Pixar Movies: Ranked

Pixar has become a revolutionary force in the world of animated film. While other major movie companies have been producing more work compared to Pixar, I think it's safe to say that Pixar has set the bar when it comes to delivering content. Not only does an animated flick be filled with color, but there has to be more - it's the content that also has it appeal to viewers of all ages. While there are a number of upcoming Pixar movies in production, I'm quite excited for their newest movie, Inside Out. It's looking to be a contender for another Pixar hit. So while waiting for its release, I thought I'd rank the rest of their movies based on my preference.

It’s no surprise this is at the bottom of the list. While it’s certainly glitzy, it followed a sequel phenomena that consists of disposing that quality that made the first movie work, in favor of maximizing the basic premise (in this case, the whole car racing theme) of the same movie. It’s generally not so bad, but compared to Pixar standards, it’s so bad. 

Despite its popularity when it was released, it didn’t really hold up its relevance throughout the years (and was seriously seen as the poster movie of racing for children). Owen Wilson does a great job voicing the lead character; his character’s arrogance was very spot-on. 

This is making the bottom of the list only because I think it’s the most forgettable Pixar movie there is. I used to get this confused with a similar looking movie. This movie was all right; it revolves around the story of the food chain, where the grasshoppers rule the ants, but all that was about to change because of one visionary ant.

The prequel that establishes the friendship of Mike and Sulley, it takes us back to their student years when both were enrolled in their school’s scare program. It establishes the differences between the two characters, and how in the end, it was their differences that brought them together. This was a fun movie, and it puts a spin on things considering that the end of Inc complicated things when it comes to the sequel. I’d still like to see that Sulley-Boo reunion though, or a Boo spin-off! 

Honestly, I do not understand what the big deal was with this movie and how everyone was raving that it was so sad, etc etc. I think it was the hype that ultimately destroyed this movie for me. Yes, the montage was sad (and the parts toward the end) but when you hear people say they were crying throughout...*raise eyebrows*. It was a good movie, but it wasn’t worth its hype. 

While it dives into the bond between mother and daughter, and being able to forge one’s own path and all that, there was still something missing that makes Brave stand out amidst its Pixar peers. It does boast a strong female character (and is the first female-led Pixar film), but it pales comparison to other family-relating, character independence movies. 

It took me a longer time to truly appreciate this movie (Billy Crystal does great work voicing Mike, but I was more irritated and less amused with his character at first). Boo and Sulley were really adorable, and I liked how their friendship has inspired change, that not every notion we know is actually a fact, that there might be something different if we keep our minds open. 

Ok, I’m going to admit it: Woody the Cowboy is annoying. He is quite bossy (I think it’s because he’s Andy’s favorite toy) and placed a lot of his fellow toys in danger more than he knew. He gradually grows a heart and accepts Buzz in his life, eventually being best friends with the guy despite his attempts to rid of him. The kid neighbor was scary in this one, as well as his disfigured toys. I think this was why I avoided seeing this when I was a kid (why do you have to be a crazy person, neighbor kid?!). It’s a chaotic movie (chaotic in the sense that there was a lot of trouble), but a great movie about friendship.

When I was younger, I wasn’t much of a fan of this installment, but after a recent rewatch, I did not know what I was missing. This was actually a great sequel, and had more content than its predecessor. I initially found Jessie to be annoying, but ended up liking her in the end. I also liked the Buzz side story - I wished there was a feature film featuring Buzz since we already got Woody’s origin story.

This was quite awesome, and I’m surprised a sequel hadn’t been released sooner (it’s something I’m looking forward to). A superhero family? Yes please! I can’t wait to see where the creators would take the family, and meet the new villains as well. Plus, there’s never too much of Edna Mode. 

Finding Nemo is a great movie depicting a father-son relationship (or a parent-child relationship in any manner). Not only does Marlin and Nemo face their own fears and triumph over obstacles, the separation they had lead to a healthier, happier relationship between the two. 

One of the movies that make me hungry, it teaches us that we could do whatever we want to do in life, no matter what our current lives might be. This was a delightful movie, and though I’m not the biggest fan of rats, I’d watch this over again. 

The movie that sent me bawling at the final act (it’s so hard not to!), this ends the Toy Story trilogy beautifully - or at least the story of Andy’s involvement in it. Hopefully they don’t push through with Toy Story 4; it would ruin the effect of this finale. 

This is my favorite Pixar movie (and it's pretty hard to dethrone, although Toy Story 3 came close). Wall.E is so adorable, and I love how innocently devoted he is to Eve. Their scene floating in space: wonderful.