Pixar movies – A refreshed ranking of Pixar’s films—starting at the lowest points like “Lightyear” (2022) and moving through favorites like “WALL-E” (2008), “Ratatouille” (2007), and “Finding Nemo” (2003), with “Inside Out 2” (2024) placed among the latest standouts.
Pixar has always had a talent for making big ideas feel personal. A comedy about talking toys becomes a story about growing up. A kid’s movie about fish becomes a father-and-son ache you can’t quite shake. Even a rat who loves cooking turns into something oddly profound about art and inspiration.
That’s why it can sting to see the studio’s last few years go a little sideways. Four years before its latest entry, Pixar delivered “Turning Red” (2022). In the same stretch, 2022 also brought “Lightyear,” which the film’s own reception treated with uncommon harshness.
There’s also the question that’s followed Pixar for years: how long can a studio lean on sequels before the spark softens?. Since “Cars 2” in 2011. Pixar has leaned hard into follow-ups like “The Incredibles 2” and “Finding Dory. ” often without the wide-eyed magic of the originals. Original stories still arrived—yet “Elio” (2025) is described here as a prominent example of something that landed as middling.
But this list isn’t here to mourn. Editor’s Note says it was originally published in June 2023 and has been updated to include Pixar’s latest output. With editorial contributions by Bill Desowitz. the ranking runs from worst to best across Pixar’s classic slate—“31 Pixar films” are referenced in the setup. but the numbered entries that follow begin at 31 and proceed through 1.
31. “Lightyear” (2022)
What it is: Packaged as the film that the toy Buzz Lightyear from Pixar’s most famous franchise tied in to. “Lightyear” takes the beloved character and refashions him as a badass space pilot. The result is a charmless action adventure movie that does nothing to justify its existence. The breakout character: It points to a quote from voice actor Chris Evans about how this is “the origin story of the human Buzz Lightyear that the toy is based on.”
Will it make you cry?. Possibly from sadness that Pixar is seriously sinking this low.
30. “Cars 2” (2011)
What it is: “Cars 2” shifts focus away from Lightning McQueen and onto his best friend Mater. as he’s mistaken for a secret agent and roped into solving a very silly. uninteresting global conspiracy. Every character aside from Mater gets sidelined, and the film relies on the charms of Larry the Cable Guy. The breakout character: Mater, but in a bad way. Will it make you cry?. No.
29. “The Good Dinosaur” (2015)
What it is: A dull and forgettable story of dinosaur/farmer Arlo, who attempts to make his way back home with a wild human child in tow.
The breakout character: The titular good dinosaur.
Will it make you cry? No.
28. “Onward” (2020)
What it is: In a fantasy world version of the modern day. elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot attempt to revive their deceased father. bringing the two closer than ever before in the process. The breakout character: The legs-only version of their dad that Ian and Barley summon. Will it make you cry?. “Onward” has fraught family dynamics on display, but ultimately it’s not the tear-jerker Pixar usually conjures up.
27. “Finding Dory” (2016)
What it is: A slight sequel to “Finding Nemo.” It refocuses on the forgetful fish. telling the story of how she tracks down her long-lost family. The breakout character: Ed O’Neil as Hank, the octopus with seven limbs. Will it make you cry?. It may deliver cuteness overload upon seeing baby Dory at the beginning. but otherwise it’s described as too saccharine and mostly as a reminder of how good “Finding Nemo” was.
26. “Elemental” (2023)
What it is: Pixar’s first rom-com and biggest stab at a love story, directed by Peter Sohn. The breakout character: Ember, the fire character, and Wade, the water character. The writing credits their animation tech. calling out fluid simulation and noting it was handled by the VFX team—except this time. Pixar took the lead in fully simulating the characters in collaboration with character animation. Will it make you cry?. Yes. The film is called a tearjerker, with the film culminating in an emotional expression of love between the star-crossed Elementals.
25. “Inside Out 2” (2024) What it is: A scattered sequel to the first “Inside Out. ” exploring new emotions—Anxiety. Envy. Ennui. and Embarrassment—that enter the mind control room of human girl Riley (Kensington Tallman) as she grows into her teen years. The balance between the inner-world storyline and the real-life coming-of-age storyline is described as fatally off. with the emotions’ comedic antics never intersecting with Riley’s struggles in a meaningful way. The list also
brings in chief creative officer Pete Doctor’s comments about Pixar prioritizing “commonality of experience” over “director’s catharsis. ” and says “Inside Out 2” carries signs of a company more invested in introducing easily marketable and merchandisable characters than real. human emotion. The breakout character: Riley herself. The real-world plot sees the teenager meltdown during a stay at hockey camp as she becomes convinced her friends are abandoning her. Will it make you cry?. As a
sequel to a massive Pixar cry fest, “Inside Out 2” is said to leave eyes surprisingly dry.
