Pixar Movies: RANKED
- Jun 26
- 9 min read
Okay, so here’s the deal: I’ve been a huge Pixar fan from the beginning—since that damn lamp bounced its way into our lives back in the late '80s. With the release of Elio, I thought it was high time to rank every one of their feature films leading up to the new one. All 28 of them. In order of my personal preference.
Now look, we all know the history: Pixar started as part of Lucasfilm’s computer division in the late '70s, got a major boost when Steve Jobs stepped in and made it its own company in 1986, and then changed animation history forever in 1995 with Toy Story—the first feature-length computer-animated movie.
That movie didn’t just break ground technically, it reshaped what we thought animated films could be. And since then? They’ve delivered a pretty astonishing mix of heartfelt masterpieces, wildly creative oddities, cash-grab sequels, and a few misfires along the way.
Since becoming part of Disney in 2006, Pixar’s had highs that earned them Oscars (Up, Inside Out, WALL-E, Soul, Coco) and lows that had people scratching their heads (The Good Dinosaur, Cars 1, 2, & 3… yikes). But even at their lowest, Pixar still swings for the fences.
They take big risks. They care about character. They care about story. And more than any other studio, Pixar aims to make you laugh and ugly cry in the span of 90 minutes.
I’ve seen all the films. Some multiple times. Some way more than multiple times. And I’ve put together a ranking of all 28 Pixar features based on my taste, my reactions, and my memories of watching them. Your list might look different, and that’s cool. But this one? This is straight from me.
So let’s celebrate the studio that gave us talking toys, cooking rats, superhero families, emotions with emotions, and existential jazz-playing blobs. Here it is...
My Definitive Ranking of Every Pixar Movie.
PIXAR RANKED:
By far my favorite Pixar movie of all time. The animation? Spectacular. Beautiful. But it’s the story, the emotion, and the artistry that make WALL-E magical. Andrew Stanton’s direction is precise and poetic, and the first 45 minutes — virtually wordless — are a masterclass in visual storytelling. It’s pure cinema.
And listen, I cry every single time. WALL-E’s longing, his love for EVE, his solitary routine — all of it is so heartfelt, so moving, and yet also really funny and charming. It’s proof that Pixar can mix high concept sci-fi with deep emotional resonance, and make it work like gangbusters.
Who would've thought the third Toy Story would end up being the best? I wasn’t expecting much — did we really need a third installment? But wow, was I wrong. This is a deeply moving film that crescendos to one of the most beautiful, devastating endings Pixar has ever given us.
It’s funny, visually dazzling, and full of action — but most importantly, it made me cry my eyes out. The farewell scene? The incinerator scene? Forget it. Tears galore. It’s a masterstroke of emotional storytelling and Pixar firing on all cylinders.
This might be a controversial ranking — but I don’t care. I love A Bug’s Life. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and gorgeously animated. John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton delivered an underdog story that’s as fun and vibrant now as it was in 1998.
The voice work is killer, the characters are unique and memorable, and the whole “seven samurai with bugs” storyline works. Plus, it blew that pretentious Antz movie out of the water. Sorry, Z.
An absolute stunner. Inside Out is clever, imaginative, and deeply human. It’s about growing up, emotional complexity, and accepting sadness as part of life. And it’s also riotously funny and inventive.
The voice performances are top-tier. The concepts — like the train of thought, the memory balls, Bing Bong — are genius. This movie is pure Pixar magic, and yes, I cried. Again.
Brad Bird knocked it out of the park with this one. A superhero movie that’s also a meditation on family, conformity, and purpose. Plus, it’s just incredibly fun. The animation is slick, the score by Michael Giacchino is perfection, and every action scene is thrilling.
It’s also really emotional and grounded. The Parr family feels real, even when they’re stretching and turning invisible and racing at the speed of sound. One of Pixar’s most complete and rewatchable films.
