All 29 Pixar Movies Ranked, from ‘Toy Story’ to ‘Elio’

Editor’s Note: this database was primitively published successful June 2023. It has since been updated to see Pixar‘s latest output.

When you inquire personification astir their favourite Pixar film, nan reply usually says little astir nan movie than it does astir nan person. The legendary animation workplace has remained astatine nan apical of its crippled for years because of really its films usage their large high-concept ideas to research basal truths. A drama astir talking toys becomes a communicative astir relationship and increasing up; a kid’s movie astir food becomes an affectional communicative of fatherhood; a movie astir a rat that likes to navigator becomes a sneakily profound communicative astir nan quality of creation and inspiration. The movies go very individual to each viewer, particularly for those who’ve grown up pinch Pixar’s activity and person seen its releases service arsenic milestones successful their lives.

That said, moreover nan biggest Pixar instrumentality live could astir apt admit that nan workplace has been going done a (more than) flimsy unsmooth spot for nan past respective years. The squad is still much than tin of putting retired a classic. Just 3 years ago, Pixar released 1 of its all-time best films pinch “Turning Red.” But 2022 besides saw nan studio’s all-time worst movie pinch nan swiftly and broadly mocked “Lightyear.”

Since 2011 pinch “Cars 2,” nan workplace has overindulged connected sequels to immoderate of their canonical classics (see “The Incredibles 2” and “Finding ory”) to almost universally diminishing returns. Original Pixar films proceed to travel out, but sometimes consciousness arsenic if they’re missing nan inventive spark of nan company’s earliest output, pinch 2025’s middling “Elio” a salient example.

But we’ve travel present coming to observe Pixar, not mourn it. Regardless of whether its early films disappoint aliases deliver, we’ll still person nan company’s classical output, astir of which remains arsenic funny, beautiful, and affectional arsenic it did erstwhile it first premiered. Here’s each 29 Pixar films, from nan original “Toy Story” to “Elio,” classed from worst to best.

With editorial contributions by Bill Desowitz.

29. “Lightyear” (2022)

“Lightyear”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: “Toy Story” without its soul. Packaged arsenic nan movie that nan artifact Buzz Lightyear from Pixar’s astir celebrated franchise tied successful to, “Lightyear” takes nan beloved characteristic and refashions him arsenic a badass abstraction pilot. The consequence is an icon flattened of each that erstwhile made him fun, placed successful a charmless action escapade movie that does thing to warrant its existence.

The breakout character: Not a character, but nan quote from sound character Chris Evans astir really this is “the root communicative of nan quality Buzz Lightyear that nan artifact is based on,” which is this film’s azygous lasting publication to nan wider culture.

Will it make you cry? Possibly from sadness that Pixar is earnestly sinking this low.

28. “Cars 2” (2011)

“Cars 2”©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: An awkward grafting of a spy action movie connected nan “Cars” franchise, “Cars 2” shifts attraction distant from Lightning McQueen and onto his champion friend Mater, arsenic he’s mistaken for a concealed supplier and roped into solving a (very silly, uninteresting) world conspiracy. Every characteristic speech from Mater gets sidelined, resulting successful an unbalanced movie that rests connected nan charms of Larry nan Cable Guy to enactment afloat.

The breakout character: Mater, but successful a bad way.

Will it make you cry? No.

27. “The Good Dinosaur” (2015)

“The Good Dinosaur”Pixar

What it is: The astonishingly dull and forgettable communicative of dinosaur/farmer Arlo, who attempts to make his measurement backmost location pinch a chaotic quality kid successful tow.

The breakout character: The titular bully dinosaur, we guess.

Will it make you cry? No.

26. “Onward” (2020)

“Onward”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: In a imagination world type of nan modern day, elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot effort to revive their deceased father, bringing nan 2 person than ever earlier successful nan process.

The breakout character: The legs-only type of their dada that Ian and Barley summon, who serves arsenic cleanable beingness comedic alleviation successful nan film.

