Every Pixar movie, ranked – from ‘Toy Story’ to ‘Elemental’

The Disney machine is one to behold. From dozens of Marvel films (and counting) and the extended Star Wars universe to the unbridled joy (and endless tears) of the Pixar library, we will never be left wanting for quality entertainment.

Ranking our favorite Pixar films was a daunting task, because even the “worst” ones are still a delight. From old favorites like A Bug’s Life to recent gems like Elemental, here’s an exhaustive ranking of every Disney/Pixar movie.

27. Cars 2

Cars 2 suffers from sequel syndrome of the Iron Man 2 variety, and not just because they both involve racing. The races in question are bigger and bolder, with Lightning McQueen racing in the World Grand Prix, but a super-spy subplot involving Mater bogs the movie down. When it comes to the friendly tow truck, less is definitely more. Overall, it’s a fine movie, but Pixar is usually well past fine. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Cars 2(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

26. Brave

This movie was not as archery-focused as we expected.
Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

Brave is still the only princess movie ever produced by Pixar (Moana was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, not Pixar), and it was a solid effort. The story plays out very differently than the marketing led us to believe — we did not think the bear would be such a major element — but the themes suit Pixar to a T and Merida’s hair is #goals. —Proma Khosla, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Brave(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

25. Cars 3

Better than Cars 2 but still struggling to live up to Cars, the motorized threequel leans into the passage of time, letting Lighting McQueen move on to the next phase while welcoming an exciting successor. What a way to see him off (well, at least for now). —P.K.

How to watch: Cars 3(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

24. The Good Dinosaur

The Good Dinosaur got lost in the year that also gave us Inside Out and ended up as one of Pixar’s lowest-grossing films. Which is a shame, because it has a charming premise: What if the dinosaurs never died out? Maybe they’d do what Arlo does here, and basically adopt a human (“Spot”) as a pet. The story is pretty minimalistic beyond that, but what The Good Dinosaur lacks in plot, it makes up for with incredible animation, especially of the environments. Seriously, the realistic water alone is a massive achievement. —B.E.

How to watch: The Good Dinosaur(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

23. Monsters University

Friends like Mike and Sulley don’t just fall out of the sky. They’re forged in the fires of shared experience. Monsters University carries us back in time to the origins of the bond that the beloved Pixar monsters share. Mike and Sulley were initially rivals as college freshman. But as they wind through the trials of high-pressure schooling and campus life, the two discover that their complementary strengths and weaknesses are exactly why they make such an incredible team. —Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Monsters University(opens in a new tab) is currently streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

22. Cars

Off to the races.
Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

Just when it seemed Pixar had told every story we could think of, along came the story of professional race cars who maybe need to learn a lesson or two about how to be better people. (Just go with us here.) Cars was a particular hit with young children — Lightning McQueen was the Elsa of his day — and spawned a nice little franchise. —P.K.

How to watch: Cars(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

21. Lightyear

Witness Buzz Lightyear’s origin story.
Credit: Pixar

Lightyear‘s concept — the movie about Buzz Lightyear that Andy from Toy Story would have seen — may have initially confused audiences, but don’t let the IP jumble fool you. Lightyear is a rollicking space adventure that deals effectively with heavier themes of guilt and loss. If an incredible time-travel montage doesn’t get you hooked, the voice cast (Chris Evans! Keke Palmer! Taika Waititi!) and the charming Sox the cat most definitely will. — B.E.

How to watch: Lightyear is now streaming on Disney+. (opens in a new tab)

20. Incredibles 2

Did The Incredibles really need a sequel, 14 years later later? We didn’t think so, but then Incredibles 2 came along to prove us wrong. The action is better than ever, Elastigirl is a heroine for the modern age, and Jack-Jack might just be the cutest baby we’ve seen onscreen since… ever. —Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Incredibles 2(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

19. Toy Story 4

Bring back our faves from the earlier Toy Story films, introduce a spork so adorably weird he can’t help but go viral, season generously with existential despair, and bam, you’ve got Toy Story 4. While the fourth installment doesn’t fly quite as high as its predecessors, it retains the ambition and thoughtfulness of classic Pixar. —A.H.

