Since Toy Story, Pixar has gone on to release a number of timeless movies that appeal to both children and adults. Aside from catering to kids with animated personalities that have now become iconic Disney characters, the Pixar films transcend generations and pull at heartstrings with their moving storylines. The flicks teach important life lessons and share uplifting messages, while taking moviegoers to new worlds, from the depths of the big blue sea to infinity and beyond. While the animation studios’ movies are each special in their own way, there are some that rank higher than others in our book. Here is the complete list of Pixar movies, ranked!
1. Toy Story
No surprise, the film that started it all clocks in at No. 1 on our list. The movie kickstarted the popular franchise and introduced Disney fans to Woody, a cowboy toy beloved by his owner Andy. When space ranger Buzz Lightyear arrives to the scene, Woody feels threatened. After the pair gets separated from Andy, the two unlikely pals have to work together to get back to their owner.
2. Up
Retired balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen refused to sell his home and move into a retirement facility after his wife’s passing. Instead, the widower decided to tie thousands of balloons to his home and fulfill his lifelong dream of exploring South America. However, there’s a stowaway…a young Wilderness Explorer named Russell, who joins Carl on his adventure up in the sky.
3. Monsters, Inc.
Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan work together at Monsters Incorporated, where monsters scare children to collect their screams in order to power their city Monstropolis. The friends’ lives get turned upside down when a human child, dubbed Boo by Sulley, enters their world via a closet door.
4. Finding Nemo
Marlin is a fearful clownfish who is overly protective of his son Nemo. When Nemo gets captured by divers, Marlin is forced to step outside his comfort zone to find his son. The doting dad travels across the ocean with his new friend Dory meeting plenty of other sea creatures along the way.
5. Toy Story 2
In the sequel, Buzz and Andy’s toys embark on a mission to rescue Woody after he gets stolen at a garage sale by the owner of Al’s Toy Barn. At Albert “Al” McWhiggin’s apartment, Woody learns that he is a valuable collector’s toy from an old TV program called Woody’s Roundup. Woody will have to decide whether he returns home to Andy or stay with his new friends, Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the Horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector.
6. Wall-E
Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class (WALL-E) is the last robot on earth, which is no longer occupied by humans. Lonely WALL-E has been cleaning the trash-covered planet for hundreds of years, but finds a new purpose when he meets a sleek robot named EVE, whom he falls in love with and follows across the galaxy.
7. Coco
In Coco, Miguel wants to be a musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz, but his family has a generations-old ban on music. After he is magically transported to the colorful Land of the Dead on Día de los Muertos, Miguel seeks the help of a deceased relative to make it back to the Land of the Living before sunrise and uncovers the truth about his family’s history.
8. The Incredibles
Bob Parr longs for the glory days as superhero Mr. Incredible. He and wife Helen, AKA Elastigirl, were forced to hang up their suits after the government initiated the Superhero Relocation Program following lawsuits against heroes. Now 15 years later, the couple is living “normal” lives with their kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. When an opportunity to get back into the hero game presents itself, Bob jumps at the chance, but will need the help of his family to save the day.
9. Inside Out
In Inside Out, Riley’s life changes when she moves from the Midwest to San Francisco for her dad’s new job. Residing in the control center inside her mind, Riley’s emotions, Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness, help with her transition, but Joy and Sadness get vacuumed out and wind up in the long-term memory storage. They’ll have to journey back to Headquarters with Riley’s Core Memories, because without Joy present, Riley can’t be happy.
10. Toy Story 3
With Andy getting ready to go to college, his toys, minus Woody, are heading to the attic. However, the bag they’re in gets mistaken for trash and ends up on the curb. Believing their owner no longer wants them, Buzz and the gang decide to jump into a donation box for Sunnyside Daycare. While their new home initially seems great, they quickly learn that playtime with toddlers is “strenuous,” so they plan to escape.
11. Ratatouille
Remi is a rat who dreams of becoming a chef and has the opportunity to do so in Paris when he helps a garbage boy named Linguini cook at Gusteau’s restaurant. The “Little Chef” gets the chance to show off his culinary skills when food critic Anton Ego dines at the French eatery.
12. Cars
Lighting McQueen was heading to California to race in the Piston Cup Championship, before getting lost and ending up in Radiator Springs, a small town on Route 66. The hotshot car learns there is more than life in the fast lane after befriending the rundown town’s eccentric residents.
13. Toy Story 4
In the final Toy Story film, Bonnie takes Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang, along with her spork-turned-craft-project called Forky, who does not believe he is a toy, on a family road trip. Every time Forky tries to escape, Woody chases after him, even when Forky jumps out of their RV. An unexpected detour on their way back to Bonnie leads to a reunion between Woody and an old, dear friend.
14. Finding Dory
After remembering her parents are “out there somewhere,” forgetful blue tang Dory sets out to find her family. Marlin and Nemo join Dory, who suffers from short-term memory loss, on her quest across the ocean to the Jewel of Morro Bay, California.
15. Monsters University
Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan weren’t always best friends. Back when they were freshmen at Monsters University, the pair couldn’t stand each other. In an effort to get back into the Scare Program after getting kicked out, Mike and Sulley compete with a group of misfit monsters in the annual Scare Games and learn to overcome their differences.
16. Onward
In Onward, teenage elf Ian Lightfoot receives an unexpected present on his birthday that takes him and his older brother Barley on a quest aboard Barley’s van Guinevere, to bring their late father back for one day.
17. A Bug’s Life
To save his colony from the grasshoppers after one of his inventions goes wrong, inventive ant Flik recruits bugsto protect Ant Island. As it turns out, the bugs aren’t warriors, but a circus troupe!
18. Brave
Scottish King Fergus and Queen Elinor’s daughter Merida wants her freedom. Chaos ensues in the kingdom after the fiery teen defies an age-old custom. The royal archer turns to a witch to help her change her fate, but Merida will have to break the beastly curse before it’s too late.
19. The Incredibles 2
Picking up where the first film wrapped, in the sequel, the Incredibles are back and one family member’s superpowers are emerging. Bob and Helen Parr agree to partake in Winston Deavor’s plan to change the public’s perceptions about superheroes to hopefully make them legal again. While his wife Elastigirl leads the campaign to bring Supers back into the spotlight, Mr. Incredible faces his own challenges watching his kids at home.
20. The Good Dinosaur
In a world where humans and dinosaurs coexist, The Good Dinosaur is centered around Arlo, a sheltered Apatosaurus. After falling into a river, Arlo gets separated from his family and makes an unlikely friend, an orphaned human boy, whom he calls Spot. The timid dinosaur will learn how to confront his fears as he journeys home.
21. Cars 3
In Cars 3, Lightning McQueen finds himself pushed out of racing thanks to a new generation of racers. To get back on the track, the world champion will need help from a young racing technician and a little inspiration from an old friend.
22. Cars 2
Lightning McQueen and Mater head overseas to compete in the first World Grand Prix. The road to the championship isn’t smooth with Mater getting caught up in international espionage. In the mood to watch a Disney movie now?15 of the best animated films are available on Disney+!
