I rewatched A Bug's Life recently. I haven't seen it in literally over twenty years. It has a story about being true to yourself, finding your way, worker explotation, bullying, etc but it's nothing too deep for a film, especially a family film.
It felt refreshing. It's not a tearjerker. It doesn't have a super strong commentary about life. It's just a fun film to watch.
As a kid, I always wanted a sequel. I would think "Why did Toy Story get so many sequels and not it?". As an adult, I realize there's really no need for a sequel. It's self-contained. Pixar could do stuff set in the bug's world or make shorts about the circus bugs, but there's no need.
Pixar struggles with the weight of their success. Everyone expects their films to be top-tier, 10/10. They have a reputation for some of the best CGI animation in the industry, and some of the sweetest family geared films as well. Pixar films not seen as Oscar Bait art films, but their films are known for being impactful.
But not every studio can make bangers all the time. Their films can't all be roaring successes. Even if their films are great, not all of them can be as emotionally investing as "Soul" or "Toy Story 2".
When their films fail to meet expectations, it's noticeable. No one talks about "A Good Dinosaur". "Brave" and "Cars" are highly controversial amongst Disney-Pixar fans as well.
Everyone expects Pixar to release a certain type of film. They have different expectations than other studios like DreamWorks Animation, Blue Sky, or even Disney itself. Not all their films can meet this expectation.
Pixar's bar is too high for their own good. They've been a gold standard for animated films for decades now.