Summary

• Pixar has released 28 movies with memorable characters adding a touch of realism, paving their path to greatness from humble beginnings.
• Though Pixar has never made a terrible movie, their weakest efforts are beautifully rendered, offering enjoyment for all ages of adults and kids alike.
• Each Pixar movie has a special place in fans' hearts, making it difficult to rank, but a comprehensive list is available for fans to create their own favorites.

Pixar has released 28 movies in total, and the ranking of every Pixar movie may come as a surprise. From humble beginnings at Lucasfilm to being counted among the world's premier animation houses, Pixar's journey has been as difficult and inspirational as the adventures of their CG protagonists. After graduating from short films and special effects, the 1995 release of Toy Story - the world's first fully CG-animated feature film - Pixar was on the path to greatness. From there, Pixar became a vital cog in the Disney wheel, spawning one successful franchise after another with box office success and critical acclaim.

It should be said that Pixar has never released a terrible movie. Some certainly sparkle more than others, but even Pixar's weakest efforts are beautifully rendered and offer plenty for kids and adults alike to enjoy. Indeed, most of the movies are undoubtedly stone-cold classics that are incredibly difficult to separate. But here's every Pixar movie ranked worst to best - including Inside Out 2 - to help fans decide their own favorites.

28 Cars 2 (2011)

The Sequel Is Pixar's Most Cynical Moment

When Cars 2 is the unconditional worst film a studio has ever made, it must be doing something right. The sequel to Pixar's talking automobile franchise is perfectly serviceable as a bright, bold cartoon that youngsters will happily lap up. But a jump-started Lightning McQueen stalls and splutters in the face of Pixar movies' usual standard.

Cars 2 is often cited as Pixar's most cynical moment - a sequel that didn't need to happen and made plenty of cash regardless of quality.

Lacking the magic other franchises ooze effortlessly, Cars 2 is crying out for the wit and universal appeal Pixar is known for, content to focus squarely on the frantic racing while characters and storytelling bring up the rear. Cars 2 is often cited as Pixar's most cynical moment - a sequel that didn't need to happen and made plenty of cash regardless of quality. Additionally, the film’s attempt to mix racing with a spy thriller plot feels disted, ultimately diluting the charm and coherence that Pixar fans expect from the studio's offerings.

27 Cars 3 (2017)

The Threequel Is Overshadowed By Pixar's More Innovative Movies

At least it's not Cars 2. The dishonor of the weakest Pixar movie is a photo-finish between Cars sequels, with the third in the series narrowly overtaking its predecessor. Addressing the criticisms Cars 2 ran into, Cars 3 revs up the story elements as Owen Wilson's cheery red racer realizes his glory days might be over. This premise leads Cars 3 on a more interesting curve that lends itself well to Pixar's talent for emotive storytelling.

It's still a Cars movie, which means lighthearted, visually pleasing motor action that rarely ventures out of its lane. While considering how every Pixar movie ranked, the notion that Pixar's second-worst film is only mediocre speaks volumes about the rest of its output. Despite a more grounded and emotionally resonant plot, Cars 3 struggles to leave a lasting impact, overshadowed by the studio's more innovative and heartwarming films.

26 The Good Dinosaur (2015)

The 2015 Pixar Movie Doesn't Take Advantage Of Its Concept

If the Cars series marks Pixar's first critical misfire, The Good Dinosaur is the studio's first proper box office flop. Truthfully, The Good Dinosaur is nowhere near as bad as its financials suggest. Based on the intriguing concept of Earth if the dinosaurs never went extinct, The Good Dinosaur's solid but unspectacular execution is as much to blame for its commercial failure as poor marketing.

Where Pixar movie fans are accustomed to narrative layers and emotional resonance, this prehistoric tale offers only a taste of what the studio is capable of - delightful in the moment, but never leaving a footprint on the audience's hearts and minds. Though The Good Dinosaur brings some ambitious ideas to the table, chances of a sequel were quickly fossilized. Additionally, while the film boasts stunning visuals and heartfelt moments, it lacks the cohesive storytelling and depth that typically define Pixar's masterpieces, making it a pleasant yet ultimately forgettable entry into the studio's lineup.

25 Lightyear (2022)

A Non-Essential But Enjoyable Addition To The Toy Story Franchise

Lightyear is the (fake) movie that inspired Andy's desire to own the Buzz Lightyear action figure and kick off the Toy Story timeline. This would have been a clever concept had director Angus MacLane stuck to it, but the movie that became Lightyear is simply not one that would have existed in 1995 – it feels too slick.

There's plenty to love, including subtle (and less subtle) nods to Toy Story, a convincing and emotional friendship that suffers at the hands of warped time, a great Emperor Zurg twist, an on-form Chris Evans, and stunning visuals. However, its overarching message – "teamwork is good" – hardly measures up to Pixar's more heartstring-pulling themes, and they don't lean far enough into the idea of a frenetic '90s sci-fi movie like The Fifth Element to balance the fun/feelings factors. It's a non-essential but enjoyable addition to the franchise that bears almost no relevance to Toy Story canon.

24 Cars (2006)

The Best Of The Cars Trilogy, Though That Isn't Saying Much

It's no secret that Pixar movie sequels seldom live up to their respective originals, but it's rare indeed that an entire franchise fails to please. Step forward, Cars - the only Pixar series that hasn't produced a single universally loved outing. After bringing to life toys, bugs, fish and monsters, automobiles were the next logical target to anthropomorphize, but it's here that Cars' common problems of thin plot, narrow appeal and style over substance begin.

