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All 24 Pixar Movies, Ranked

All 24 Pixar Movies, Ranked

If there was a shot heard around the world in the history of modern animation, it arrived on November 22, 1995. That was the domestic release date of “Toy Story,” the debut feature film from Pixar Studios. With its groundbreaking computer animation and unforgettable characters, the work single-handedly sparked a new era of family entertainment. Not only that, but it immediately established Pixar as the foremost provider of computer-animated film fare.

In many respects, precious little has changed since then. That is, computer animation remains the predominant mode of G-rated storytelling and Pixar still churns out some of the best examples of the genre. Now owned by Disney, the studio has earned billions dollars at the box office and 23 Academy Awards to date. (Check out the best G-rated movies ever made).

What’s equally impressive is the sheer breadth of Pixar’s output. While perilous journeys and coming-of-age themes remain more or less constant, the stories themselves take viewers from the outer reaches of the solar system to the deepest recesses of the human mind. They may be aimed primarily at children perhaps, but many of these films are similarly relished by adults. And as one may soon discover, there’s really no such thing as a truly “bad” Pixar movie. (Want to see what a bad kids’ movie looks like? Here are the worst animated movies of all time).

Methodology

To rank every Pixar movie, 24/7 Tempo developed an index based on its rating on IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, and its audience score and Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator. Data was collected from March 2021 to June 2021, and all ratings were weighted equally. Data on domestic box office came from The Numbers, an online movie database owned by consulting firm Nash Information Services, and was adjusted for inflation.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

24. Cars 2 (2011)
> 24/7 score: 1.5 (#13,579 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $221.1 million (#576 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer

Lightning McQueen and Mater from the original “Cars” are back for this cash-grab sequel, which takes cues from the spy sub-genre. As they prepare for the World Grand Prix, Mater gets embroiled in an international kidnapping plot.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

23. Cars 3 (2017)
> 24/7 score: 2.1 (#7,770 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $156.1 million (#1015 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Nathan Fillion

Racing legend Lightning McQueen sets out to prove there’s still some gas left in his tank. The third installment fared slightly better than its predecessor among critics, but drastically underperformed at the box office.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

22. The Good Dinosaur (2015)
> 24/7 score: 2.1 (#7,463 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $133.7 million (#1234 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, Maleah Nipay-Padilla, Ryan Teeple

Pixar imagines a world in which dinosaurs never went extinct, chronicling the unlikely friendship between an Apatosaurus and a young human. Despite some visually striking set pieces, the film’s rote storytelling failed to connect with viewers. It’s generally regarded as the studio’s first box office bomb.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

21. Cars (2006)
> 24/7 score: 2.3 (#5,433 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $341.3 million (#269 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman, Larry the Cable Guy

While chock full of high-octane adventure, “Cars” features weaker writing and character development than most Pixar efforts. Heading to California for a major event, arrogant racer Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs. The film was a bigger hit with younger viewers than with many critics or adults.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

20. Brave (2012)
> 24/7 score: 2.3 (#5,433 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $273.1 million (#407 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters

A fearless female archer breaks free from tradition in this fantasy adventure, which derives some of its story elements from Scottish folklore. Far better than the standard family fare, it still ranks among Pixar’s weaker efforts. Empire critic Ian Nathan described it as “boutique Pixar: less ambitious, more succinct, excellence at a lower ebb.”

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

19. Monsters University (2013)
> 24/7 score: 2.4 (#4,062 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $302.5 million (#336 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren

Before they were best friends, monsters Sully (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal) were bitter college rivals. This long-awaited prequel takes viewers back to where it all began. Even the critics who enjoyed the film often felt that its storytelling was painted-by-the-numbers.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

18. A Bug’s Life (1998)
> 24/7 score: 2.4 (#3,694 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $318.0 million (#305 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere

Expectations were high for Pixar’s sophomore feature, which arrived on the heels of “Toy Story.” While not an outright disaster, it’s regarded as something of a letdown in retrospect. Follow the adventures of a clumsy ant (voiced by Dave Foley), who must prove himself a hero by saving his colony from grasshoppers.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

17. Finding Dory (2016)
> 24/7 score: 2.5 (#2,012 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $515.0 million (#101 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson

This hotly anticipated sequel to “Finding Nemo” (see No. 9) centers on a forgetful fish named Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), who goes searching for her missing parents. A blockbuster in every sense, it’s nevertheless considered second-rate Pixar at best.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

16. The Incredibles (2004)
> 24/7 score: 2.6 (#1,691 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $385.6 million (#212 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee

This smash hit follows a family of superheroes into hiding, where they struggle to make do with suburban life. Between its clever retro vibe and human-centric story, the film represented a refreshing departure from the standard Pixar fare (at the time). Were it not for an audience score of only 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, this one would rank much higher on the list.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

15. Incredibles 2 (2018)
> 24/7 score: 2.6 (#1,691 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $611.9 million (#62 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner

It’s Elastigirl’s time to shine in this blockbuster sequel, which pits her against a supervillain known as Screenslaver. Creator Brad Bird spent over a decade developing the project, though the story picks up right where the original left off. This was Disney’s fifth animated film to cross the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

14. Luca (2021)
> 24/7 score: 2.6 (#1,573 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $0.0 million (#0 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo

Pixar’s latest outing depicts the unique bond between a young boy and a sea monster in disguise. It takes place on the Italian Riviera and features the kind of stunning animation that viewers have come to expect from the studio. Baltimore Magazine critic Max Weiss called it “a sweet, gentle, sun-kissed film, with gentle rhythms and a generous spirit.”

