There are only three P’s that completed our childhood: Pancakes, Playing toys, and PIXAR. For many years now, the beloved animation studio has continuously given us the best-animated films that filled our time as kids. Today, we will be ranking the 10 best Pixar films ever made that surely, at least once in your life, put a smile on your face. Take note that all of these movies are as amazing as the other, and in whatever way you rank them, no one would bat an eye!
Disclaimer: This is a personal ranking of the author. The listing is based on ratings, score, popularity, and effect of the film on the viewers.
10. Ratatouille (2007)
In France, there’s more than just being a rat! Remy, a gifted rat who was misunderstood by his own kind finds an uncanny partnership with an aspiring chef, Alfredo Linguini, as they embark on a journey to concoct the best “Ratatouille” dish in France.
There’s that saying “always follow your dreams”. Remy and Alfredo definitely followed their dreams, and they did it together.
Starring: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy
IMDB score: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
9. Monsters Inc. (2001)
“Mike Wazowski” – Hearing this name already brings back a lot of memories.
The movie is all about monsters who make a living out of scaring children during nighttime. They for sure are monsters but they’re cute, fluffy, colorful, and wazowskiful (is that even a word?). After the successful Buzz Lightyear and Woody team-up in Toy Story, Monsters Inc. followed the same path with Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan, commonly known as Sully.
John Goodman, Billy Crystal, and Steve Buscemi gave their best performance even though it was an animated film. Thank you, Pixar!
Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi
IMDB score: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
8. Coco (2017)
A movie about a Mexican family going on an epic journey in the Afterlife? Heck yeah, I’m in!
Coco is based on the Mexican holiday called Dia de Muertos which means Day of the Dead. The movie features Miguel, the grandson of Coco, who unexpectedly gets a pass to the underworld during the day of the dead. Meanwhile, Miguel
Pixar once again delivers a movie so fantastic and majestic that it gives you chills every time you watch it. The songs are just outright amazing and magical! Some of which is “Remember Me” and “Un Poco Loco”.
And, admit it, you cried during the Mama Coco and Miguel scene, right?
Starring: Anthony Gonzales, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alana Ubach
IMDB score: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
7. The Incredibles (2004)
We have Marvel’s Avengers and we also have DC’s Justice League. And then, there’s Pixar’s ‘The Incredibles’.
It’s hard to argue, but the best superhero film could be an animated movie. Do you not believe this? Well, the Incredibles were the only ones to point out that it’s bad for heroes to wear their most iconic costume – Capes! Thanks to the realistic and practical mind of Edna, the Incredibles feat. Frozone won’t get stuck in a turbine.
In addition, the movie produced some of the best catchphrases like Frozone’s “Hone, where is my suit?” and that random kid yelling “That was wicked!”.
Fun fact: The Incredibles is the all-time highest-grossing Pixar movie with a $1.242 Billion box office income.
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee
IMDB score: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
6. Up (2009)
From Carl and Ellie’s love story to Carl, Russ, Dug (dog), and Kevin’s (the dodo bird) unexpected friendship, ‘Up’ is definitely a hidden gem for Pixar.
The movie revolves around a 78-year-old man named Carl Fredricksen who gets his life changed after a boy scout named Russell encouraged him to pursue his dreams to find the hidden Paradise Island. Along the way, the duo befriends peculiar creatures such as Dug, a talking dog (sort of), and Kevin, a dodo bird that was assumed to be extinct.
Let’s take a moment to thank Pixar for its great animation and wonderful storytelling as they bring this movie to us. Moreover, there’s a thing or two we have to take from Up. It’s that, never meet your heroes, because sometimes, your heroes or idols are worst than what they ought to be.
Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson,Â
IMDB score: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
5. Toy Story 4 (2019)
When you thought Toy Story 3 was the end of the Toy Story franchise, boy, were you wrong!
Toy Story 3 has shown us that looks can be deceiving. Time and time again, we always fall for the wrong people and their antics. What Lotso (the hugging bear) depicted in that movie was the opposite of Toy Story 4’s Forky, a made-up toy from a plastic fork.
