T. Flea, who also mistakes it for a real bird, burns it, exposing it as a decoy. Hopper has Flik beaten in retaliation, saying that the ants are humble and lowly life forms who live to serve the grasshoppers. However, Flik responds that Hopper actually fears the colony, because he has always known what they are capable of, inspiring the ants and the Circus Bugs to fight back against the grasshoppers. The ants attempt to force Hopper out of Ant Island using P.T. Flea's circus cannon, but it suddenly begins to rain. In the ensuing chaos, Hopper frees himself from the cannon, and abducts Flik. After the Circus Bugs fail to catch them, Atta rescues Flik. As Hopper pursues them, Flik lures him to the nest of the bird he, Dot, and the Circus Bugs encountered earlier. Thinking that the bird is another decoy, Hopper taunts it before realizing all too late that it is real. He is subsequently captured and fed to the bird's chicks.

With their enemies gone, Flik has improved his inventions along with the quality of life for Ant Island, he and Atta become a couple, and they give Hopper's younger brother Molt, and a few ants to P.T. Flea as new members of his troupe. Atta and Dot respectively become the new queen and princess. The ants congratulate Flik as a hero, and bid a fond farewell to the circus troupe.

Voice cast

 * Dave Foley as Flik, an inventive, but mostly accident-prone, ant.
 * Kevin Spacey as Hopper, the ruthless leader of the grasshopper gang.
 * Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Princess Atta, the soon-to-be queen of the colony.
 * Hayden Panettiere as Dot, Princess Atta's younger sister and initially Flik's only friend in the ant colony.
 * Phyllis Diller as the Queen, the leader of the ant colony.
 * Richard Kind as Molt, Hopper's dimwitted younger brother.
 * David Hyde Pierce as Slim, a walking stick and Francis and Heimlich's friend.
 * Joe Ranft as Heimlich, a plump, German-accented caterpillar who longs to be a butterfly.
 * Denis Leary as Francis, a short-tempered male ladybug who is constantly mistaken for a female.
 * Jonathan Harris as Manny, a praying mantis and magician in P.T. Flea's circus.
 * Madeline Kahn as Gypsy, a gypsy moth and Manny's beautiful wife and assistant.
 * Bonnie Hunt as Rosie, a black widow spider and Dim's tamer and friend.
 * Michael McShane as Tuck and Roll, twin[5] pillbug brothers from Hungary.
 * John Ratzenberger as P.T. Flea, the owner of the circus.
 * Brad Garrett as Dim, a rhinoceros beetle that plays the "Ferocious Beast" in the circus act. He is Rosie's companion.
 * Roddy McDowall as Mr. Soil, the lead thespian.
 * Edie McClurg as Dr. Flora, the doctor of the ant colony.
 * Alex Rocco as Thorny, Princess Atta's assistant.
 * David Ossman as Cornelius, an elderly ant.
 * Rodger Bumpass as Harry, a mosquito.
 * Ashley Tisdale as the leader of the Blueberry Scouts, a troop of ant children that Dot belongs to.

Spin-off
It's Tough to Be a Bug (1998) (Short)

A Bug's Life (1998) (Video Game)

A Bug's Life (1998) (Video Game) This is a Game Boy Color game based on the animated film.

Referenced in
Troldspejlet: Troldspejlet Special: Troldspejlet i USA (1997) (TV Episode) Jakob Stegelmann mentions Jorgen Klubien working on the upcoming Pixar film

Five Men and a Limo (1997) (Short) Mark Elliott mentions Dot, the little ant princess.

Troldspejlet: Episode #21.11 (1999) (TV Episode) Jakob Stegelmann mentions the film in his review of A Bug's Life (1998) (VG)

Just a Minute: Episode #4.1 (1999) (TV Episode) Referenced by name

Popular: Under Siege (1999) (TV Episode) Poppy suggests that their group rent this movie

Toy Story 2 (1999) During the video game sequence in the beginning, the planet Buzz flies into bears a striking resemblance to Ant Island and the surrounding riverbed. Heimlich the caterpillar can be seen on a leaf that is pushed aside by Buzz Lightyear while traveling towards Al's Toy Barn. He is seen in greater detail during the credit outtakes together with Flik the Ant. The Bug Bar can also be seen before the toys cross the street. Various toys from A Bug's Life can be seen in Al's Toy Barn as Buzz passes by the Buzz Lightyear aisle.

