All Pixar Movies, Ranked

Lightning McQueen and Mater from the original “Cars” are back for this cash-grab sequel, which takes cues from the spy sub-genre. As they prepare for the World Grand Prix, Mater gets embroiled in an international kidnapping plot.

Racing legend Lightning McQueen sets out to prove there’s still some gas left in his tank. The third installment fared slightly better than its predecessor among critics, but drastically underperformed at the box office.

Pixar imagines a world in which dinosaurs never went extinct, chronicling the unlikely friendship between an Apatosaurus and a young human. Despite some visually striking set pieces, the film’s rote storytelling failed to connect with viewers. It’s generally regarded as the studio’s first box office bomb.

While chock full of high-octane adventure, “Cars” features weaker writing and character development than most Pixar efforts. Heading to California for a major event, arrogant racer Lightning McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs. The film was a bigger hit with younger viewers than with many critics or adults.

A fearless female archer breaks free from tradition in this fantasy adventure, which derives some of its story elements from Scottish folklore. Far better than the standard family fare, it still ranks among Pixar’s weaker efforts. Empire critic Ian Nathan described it as “boutique Pixar: less ambitious, more succinct, excellence at a lower ebb.”

Before they were best friends, monsters Sully (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal) were bitter college rivals. This long-awaited prequel takes viewers back to where it all began. Even the critics who enjoyed the film often felt that its storytelling was painted-by-the-numbers.

Expectations were high for Pixar’s sophomore feature, which arrived on the heels of “Toy Story.” While not an outright disaster, it’s regarded as something of a letdown in retrospect. Follow the adventures of a clumsy ant (voiced by Dave Foley), who must prove himself a hero by saving his colony from grasshoppers.

This hotly anticipated sequel to “Finding Nemo” (see No. 9) centers on a forgetful fish named Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), who goes searching for her missing parents. A blockbuster in every sense, it’s nevertheless considered second-rate Pixar at best.

This smash hit follows a family of superheroes into hiding, where they struggle to make do with suburban life. Between its clever retro vibe and human-centric story, the film represented a refreshing departure from the standard Pixar fare (at the time). Were it not for an audience score of only 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, this one would rank much higher on the list.

It’s Elastigirl’s time to shine in this blockbuster sequel, which pits her against a supervillain known as Screenslaver. Creator Brad Bird spent over a decade developing the project, though the story picks up right where the original left off. This was Disney’s fifth animated film to cross the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office.

Pixar’s latest outing depicts the unique bond between a young boy and a sea monster in disguise. It takes place on the Italian Riviera and features the kind of stunning animation that viewers have come to expect from the studio. Baltimore Magazine critic Max Weiss called it “a sweet, gentle, sun-kissed film, with gentle rhythms and a generous spirit.”

One of two Pixar releases in 2020, “Onward” sends two elfin brothers on a journey to reconnect with their deceased father. The concept of magic functions as a recurring theme on multiple levels. This was the studio’s first film to feature an openly gay character (voiced by Lena Waithe).

Anyone can cook — even a rat named Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt) — in this beloved classic. Determined to become a culinary artist, the unlikely chef puts his skills to the test inside a French kitchen. Pixar creatives ate quite well as part of their research.

A New York jazz pianist (voiced by Jamie Foxx) lands the gig of his dreams before taking an unexpected detour through the afterlife. His journey back to earth doubles as an exploration of the creative spark. This film won two Academy Awards.

What was originally conceived as a direct-to-video sequel became this theatrical smash, in which Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the gang return for another adventure. This time around, they square off against an overzealous toy collector with devious plans. Animators worked so hard bringing the story to life that some of them developed carpal tunnel syndrome.

An overprotective clown fish (voiced by Albert Brooks) must confront his worst fears when his son goes missing. The journey that follows spans an entire ocean and presents the fish with a slew of perilous obstacles. This was the highest-grossing animated film ever made (before adjusting for inflation) at the time of its release.

Welcome to the city of Monstropolis, where children’s screams keep the power running. It’s business as usual for professional scarers Sully and Mike until they accidentally bring a small child into their world. Providing the voices of the respective monsters, John Goodman and Billy Crystal demonstrate natural comedic chemistry.

Every “Toy Story” film imparts coming-of-age themes and this one is no exception. Now in the possession of a young girl, Woody and his peers make room for a handmade toy named Forky (voiced by Tony Hale). Rumors of a fifth installment persist, though nothing has been confirmed.

This computer-animated adventure alternates between the interior and exterior worlds of a young girl. As she grapples with major life-changing events, so too do her personified emotions. It took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

Pixar broke new ground with this futuristic parable, which spends its first half in relative silence on a garbage-ridden planet. A young trash-collecting robot rummages through the human wreckage before embarking on a space-based adventure. The built-in themes remain as prescient now as they were when this film was released.

An emotionally draining montage kicks off this wild adventure, in which an old man and young boy travel to distant lands in a flying house. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, critic Michael Rechtshaffen called it “winsome, touching and arguably the funniest Pixar effort ever.”

Andy’s heading off to college and leaving his toys behind in this third installment of the mega-popular franchise. Woody and the gang soon find themselves at a nearby daycare center, where rambunctious children rule the day and a megalomaniac stuffed bear rules the night. This was yet another record-breaking smash for Pixar and Disney at the box office.

More than a critical and commercial blockbuster, Pixar’s inaugural feature shifted an entire industry toward computer animation. With its unique characters and epic adventures, the film also set an early template for many of the studio’s own future efforts. Behold the story of Woody the Cowboy, who must contend with a new toy named Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen).

Bursting with music and color, this fantasy flick trails a young Mexican musician (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) into the Land of the Dead. Many of its set pieces were inspired by Guanajuato, a vibrant city in the heart of Mexico. Look beyond the dazzling veneer to find a gripping story about both family and fame.