Many thought that Toy Story 4 would flop, but jokes on them, it did not. It even reached past the $1 Billion box office gross mark, becoming the 2nd highest earning Pixar movie. And, as usual, Toy Story teaches us the most valuable lessons in life that we didn’t know we have to learn.
Also, Keanu Reeves is in this movie as Doc Kaboom, the daredevil motorbike stunt artist. That alone makes this movie a hundred times better!
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keanu
IMDB score: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
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4. Finding Nemo (2003)
There is no better love than a Father’s love. That’s what Finding Nemo taught us. The beginning of the New Millennium was the time for animated films to bloom. From Toy Story to Monsters Inc, and now, Finding Nemo.
The movie saw the unbounded love of Marlin after his son, Nemo, was caught by a deep diver. While traversing the vast oceans, Marlin won’t stop until he finds Nemo even if it costs his life. The rollercoaster events and breathtaking scenery made this movie a diamond in the rough where movies like Kill Bill, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, and Big Fish came out in the same year as Finding Nemo.
It took 13 years for a second movie titled “Finding Dory” which revolves around the story of Dory, the forgetful fish. However, we still dig it after all these years!
Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe, Alexander Gould
IMDB score: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
3. Inside Out (2015)
I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Is it really possible to cry that much in a movie? Well, Inside Out just proved likewise. The first Pixar movie that tackled mixed emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust), as well as one’s depression, was spectacular. Nobody would have thought Pixar would pull off a film like Inside Out as it almost feels like a dramatic movie instead of the usual butterflies and rainbows type of film Pixar is accustomed to.
The movie follows the sad reality of Riley and her emotions as the preteen tries to hold herself together after moving to a new city with her parents. It’s going to be a rough ride for her which is very relatable for youngsters of her age. Her family is in shambles while Riley is also struggling in other aspects of life.
As an avid fan of Inside Out, we would also like to know if there would be a sequel to this movie. There were some rumors about a second movie, but none really came out to fruition.
Lastly, one of the best scenes in the movie was when Riley’s imaginary friend, Bing Bong, sacrificed himself for Joy so that she may live to save Riley’s memories. In his last words, Bing Bong said “Take her to the moon for me”, which for sure made everyone cry.
Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader
IMDB score: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
2. Toy Story 2 (1999)
The 2nd movie in the Toy Story franchise could arguably be the best in the franchise after it surpassed the prequel by almost $200 Million at the box office.
Following the adventures of Woody, Buzz, and all of Andy’s tots comes the unexpected arrival of Woody’s presumed colleagues. The first movie saw Buzz being delusional that he is a real astronaut not knowing that he is just another toy. In the sequel, Woody finds out he is also a toy inspired by a character of the same name in Woody’s Roundup show. The movie introduced Jessie (the yodeling cowgirl), Bullseye (Woody’s trusty horse), and the hidden villain of the story, Stinky Pete (the Prospector).
As usual, it’s up to Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang joined by Jessie and Bullseye to get rid of Stinky Pete and his evil plans to kidnap Woody.
Moreover, the sequel has slightly better graphics than the first one even though it came out in the late ’90s.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Jim Varney, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
IMDB score: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
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1. Toy Story (1995)
Some say it’s Toy Story 2. Others think that it’s Toy Story 4. But, deep down inside, you know that the best Pixar (and Toy Story) movie was the first one in the franchise. It always has been, and it always will be.
After a toy cowboy doll (Woody) feels threatened with the arrival of Andy’s newest toy, Buzz Lightyear, the whole squad is put in a tight spot and their very existence might be in danger. Follow all of Andy’s toys as they try to fight off the bully Sid while also not letting Andy know that his toys are alive. Woody and Buzz will form an unbreakable bond that will last a lifetime.
This film cemented the legacy of Pixar and became the golden standard for animated films going forward. More than 25 years have passed, but Toy Story still holds a special place in the heart of many kids and adults that are young at heart.
Fun fact: Did you know that Toy Story (1995) is the first feature-length computer-animated film in movie history? If not, well, you do now!
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Jim Varney, Don Rickles
IMDB score: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Aside from our top 10 list, we’re also picking some honorable mentions:
- Soul (2020)
- Wall-E (2010)
- Toy Story 3 (2008)
- Cars (2006)
What do you think of our list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times. Â
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