Everyone knows Pixar has a scheme of its own. Even their sub-par work is still pretty good. I’m going to preface this ranking by not including the Pixar movies that I haven’t seen yet; Cars 2, Brave and The Good Dinosaur (but based on overall reviews I can be pretty confident none of these would have ended up in the top ten). Here's my countdown of the 14 best Pixar movies I've seen thus far (saving the best for last):
14) A Bug’s Life (1998)
After the monumental success of Pixar’s first groundbreaking film, A Bug’s Life just didn’t live up the high standards as its predecessor. Also, I can’t really enjoy an animated film about insects without immediately thinking of Jerry Seinfeld’s Bee Movie. Of course this isn’t the movie's fault, but, unfortunately, the whole cartoon insect genre has been tainted because of it.
13) Monsters University (2013)
I loved Monster’s Inc, so of course I would be down to see how the dream team of Mike and Sully came to be. It was a definitely a cute movie. Although, I was a bit wiser and older when this movie came out, so I couldn’t help but think while watching it that they left out a few key components of college. (I know it is a children’s movie, but I hold Pixar to a higher standard of realism).
12) Cars (2006)
The song “Life is A Highway” had no purpose until this film. Mater was a fun side character but got a little old after awhile.
11) Finding Dory (2016)
As far as sequels go, Finding Dory was pretty fantastic. As far as Pixar sequels go, it was meh. Dory is one of Pixar’s best characters, so I understand the temptation to give her her own movie. But I think she functions better as a side character who steals the show rather than the star that has one of her own.
10) Ratatouille (2007)
One of Pixar’s stranger movie premises; a rat who loves to cook so he does so by controlling a mediocre chef via pulling his hair. Weird? yes. Charming? Definitely.
9) WALL-e (2008)
We’re getting to that point in the list where even the bottom half of this ranking still showcases beautiful cinematic masterpieces. The first half of this movie was essentially a silent film, yet it was still able to catch the attention of its audience. It has a very poignant message about what modern humanity is becoming, but still pushes that Pixar optimism by showing that we're not "too far gone."
8) Monsters, Inc. (2001)
This movie blessed us with the treasure that is Mike Wazowski. It holds to the test of time. It was hysterical when I was four, and it’s hysterical now when I’m nineteen. It still manages to get a tear or two out of me when Boo has to say goodbye to Kitty. As Disney-Pixar’s fourth film, the progression of the animation was clearly present with the individual hairs drawn onto Sully (at the time of this film, he had about 2.3 million different strands of hair that had to be animated).
7) Up (2006)
It was the opening sequence heard 'round the world. I dare you to find someone who didn’t cry watching one of the most beautiful (yet brief) silent love stories of all time. It sends the message that life has many chapters, and that when one closes it is just the beginning of another one. While Carl and Ellie still didn’t live out the dream they planned out, their life together was still adventure enough. *sniffles*
6) Toy Story 2 (1999)
Where do I begin with probably one of the best sequels ever made? What I love about this sequel was that, unlike Finding Dory, this was not a movie made for the sole purpose of squeezing out more money. There was actually more of the story to be told, and it was a good story. It took Toy Story a step further and the results paid off. Also, it is because of this movie that I still keep all of my childhood toys. It may be just a movie, but really, how do we know for sure that they don’t have feelings?
5) The Incredibles (2004)
This was Pixar’s first movie about humans. Yes -- they were super humans, but humans no less. I really enjoyed the animation style of this movie and the family dynamics between the Parrs. It was an exciting action movie with an intriguing look into the battle between mediocrity and excellence. Plus, the “WHERE IS MY SUPER-SUIT” scene is still one of Pixar's most memorable.
4) Inside Out (2015)
I am a firm believer in the idea that animated movies are not just for children, and this is a prime example of that theory. This was one of Pixar’s most recent and original films and it just proves that the studio has still got it. This film was so intelligent, touching and, obviously, emotional. It was also so real because it truly is around the age of eleven or twelve when our emotions get more complex -- when we start to feel sad for a long time and when life just harder than it once was. I think out of all the Pixar movies, this one has the most beautiful message. That is: it’s okay to be sad sometimes, and it can actually be a good thing, which really goes against the grain of the general Pixar attitude.
3) Finding Nemo (2003)
The animation in this movie really takes a step forward from innovative to stunning. The ocean is a truly transcendent setting. Outside of the animation, the story was interesting, humorous and even had the essential Pixar ripping-your-heart-out-and-spitting-on-it moment. It shows a father’s dedication by making the trek through the one of the most terrifying abysses on the planet, the ocean. It also has the imperative message to parents that sometimes the best thing that can be done for their children is loosening their grip.
2) Toy Story 3 (2010)
When this movie was announced, I’m sure the reaction was a mix of excitement and “Really? Haven’t they milked this enough already?” The answer for me was: no, they haven’t. Because there was still more to be told with the misfit toys of Andy’s room. Released about 10 years after the last Toy Story movie, Andy goes to college. It was a clever move on Pixar’s part, considering that the kids that watched the original Toy Story movie were now all in college like Andy too. It was a recipe for peak relatability. It may have also had the most perfect ending to any movie ever, which is why I’m still skeptical about the upcoming Toy Story 4. But, if I know Toy Story, I know it will ultimately deliver.
1) Toy Story (1995)
It was the first and it is the best. This gets to the top of the list for the sheer innovation that this movie introduced. It was the first computer generated movie ever, and since then it has set the bar for not only Pixar movies but pretty much every animated movie in the 21st century. Aside from that, it’s just a good movie. It’s funny and clever. Tom Hanks is such a good actor that even his voice acting skills are sublime. I think no matter what Pixar whips out next, nothing will ever come close to this gem.
