Pixar’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Few studios have raised the bar for animation like Pixar. Following 1990’s formation, the studio has become a world-leader in animated movies. Whether its stories about toys, racing cars or grumpy men growing up, the studio has produced timeless classics. The studio’s strength is movies appealing to kids and adults alike. Given countless masterpieces Pixar has made, making this list was challenging. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for Pixar’s greatest movies. 

Honorable Mentions:

• A Bug’s Life
• The Incredibles 2
• Monsters, Inc.
• Monsters University
• Toy Story 2
• Toy Story 4 
• Wall-E

1. Toy Story 3

Stories about toys have shaped my identity. As far back as I remember, I’ve enjoyed playing with toys. I recall joy I felt visiting stores to buy a toy when I was a young boy. When the day came to throw away toys with which I loved to play, I was so heartbroken I ran out of words to say. As someone developing powerful attachments with toys I valued highly, I loved “Toy Story 3”. Lee Unkrich’s film brought the animated franchise to an emotional resolution. Packed with colorful characters, awe-inspiring animation and hilarious humor, it showcased the studio’s strengths. However, what makes it Pixar’s greatest film is its message about toys children treasure. Watching Andy bidding goodbyes to Woody brought back heartbreaking memories of my abandonment of toys I regarded highly. An awe-inspiring work of animated art, it has motivated me to move on years after I was forced to part ways with toys which forever occupy a precious place in my heart.

2. Up

Facing loss of a loved one is challenging. Years ago, my family grieved after losing relatives causing sorrow. A tragedy, it impacted my grandfather deeply. Adopting a cynical attitude, he couldn’t cope with death ruining his mood. Few films have captured depression of growing up as beautifully as “Up”. Death is a sensitive subject that’s not easy to depict in animated movies, but “Up” succeeds. Pete Docter’s masterpiece examined an aging senior mourning his wife’s passing. Animation movies scarcely make me cry but “Up” is an exception. The commemorated 10-minute montage demonstrating marriage over the years brought me to tears. “Up” features commemorated characters, astonishing animation and beautiful visuals. However, what makes it soar up in the air is its message about depression. If animation is an uplifting art-form overcoming deaths which are devastating, it has motivated me to move on years after a relative’s passing.

3. Inside Out

Children depend on emotions to make decisions. Whether it’s joy, fear or anger, emotions determine children’s future. Years ago, I felt upset when my family made decisions of immigration. Depressing news that my family was moving countries caused mental health issues. Facing sadness, I found no joy in immigration causing loneliness. As a teenager whose emotions were turned inside out, I adored “Inside Out”. Pete Docter’s masterpiece peeked inside the brain of a teenager experiencing pain. Watching Riley navigating feelings rekindled memories of emotion shaping my identity. An extraordinary glimpse inside minds of teenagers whose emotions are turned inside out, it’s a joyous reminder that Pixar remains one of the world’s greatest studios without a doubt producing commemorated movies that deserve to be talked about.

4. Toy Story

When discussing the greatest Pixar movies, a list would be incomplete without “Toy Story”. Following its release in 1995, Pixar’s first feature film has stood the test of time as a part of my childhood. As a child growing up in the 1990’s, “Toy Story” played roles shaping my identity. Boasting commemorated characters, irresistible humor and revolutionary CGI, it’s a perfect animated film. What makes it special is its powerful message about toys. I grew up playing with toys like Woody that I valued highly. Watching Andy playing with Woody brought back commemorated memories of toys impacting my identity. As the years go by, “Toy Story” remains a nostalgic reminder of my friendship with toys that will never die. 30 lightyears following release, it remains a buzz-worthy reminder stories capturing toys that talk are worth celebrating in movies.

5. Soul

Have you ever questioned your life purpose? Everyone recalls experiencing an existential crisis. It’s often a time of confusion when people question reason for living. Such soulful questions are beautifully answered in “Soul”. Pixar’s most thoughtful film offers profound meditations on life’s biggest questions. It’s arguably the riskiest animated film the studio has ever made tackling complicated subjects that could have left children alienated. However, what makes “Soul” soar is its message. Personally speaking, it helped me cope with an existential crisis I was facing. Years ago, my life hit a low when I struggled finding a job. Animation became entertainment allowing me to cope with unemployment. A soul-stirring achievement, it’s a rousing reminder of the crucial role Pixar’s movies play inspiring kids with aimless lives to achieve a goal.

6. Ratatouille

Love for cooking runs in my family. I remember a mother seeking to become a baker. Nobody in the world could bake cakes like my mother did without mistakes. Creating delicious desserts using her recipe book, she believed anyone could cook. As someone bonding with a mother that loved the culinary industry, “Ratatouille” resonated with me. On paper, the idea behind the movie about rats cooking sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, “Ratatouille” surprised me. Watching Remy cooking rekindled memories of mothers cherishing baking. As delicious as Remy’s Ratatouille dish, it has motivated me to cherish a mother whose cooking inspired me to believe there’s nothing in the world I couldn’t accomplish. 

7. The Incredibles

Few movies Pixar has produced are as incredible as “The Incredibles”. Released years ago, it was the first film the studio produced about a superhero. Boasting colorful visuals, astonishing animation and wonderful vocal performances, it features incredible elements audiences expect from Pixar productions. However, what makes “The Incredibles” soar is its message about family. The Incredibles are a close-knit family working together to overcome adversity. As someone bonding with my family, I related to the movie. Like receiving warm hugs from family members, it’s an incredible reminder that Pixar hasn’t lost abilities to captivate producing movies about families working together to rescue worlds from danger.

8. Inside Out 2

Anxiety has shaped my personality. Years ago, my life hit a low following panic attacks causing sorrow. Anxiety attacks following failure on math examinations destroyed dreams of graduation. I’ve seldom any movie demonstrate emotions I went through as accurately as “Inside Out 2”. The long-awaited sequel examined anxiety causing a teen’s life to crumble. Pixar bravely addressed feelings of anxiety teenagers face through a nervous breakdown scene. Although it can’t accomplish emotional heights of its predecessor, “Inside Out 2” is a winner. An extraordinary glimpse inside an anxious teenager’s mind, it has motivated me to leave my past behind by learning joy in the most hopeless situations in life is possible to find.

9. Finding Nemo

Children that disappear are any parent’s worst nightmare. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my baby brother in grocery stores which were humongous. After hours of frantically searching the store, she was relieved when she finally found my brother. The anxiety-inducing process of finding a child that’s lost is beautifully depicted in “Finding Nemo”. Pixar’s film celebrated parents putting lives in danger locating children they treasure. As powerful as Marlon’s desire to find Nemo, it has motivated me to cherish parents putting lives on the line securing my safety in every stressful scenario. 

10. Cars

Cars posing threatening injury terrify me. From an early age, I became terrified of go-karting causing damage. I remember going go-karting with friends to celebrate my birthday. Thinking that go-karting would be life-threatening, I broke down crying. I could never understand enduring appeal of racing cars growing up until I watched “Cars”. Pixar’s most underrated movie celebrated racing cars I scarcely appreciated. Like Lightning McQueen’s determination to win a race, it’s an inspiring reminder Pixar remains a one-of-a-kind company producing movies holding a place in my heart I’ll forever embrace.