Your Favorite Pixar Movies Ranked from Worst to Best

Since 1995, Pixar has captivated us with 27 unforgettable stories and top-notch animation. Since each film resonated differently with viewers, everyone has their favorite. Therefore, ranking them is challenging as most are top-quality films. From their breakthrough ‘Toy Story’ to the most recent feature film ‘Elementals,’ here’s every movie from America’s most famous animation company.

Cars 3 (2017)

‘Cars 3’ is last on this list as it’s the only Pixar film to receive a “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Mater takes a back seat here while Lightning faces new rivals on the track. Compared to its predecessor, Cars 3 feels like a lackluster imitation of familiar concepts; it lacks the desired spark and falls short of any significant achievements.

Lightyear (2022)

‘Lightyear’ disappoints fans by playing it safe and missing the mark on capturing the ’90s nostalgia that made Buzz Lightyear famous. Although the animation and humor were impressive, the movie needed to deliver a captivating origin story for the iconic character.

Cars 2 (2011)

Larry, the Cable Guy, brought a unique down-to-earth quality to the character in ‘Cars,’ adding depth and a touch of genuine emotion to the regular guy persona. Many fans believe turning Tow Mater into a spy in a James Bond-style spoof was not the best move. Although ‘Cars 2’ was stunning, the rusty storytelling still seeps right through.

Elemental (2023)

Despite having the dazzling visuals of Pixar movies, Elemental feels like Disney put all the creativity into the looks. While the film explored tolerance as Ember, a fire element, teams up with Wade, a water element, to save their city, it needed more depth in the love story aspect.

The Good Dinosaur (2015)

‘The Good Dinosaur’ depicts dinosaurs in an alternate Earth, following a young apatosaurus on a journey. Unlike its successful predecessors, the film struggled with story issues and production delays and was overshadowed by negative attention.

Brave (2012)

Pixar attempted to address its lack of female protagonists in the late 2000s, but the result felt rushed and more like a reaction to criticism than a well-crafted adventure. While the storyline had the potential to be more, the comedic tone in this film seemed mismatched compared to early Dreamworks movies.

Monsters University (2013)

Many viewers were eager to witness how Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) first bonded during college. However, ‘Monsters University’ fails to justify its existence as a prequel. Thankfully, the film entertained viewers with its mix of heart and comedy.

A Bug’s Life (1998)

Only a few fans will favor ‘Antz’ over its competitor in the animated insect genre. This delightful tale, more child-centric than its counterpart, remains a charming and innocent creation. Unlike classics like ‘The Incredibles or ‘Toy Story,’ it may not become a go-to for adults, but it earns praise for Phyllis Diller’s portrayal of the ant queen.

Onward (2019)

Throughout the first half of ‘Onward,’ a sense of unease creeps in as the movie’s basic premise struggles to support uninspired characters and a predictable quest plot. Fans say the film is undercooked as it barely evoked an emotional response.

Luca (2021)

‘Luca’ explores the friendship between sea monsters and teens in the human world. Unlike other feature films created to dazzle, it takes a subtler approach, delving into emotional themes, including alienation and humor. ‘Luca’ isn’t the first film you’d show to someone who has never seen a Pixar movie.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

The sequel, set right after ‘The Incredibles,’ faces a different movie landscape from 14 years ago. Superhero films are now common, and others have imitated Pixar’s original family animation style, making it harder for them. ‘Incredibles 2’ may not have the same wow factor as the prequel, but it still delivers top-tier entertainment.

Finding Dory (2016)

Thirteen years later, the sequel ‘Finding Dory’ proved to be an impressive follow-up to ‘Finding Nemo,’ showcasing concepts of family and self-discovery. Director Andrew Stanton expanded the original movie’s scope with heartfelt storytelling and memorable characters like a gruff octopus voiced by Ed O’Neill.

Cars (2006)

2006, Pixar faced expected criticism after a decade of continuous feature films. Regardless, they still released ‘Cars,’ a heartwarming comedy set in a world of living cars. This nostalgic movie reflects on lost small-town values and the impact of progress. Despite its mixed reviews, this film remains a favorite for a generation of car enthusiasts.

