ScreenAge Wasteland is proud to present our community’s ranking of Pixar Animation Studios‘ filmography.
Seven people (whether it was staff, commenters, or Twitter followers) took part in sending us their personal rankings of Pixar’s filmography. We then assigned them points (top spot got 27, last spot got 1) and tallied the scores. In the event that someone hadn’t seen a Pixar film, a multiplier was added to bump that film’s score up to what it would have been if all seven people had seen it.
So swing on over and see where each Pixar film ranked. And feel free to agree or disagree with where a film ended up in the comments below! You can also check out our previous ranking of Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe here.
27. The Good Dinosaur (2015) | 14 points
- This movie is honestly just bizarre. The background animation is gorgeous, but the character animation is off-putting when set against the photorealistic world. The movie trailer asks the question, what if dinosaurs never went extinct, and the movie’s answer is … they would farm the land and get involved in a typical Western plot?! – Jacob Holmes
- This movie didn’t seem to make many waves when it was released but I thought it was a lovely movie that deserves more recognition. – Romona Comet
- I’ve only seen this movie once and once was enough. Utterly forgettable. – Marmaduke Karlston
26. Cars 2 (2011) | 25 points
- The perennial butt of all Pixar lists, Cars 2 truly deserves to be last on thist list. Building off the simple American story of the original, the sequel … puts the dumb tow truck as the lead in a James Bond spoof. Uhhhh, OK. – Jacob Holmes
- I’ll never understand why Pixar just didn’t make their own spy film. Why did they have to make it a Cars sequel? – Marmaduke Karlston
25. Lightyear (2022) | 33 points
- What a convoluted mess. I understand what it was trying to go for with the sci-fi time-travel plot, but it made no sense for the character. The animation is stunning, and it feels like it could have changed the game for more mature animated adventure movies but … nope.. – Jacob Holmes
- A disgrace to the Toy Story legacy. This is The Phantom Menace of the franchise. – Tarek
- My rose-tinted glasses do a fair amount of heavy lifting with this movie, but I think it’s surprisingly good. It’s quite a different movie to what Pixar usually makes (if you ignore the fact it’s the fifth movie in their most famous series) and I’d like to see them explore different ideas like this. – LiquidSoap89
T23. Onward (2020) | 34 points
- As much as I wanted to, I could just not get very invested in this adventure. I loved the concept of a world where magic has become so ordinary it isn’t cherished anymore, but the film fails to bear that out in a meaningful way for me. – Jacob
- Not nearly as fun as the idea suggests it’ll be. I didn’t really enjoy this movie at all. – LiquidSoap89
- Pixar takes on grief in a magical way. Not one of their best but still pretty solid! – Romona Comet
T23. Finding Dory (2016) | 34 points
- Most of this movie is just fine as a sequel to Finding Nemo, but the ending goes so far off the rails and avoids so many obvious routes for emotional catharsis that it infuriates me. So here it sits. – Jacob Holmes
- Due to the popularity of Dory, a sequel to Finding Nemo was all but inevitable. While it, like most Pixar sequels, is completely unnecessary, it does have enough laughs and heart to justify its existence. Marlin and his son teaming up was a nice addition, as was Hank the octopus (excuse me, septopus) and the seals. It is nowhere near as memorable as the first one but it doesn’t taint its legacy either. – Sailor Monsoon
22. Turning Red (2022) | 48 points
- I enjoyed seeing the ’90s put on screen in animated form, but Turning Red just didn’t do much for me. The idea of substituting puberty for turning into a giant red panda is a fun premise, but the movie refuses to do much of anything interesting with it. – Jacob Holmes
- If you’re a lady, you totally get this movie. – Romona Comet
21. Cars (2006) | 54 points
- Cars may actually be an even simpler story than Luca, despite its more fantastical trimmings. But taking the classic “big shot forced to slow down and enjoy life” and making it about a racecar is actually a fun idea and the voice acting goes a long way to making the film enjoyable and, honestly, iconic. Kachow. – Jacob Holmes
- This is a rip-off of Doc Hollywood. Despite that, it’s a fine movie. – Marmaduke Karlston