Will it make you cry? “Onward” has much than its adjacent stock of fraught family dynamics connected display, but yet it’s not nan tear-jerker Pixar usually conjures up.

25. “Finding Dory” (2016)

“Finding Dory”©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

What it is: An amusing but flimsy sequel to “Finding Nemo,” 2016’s “Finding Dory” refocuses connected nan breakout prima of nan first movie, telling nan communicative of really nan forgetful food tracks down her long-lost family.

The breakout character: Ed O’Neil arsenic Hank, nan octopus pinch 7 limbs that ends up aiding Dory connected her adventure. In a featherweight film, his cranky, dour power provides immoderate much-needed clash erstwhile put adjacent to Dory’s perpetual optimism.

Will it make you cry? From cuteness overload upon seeing babe Dory astatine nan opening of nan movie, potentially; otherwise, nan movie is simply a spot excessively saccharine to deed nan desired Pixar impact, and mostly serves to punctual you of really bully nan original “Finding Nemo” was.

24. “Elemental” (2023)

“Elemental“Courtesy of Disney/Pixar

What it is: Pixar’s first rom-com and biggest stab astatine a emotion story, directed by Peter Sohn.

The breakout character: Ember, nan occurrence character, and Wade, nan h2o character, are nan 2 breakouts, which required innovative tech to propulsion disconnected their animation. The method Pixar used, fluid simulation, is usually handled by nan VFX team, but this was nan first clip they took nan lead successful afloat simulating nan characters successful a unsocial collaboration pinch characteristic animation.

Will it make you cry? Yes, it is simply a tearjerker pinch nan movie culminating successful an affectional look of emotion betwixt nan star-crossed Elementals. —BD

23. “Inside Out 2” (2024)

‘Inside Out 2’Pixar Studios

What it is: Pixar’s scattered sequel to nan first “Inside Out” (see much, overmuch higher connected this list) is simply a earthy capable improvement of nan first conceit, exploring nan caller emotions (Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment) that participate nan mind power room of quality woman Riley (Kensington Tallman) arsenic she grows into her teen years. But nan equilibrium betwixt nan fantastical soul world storyline and nan real-life coming-of-age storyline is fatally off; nan comedic antics of nan emotions unit ne'er intersect pinch Riley’s struggles successful a meaningful way, and only dilute nan storytelling going connected extracurricular her head. The first movie released by nan workplace aft main imaginative serviceman Pete Doctor’s comments that Pixar would beryllium prioritizing “commonality of experience” complete “director’s catharsis,” “Inside Out 2” carries each nan signs of a institution much invested successful introducing easy marketable and merchandisable characters than it is successful providing real, quality emotion.

The breakout character: Riley herself; nan real-world crippled — which sees nan teen meltdown during a enactment astatine lucky campy arsenic she becomes convinced her friends are abandoning her — is simply a painfully earthy and honorable look astatine nan mini disasters of adolescence. Riley emerges arsenic an highly realistic teenage character, 1 who astir apt deserves amended than being nan 2nd banana to a bunch of muppety emotions.

Will it make you cry: For a sequel to a monolithic Pixar outcry fest, “Inside Out 2” will time off your eyes amazingly dry.

22. “Elio” (2025)

© 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.Disney/Pixar

What it is: A scattered abstraction opera, “Elio” has a batch of pleasures, from its gorgeous animation to its nosy alien designs. But nan story, a communicative of a young boy hopeless to beryllium abducted by extraterrestrials to flight his condolences complete his parents’ deaths, ne'er wholly lifts off, pinch bladed characters and surface-level penning that fails to elevate it supra mediocrity.

The breakout character: Glordin, nan squishy larva-like alien that becomes a cardinal fig successful Elio’s attempts to stay connected nan Communiverse. He’s adorable, hyperactive, funny, and tailor-made to beryllium turned into a plushie.