How to watch: Toy Story 4(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

18. Toy Story 2

Toy Story 2 was Pixar’s first sequel, but anyone wondering whether this meant the studio had run out of ideas was quickly proven wrong. Losing Woody puts the gang in dire straits and forces Buzz to become a leader in a way he never had before. We also meet the adorable Jessie and cry many a tear at her tragic backstory(opens in a new tab). —P.K.

How to watch: Toy Story 2(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

17. Finding Dory

Dory meets a useful ally in Hank.
Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

The ocean comes vibrantly alive once more as forgetful Dory challenges her memory to lead her back to her parents. Nemo and Marlon (the latter more reluctantly) also return to follow her on another emotional roller coaster full of fish friends new and old. —P.K.

How to watch: Finding Dory(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

16. Onward

Pixar’s story of two bothers bringing their late father back to life is surprisingly zany. Set in the not-so-magical world of New Mushroomton, a place where mythical creatures exist but choose to live with modern convenience, Onward visits Pixar’s weirdest corners in all the greatest ways. —Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Onward(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

15. Elemental

Ember and Wade 4ever.
Credit: Pixar

Elemental takes us down to Element City, where hot-tempered fire-person Ember crosses paths with sentimental water-person Wade. Despite being polar opposites, these two kick off an adorable love story that makes Pixar’s first fully-fledged rom-com a total treat. Couple that with Elemental‘s moving take on immigration narratives and its spectacular animation, and you’ve got a sweet, immersive Pixar experience that may or may not have you giggling and kicking your feet. — B.E.

How to watch: Elemental is now in theaters.(opens in a new tab)

14. Luca

We were pretty much all in on Luca since early press materials revealed the sea monster twice, and in classic Pixar fashion, the film delivers whimsical adventure (Vespa racing!), family drama (the surface is no place for a fish boy!), inspiring quotes (“Silenzio, Bruno!”), and a tearjerking ending. —P.K.

Where to watch: Luca(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

13. Ratatouille

This charming tale of a rodent’s culinary aspirations and his unexpected friendship with a floundering human chef would thaw even a cold New Yorker’s heart. It also makes us crave elaborate cuisine and think that maybe we shouldn’t give up on our dreams — after all, if this rat can pursue his passions, so can we. —P.K.

How to watch: Ratatouille(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

12. Soul

Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

On paper, a film about jazz music, untapped potential, and existential notions of passion and purpose with vast stints in the afterlife should not work. But it does, and how; Soul beautifully handles the odd-couple pairing of Joe and 22, a wayward soul in the afterlife who reluctantly learns from his guidance. —P.K.

How to watch: Soul(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

11. The Incredibles

Superheroes are people too! Back in 2004, The Incredibles presented the delightful farce of a super-powered family trying to live incognito. We were rooting as much for Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl’s marriage as we were for the heroes to overthrow Syndrome — a storyline that led to some dark lessons about fame and rejection. —P.K.

How to watch: The Incredibles(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).

10. Monsters, Inc.

Maybe monsters aren’t dangerous — they’re just doing their jobs! The hilarity of creatures who frighten people for a living punching in and out and living their own adult lives is as enjoyable for parents as it is for kids. Mike and Sulley feel like an alternate-universe Woody and Buzz, and we still want to adopt Boo. —P.K.

How to watch: Monsters, Inc.(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

9. A Bug’s Life

Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

As a story about literal insects, A Bug’s Life is better than it had any right to be. Here we are, rooting for ants — bugs! — in their fight against the oppressive grasshoppers, because the world crafted by Pixar is so detailed and immersive that it’s impossible not to get invested. —P.K.

