When Pixar’s “Toy Story” first arrived in theaters, the animation studio didn’t know what to expect. To quote executive producer Steve Jobs, “If ‘Toy Story’ is a modest hit — say $75 million at the box office — we’ll both break even.” Suffice it to say, the film was far more than a “modest hit,” earning over $365 million worldwide (unadjusted for inflation), spawning three sequels, and revolutionizing an entire industry of computer animation.
The film also established Pixar as a predominant provider — perhaps the predominant provider — of family entertainment for the modern era. (For proof, look no further than this list of the best G-rated movies ever made).
Here we are 26 years and 24 feature films later, and Pixar’s standards of quality remain conspicuously high. From the vivid animation to the emotive characters to the complex themes, the majority of their output continues to excel on multiple fronts. It’s then no surprise that these films have collectively earned over $14.5 billion at the global box office — and that’s before adjustments for inflation.
Click here to see how every Pixar movie has done at the box office
Adding critical clout to the commercial success are 16 Academy Awards and a seemingly endless stream of positive reviews. (Here are the biggest box office hits since 2000).
Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing for Pixar. The studio has yielded an occasional box office disappointment or outright bomb over the years. In fact, there was a brief run from 2011 to 2015 where they churned out a number of second-rate efforts, including paltry sequels like “Cars 2” or the commercial failure “The Good Dinosaur.” The recent pandemic didn’t exactly help movies like “Onward” in terms of box office performance, either.
To identify which Pixar movies have done best (and worst) at the box office, 24/7 Tempo reviewed domestic box office and production budgets for all 24 Pixar features from The Numbers, an online movie database owned by consulting firm Nash Information Services. Data was collected from March 2021 to June 2021. Dollar amounts have been adjusted for inflation. “Soul” and “Luca” were excluded as they were not released in theaters in U.S. due to the pandemic.
22. Onward (2020)
> Domestic box office: $61.6 million (#2,754 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $127.9 million (#2,050 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer
Two elfin brothers attempt to reunite with their deceased father in this magical Pixar adventure. Released in March of 2020, its theatrical run (and adjoining box office performance) was cut short by the pandemic. A rapid pivot onto renting and streaming platforms helped offset some of the loss.
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21. The Good Dinosaur (2015)
> Domestic box office: $133.7 million (#1,234 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $362.7 million (#720 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $187.5 million
> Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, Maleah Nipay-Padilla, Ryan Teeple
Pixar’s 16th feature takes place in a world where dinosaurs never went extinct, telling the story of a young apatosaurus and his human friend. It opened domestically at No. 2 and underperformed overseas. Lukewarm reviews didn’t help.
20. Cars 3 (2017)
> Domestic box office: $156.1 million (#1,015 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $391.7 million (#646 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $175.0 million
> Starring: Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Nathan Fillion
Race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) struggles to keep pace with the competition in this middling final installment. The film fared slightly better among critics than its immediate predecessor, but earned less at the box office.
19. Coco (2017)
> Domestic box office: $214.9 million (#603 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $815.1 million (#182 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $175 million
> Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Between the positive reviews and high audience ratings, this vivid fantasy tale ranks among Pixar’s most adored releases. Rife with color, music, character, and theme, it follows an aspiring Mexican musician into the Land of the Dead. An underperformer domestically, it still made a bundle worldwide.
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18. Cars 2 (2011)
> Domestic box office: $221.1 million (#576 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $647 million (#307 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer
Lightning McQueen and Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) return for this cash-grab sequel, widely considered the worst Pixar film to date. The story sends both cars overseas for the World Grand Prix before diverging into a convoluted kidnapping plot.
17. Brave (2012)
> Domestic box office: $273.1 million (#407 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $638.2 million (#322 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $185 million
> Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
In this Scottish fairy tale, an independent-minded princess defies tradition with help from an enchanted cake. Her quest for freedom sparks all kinds of chaos in the kingdom. A lesser-known Pixar effort perhaps, “Brave” is still far better than the standard family fare.
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16. Ratatouille (2007)
> Domestic box office: $274.9 million (#400 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $834.2 million (#174 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $150 million
> Starring: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm
A talented rat (voiced by Patton Oswalt) puts his culinary skills to the test in this Pixar comedy. It opened at #1 at the domestic box office, beating out the Bruce Willis action flick “Live Free or Die Hard.”
15. WALL·E (2008)
> Domestic box office: $285.5 million (#368 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $679.4 million (#284 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $180 million
> Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
While critically adored and ever-prescient, this sci-fi adventure wasn’t necessarily the blockbuster one might expect, at least not by Pixar standards. Set in a dystopian future, it follows a trash-collecting robot aboard a space-bound ship.