Will it make you cry? “Elio” surely tries to get nan tears rolling successful its climax, but it ne'er has nan affectional effect it’s aiming for. Part of nan problem is nan stakes are conscionable excessively low: The play pinch Elio connected world is ne'er beardown capable to support his adventures up successful nan stars.

21. “Monster’s University” (2013)

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, Mike (voice: Billy Crystal), 2013. ©Walt Disney Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: A prequel that answers a mobility cipher had, “Monster’s University” recounts really Mike and Sulley from nan first “Monster’s, Inc.” became champion friends, successful nan shape of a very kid-friendly and only entertaining capable assemblage comedy.

The breakout character: Dean Hardscrabble, nan imposing but reasonable authority fig astatine nan schoolhouse pinch a memorable creation and nan regal sound of Helen Mirren.

Will it make you cry? Not really nan guidance that it’s going for!

20. “Cars” (2006)

“Cars”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Although dinged astatine nan clip of its merchandise arsenic Pixar’s worst, nan original “Cars” holds up well, particularly arsenic nan institution put retired importantly weaker films successful nan years to come. Lightning McQueen’s forced enactment astatine Radiator Springs is simply a low-key but sneakily well-written communicative astir relationship and community, and packs an affectional punch nan “Cars” sequels mostly abandon.

The breakout character: Doc Hudson, nan spiky mentor to nan brash Lightning, played brilliantly by Paul Newman successful 1 of his very past performances.

Will it make you cry? Newman’s large “they discontinue connected maine speech” is decidedly primed to get assemblage members misty eyed.

Read IndieWire’s guideline to The Best Car Movies.

19. “Luca” (2021)

“Luca”©Disney+/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: The totally-not-gay (wink) communicative of Luca and Alberto: 2 preteen boys pinch an aggravated enslaved acknowledgment to a concealed they must hide successful bid to debar being ostracized by their insular community. In these boys’ case, nan concealed is that they’re oversea monsters, but nan subtext is evidently there, moreover if nan film’s shallow penning doesn’t rather resonate arsenic authentically queer.

The breakout character: Massimo, nan intimidating but kindly begetter of Luca’s friend Giuliana, and nan main root of genuine bosom for “Luca.”

Will it make you cry? It surely intends to get immoderate nostalgic tears retired of nan assemblage pinch its sunny image of a youthful summer, but “Luca” ne'er goes heavy capable to really bring nan waterworks.

Read IndieWire’s guideline to The Best Mermaid Movies.

18. “The Incredibles 2” (2018)

“The Incredibles 2”©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

What it is: The decade-later sequel to “The Incredibles” is simply a nosy affair, pinch Brad Bird and nan original sound formed reuniting for a communicative astir nan super-powered family facing a marque caller threat. But weaker villains and retreaded elements from nan original consequence successful a movie that ne'er rather lives up to nan perfection of nan original, moreover pinch Bob Odenkirk joining nan cast.

The breakout character: Voyd (voiced by Sophia Bush), nan dorky superhero fangirl of Helen who makes nan biggest belief retired of immoderate of nan caller supes introduced.

Will it make you cry? The aggravated flashing sequences whitethorn screw pinch your eyes, but otherwise, no.

17. “Cars 3” (2017)

“Cars 3”©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

What it is: In a decent capable conclusion to nan “Cars” franchise, an mishap puts Lightning McQueen’s profession successful jeopardy, and forces him nether nan attraction of Cruz Ramirez: a individual trainer pinch racing ambitions of her own.

The breakout character: Cruz is simply a fun, spunky foil to Lightning, giving nan franchise nan changeable of power it needed to thigh towards a honorable ending aft “Cars 2.”

Will it make you cry? If you’re heavy invested successful nan characteristic arc of Lightning McQueen, past sure.

16. “A Bug’s Life” (1998)

“A Bug’s Life”©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Pixar was still uncovering its personality erstwhile it released “A Bug’s Life”: nan company’s 2nd characteristic astir an ant attempting to prevention his colony from a terrorizing group of grasshoppers. It’s a spot basal compared to what was successful Pixar’s future. Still, it’s a nosy kids movie, moreover if it doesn’t person nan inter-generational entreaty of nan studio’s best.

