Top 10 Pixar Movies
With Pixar's Soul hitting Disney Plus on Christmas, we ranked the best Pixar movies
Has there ever been a movie studio with a higher batting average than Pixar? Since Toy Story, Pixar’s first effort, revolutionized computer animation in 1995, the company has released 22 feature films, capturing hearts and minds worldwide. No one dishes up high-quality entertainment that appeals to both children and adults quite like Pixar. Their movies introduce grown-up concepts to kids while simultaneously making adults feel like a kid again.
With the 23rd Pixar movie, Soul, available to stream Christmas Day on Disney Plus, it was the perfect time for us to unveil our collective Top 10 Pixar movies list. See how we ranked them below, and let us know in the comments or on social media (Twitter or Instagram) what we got right and wrong.
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DYLA’s Top 10 Pixar Movies
Toy Story 3
Billy: Everything about this movie hit at the exact right time. I was preparing to go to college at the same time Andy was going to college and the relationships that I’ve had with these characters have been fleshed out so beautifully. As Andy is leaving for college the toys get mixed up with the garbage pile when they were supposed to be in the attic pile. As a result the toys feel betrayed and begin to move on and jump into the donation bin that is being brought to a local daycare. Woody knows about the mix up and tries to convince the crew to go back to Andy. Once at the daycare we get some hilarious (Spanish Buzz), scary (Big Baby), and noir-like (Chatter Telephone warning Woody) scenes. All of this mixed together gives the most rewarding and entertaining Pixar movie thus far.
Inside Out
Drew: Representing inner emotions via a “control center” in our minds is a brilliant idea that is tricky to pull off, but Inside Out succeeds with exuberance, intelligence, and grace. The voice casting is perfect, with each actor matching up naturally with their emotion (Amy Poehler as Joy, Bill Hader as Fear, Lewis Black as Anger, etc.). Phyllis from The Office plays Sadness, and her character teaches kids (and adults) the importance of sadness within our emotional lives. If you have a beating heart, Inside Out draws unexpected feelings out of it like a rabbit from a hat. This movie is magic.
Toy Story
Billy: Is it fair to say that Toy Story is the most influential movie since 1990? Its success and technological advancement has been felt ever since its release. As film fans we often equate the technological aspect of certain movies as to why it is so influential, but the examples we give are only memorable because the movies are great. Being introduced to Woody, Buzz, and the gang for the first time capitalized on the brilliant premise. Centering it around a frenemies adventure movie allowed the focus to be on our most engaging characters. Through the lens of jealousy, rage, and naivety we get all the laughs and all the chills. Making it easy to go back to this movie time and time again.
WALL-E
Drew: WALL-E was certainly one of Pixar’s biggest risks. The main characters are not humans, animals, or toys; instead, they are two robots that can’t talk, making this their most dialogue-light film. And yet, WALL-E possesses an astonishing amount of vision and heart. With gorgeous animation and a lovely score, this Pixar entry brilliantly balances action scenes with its poignant moments, as well as a surprisingly affecting robot love story between WALL-E and EVE.
Monsters, Inc.
Drew: The Pixar creators hit another home run with the ingenious premise and execution of Monsters, Inc. The smart twist on the story of a monster scare factory that uses children’s screams to power its world is that the monsters are actually just as afraid of the kids as vice versa. This turns the elemental childhood fear of lurking monsters in the closet on its head. With the help of a few expert voice actors like John Goodman (Sully), Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski), and Steve Buscemi (Randall), Monsters, Inc. combines humor for all ages with an unbreakable emotional core between buddies Sully and Mike and the human child (Boo) that they must protect.
Finding Nemo
Billy: This is the most anxiety-filled Pixar movie. If I ever become a father I hope that I am nothing like Marlin and his attempts to protect Nemo. This is because I was like Nemo growing up. Not in the rebellious nature, but the constant eye roll towards any authority restricting what I wanted to do. I often wish that the reaction I had would have led to a crazy adventure like this. Nemo looks at the part of his life that holds him back and takes that to lengths his father has to accept eventually. Finding Nemo does a perfect job showing a child’s first desire for independence and the ride we go on is masterfully shown.
The Incredibles
Drew: Back when superheroes were not yet the center of movie culture, before the Marvel Cinematic Universe or even the start of the Dark Knight trilogy, Pixar introduced us to The Incredibles in 2004. In a world where superheroes are banned, Bob and Helen (Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl) are forced to live in mundane domesticity until they are drawn back into the fight. It’s another example of Pixar showing off their impressive digital animation skills through near non-stop action, while leaving room for laughs and lovable characters along the way.
Coco
Billy: “Seize Your Moment” shows on a monument right before our main character transfers over into this limbo reality that is between the living and the dead. “Seize Your Moment” is a message most people have heard in every context imaginable. Coco takes this universal message and throws it into the context of a family struggling to see the youngest one separate from the family vision. At some point or another most young people want to deviate from the vision our family has for us. That can be small or large, but at some point it comes to a head. Through that conflict and hopefully ultimate resolution comes a bond that is stronger than before. Coco pulls at the heartstrings more than any previous Pixar iteration and for that deserves to be recognized for bringing new life to Pixar at a time when it needed it. And the Back to the Future body fading away reference is always a nice touch…
Incredibles 2
Drew: Released 14 years after the original The Incredibles, the sequel successfully updated its story and visuals. This time it’s Helen that does the crime-fighting during the day, and Bob that stays home with the kids. Writer-director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) is back and he brings the whole cast back with him, including Samuel L. Jackson (as Frozone) and Bob Odenkirk in supporting roles. Just like the original, Incredibles 2 has wit, jokes, and exciting action aplenty. This is a colorful, agile, and thrilling movie that delivers us the emotional beats of a family in crisis, just a family that happens to have superpowers.
Ratatouille
Billy: Ratatouille feels like an allegory for the entire Pixar organization. Remy being the underdog Pixar who is using the clumsy kitchen worker Linguini, Disney in this case, to get to the notoriety that is desired. Remy had the gift of being a chef that can bring joy to everyone, but there is no room for a different and innovative person (or rat) to join this exclusive club. The animation industry was in a bit of a rut when Pixar busted on to the scene and Ratatouille captures the excitement of something that is innovative and new perfectly. Creating a story that is unique to Pixar and a story we haven’t seen since in the animation industry.
Drew’s Top 10:
Inside Out
Toy Story 3
Toy Story
WALL-E
Monsters, Inc.
The Incredibles
Incredibles 2
Coco
Up
Finding Nemo
Billy’s Top 10:
Toy Story 3
Finding Nemo
Inside Out
Toy Story
WALL-E
Monsters, Inc.
Coco
The Incredibles
Ratatouille
Toy Story 2