Chicken Run (2000)

Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Shocking Truth (2000) (Video) On theater marquee.

7 Numara (2000) (TV Series) A poster of the movie was shown in the girls room.

Risotto (2000) In the hotel television you can clearly see and listen to the greek version of this movie

Charlie's Angels (2000)

Lizzie McGuire: Timmy Turner's First Day of HillRidge Junior High (2001) (TV Episode) Kate Sanders discuss the film. VHS is shown at the libary in HillRidge Jr. High. The soundtrack for the movie, "The Ants / A Leaf Falls" briefly plays.

Frontline: The Merchants of Cool (2001) (TV Episode) Advertisement shown in segment "Under-the-Radar Marketing".

Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Show No. 414 (2001) (TV Episode) Referenced in "Props".

Lizzie McGuire: Night of the Day of the Dead (2001) (TV Episode) VHS is seen in Lizzie's House.

Monsters, Inc. (2001) Randall ends up in the trailer first seen in this movie.

Yes, Dear: Are We There Yet? (2001) (TV Episode) Kim mentions this movie.

The Simpsons: Helter Shelter (2002) (TV Episode) Exterminator's company is named "A Bug's Death".

The Powerpuff Girls Movie (2002) Musical cue plays

Taz Wanted (2002) (Video Game)

Lizzie McGuire: Lizzie's Misadventures in HillRidge (2002) (Video Game)

Lizzie McGuire: Xtreme Xmas (2002) (TV Episode) Poster seen briefly in the Christmas Charity Drive at HillRidge.

The Pitts: A Bug's Wife (2003) (TV Episode) The episode's title is a pun on the film's title.

Comedy Central Roast of Denis Leary (2003) (TV Special) title mentioned

The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)

21 Grams (2003) When Jack Jordan (Benicio Del Toro) comes back after his period in jail, his daughter is painting on the floor, and close to her there's Heimlich the caterpillar from A Bug's Life.

Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time (2003) (TV Movie) "You're weird, but I like you."

The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) (Video Game) VHS is seen in the video rental store at the Style Shack.

Terkel in Trouble (2004) "Bloopers" in end credits of computer animated film

100 Greatest Cartoons (2005) (TV Special) Talked about

Ban the Sadist Videos! (2005) (Video) Video case is shown.

Cars (2006) The logo can be seen on the race cars.

The Pixar Shorts: A Short History (2007) (Video) Toys shown

WALL·E (2008) Bean Jar in Wall-E's room

Heroes Unmasked: A Bug's Life (2008) (TV Episode) Referenced in the episode title

Jeopardy!: Episode #25.169 (2009) (TV Episode) correct response in "Movies in Minivans" category

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Up (2009) (TV Episode) Poster shown when Hewy discusses Pixar movies

The Amazing Race: Huger Than Huge (2010) (TV Episode) A bug from A Bug's Life (1998) seen

Animation Lookback: DreamWorks Animation Part 1 (2010) (TV Episode) Antz was in competition with this Pixar film.

Toy Story 3 (2010) When Woody crawls out from the ceiling in the day care center over the Catepillar room, the letters ATTA can be seen on the wall. The name of the Princess in A Bug's Life.

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Toy Story 3 (2010) (TV Episode) Hewy says "Toy Story 2" came after "A Bug's Life"

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Alpha and Omega (2010) (TV Episode) Hewy says Hayden Panettiere provided the voice Dot

Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010) (TV Episode) Poster shown when Hewy discusses animated animal movies

Conan: Murder, She Tweeted (2010) (TV Episode) Tom Hanks mentions the movie

The Nostalgia Chick: Dreamworks Vs. Disney: Rise of the Eyebrow (2010) (TV Episode) Nostalgia Chick says Antz's resemblance to this movie was no coincedence

The Office: Threat Level Midnight (2011) (TV Episode) Michael says that he "thought 'Bug's Life' was much better than 'Antz.'"