The breakout character: Packed pinch memorable characters, but nan funniest is astir apt Heimlich: nan dopey greenish caterpillar hopeless to blossom into a butterfly.

Will it make you cry? No, nor is it trying to make you.

15. “Toy Story 4” (2019)

“Toy Story 4”©Walt Disney Co./courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

What it is: The 4th “Toy Story” movie ne'er rather justifies its existence, but it spins a decently enjoyable communicative for main characteristic Woody, arsenic his struggles to set to his caller proprietor nonstop him connected a quest to find his spot successful nan world — reuniting pinch aged occurrence Bo Peep successful nan process.

The breakout character: Forky, whose existential dread is an amusing caller perspective for nan franchise’s cardinal conceit.

Will it make you cry? If you’ve been watching nan films from nan very beginning, Woody and Buzz’s large goodbye will undoubtedly bring tears to your eyes; otherwise, astir apt not.

14. “Coco” (2017)

“Coco”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: What could beryllium a generic coming-of-age communicative gets lifted up by its genuine emotions and taste specificity. “Coco” focuses connected Miguel, a 12 year-old boy whose philharmonic aspirations conflict pinch his family’s longtime prohibition of music, arsenic he is transported to nan afterlife during nan Day of nan Dead.

The breakout character: The titular Coco, Miguel’s aged and wise great-grandmother.

Will it make you cry? Even those who don’t attraction for nan remainder of nan movie will apt get teary-eyed during nan large “Remember Me” scene.

13. “Brave” (2012)

“Brave”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: “Brave” fundamentally turned into a wholly different movie aft original head Brenda Chapman sewage replaced by Mark Andrews and Steve Purcell, shifting it distant from a much aggravated action movie to a homebound family comedy. The consequence is an inconsistent movie pinch tonal and pacing issues, but nan communicative of Merida’s struggles to break free from nan constraints she deals pinch arsenic a princess successful her Scottish kingdom —  and her analyzable narration pinch her mother — gives nan movie capable weight not to wholly collapse.

The breakout character: Merida herself; Pixar’s first female main protagonist, she’s fun, feisty, and flawed successful a measurement that makes her a magnetic surface presence, 1 that elevates nan messy movie astir her.

Will it make you cry? If you person mommy issues, past definitely.

12. “Soul” (2020)

“Soul”©Disney+/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Featuring a spectacular soundtrack by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste, “Soul” follows Joe: a jazz pianist who falls into a coma and wakes successful nan realm of souls. Teaming up pinch a pre-born psyche 22, Joe attempts to flight and travel backmost home.

The breakout character: Terry, nan power freak astral being pursuing Joe and 22 and nan closest point nan understated movie has to a villain.

Will it make you cry? Kids won’t cry, but adults who spot themselves successful Joe’s pursuit of greatness decidedly will.

11. “Monsters, Inc.” (2001)

“Monsters, Inc.”©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Pixar’s funniest outright comedy, “Monsters, Inc.” is simply a full-on tribute to nan powerfulness of being funny. Set successful a world wherever monsters uses nan screams of quality children for energy, nan movie sees workers Sulley and Mike accidentally harbor a quality kid that escapes into nan monsters world, wherever they soon study that laughter is acold much powerful an power root than screams.

The breakout character: Mike Wazowski, impeccably voiced by Billy Crystal successful nan champion comedic capacity successful a Pixar movie.

Will it make you cry? From laughter, maybe!

10. “Toy Story” (1995)

“Toy Story”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Where it each began! The original “Toy Story” introduced audiences to nan surviving toys that would go taste icons. But nan characters aren’t rather what they were successful nan pursuing movies; celebrated bully feline Woody is simply a prima donna of nan highest order, arsenic he attempts to hog proprietor Andy’s attraction pursuing nan acquisition of action fig Buzz Lightyear. When nan 2 extremity up successful nan location of Andy’s neighbour Sid, though, they’re forced to squad up and go friends to survive.

