There are 21 Pixar movies, and we've ranked them all. Pixar started out making short computer animated movies, and in 1995 the studio released its first feature: Toy Story. The first ever full-length computer animated movie, Pixar changed the landscape of animation forever, not to mention introducing the characters of Buzz and Woody into popular culture, where they remain loved by millions to this day.
Pixar has released 21 full length movies in 24 years - no mean feat considering the amount of work and detail each one requires. Not only that, but the studio has yet to release a single 'bad' movie, though some haven't fared as well at the box office as others. From the emotionally devastating Coco, to the hilarious Monsters, Inc., and everything in between, it's easy to see how Pixar remains the powerhouse of animation.
Below, we've ranked all 21 of Pixar's full-length releases for your consideration.
21. Brave
As previously stated, none of the movies on this list are bad, but Pixar has made some truly groundbreaking movies, and Brave isn't one of them. Released in 2012, Brave performed well at the box office, and won the Academy Award for best Animated Feature. However, while the mother daughter relationship focus is irable, it feels like a very traditional Disney movie and lacks the originality of Pixar's other efforts.
20. Cars 2
The sequel to the hugely popular Cars, Cars 2 was released to mixed reviews in 2011. There are some undoubtedly clever moments in the movie, not least the introduction of the Queen and the Pope as vehicles, with the latter being the actual Popemobile. Visually, it's equally as enjoyable as the other Cars movies in the franchise, and so still appeals to the very young, but Cars 2 storyline lacks depth or charm, and the result feels like a frenzied confusion.
19. The Good Dinosaur
A simple, but very charming tale, The Good Dinosaur imagines a world where the asteroid that made the dinosaurs extinct, ed over earth instead. A young, timid dinosaur named Arlo makes friends with a young cave boy named Spot and helps him reunite with his family. Unfortunately, The Good Dinosaur was Pixar's first box office bomb, though the movie connects well with the younger viewer.
18. A Bug's Life
A Bug's Life was Pixar's second movie, after Toy Story. It was met with positive reviews and was a box office success. However, its popularity has waned over the 21 years since its release. The characters are fun, and the gags come thick and fast, most of which land well. But A Bug's Life isn't as emotionally gripping as Toy Story or other Pixar offerings, and the bugs failed to capture the love of audiences in quite the same way as other Pixar characters.
17. Cars 3
The third installment of the Cars franchise features a surprisingly emotional story as Lightning McQueen comes to with no longer being the fastest car on the block. While it's not especially groundbreaking, Cars 3 is a natural progression (and possible conclusion) to Lightning McQueen's story, and though it still appeals to the younger viewer, there's plenty for adults to connect with, too.
16. Ratatouille
Ratatouille was a huge critical and commercial success for Pixar in 2007, and continues to be highly regarded by most. The charming tale of the rat who can cook won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and the animation was groundbreaking at the time. The storyline, animation, and a brilliant score by Michael Giacchino all combine to deliver a brilliant Pixar movie. The fact that it only makes number 16 on this list is testament to the quality of Pixar's work.
15. Finding Dory
The long awaited sequel to Finding Nemo, Finding Dory focused on the forgetful regal blue tang trying to where she had come from. The movie took us out of the ocean and into an aquarium, where Dory met Hank, a moody octopus, Destiny the whale shark, and Bailey the beluga whale. Finding Dory became the second Pixar movie to gross over $1 billion at the box office, having enjoyed record breaking openings and sustained success. Finding Dory is more emotional than its predecessor, if that were possible, and a satisfying exploration of Dory's life prior to meeting Nemo and Marlin.
14. Monsters University
Who doesn't love Mike and Sulley? Monsters University bucked the trend with Pixar sequels; although it came after Monsters, Inc., the movie itself actually served as a prequel, detailing how Mike and Sulley had become friends at university. While it's not as good as Monsters, Inc., Monsters University remains a joy to watch simply because of the comedic chemistry that exists between its 2 voice leads, Billy Crystal and John Goodman. The introduction of new characters, such as Squishy and his mom, keeps this prequel fresh and hugely entertaining.
13. The Incredibles 2
The sequel to The Incredibles arrived in 2018, amidst a plethora of superhero movies and competing with Marvel, DC and Fox. However, Brad Bird and Pixar wisely chose to focus on a family theme than superheroes this time around, and the result was a funny, heartwarming movie with incredible animation and a stunning musical score from Michael Giacchino. The Incredibles 2 became the third Pixar movie to break the $1 billion mark at the box office.
12. Cars
Cars became the movie that spawned one of the most lucrative merchandising lines of all time. Thanks to its many spinoffs (Planes movie, Cars Toons, and 2 sequels), the list of toys, clothing, and household items available that are Cars themed, is endless. It's estimated that Cars merch pulled in $10 billion in the five years after the movie's release. While the movie may not be to everyone's tastes, the impact that Lightning McQueen, Mater and friends have had on popular culture, particularly for the very young, cannot be ignored.