While these issues would define later sequels, the original Cars has enough talent in its great cast and intrigue in its awe-inspiring premise to chug over the line. Cars might resonate more deeply than its successors, but it still lacks the cinematic weight of almost everything else with a Pixar sticker. Additionally, despite its charming setting and heartfelt moments, the film's pacing and predictability prevent it from reaching the heights of Pixar's more acclaimed works, rendering it a modestly enjoyable but ultimately unremarkable entry in the studio's impressive catalog.

23 Monsters University (2013)

Captures The Vibrant Spirit Of The Monsters Inc. Franchise

The long-awaited follow-up to Monsters, Inc. is a prequel set during Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan's college years. Though this wasn't necessarily a story fans longed to see, Monsters University makes the most of its situation and coaxes plenty of comedic shenanigans from Mike and Sulley's early rivalry. Beyond explaining how the pair came to know each other, however, Monsters University adds little to the first film, playing safe and relying heavily upon the audience's existing love for the characters.

On the other hand, Monsters University's college setting successfully expands Pixar's world of hairy beasts, and the original charm of Mike and Sulley remains mercifully fruitful. A good film burdened by the unabashed greatness of its predecessor. Moreover, while the film captures the vibrant and imaginative spirit of its universe, its predictable storyline and lack of emotional depth compared to the original leave it feeling more like a pleasant diversion than a standout Pixar classic.

22 Elemental (2023)

Pixar's First-Ever Romcom Is A Success

Backed by a typically deep story borne out of director Peter Sohn's real-life experience and the wider immigrant story, Elemental may not be top-tier Pixar, but it is still better than most animated movies. As with a lot of Pixar movies, Elemental also deals with the idea of legacy within families and younger characters finding their own way.

The racism allegory is a smartly conceived one, but it's somewhat lacking in the execution because Sohn's story never quite goes as far as audiences like it to. Nevertheless, the animation is beautiful, the characters well-drawn, and the enjoyment factor for a broad audience is absolutely there. The usual deeper elements are there, and the same pillar Pixar principles, and even where the story sags a little, the central dynamic between Ember and Wade is great.

21 Finding Dory (2016)

Expertly Expands The Finding Nemo Universe

Much like Monsters University, Finding Dory wasn't the sequel fans were calling for, and though Pixar deserves credit for at least trying to avoid predictability, that initial lack of interest hampers an otherwise strong Finding Dory. Focusing on Ellen DeGeneres' amnesiac blue tang, Finding Dory succeeds where many Pixar movie sequels don't, coming perilously close to matching the emotional impact and sense of wonder audiences felt experiencing Finding Nemo for the first time.

There's still an overriding sense that Finding Dory didn't need to happen, but it made more than $1 billion at the box office.

It's a huge benefit that Finding Dory's story works in isolation, and the gut-punch revelations from Dory's notoriously unreliable memory work as well as anything from the first film. There's still an overriding sense that Finding Dory didn't need to happen, but it made more than $1 billion at the box office. Additionally, the film introduces a host of memorable new characters and stunning underwater visuals, which help offset redundancy and reinforce the enduring charm of its beloved protagonist, making it a worthwhile, if not entirely necessary, continuation of the Finding Nemo legacy.

20 Onward (2020)

An Underrated Pixar Movie That Suffered Due To Covid

When Pixar resolved to focus solely upon original stories in the wake of Onward was the first of these productions, and had the misfortune of being released in March 2020. COVID-19 had a profound effect on Onward's box office, but early reaction during the film's short theatrical run was already looking underwhelming.

Set within a world of magic and fantasy, Onward stars Chris Pratt and Tom Holland as two brothers looking to revive their deceased father for a single day.

The chemistry between their characters underpins the entire movie, and Onward's lofty themes are dealt with in a typically uplifting yet sensitive fashion. Onward doesn't quite engage viewers at every stage of the journey, but it remains a worthy addition to Pixar's movie canon that might've been appreciated more without a pandemic. Moreover, the film's heartfelt exploration of grief, family, and self-discovery resonates deeply, showcasing Pixar's ability to blend fantasy with real-world emotions, even if the execution doesn't reach the heights of the studio's most beloved classics.

19 Luca (2021)

A Delightful Movie That Captures The Spirit Of Kids On Vacation

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Luca

PG

Family

Animation

Adventure

7/10

8.0/10

Release Date

June 18, 2021

Runtime

1h 35m

Director

Enrico Casarosa

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  Emma Berman
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  Maya Rudolph

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A more recent tapestry to emerge from Pixar's movie-making loom, Released in the summer of 2021, Luca successfully captures the spirit of young children exploring during warm-weather holidays, championing values of curiosity, friendship, and equality.

Not entirely dissimilar from Monsters University and The Good Dinosaur, Luca's biggest criticism is the lack of depth - a missing layer that might've elevated an attractive and engaging romp into a memorable classic that audiences can revisit time and time again, like a fond summer memory. While the film’s charming simplicity and nostalgic atmosphere make it a delightful watch, it falls short of delivering the profound emotional resonance and narrative complexity that characterize Pixar's most celebrated works, leaving Luca as a pleasant yet somewhat lightweight entry into the studio's impressive lineup.