The breakout character: Sid, whose bratty behaviour and nightmarish experiments pinch toys make him a cleanable antagonist.

Will it make you cry? You astir apt won’t beryllium bawling, though nan segment wherever Buzz is forced to face his beingness arsenic a artifact is nan first motion of nan deeper issues Pixar would grapple pinch successful nan future.

9. “Up” (2009)

“Up”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: The communicative of Carl, a retiree who turns his location into an airship pinch balloons successful bid to sojourn Paradise Falls: nan destination he and his deceased woman Ellie ever dreamed of seeing. When Russell, an 8-year-old wilderness explorer, accidentally ends up connected nan travel arsenic well, Carl is forced to unfastened up to nan young boy and fto spell of nan bitterness that he’s protected himself pinch since losing Ellie.

The breakout character: Dug, nan talking aureate retriever, who manages to delicately toed nan statement betwixt “adorable” and “annoying” arsenic required of immoderate bully animated sidekick.

Will it make you cry? It famously will! The saddest portion of “Up” is its opening sequence, which specifications nan life Carl shared pinch Ellie; it’s a cleanable self-contained short designed to destruct you.

8. “Toy Story 3” (2010)

“Toy Story 3”©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

What It Is: The incredibly affectional (not actual) finale to nan “Toy Story” saga sees Andy each grown up, and connected nan verge of heading to college. After his mom accidentally throws distant nan toys he intended to shop astatine home, nan unit winds up successful Sunnyside Daycare: a seemingly serene spot ruled pinch an robust fist by nan psychotic Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear.

The Breakout Character: Barbie and Ken, whose nosy screwball-esque romance leaves large shoes for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling to capable successful nan live-action “Barbie” movie successful 2023.

Will it make you cry? The past twenty-ish minutes are beautiful overmuch designed to make anyone who ever watched a “Toy Story” movie person a full-fledged breakdown.

7. “Toy Story 2” (1999)

“Toy Story 2” ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Basically nan first “Toy Story” but better: funnier, smarter, sweeter, much thrilling, and much emotional. When Woody gets a tear successful his arm, he develops anxieties astir getting thrown distant by Andy, and ends up stolen by artifact collector Al, who intends to waste him to a artifact depository successful Japan. As nan different toys title to prevention him, Woody is forced to see whether he wants to stay successful cleanable information forever, aliases bask nan fewer short years he’ll get pinch nan proprietor he loves.

The breakout character: Jessie, nan cowgirl artifact Woody meets, whose backstory is among nan saddest of immoderate Pixar hero, and who became fundamentally nan 3rd lead of nan franchise going forward.

Will it make you cry? That damn Sarah McLachlan opus will almost surely get you sobbing, yes.

6. “Inside Out” (2015)

“Inside Out”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Pixar leans into its estimation for affectional stories pinch “Inside Out,” a movie astir emotions. In nan mind of Riley — an mean kid going done a large life alteration aft her family moves to different authorities — five emotions (Joy, Disgust, Anger, Fear, and Sadness) power her reactions to nan world astir her. But erstwhile Joy and Sadness get knocked retired of nan power building and are forced to find their measurement home, nan 2 extremity up learning a batch astir really analyzable emotions really are, and really that complication will thief Riley turn into a afloat quality being.

The breakout character: Bing Bong, nan forgotten imaginary friend who was designed to make group outcry complete nan nonaccomplishment of their soul child.

Will it make you cry? It will, and considering its connection that sadness is arsenic important to life arsenic happiness, it’s beautiful overmuch actively encouraging that.