14. Monsters University (2013)
> Domestic box office: $302.5 million (#336 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $837.6 million (#172 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren
This overdue (and perhaps unnecessary) prequel takes viewers back to where it all began, depicting a college rivalry between monsters Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal) and Sully (voiced by John Goodman). It was one among a string of second-rate releases from Pixar from around the same time. Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw noted, “the longed-for return to Pixar greatness seems as far away as ever.”
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13. A Bug’s Life (1998)
> Domestic box office: $318 million (#305 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $709.2 million (#262 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $45 million
> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere
A hapless ant (voiced by Dave Foley) embarks on a path for bravery and redemption in Pixar’s sophomore effort. Even when adjusted for inflation, it was to be the studio’s lowest-grossing effort for the next nine years.
12. Cars (2006)
> Domestic box office: $341.3 million (#269 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $645.6 million (#309 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $70 million
> Starring: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman, Larry the Cable Guy
Welcome to the world of anthropomorphic cars (and other vehicles) as only Pixar can imagine it. Overconfident racer Lightning McQueen is on his way to a major event when he gets waylaid in the town of Radiator Springs. The life lessons that follow are relatively shallow by the studio’s standards, but kids loved the film anyway.
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11. Up (2009)
> Domestic box office: $357.9 million (#248 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $893.4 million (#147 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $175 million
> Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger, Christopher Plummer
One of the most famous — and harrowing — opening montages in film history gives way to the story of an old man and his flying house. Accompanied by a stowaway, he takes off for the mythical realm of Paradise Falls. This was the sixth-highest grossing film of 2009 at the worldwide box office.
10. The Incredibles (2004)
> Domestic box office: $385.6 million (#212 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $931.4 million (#133 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $92 million
> Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee
The suburban life is no life at all for a family of undercover superheroes in this beloved adventure. Its box office success presumably came as a relief to creator Brad Bird, who’d previously experienced commercial disappointment with 1999’s “The Iron Giant.”
9. Inside Out (2015)
> Domestic box office: $387.3 million (#208 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $929.1 million (#134 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $175 million
> Starring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling
A young girl and her personified emotions struggle with a new move in this Oscar-winning smash. The film premiered at Cannes before opening to huge numbers and massive acclaim, bringing Pixar out of a short-lived rut.
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8. Toy Story (1995)
> Domestic box office: $405.4 million (#182 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $769.2 million (#220 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $30 million
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
When Andy is away, his toys will play. Pixar’s seminal debut feature turned the studio into a household name and helped pave the way for the modern era of computer animation. It opened at No. 1 and stayed there for the next two weekends, taking Disney CEO Michael Eisner by surprise.
7. Toy Story 4 (2019)
> Domestic box office: $434.0 million (#153 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $1.07 billion (#99 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale
This recent installment comes predictably loaded with coming-of-age themes, as Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the gang make way for a new toy. It became the fourth Pixar movie to cross the $1 billion mark (before inflation) at the worldwide box office.
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6. Toy Story 2 (1999)
> Domestic box office: $445.1 million (#143 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $925.7 million (#135 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $90 million
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
Originally conceived as a straight-to-video title, this theatrical sequel ended up as the highest-grossing animated film of 1999. When Woody is abducted by a maniacal toy collector, his peers must execute a risky rescue mission.
5. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
> Domestic box office: $470.4 million (#127 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $908.7 million (#142 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $115 million
> Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi
Pixar’s fourth feature takes place in the city of Monstropolis, where children’s screams function as a vital energy source. Chaos ensues when cohorts Mike and Sully let a young girl loose in their world. Shot on a budget of $115 million, this was the highest-grossing Pixar film of its time.
4. Toy Story 3 (2010)
> Domestic box office: $481.8 million (#119 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $1.24 billion (#64 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty
This instant classic follows Woody and the gang to a local daycare center, where an evil stuffed bear rules with an iron paw. Pixar’s best opening at the domestic box office (at the time), it was also their 11th film in a row to take the No. 1 spot.
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3. Finding Dory (2016)
> Domestic box office: $515 million (#101 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $1.09 million (#93 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson
A forgetful fish named Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) searches for her missing parents in this blockbuster sequel to “Finding Nemo” (No. 2 on this list). Unadjusted for inflation, it’s the ninth highest-grossing animated film of all time.
2. Finding Nemo (2003)
> Domestic box office: $578.1 million (#71 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $1.42 billion (#42 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $94 million
> Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe
This ocean-spanning adventure centers on a timid clownfish (voiced by Albert Brooks), who must overcome his worst fears in order to find his missing son. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, it’s also the best-selling DVD of all time.
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1. Incredibles 2 (2018)
> Domestic box office: $611.9 million (#62 out of all movies in database)
> International box office: $1.25 billion (#62 out of all movies in database)
> Production budget: $200 million
> Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner
Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes returns for this long-awaited blockbuster, which sends Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter) on a dangerous mission. Factoring in all expenses, Deadline estimated that the film made an astounding net profit of $447.4 million during its theatrical run.
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