While earlier Pixar films focused on toys, bugs, and monsters, 'The Incredibles' was the first to feature a cast of entirely human characters. This was a massive technical hurdle because audiences are highly sensitive to 'unnatural' human movement (the Uncanny Valley). Directed by Brad Bird, the film grossed $633 million. To make the characters look appealing, Pixar developed new software to simulate muscles, skin, and especially hair. It was also one of the first animated films to capture the 'superhero' aesthetic with a serious tone, influencing the way live-action superhero blockbusters would eventually handle family dynamics and mid-life crises.