20. Brave (2012) | 56 points
- I have long put Brave near the bottom of my personal ranking, but lately, I feel an urge to rewatch it and reconsider. I love the Scottish setting and the music soars, but the story leaves something to be desired. – Jacob Holmes
- It’s barely fine. It’s not very memorable and nothing really stood out. – LiquidSoap89
- Underrated! A beautiful tribute to mothers and daughters and one I found myself watching often when it first came out. – Romona Comet
19. Monsters University (2013) | 56 points
- When you watched the original Monster’s Inc., did you find yourself wondering, “Why does Randall Boggs squint?” If so, you’re in luck! In Monsters University, you learn it’s because he needs glasses but took them off to look cool. That’s everything you need to know about this unnecessary prequel. – Jacob Holmes
- The last of the Pixar movies that I enjoy. Pixar making their version of an ’80s college comedy is unexpected but fairly well executed. – LiquidSoap89
- This is like a Top 5 Pixar movie for me. The “I found a nickel” line delivery from young Mike always kills me. – Marmaduke Karlston
18. Luca (2021) | 62 points
- Despite the premise of its two main characters being sea monsters, Luca feels a bit simple for a Pixar film, yet I still feel more drawn to it than other recent efforts. It’s a nice story and Giulia in particular is a great character. – Jacob Holmes
- Luca is great because the characters compete in an Italian triathlon where one of the legs is eating pasta. It’s also a wonderfully charming tale about living your truth. One of Pixar’s most empathetic films. – Raf Stitt
17. Cars 3 (2017) | 68 points
- The Cars franchise has always been the weakest of the Pixar franchises, but Cars 3 is at least a nice rebound from the abysmal Cars 2. It returns the spotlight to Lightning McQueen, where it should be, and tells an interesting if typical sports story of an athlete grappling with the end of his career. – Jacob Holmes
- Easily the best entry in the Cars franchise. – Marmaduke Karlston
16. Incredibles 2 (2018) | 76 points
- There was a lot to love about the long-awaited Incredibles sequel, even if it didn’t quite live up to Parr—see what I did there? The Screenslaver is a great villain and getting to see more of Elastigirl in action with her cool motorcycle makes the movie worth watching. – Jacob Holmes
- Incredibles 2 isn’t bad but man is it disappointing. Taking place mere seconds after the first one is such a weird miscalculation. It should’ve been about the kids, now grown up, dealing with the reality of being a superhero while juggling high school. Not exactly original but nor is the plot of this film. The villain is forgettable, the action is lackluster and the plot is basic. It’s not the worst thing Pixar has done but it is by far their biggest misstep. – Sailor Monsoon
- Incredibles 2 has just as much great action and comedic brilliance as the first but also mixes in a really poignant tale about the family unit and the significance that it plays in all of our lives. – Raf Stitt
15. Elemental (2023) | 78 points
- While the story is a bit trite at times, the animation is absolutely stunning and the characters make it work. It really feels like a return to form for Pixar, which has struggled recently to live up to its standard. – Jacob Holmes
14. Soul (2020) | 79 points
- There’s a long unfortunate detour in Soul where the protagonist swaps bodies with a cat, but the scenes in “the Before/Afterlife” are truly awe-inspiring. I just wish we got more of that stuff in the film. – Jacob Holmes
- As a person who’s still trying to find my ideal form of creative expression, this movie was very motivational to me. – LiquidSoap89
- It’s weird to think that the guys from Nine Inch Nails made an ethereal score for an animated movie about being reminded of the beauty of this wonky little thing we call life. – Raf Stitt
13. Toy Story 4 (2019) | 84 points
- Toy Story 4 destroys the ending of Toy Story 3 by revealing, actually, Andy should have kept Woody all along because Bonnie is going to immediately not care about him anymore. – Jacob Holmes
- This movie is certainly riding on the coattails of the original trilogy, but it’s still fantastic. Woody saying goodbye was the first time I genuinely cried during a movie, not just teary-eyed sadness, I’m talking full-blown cry time. It takes an extremely special movie to accomplish that. – LiquidSoap89