Special Collector's Edition: ¿Quién puede matar a un niño? (2011) (TV Episode) Appears on the list of DVD & Blu-Ray releases of April/May

Dreamworld (2012) Colin says he accidentally deleted files for A Bug's Life 2.

AniMat's Reviews: ParaNorman (2012) (TV Episode) The animated film that was in competition with Antz.

Animation Lookback: Pixar Animation Studios Part 2 (2013) (TV Episode) Another film Pixar was working on during the production of Toy Story 2.

Animation Lookback: Pixar Animation Studios Part 3 (2013) (TV Episode) The original idea of Cars was originally intended to be released after this film.

Mike & Mike: Episode dated 4 July 2013 (2013) (TV Episode) Mark Schlereth lists his top 5 movies since 1986

Half in the Bag: The Lone Ranger and White House Down (2013) (TV Episode) mentions movies with similar plots released the same year

Grand Theft Auto V (2013) (Video Game) During the heist mission the "Jewel Store Job," if you choose the "subtle" approach and get the Exterminator Van on the side of the van is "It's a Bug's Death."

Atop the Fourth Wall: Tales to Astonish #27 (2013) (TV Episode) Flik appears on title card

Psych: Shawn and Gus Truck Things Up (2014) (TV Episode) Luther says, "Any kid who's seen 'A Bug's Life' knows how it works."

Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong with Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire (2014) (TV Episode) The movie is mentioned.

El Reviewer Random: Super Kid (2014) (TV Episode) movie is referenced

Studio C: Episode #5.1 (2014) (TV Episode) Referenced in the Disney cartoon mentor sketch

Animation Lookback: The Best of Stop Motion - Ray Harryhausen 1/2 (2014) (TV Episode) The 1998 Mighty Joe Young remake was in competition with this film.

WatchMojo: The 10 Most Wanted Worlds for Kingdom Hearts 3 (2015) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life gets an honorable mention.

Honest Trailers: Toy Story (Feat. Will Sasso) (2015) (TV Episode) Randy Newman song

Storage Hunters UK: Leeds (2015) (TV Episode) VHS in Boudicca's unit.

The Good Dinosaur (2015) The tree that Arlo and Spot find in the cliffs bares a resemblance to the tree from Ant Island.

Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong With The Lion King In 13 Minutes Or Less (2015) (TV Episode) The movie is mentioned.

Life, Animated (2016) VHS/DVD cover from Owen's collection

500 Questions: Episode #2.4 (2016) (TV Episode) correct answer in "Animated Films" category

The Star Wars Show: Finding Dory Co-Director Angus MacLane, ILMxLAB News, and More (2016) (TV Episode) Angus MacLane mentions it during his interview

JonTron: Disney Bootlegs (2016) (TV Episode) There is a bootleg video game based on it.

Cash Trapped: Episode #1.6 (2016) (TV Episode) Correct answer.

Difficult People: High Alert (2016) (TV Episode) Billy mentions the film

Animals Unleashed: A Pug's Life (2016) (TV Episode) Title reference

PWN: Disappointing Movies: PWN #8 (2016) (TV Episode) Title is mentioned

Nostalgia Critic: The Top 11 Best Movie Sequels (2017) (TV Episode) "So two bug movies came out that year."

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return: Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II (2017) (TV Episode) Referenced.

I Hate Everything: I Hate Sing (2016) (2017) (TV Episode) A picture of Heimlich appears.

I Hate Everything: the Search for the Worst: The (NOT DREAMWORKS) Collection - 9 Movies! (2017) (TV Episode) Alex Beltman mentions it. Also, poster is shown.