Up (2009)

For most, the first scene that comes to mind is the captivating scene of the balloon lifting the house. Yet, the real emotional depth lies in the backstory of Carl and Ellie. Although it started well with a touching beginning, ‘Up’ unfortunately fell off due to the typical l mix of the charming child and a cute dog against a predictable villain.

Soul (2020)

‘Soul’ rebounded Pixar from disappointment, delivering a striking tale about a jazz musician navigating the afterlife. Unlike ‘Up,’ it’s more light-hearted than mournful. Despite falling short of preset standards because of its scattered plot and a goofy cat subplot, the movie still finished strong.

Turning Red (2022)

The success of this film owes much to the fresh batch of young directors at Pixar. These guys were raised on ‘Toy Story’ and wanted to deliver the quality they first fell in love with but in a unique way. ‘Turning Red’ is a successful allegory of the challenges of adolescence, especially the pressures girls face around emotions.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

In any Pixar ranking, where ‘Monsters, Inc.’ stands comes down to your tolerance for Billy Crystal’s wit. As a platform for Crystal’s comedic style, the movie pairs his Mike Wazowski character with the lovable Sulley. It highlights the charm of contrasting adult characters with an adorable child, keeping the pace lively with a thrilling finale.

Coco (2017)

Pixar is known for portraying families, and they didn’t miss ‘Coco,’ a film that beautifully told the story of Miguel’s passion for music against his family’s strict ban. With stunning visuals and a vibrant cultural backdrop, it takes viewers on a magical journey of redemption and forgiveness, setting itself apart from other hits.

Ratatouille (2007)

This movie ventured into an art-inspired narrative starring a rat with exceptional culinary skills in Paris. This film is a heartwarming tale with fun and insightful themes. Although ‘Ratatouille’ is not as intense as other hits, it remains charming and engaging, marking a successful chapter for the studio post-Oscar.

Toy Story 4 (2019)

It’s safe to expect that ‘Toy Story 4’ may not reach the heights of the previous films in the franchise, but it still manages to impress. Somehow, Pixar defied concerns about sequel fatigue by delivering heartfelt moments, humor, and exploring the true meaning of love.

Inside Out (2015)

Amy Poehler’s character Joy in ‘Inside Out’ resonates with Leslie Knope from ‘Parks & Recreation,’ giving positive vibes. The movie’s emotional depth is remarkable, with lessons on embracing all feelings, especially Bing Bong’s heartbreaking storyline.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

It’s difficult to rank the ‘Toy Story’ films, as they are all fantastic, so there was much debate about this. While any choice is good, the third movie in the franchise would do just fine in number 6. The plot feels more familiar than usual, and the ending is a powerful tearjerker.

The Incredibles (2004)

Director Brad Bird’s transition to live-action blockbusters seemed inevitable, given the exciting and captivating nature of this American animated action film. A fifth ‘Transformers’ movie wouldn’t be a problem if more movies emulated this. ‘The Incredibles’ makes the top 5 due to its efficient storytelling:

WALL-E (2008)

After much debate, ‘WALL-E’ made our top five for being Pixar’s most innovative and daring movie. Even critics considered it a masterclass in visual storytelling because the initial 30 minutes portray Earth’s demise and humanity’s decline without a single word. The film is one of their finest works, considering how the profound view of humanity’s potential inspired viewers.

Toy Story 2 (1999)

‘Toy Story 2′ could have been a total disaster because Disney’s Pixar executives first created it for direct-to-DVD before hastily reworking it for a theatrical release. Nonetheless, the film expanded the characters’ world and deepened themes from the prequel while maintaining its heartfelt essence.

Finding Nemo (2003)

Director Andrew Stanton aimed to make a film set in the ocean while addressing his issues about being an overprotective father. This unique mix created the striking tale of a worried clownfish searching for his lost son. ‘Finding Nemo’ delivers a powerful message about letting children chart their paths.

Toy Story (1995)

After much debate, we settled on our top choice: the standout humor of the 1990s and the archetype for all subsequent studio hits. Every other Pixar movie comes from this inaugural film with genuine emotions, thrilling action scenes, and a handful of playful and clever chuckles. This film is our number one pick!