12. Up (2009) | 88 points
- The opening montage with Carl and Ellie is a Top 5 Pixar movie in itself, and when Carl opens the adventure book to realize life with Ellie was the great adventure, that floors me. Unfortunately, there’s a big chunk in the middle with talking dogs and a weird blimp villain guy that just doesn’t gel enough for me to lift this into my personal Top 10. But Michale Giacchino’s score is a masterpiece. – Jacob Holmes
- A charming tale about old age and loneliness, two heavy subjects that only Pixar can tackle with a good dose of levity and thoughtfulness. – Tarek
11. Coco (2017) | 95 points
- The first time I watched Coco, it didn’t fully hit me, but on subsequent rewatches I only grew more fond of this film. The twists are fun, the music is great, and the ending is absolutely heartbreaking/heartwarming. – Jacob Holmes
- Every time I watch Coco, I try to convince myself that it will be the time that I don’t cry. And I’m wrong every time. But giving yourself over the emotional rollercoaster of a film is a truly beautiful thing. I’m thankful to Coco for reminding me of that. – Raf Stitt
10. Inside Out (2015) | 105 points
- One of Pixar’s most ambitious films starts out a bit flat for me but well makes up for it with its later acts. An animated movie about the importance of sadness and the forming of complex emotions? Bravo. – Jacob Holmes
- The ongoing joke about how Pixar makes movies is “but what if this thing had feelings?” The joke reached its logical conclusion with Inside Out, a movie literally about feelings having feelings. Since it was such an ongoing joke, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a cheap cash grab to capitalize off of a meme but it’s actually one of the smartest, funniest, and heart-wrenching (R.I.P. Bing Bong), in their entire filmography. – Sailor Monsoon
9. Finding Nemo (2003) | 107 points
- I feel like Finding Nemo is for some reason slipping out of people’s Top 5 Pixar movies, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. It’s an epic journey of a father looking for his son, a son learning about the real world, and tons of laughs along the way. – Jacob Holmes
- Since Dory is such a fan favorite, she steals the attention away from everything else great about this movie. The cast (especially Albert Brooks) hardly ever gets mentioned, the plot and characters get left by the wayside, and the animation, which is technically flawless (the blue fish somehow stand out from their backgrounds even though they’re in the fucking ocean), is never brought up. Dory is a great character, no question but she’s merely the cherry on top of a gourmet sundae. – Sailor Monsoon
8. A Bug’s Life (1998) | 108 points
- This movie has been so unfairly relegated in the Pixar canon. While it’s not the artistic achievement of many of its contemporaries, it is still a well-crafted, very fun film and Flik remains one of my personal favorite Pixar protagonists. – Jacob Holmes
- This movie’s far better than its reputation suggests. The characters are all excellent and Flik finally fitting in with the colony is such a well-earned payoff. – LiquidSoap89
- 25 years later, A Bug’s Life is still one of Pixar’s best films. – Marmaduke Karlston
7. Monsters, Inc. (2001) | 109 points
- I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I’ve actually sat down and watched this movie, which I was obsessed with as a kid. Billy Crystal and John Goodman are money as Mike and Sully and it’s a genuinely touching film in addition to its laughs. – Jacob Holmes
- Incredibly original. This is Pixar at the peak of their creativity. Randy Newman’s jazzy score is also a helluva. – Tarek
6. Toy Story 3 (2010) | 118 points
- Following up Toy Story 2 so many years later felt like a disaster waiting to happen, but the cap on the trilogy found a way to beautifully tie up the story of Andy and his toys (before Toy Story 4 came in and wrecked everything). Despite a large chunk of it being devoted to a prison break setup, it elegantly solidifies the themes of the first two movies as the toys accept moving on to a new child. – Jacob Holmes
- My aforementioned passion for 3D animation led to me getting a diploma in animation after finishing high school. I’d just moved out of my parent’s home for the first time, I was living with a stranger in a city I was unfamiliar with, learning what it means to become an adult; and this movie comes out right in the middle of that. The “Andy’s starting a new period in his life and doesn’t have time for his childhood toys any more” plot hit me real hard and the toys accepting their new roles in the world opened me up to the world of crying ugly man tears during movies. – LiquidSoap89