If you’re not openly weeping 15 minutes into Up, you might not be human. That opening montage is devastating — a whole life, a love story, told through music and visuals alone. And it’s just the beginning.
The rest of the movie is a wild adventure filled with talking dogs, giant birds, airships, and the grumpiest and most lovable old man ever. It’s inventive, funny, and tender. A true Pixar gem.
Here’s a rare thing: a sequel that actually improves on the original. Toy Story 2 deepens the characters, expands the universe, and ups the emotional stakes — and it’s hilarious.
Woody’s origin story, Jesse’s heartbreak, the whole “airport chase” finale — it’s all gold. The voice work is perfect, and by this point, these characters had become beloved icons. It’s fantastic.
Pete Docter created a world that’s both bizarre and brilliant. Monsters harvesting screams for energy? Genius. Add in the lovable Sully and the wisecracking Mike Wazowski, and you’ve got one of Pixar’s most endearing duos.
The animation was groundbreaking at the time — those fur textures! — and the story has heart, laughs, and originality in spades. Great for kids and grown-ups alike.
The one that started it all. A true game-changer. Toy Story was the first full-length computer-animated film, and it showed the world what was possible. But more importantly, it told a great story with memorable characters.
Woody and Buzz became instant icons. The voice work, the script, the world-building — all phenomenal. Pixar came out swinging and never looked back.
Visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and laugh-out-loud funny. Finding Nemo is a sea-spanning adventure with unforgettable characters and top-notch voice acting from Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres.
It’s got scares (those sharks!), heartfelt moments, and an incredible score. Andrew Stanton nailed it, delivering another Pixar classic with a perfect mix of heart and humor.
Brad Bird came back swinging with a sequel that didn’t disappoint. Incredibles 2 brings back the fun, the family dynamics, and the fantastic action. Jack-Jack alone nearly steals the whole movie.
It may not top the original, but it stands tall on its own as a smart, fast-paced, and funny follow-up. Great voice work, slick animation — and it proves there’s still gas in the superhero family tank.
This one was a surprise. I went in with low expectations — the trailers made it look like a Inside Out rehash. But it turns out Elemental is a funny, charming, and emotionally resonant film all its own.
The visuals are beautiful, the voice work is great, and the story has real heart. It’s a lovely film about identity, connection, and emotion, and one of Pixar’s more pleasant late-era surprises.
Another surprise — and a sequel that almost reaches the heights of its predecessor. Inside Out 2 expands the emotional cast in smart ways (Anxiety is a standout), and deepens the themes of adolescence.
It’s heartfelt, funny, and clever, with moments that really shine. It didn’t feel like a cash grab — it felt like a worthy continuation, and that’s high praise for any sequel.
Did we need this? Probably not. But Toy Story 4 is still a solid film. It brings back old friends, gives Woody a thoughtful arc, and introduces Forky — one of the weirdest, most lovable characters Pixar’s created.
It’s the weakest of the four Toy Story films, but that’s still a high bar. It’s not essential, but it’s warm, well-made, and enjoyable.
A solid sequel that doesn’t quite reach Nemo heights, but still delivers. Ellen DeGeneres leads the way as Dory, and the voice cast is top-notch.
It’s got humor, adventure, and moments of genuine emotion. While it may lack the originality of the first, it’s still a crowd-pleasing and entertaining return to the deep.
Original, edgy, and a fresh take on puberty from a girl’s perspective — something we don’t see enough in animated films. Turning Red is bold, weird, and full of personality.
It doesn’t always hit every note, but its honesty, humor, and style make it one of Pixar’s most unique efforts. Definitely stands out from the pack.
A beautiful film with incredible music and a heartfelt story about family and memory. Coco explores Mexican culture with reverence and style, and visually, it’s a stunner.
It didn’t hit me as hard emotionally as some of Pixar’s other films, but the music — especially “Remember Me” — is fantastic. A very good movie, just not in my personal upper echelon.