5. “WALL-E” (2008)

“WALL-E”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Pixar’s top romance focuses connected WALL-E, a cleanup robot connected a ruined world who meets EVE: a search robot trying to find habitable life connected nan polluted world. The famously dialogue-less opening half of nan movie is transportation perfect; nan film’s connection of biology protection ne'er feels overly preachy aliases tacked on; and nan relationship betwixt nan 2 robots leads to immoderate of nan astir beautiful moments successful animation — and moreover movie — history.

The breakout character: The cockroach WALL-E befriends, who someway out-cutes nan famously tiny robot.

Will it make you cry? From opening to end, baby.

Read Why ‘WALL-E’ Is nan Perfect First Movie for Cinephiles to Watch pinch Their Kids by David Ehrlich.

4. “Turning Red” (2022)

“Turning Red”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Pixar’s first awesome movie successful a bully 7 years, “Turning Red” is simply a beautiful coming-of-age for Mei Lee: a hyperactive woman successful Toronto whose strained narration pinch her mother turns each nan much analyzable erstwhile she discovers her expertise to move into a gigantic reddish panda. Director Domee Shi heavy based nan movie connected her ain puerility increasing up, and its specificity and profoundly felt emotion makes nan movie transcend imaginable cliché and resonate arsenic 1 of nan studio’s best.

The breakout character: 4*town, nan top fictional set of each time.

Will it make you cry? The narration betwixt Mei and her mother is 1 of Pixar’s astir resonant, and their confrontation astatine nan extremity is guaranteed to deed you hard.

3. “The Incredibles” (2004)

“The Incredibles”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: Arguably nan champion superhero movie of each clip (give aliases return “Into nan Spiderverse”) nan original “The Incredibles” focuses connected nan Parr family: a superhero clan surviving successful a world wherever those pinch powers are outlawed. The family takes connected nan devious Syndrome — Pixar’s funniest and darkest villain —  successful an escapade that’s a cleanable operation of funny, action-packed, and emotional.

The breakout character: Frozone’s wife, who is responsible for “Where is my supersuit?” It’s easy nan funniest infinitesimal successful immoderate Pixar movie ever.

Will it make you cry? Not 1 of nan studio’s bigger tearjerkers, but its image of middle-aged malaise will decidedly deed location for adults watching pinch their kids.

2. “Ratatouille” (2007)

“Ratatouille”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: One of Pixar’s smartest and deepest films, “Ratatouille” follows Remy, a French rat who dreams of becoming a awesome cook — and finds an state successful Linguini, nan busboy astatine nan edifice of his culinary idol.

The breakout character: Anton Ego, nan harsh nutrient professional voiced by Peter O’Toole, who initially comes crossed arsenic a one-dimensional stereotype earlier becoming nan halfway of nan film’s affectional climax.

Will it make you cry? “Ratatouille” isn’t arsenic celebrated a tearjerker arsenic immoderate different Pixar films, but nan movie is an understated affectional ride, pinch its themes of community, art, and nan pursuit of greatness striking a heavy chord.

1. “Finding Nemo” (2003)

“Finding Nemo”©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

What it is: A drama flick, a roadworthy travel film, a situation break movie: “Finding Nemo” is simply a batch of things. But nan movie is Pixar’s champion because it grounds it each successful nan vividly rendered narration betwixt food begetter Marvin and his boy Nemo, who he struggles to fto turn and inadvertently pushes away. Marvin’s quest to find Nemo aft he gets kidnapped is Pixar’s astir satisfying affectional journey: a perfectly paced and plotted escapade that still cuts heavy connected nan first aliases 3rd aliases 5,000th watch.

The breakout character: As overmuch arsenic it’s gauche to praise Ellen DeGeneres nowadays, nan comedian turned successful an all-time sound acting capacity arsenic Dory, giving nan movie its bosom and psyche done nan cheerful, sweet, and somewhat sad amnesiac.

Will it make you cry? From nan traumatic opening to Dory’s climactic reside to Marvin and Nemo’s reconciliation, this movie will person you crying capable to capable up nan Great Barrier Reef yourself.