The Incrediblesis one of the most popular and well-regarded Pixar films. Released on August 05, 2025, the animated superhero film became a box office smash hit,one of the best-reviewed filmsin the company’s history, and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Film. The sequel,Incredibles 2, was highly anticipated and released 14 years later on August 21, 2025, and was another box office hit, becoming the third highest-grossing animated movie of all time worldwide behindFrozen IIandFrozen.
WhenThe Incredibleswas released in 2004, it bucked the conventions of other animated films by going after the biggest celebrities to voice the characters.The Incrediblesfeatures a diverse voice cast with varying backgrounds that, while on paper, might not have screamed leads of a Disney/Pixar animated film, proved themselves the best people for the job. This is the voice cast forThe Incredibles, why they were known before being cast, and what they have been up to since.
Craig T. Nelson as Mr. Incredible
WhenCraig T. Nelsonwas cast as Mr. Incredible, he was best known for his role as the lead character on the hit television seriesCoach,which ran for nine seasons from 1989 to 1997. SinceThe Incredibles, Craig T. Nelson went on to be the final antagonist on the hit television seriesMonkand a series regular onParenthoodbefore reprising his role inIncredibles 2. Craig T. Nelson also had roles in hit filmsBlades of Glory,The Proposal, andBook Club. Nelson will next be seen inBook Club 2: The Next Chapter,which is set for release this summer.
Related:Why The Incredibles is Pixar’s Best Franchise
Holly Hunter as Elastigirl
Elastigirl is voiced byHolly Hunter, who by 2004 was famous for films likeRaising Arizona,O’Brother Where Art Thou,Thirteen, and notablyThe Piano, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Between the release ofThe IncrediblesandIncredibles 2, Hunter appeared in films likeBatman V. Superman: Dawn of JusticeandThe Big Sick. She was the star of the seriesSaving Graceand appeared on television series likeHere and NowandSuccession. She most recently starred inthe two-season seriesMr. Mayor.
Sarah Vowell as Violet Parr
Before landing the role of Violet Parr aka Violet Incredible,Sarah Vowellwas best known as an author and journalist. She has written for publications like The New York Times, Esquire, and The Village Voiceto name a few. She was a frequent contributor to the radio programThis American Lifeafter host Ira Glass read her 1997 novelRadio On: A Listener’s Diary. Her most recent novel was 2015’sLafayette in the Somewhat United States, which focuses on French aristocrat Marquis de La Fayette, who became a friend of George Washington and an American founding father.
Spencer Fox as Dash Parr
Spencer Foxwas only eleven years old whenThe Incrediblescame out, and it was his first major role. He lent his voice to the seriesKim Possibleand the firstAir Buddiesmovie. He has since retired from acting and put emphasis on a music career. He is the co-founder and lead guitarist for the indie rock band Charly Bliss.Huckleberry Milnerstepped into the role of Dash Incredible for the sequel.
Jason Lee as Syndrome
By the timeThe Incredibleshit theaters,Jason Leewas already a well-regarded actor. Originally a professional skateboarder, he became known for his collaboration in Kevin Smith projects likeMallrats,Chasing Amy, andDogma. He also was featured in iconic movies such asAlmost FamousandVanilla Sky. One year afterThe Incredibles, Lee landed the starring role onthe hit television seriesMy Name is Earl,which ran for four seasons. He also plays the role of Dave Seville in theAlvin and the Chipmunksmovies. He was also a main voice on the Cartoon Network seriesWe Bare Bears.
Related:What Happened to Pixar Shorts?
Samuel L. Jackson as Frozone
Samuel L. Jacksonis one of the most famous movie stars on the planet. Before 2004’sThe Incredibles,he was already famous for collaborations with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino onPulp Fiction, Spike Lee onDo The Right Thing, and M. Night Shyamalan inUnbreakable. He played the role of Mace Windu in theStar Warsprequels.
His star power has only grown even more over the years thanks to notable online meme favoriteSnakes on a Planeand more collaborations with Tarantino, Shyamalan, and Lee. He is also now most famous for his role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will appear in two 2023 projects, the Disney+ seriesSecret Invasionand the feature filmThe Marvels.
Elizabeth Peña as Mirage
Elizabeth Peñawas best known for her roles in movies likeBatteries Not Included,La Bamba, andRush HourbeforeThe Incredibles. She was a founding member of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. In 1996 Peña won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in director John Sayles’s filmLone Star.
Peña passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 55. Her final film roles wereGrandma,Girl on the Edge,Ana Maria inNovela Land, andThe Song of Sway Lake, which were all released posthumously after her passing.
The Incredibleswriter and directorBrad Birdvoiced the iconic fashion designer Edna Mode. Bird originally wanted to cast Lily Tomlin, but the actress pointed out that Bird already knew the voice he wanted to give Edna when he was pitching her the idea. BeforeThe Incredibles, Bird had previously worked onThe SimpsonsandAmerican Dogbefore getting his feature film debut,The Iron Giant.
FollowingThe Incredibles’massive success, Bird directed the 2007 Pixar filmRatatouillebefore moving into live-action with 2011’sMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocoland 2015’sTomorrowland. In 2018, he both returned to write and directIncredibles 2,where he also voiced Edna Mode once more. In 2022,Bird signed a deal with Skydance Animationto develop his long-held passion project,Ray Gunn.