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

13. Onward (2020)
> 24/7 score: 2.6 (#1,336 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $61.6 million (#2754 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer

One of two Pixar releases in 2020, “Onward” sends two elfin brothers on a journey to reconnect with their deceased father. The concept of magic functions as a recurring theme on multiple levels. This was the studio’s first film to feature an openly gay character (voiced by Lena Waithe).

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

12. Ratatouille (2007)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#689 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $274.9 million (#400 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm

Anyone can cook — even a rat named Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt) — in this beloved classic. Determined to become a culinary artist, the unlikely chef puts his skills to the test inside a French kitchen. Pixar creatives ate quite well as part of their research.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

11. Soul (2020)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#616 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $0.0 million (#0 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House

A New York jazz pianist (voiced by Jamie Foxx) lands the gig of his dreams before taking an unexpected detour through the afterlife. His journey back to earth doubles as an exploration of the creative spark. This film won two Academy Awards.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

10. Toy Story 2 (1999)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#491 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $445.1 million (#143 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer

What was originally conceived as a direct-to-video sequel became this theatrical smash, in which Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the gang return for another adventure. This time around, they square off against an overzealous toy collector with devious plans. Animators worked so hard bringing the story to life that some of them developed carpal tunnel syndrome.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

9. Finding Nemo (2003)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#450 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $578.1 million (#71 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe

An overprotective clown fish (voiced by Albert Brooks) must confront his worst fears when his son goes missing. The journey that follows spans an entire ocean and presents the fish with a slew of perilous obstacles. This was the highest-grossing animated film ever made (before adjusting for inflation) at the time of its release.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

8. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#379 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $470.4 million (#127 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi

Welcome to the city of Monstropolis, where children’s screams keep the power running. It’s business as usual for professional scarers Sully and Mike until they accidentally bring a small child into their world. Providing the voices of the respective monsters, John Goodman and Billy Crystal demonstrate natural comedic chemistry.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

7. Toy Story 4 (2019)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#379 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $434.0 million (#153 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale

Every “Toy Story” film imparts coming-of-age themes and this one is no exception. Now in the possession of a young girl, Woody and his peers make room for a handmade toy named Forky (voiced by Tony Hale). Rumors of a fifth installment persist, though nothing has been confirmed.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

6. Inside Out (2015)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#335 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $387.3 million (#208 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling

This computer-animated adventure alternates between the interior and exterior worlds of a young girl. As she grapples with major life-changing events, so too do her personified emotions. It took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

5. WALL·E (2008)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#255 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $285.5 million (#368 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard

Pixar broke new ground with this futuristic parable, which spends its first half in relative silence on a garbage-ridden planet. A young trash-collecting robot rummages through the human wreckage before embarking on a space-based adventure. The built-in themes remain as prescient now as they were when this film was released.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

4. Up (2009)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#241 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $357.9 million (#248 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger, Christopher Plummer

An emotionally draining montage kicks off this wild adventure, in which an old man and young boy travel to distant lands in a flying house. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, critic Michael Rechtshaffen called it “winsome, touching and arguably the funniest Pixar effort ever.”

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

3. Toy Story 3 (2010)
> 24/7 score: 2.7 (#241 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $481.8 million (#119 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty

Andy’s heading off to college and leaving his toys behind in this third installment of the mega-popular franchise. Woody and the gang soon find themselves at a nearby daycare center, where rambunctious children rule the day and a megalomaniac stuffed bear rules the night. This was yet another record-breaking smash for Pixar and Disney at the box office.

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

2. Toy Story (1995)
> 24/7 score: 2.8 (#78 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $405.4 million (#182 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney

More than a critical and commercial blockbuster, Pixar’s inaugural feature shifted an entire industry toward computer animation. With its unique characters and epic adventures, the film also set an early template for many of the studio’s own future efforts. Behold the story of Woody the Cowboy, who must contend with a new toy named Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen).

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

1. Coco (2017)
> 24/7 score: 2.8 (#72 out of all movies in database)
> Domestic box office: $214.9 million (#603 out of all movies in database)
> Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach

Bursting with music and color, this fantasy flick trails a young Mexican musician (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) into the Land of the Dead. Many of its set pieces were inspired by Guanajuato, a vibrant city in the heart of Mexico. Look beyond the dazzling veneer to find a gripping story about both family and fame.

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