Pixar movies comfort me and they are sort of like a guilty-pleasure me.
Inside Out 2 is out right now and it is the biggest movie of 2024. The film also somehow made its way onto my Top 10 Favourite Movies of 2024 list. After watching Inside Out 2 I thought it was time to rank all 28 Pixar movies.
Apart from The Lion King and Shrek 2, there is no animated film I love more than Inside Out and after the film’s sequel’s success, I want to share my honest opinion on all the movies released by Pixar. Out of all 28 films, Lightyear is the only one I don’t care for and that I have no desire to ever finishe it. Anyway, here I go.
28. Lightyear
There’s nothing anyone can say or do to make me want to watch this. I love the Buzz Lightyear character, but only the toy. I’ve seen scenes of this film, I tried to watch it but I really don’t care for it,
27. Cars 2
I don’t know what the filmmakers were thinking when they pitched this movie, but they obviously weren’t thinking about making the best animated film. The movie isn’t all bad, but it’s not all good either.
26. The Good Dinosaur
The Good Dinosaur isn’t a bad film, it just feels a little generic. There’s nothing special about it and the animation style isn’t exactly Oscar-worthy. It’s a forgettable movie, but it does have some excellent voice acting. I bet there are die-hard fans of this movie out there.
25. Cars 3
Cars 3 is the sequel Cars 2 needed to be, unfortunately it was just too little too late. It is a good movie, but then again I’ve never really been a fan of the Cars franchise. This was one of those movies that my friends loved and I can see why.
24. Finding Dory
I feel like this was an unnecessary sequel, but it’s still a fantastic film. It would’ve worked better as a TV show, but then again it is one of the highest grossing animated movies of all-time, I’m just not its biggest fan.
23. Cars
Like I said, I’m not the biggest cars fan, but I do like the original. It’s a great concept, but at the time Pixar had so many great films, that it just kind of felt underwhelming. I do love the voice cast and who knows I might appreciate a fourth movie in the franchise more.
22. A Bug’s Life
I agree that this movie movie is underrated and it was awesome for its time. Along with Toy Story, it forever changed animated movies. It’s a fun film, but it just doesn’t have the magic of other Pixar films. They can always follow it up with a TV show to further expand the universe.
21. Luca
Luca came out at the wrong time. It was right in the middle of the pandemic and I didn’t get to watch it then. It’s a beautiful story about trying to fit in when you’re different. I loved the setting, but the plot didn’t seem completely original.
20. Brave
I don’t remember much about this movie, and I should definitely re-watch it. It feels like the first action-action adventure Pixar movie. The setting was something new and apart from The Incredibles, it focused on humans and not personifications of humans.
19. Monster’s University
This is a funny movie and I’m glad that Pixar chose to do a prequel instead of a sequel. I can’t say much about this movie, because it didn’t move me as much emotionally, but I still had a lot of fun with it.
18. The Incredibles 2
The first Incredibles movie is a classic and maybe the time between the two films was the issue, but this one just didn’t have that spark. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fantastic movie and I love it, but it felt like it came out too late.
17. Monsters, Inc.
I’m one of the few people who only got to watch this as an adult and I think I appreciate it more because of that. It’s a beautiful film and it was a great start to the expanding Pixar universe. Mike Wazowski is now a meme god.
16. Elemental
I feel like I like Elemental more than other people, but who cares it is awesome. Its animation is amazing and the story was beautiful. It actually had me in tears a few times. I feel like this movie deserves more recognition.
15. Turning Red
I loved Turning Red, but apparently not as much as everyone else. I can admit that I wasn’t the target audience for this movie, but I do think it is a necessary film. Not only does it perfectly balance it’s subject matter with amazing Asian culture, but it’s also really funny.
14. Toy Story 4
The movie none of us asked for, but we all still adore. Toy Story 3 was the perfect ending and somehow Pixar chose to continue the story. I love this film and I do think it perfectly ended Woody’s story. I’m excited to see where the toys go next.
13. Onward
Onward is special to me because of my relationship with my parents, especially my dad. This movie had me in tears and it’s also one of the funniest Pixar movies ever. Chris Pratt and Tom Holland are amazing together and I kind of hope it gets a sequel.
12. Finding Nemo
Yes, Finding Nemo is an amazing movie, but it just doesn’t feel that special to me. I never got the hype, even though I do enjoy the film. I’ve seen it several times and to me it’s just a funny movie about fish trying to find another fish.
11. Soul
Soul directly spoke to my soul. This film is more for adults than for kids, Pixar really got me all up in my feelings with this one. I think the combination of good storytelling with jazz music hit me harder than I expected. It really is a beautiful look at the human soul.
10. Toy Story
The Film that started it all. I didn’t get to watch Toy Story right off the bat like everyone else, so I don’t have have this deep-seeded emotional connection to it. I do however still love it and I think it’s one of the best animated films of all time.
9. WALL-E
This is seen as one of the best animated films of all time and I can see why. It’s beautiful, iconic, original, funny and it has a lovable lead character. It has everything going for it and I think it definitely deserves a top 10 spot.
8. Toy Story 2
This same emotional attachment applies for me as with the first movie. I do however have a new attachment to this film. It is near-perfect and I can watch it over and over again. This movie is what keeps drawing me back to the Toy Story franchise.
7. Inside Out 2
People have this movie a lot lower on their lists and I just don’t get why. Yes, it’s not as great as the first one but it’s a worthy sequel. It is as beautiful and vulnerable as the first one. I guess the movie spoke directly to me, because I’ve struggled with bad anxiety.
6. Ratatouille
It kind of hurts not having this movie in my top 5, but I think it’s pretty much interchangeable with number 5. Any movie about food is an A+ in my books and Ratatouille might actually be my favourite chef movie. It’s funny and inspiring.
5. Up
Up wins because of it’s first 20 minutes. Who would’ve thought that the best love story ever written would be part of a Pixar film? And even without the the opening sequence, it’s still one of my most beloved movies. Each character sort of represents a part of personality.
4. Coco
The music, the culture, the lore… It’s all so beautifully depicted in this film. If there’s one Pixar movie I can watch over and over, then it is Coco. This movie has had a big impact on me and the funny thing is, I watched it for the first time this year.
3. The Incredibles
One more movie that influenced my love for superheroes and dare I say this is one of the best superhero movies of all time. The first DVD I ever bought was this movie, so I watched it over and over again on Fridays. I remember inviting my friends over so we can all enjoy what is now a top 3 Pixar movie for me.
2. Toy Story 3
This should’ve been the end of the franchise. Never in the history of film did I ever expect a perfect ending for beloved characters, but this was it. This is hands down one of the best sequel films in all of cinema. It was beautiful and a part of me is happy we get to have more Toy Story.
1. Inside Out
One of the best films ever made. The way this movie personifies emotions is sheer perfection. I can’t think of another movie that made me understand the human mind and emotions more than this one. This is the movie I’m going to raise my kids on. This is the movie that I will defend as one of the best animated movies of all-time.