Released at the height of COVID, Soul is deep, existential, and gorgeously crafted. The jazz score is incredible, and the voice acting is excellent.
But the release timing (streaming instead of theaters) and its cerebral themes made it feel less impactful than it could have been. Still, an ambitious and thought-provoking piece of work.
This one got dumped on, but I liked it more than most. Sure, it’s not perfect — but as a Buzz origin story, it works on its own terms. It’s flawed, but it’s also entertaining.
The sci-fi vibes, the visuals, and some of the action sequences are solid. Not Toy Story level, obviously, but it doesn’t deserve the hate it got.
Another film that got sideswiped by the pandemic. Onward has charm, some solid world-building, and a nice emotional payoff.
The elf-brothers story is cute, the voice cast (Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) is strong, but overall, it’s one of Pixar’s lesser efforts. Good, but not great.
A sea monster coming-of-age story with some nice animation and a few sweet moments — but ultimately, Luca left me a little cold.
There’s some whimsy, some decent jokes, but not a lot of depth. It’s okay. Just not one I revisit or think about much.
Yes, yes, I know this one is a fan favorite. But I’ve never been into Ratatouille. It’s not that funny, the characters don’t work for me, and I found the whole “rat in a chef’s hat” bit more irritating than charming.
Peter O’Toole’s speech is great, sure — but that’s about it for me. I know I’m in the minority, but this one just never clicked.
This Scottish adventure felt a little flat. The animation is okay, and the voice cast is strong, but the story never grabbed me.
It has its moments, and it’s nice to have a female protagonist — but it’s ultimately a dull, forgettable outing from Pixar.
I’ve never liked the Cars series. The first one is the best of the three, but that’s not saying much. The story is recycled, the characters are flat, and the humor is mostly for kids.
Pixar’s weakest franchise, hands down. And it all started here.
A spy thriller starring Mater? No thanks. Cars 2 ditches what little heart the first film had in favor of noisy, shallow action.
It’s loud, it’s bland, and it’s totally forgettable.
The third Cars movie was supposed to be a return to form — but it’s just more of the same. Slightly more emotional, but still not engaging.
I watched it. I barely remember it. That about sums it up.
The biggest drop in quality from a Pixar original to a sequel, ever. Monsters Inc. is charming, inventive, and full of heart. Monsters University is... none of those things.
It’s bland, unfunny, and lacks the emotional punch of the first film. What a letdown.
Easily the worst Pixar movie. The animation isn’t even that good, the story is recycled and one-note, and it just feels like a cash grab.
Pixar is usually about heart, creativity, and care. This one is about dinosaurs and dollar signs. Avoid it.
So, there it is.....Pixar. Just saying the name brings to mind tears, laughter, unforgettable characters, and groundbreaking animation. Over the decades, they’ve given us cinematic experiences that transcend “just kids’ movies.”
They've made us cry over lost toys, talking fish, imaginary friends, and even... a lonely trash-compacting robot in love with a sleek space probe.
Now, were there misfires? Of course. (The Good Dinosaur, I’m looking at you... from a very safe distance.) But at their best — which, let’s be honest, is very often — Pixar creates movies that not only dazzle the eyes but punch you straight in the heart. And sometimes the gut. And always the tear ducts.
These rankings are mine — from the soaring brilliance of WALL-E to the “you tried” energy of Cars 3. You might agree, you might think I’ve completely lost my mind putting A Bug’s Life that high (I haven’t, by the way) — but that’s the beauty of Pixar: there’s something for everyone. And everybody has a favorite.
So fire up your streaming service or pop in that dusty Blu-ray. Revisit some of these masterpieces (or finally give that rat chef a second chance... or not). Because Pixar, even with its ups and downs, remains one of the most magical storytelling studios of our time.
And that’s the way I see it — with a tear in my eye, popcorn in hand, and a deeply emotional connection to animated robots.
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