Modern Family: Dear Beloved Family (2018) (TV Episode) This is the movie shown on Phil's Y2K flight

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Trevor Noah/Dakota Fanning/Jeff Dye (2018) (TV Episode) Mentioned by Jeff Dye in his stand-up routine

Cartoon Corner: Paddington Review (2018) (TV Episode) Whyboy compares the DVD cover of Paddington Bear showing the title character to a DVD cover of this film.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Nathan Lane/Yara Shahidi/Kygo & Miguel (2018) (TV Episode) Mentioned by Nathan Lane

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The Big Comeback (2018) (TV Episode) Mentioned in dialogue.

LEGO The Incredibles (2018) (Video Game) Flik is a playable character in the game.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Big Bird's Big Break (2018) (TV Episode) Mentioned in dialogue.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Onward to Weird Hedgehogs (2018) (TV Episode) Brought up as Julia Louis-Dreyfus' previous venture with Pixar.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The Bells of Disney Reboots (2019) (TV Episode) Brought up in Lee Unkrich's filmography.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: The Happiest Episode: D (2019) (TV Episode) Hopper is name dropped.

AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Onward to the Age of Resistance (2019) (TV Episode) Brought up as a film made by Pixar.

Toy Story 4 (2019) A Bug's Life calendar in Andy's room

Adam Ruins Everything: Adam Ruins Little Bugs (2019) (TV Episode) Caterpillar transformation is called a freaky bug's life.

John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch (2019) (TV Special) The girls ask Richard Kind about his role in the movie.

Featured in
At the Movies: Enemy of the State/Waking Ned Divine/A Bug's Life/Celebrity/The Rugrats Movie (1998) (TV Episode) Reviewed.

The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999) (TV Special) clips

The 71st Annual Academy Awards (1999) (TV Special)

At the Movies: That's Not All, Folks! (1999) (TV Episode) A clip is shown.

Troldspejlet: Episode #22.13 (1999) (TV Episode) DVD release reviewed + footage used

Disney Through the Decades (2001) (Video) clips

Biography: Jonathan Harris: Never Fear, Smith Is Here (2002) (TV Episode) Scene with the character dubbed by Jonathan Harris.

Behind the Boards on Baby Weems (2002) (Video) clips

Making 'Nemo' (2003) (Video) clip shown

The Ultimate Film (2004) (TV Movie) number 84

100 Greatest Cartoons (2005) (TV Special) Clips are shown

Cars (2006) Included as part of Joe Ranft tribute at end

Pixar's 20th Anniversary Special (2006) (TV Movie) featured in clips

The Pixar Story (2007) clips

Your Friend the Rat (2007) (Video) Used footage of the flea circus flea

The Nostalgia Teen: Top 11 Animated Movies (2011) (TV Episode) # 2

The Nostalgia Chick: Top Ten Disney Deaths (2011) (TV Episode) recalling the death of Hopper.

Steve Jobs: iGenius (2012) A clip is featured.

Disneycember: A Bug's Life (2012) (TV Episode) Footage is shown.

Animation Lookback: Pixar Animation Studios Part 1 (2012) (TV Episode) Film is talked about, clips shown.

Animation Lookback: Pixar Animation Studios Part 6 (2013) (TV Episode) Clip shown.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Copycat Movies (2013) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life is #1 along with Antz.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Greatest Pixar Movies (2013) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life is #10.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Secondary Pixar Characters (2013) (TV Episode) Tuck and Roll are #8.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Primary Pixar Characters (2014) (TV Episode) Flik gets an honorable mention.

The Blockbuster Buster: Robots (2014) (TV Episode) "Oh look, it's that scene from Bug's Life."

WatchMojo: Top 10 Pixar Villains (2014) (TV Episode) Hopper is #4.

AniMat's Classic Reviews: A Bug's Life (2014) (TV Episode) Reviewed, clips shown.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Innuendos in Kids' Movies (2014) (TV Episode) Ladybug Come-on is #9.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Celebrity Voice Actor Performances (2015) (TV Episode) Kevin Spacey as Hopper is #7.

Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong with a Bug's Life in 13 Minutes or Less (2016) (TV Episode) The film is reviewed.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Satisfying Villain Deaths in Disney Movies (2016) (TV Episode) The death of Hopper gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Hilarious Pixar Movie Moments (2016) (TV Episode) Heimlich Turns into a Butterfly is #5.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Hidden Themes in Movies You Totally Missed as a Kid (2016) (TV Episode) Government Control is #6.

MsMojo: Top 10 Animated Movies That Should Get a Sequel (2018) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life is #6.

MsMojo: Top 10 Life Lessons Pixar Movies Have Taught Us (2018) (TV Episode) An honorable mention goes to the lesson "Unique ideas can be the best ones."

WatchMojo: Top 10 Pixar Villains REDUX (2018) (TV Episode) Hopper is #3.

MsMojo: Top 10 Disney Heroes Who Made Things Worse (2018) (TV Episode) Flik is #8.

The Know's Top 10s: Top 10 Pixar Movies (2018) (TV Episode) The #10 pick.

MsMojo: Top 10 Funniest Pixar Movie Characters (2018) (TV Episode) Heimlich is #6.

MsMojo: Top 10 Greatest Pixar Scores (2018) (TV Episode) The score for A Bug's Life gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Greatest Pixar Movie Endings of All Time (2018) (TV Episode) Ant Island Thrives gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Smartest Animated Disney Villains (2018) (TV Episode) Hopper is #6.

MsMojo: Top 10 Disney Movies That NEED a Sequel (2019) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life is #8.

MsMojo: Top 10 Cutest Pixar Movie Couples (2019) (TV Episode) Flik & Princess Atta are #8.

MsMojo: Top 10 Bravest Animated Disney Characters (2019) (TV Episode) Flik gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Best Opening Scenes in Pixar Movies (2019) (TV Episode) The Harvest is #10.

MsMojo: Top 10 Epic Disney Villain Monologues (2019) (TV Episode) Hopper's monologue is #4.

MsMojo: Top 10 Darkest Pixar Movie Moments (2019) (TV Episode) Hopper's Death is #10.

MsMojo: Top 10 Adorable Disney/Pixar Sidekicks (2019) (TV Episode) Dot gets an honorable mention.

Stemmen van Toen: Toy Story (2019) (TV Episode) Clip shown

MsMojo: Top 10 Disney Movies That Dealt with Serious Issues (2019) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life is #10 with tyranny.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Animated Films That Need a Sequel (2019) (TV Episode) A Bug's Life gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Disney Moments That Wouldn't Work Today (2020) (TV Episode) Pollination gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Disney Henchmen Who Aren't Truly Evil (2020) (TV Episode) Molt gets an honorable mention.

MsMojo: Top 10 Sassiest Disney Villains (2020) (TV Episode) Hopper gets an honorable mention.

WatchMojo: Top 10 Times Disney Made Fun of Disney (2020) (TV Episode) Hopper Explaining the Circle of Life is #4.

Animation Lookback: Walt Disney Animation Studios +: Part 10 (2020) (TV Episode) Footage used when Mat brings up the rivalry between this film and Antz.

Spoofs
Seven Samurai (1954) Director Akira Kurosowa is also listed in the credits

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Superman (1978) Dialogue: "It's a bird!"

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Batman (1989)

Spoofed in
Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999) (Video Game) Signs saying "A Bug's Wife"

Shrek (2001)

The Apprentice (2004) (TV Series) Saying You're fired spoofs Tuck and Roll's '' You fired" catchphrase

Robot Chicken: Choked on a Bottle Cap (2013) (TV Episode) parody skit

Sanders Shorts: Disney Pranks with Friends: A Bug's Life Edition (2014) (TV Episode) Thomas makes a prank inspired on the movie. He throws his friend Joan some fake bugs while shouting "I'm a beautiful butterfly!", scaring Joan to death.

Real Artists (2017) (Short) Spoofed in the poster for "Diary of an Ant"