- A fantastic sequel is rare. An incredible threequel is even more rare. Somehow Pixar pulls off a trilogy (at the time) that never loses its quality or heart. And it made grown men and women cry. Don’t deny it. – Romona Comet
5. Ratatouille (2007) | 120 points
- This movie has rocketed up many people’s lists as it has gone viral on social media with young adults rediscovering its greatness. It certainly is a Top 10 Pixar movie, and has a special place in pop culture. – Jacob Holmes
- Pixar succeeded in making me root for a rat. A rat! As Archimedes said, Give me a good story and I shall move the world. – Tarek
- I feel as though Pixar’s best movie is also their most underrated. Beautiful animation, excellent voice performances, and a lovely story about acceptance. I could watch Ratatouille every day and never get tired of it. – Romona Comet
- It’s wild that Pixar made us all want to eat food cooked by a rat when rats are known to be full of diseases. Pixar’s power over us never ceases to amaze me. – Marmaduke Karlston
4. Toy Story 2 (1999) | 125 points
- It’s impossible for me to rank the first three Toy Story films against each other, but on this day I am choosing 2 to claim a spot for the franchise in the Pixar top 5. A beautiful offshoot of the game-changing original, this is one of the greatest sequels ever made. – Jacob Holmes
- This trilogy means more to me than any other trilogy in existence. Each movie came out at the perfect moment in my life to just perfectly sync with where my life was at. The characters learning that nothing lasts forever, and welcoming new toys into their family was extremely poignant to a kid whose parents had just divorced and were now meeting new people and starting new families. – LiquidSoap89
- The airplane scene is great and to this day I still quote, “Let’s go home,” the same way Woody delivered it in the movie. – Marmaduke Karlston
3. Toy Story (1995) | 135 points
- On top of being a great movie in and of itself, Toy Story is the most important movie in the Pixar canon. It set the standard for the company and revolutionized (for better or worse) animation with the introduction of full-length 3D animation. – Jacob Holmes
- This is where it all begins. A solid milestone that started a tradition of innovative storytelling and inventive techniques. – Tarek
- This movie defined my childhood. Toy Story, Beetlejuice, and Ace Ventura 2 would play on repeat all day every day while I played with my Lego. Toy Story introduced me to the world of 3D animation and defined my hobbies and interests that I still have a passion for today. – LiquidSoap89
- Despite Pixar’s technology improving since Toy Story’s release, the film still holds up today, not feeling as dated as some animated classics. When you hear Pixar, I think you’ll always think of Toy Story first. – Romona Comet
T1. Wall-E (2008) | 136 points
- The defining artistic achievement in Pixar’s storied history, WALL-E captures so much about the human condition through the eyes of a lonely little robot. – Jacob Holmes
- This is the Blade Runner for kids (at heart). – Tarek
- A look at our future disguised as a romance. – Romona Comet
T1. The Incredibles (2004) | 136 points
- Brad Bird is a genius. The Incredibles remains one of Pixar’s best, as well as one of the best superhero movies of all time. There is not a single flaw in the movie. – Jacob Holmes
- My favorite Pixar, hands down. Fun, funny, dramatic, and Marvel-ous. The score is also my favorite Giacchino work. – Tarek
- Another movie that I’ve only seen a few times but still left a huge mark on me. It’s just an all-around great idea for a movie, with a similarly great execution of that idea. The cape joke is probably one of the best setup/payoff jokes ever. – LiquidSoap89
The Incredibles and Wall-E managed to jointly claim the #1 spot, with Toy Story merely 1 point away from making it a three-way tie. Quite a lot of the Top 10 is made up of what we would call “Classic Pixar” now, although there are some newer films higher up on the list like Coco and Inside Out.
Thank you to everyone who participated in SAW’s eleventh community ranking!
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