How to watch: A Bug’s Life(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

8. Coco

Coco‘s foray into the Land of the Dead is Pixar at its most jaw-droppingly beautiful — and it brings the emotion, too, with a tender tale of familial love and creative ambition. If you need us, we’ll be over here weeping over “Remember Me.” —A.H.

How to watch: Coco(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).

7. Turning Red

Like so many Pixar classics before, Turning Red perfectly explores the big feelings that come with growing up. Meilin Lee may seem like your average 13-year-old girl, but she’s got a secret: When her emotions grow too strong, she turns into a giant, fluffy, adorable red panda. As Mei balances gaining her mother’s approval and obsessing over boy band 4*Town with her friends, it gets harder to keep the panda under control. Turning Red is a thoughtful and groundbreaking take on puberty that is relatable, hilarious, and sob-worthy all at once. Plus, it’s got some killer boyband tunes: Good luck getting “Nobody Like U” out of your head. —B.E.

How to watch: Turning Red(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

6. WALL-E

2008’s cautionary tale about sedentary life and environmental corruption is, unfortunately, evergreen. WALL-E made us examine our harmful human behavior through the eyes of an innocent and well-meaning robot. The first 30 minutes of the movie — an almost completely silent examination of WALL-E’s life on a ruined Earth — are some of Pixar’s greatest and most experimental work. They present a grounded, sobering vision of the future brightened only by WALL-E’s adorable robot behavior and love for Hello Dolly! songs. Things get a little more out-there once WALL-E heads to space, but the remainder of the sci-fi adventure is still a treat. Plus, even though WALL-E and fellow robot Eve’s love defies all logic, that doesn’t stop us from melting at their relationship. —B.E.

How to watch: WALL-E is now streaming on Disney+.(opens in a new tab)

5. Toy Story

Way back in 1995, Toy Story made the thought of toys coming alive seem fun instead of terrifying, especially to the film’s young target audience. Toy Story flipped the script even further by making Sid the villain and prompting morally malleable viewers to reflect on how they treat others (inanimate or not). Most importantly, Toy Story brought us the iconic duo of Buzz and Woody, two characters who made no sense on paper but formed a fierce friendship we still idolize. —P.K.

How to watch: Toy Story(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

4. Up

This man is living the dream.
Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

We can’t discuss Up without talking about that opening montage, the emotional devastation of which comes courtesy of Michael Giacchino’s score and the nefarious passage of time. This is a film about a curmudgeonly old man that gives us a window to his heart early on, then lets us watch as he puts his faith in fantasy and embarks on one last adventure. It’s a film for the kid in all of us, who never truly leaves. —P.K.

How to watch: Up(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

3. Finding Nemo

Give it up for Finding Nemo, the movie that taught us that “fish are friends, not food” and encouraged us to “just keep swimming.” Pixar brings us deep into the wondrous world of the Great Barrier Reef, where we join clownfish Marlin on his search for his son Nemo. Along the way he meets surfer dude turtles, vegetarian sharks, and a forgetful blue tang who we just can’t help but fall in love with. There may be plenty of fish in the sea, but this journey to find just one of those fish is an extraordinary emotional rollercoaster. —B.E.

How to watch: Finding Nemo(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

2. Inside Out

Emotions are the worst, as any adult can attest, but watching the human mind mature as richly as it does in Inside Out is truly spectacular. The Memory Dump? The Train of Thought? Bing Bong?? It’s all genius, and it just goes to show that mind and heart are linked forever. —P.K.

How to watch: Inside Out(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

1. Toy Story 3

Crying just thinking about this!
Credit: Disney via Shutterstock

With improvements in animation technology and the most heartwarming, heartbreaking script of the series, Toy Story 3 wrecked most of its now-adult fans as Andy bade farewell to his beloved toys and his childhood. Growing up can be rough, but the toys learn that you can get through anything with the right friends. —P.K.

How to watch: Toy Story 3(opens in a new tab) is now streaming on Disney+(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

UPDATE: Jun. 21, 2023, 12:52 p.m. EDT Updated to include the most recent Pixar releases.