24. “Elio” (2025)
What it is: A scattered space opera. It’s praised for gorgeous animation and fun alien designs, but described as not fully lifting off. The plot centers on a young boy desperate to be abducted by extraterrestrials to escape his grief over his parents’ deaths. The story is described as having thin characters and surface-level writing that fails to elevate it above mediocrity. The breakout character: Glordin. a squishy larva-like alien that becomes a key figure in Elio’s attempts to remain on the Communiverse. It’s described as adorable, hyperactive, and funny—tailor-made for a plushie. Will it make you cry?. “Elio” tries to get the tears rolling in its climax, but the emotional impact is described as missing. Stakes are called too low, with drama on earth never strong enough to support adventures up in the stars.
23. “Monster’s University” (2013)
What it is: A prequel answering a question nobody had. It recounts how Mike and Sulley from the first “Monster’s. Inc.” became best friends. in the form of a very kid-friendly and only entertaining enough college comedy. The breakout character: Dean Hardscrabble. the imposing but reasonable authority figure at the school. with a memorable design and the regal voice of Helen Mirren. Will it make you cry?. Not really.
22. “Cars” (2006)
What it is: The original “Cars” holds up well despite being dinged at the time of its release as Pixar’s worst. Lightning McQueen’s forced stay at Radiator Springs is described as low-key but sneakily well-written about friendship and community. and emotionally stronger than the sequels. The breakout character: Doc Hudson, played brilliantly by Paul Newman in one of his very last performances. Will it make you cry?. Newman’s big “they quit on me speech” is said to be primed to get audience members misty eyed.
21. “Luca” (2021)
What it is: “Luca” is described as the story of Luca and Alberto: two preteen boys with an intense bond thanks to a secret they must hide to avoid being ostracized by their insular community. The secret is that they’re sea monsters. with subtext described as obviously there even if the film’s shallow writing doesn’t resonate as authentically queer. The breakout character: Massimo, the intimidating but kindly father of Luca’s friend Giuliana. Will it make you cry?. It aims to get nostalgic tears out of the audience with its sunny portrait of a youthful summer. but is described as not going deep enough to bring waterworks.
20. “The Incredibles 2” (2018)
What it is: A fun affair set a decade later. with Brad Bird and the original voice cast reuniting for a story about a super-powered family facing a brand new threat. Weaker villains and retreaded elements from the original leave a film that never quite lives up to the perfection of the first. even with Bob Odenkirk joining the cast. The breakout character: Voyd (voiced by Sophia Bush), the dorky superhero fangirl of Helen. Will it make you cry?. The intense flashing sequences may screw with eyes, but otherwise no.
19. “Cars 3” (2017)
What it is: An adequate conclusion to the “Cars” franchise. An accident puts Lightning McQueen’s career in jeopardy. forcing him under the care of Cruz Ramirez. a personal trainer with racing ambitions of her own. The breakout character: Cruz, described as a fun, spunky foil to Lightning and the franchise’s needed shot of energy. Will it make you cry?. If you’re heavily invested in Lightning McQueen’s character arc, sure.
18. “A Bug’s Life” (1998)
What it is: Pixar was still finding its identity when it released “A Bug’s Life. ” the company’s second feature about an ant attempting to save his colony from terrorizing grasshoppers. It’s called a bit basic compared to Pixar’s future. though it’s still a fun kids movie without inter-generational appeal. The breakout character: Heimlich, the dopey green caterpillar desperate to blossom into a butterfly. Will it make you cry?. No, nor is it trying to make you.
17. “Toy Story 4” (2019)
What it is: The fourth “Toy Story” movie never quite justifies its existence. but it delivers an enjoyable story for Woody. His struggles to adjust to his new owner send him on a quest to find his place in the world. reuniting with old flame Bo Peep. The breakout character: Forky, whose existential dread becomes an amusing new angle for the franchise’s central conceit. Will it make you cry?. Woody and Buzz’s big goodbye will bring tears to eyes if you’ve been watching since the beginning; otherwise. probably not.
16. “Toy Story 5” (2026) What it is: Like “Toy Story 4. ” “Toy Story 5” is described as always feeling a little like an epilogue that wasn’t totally needed. The stronger fifth installment is said to improve things by making Woody and Buzz sidekicks in favor of Jessie. Jessie—always called the franchise’s saddest character—takes the lead in an adventure that forces her to confront past heartbreaks. The breakout character: Lilypad, the talking tablet for
kids voiced by Greta Lee. She’s described as a lovably annoying sitcom arch-nemesis who wrests control of Bonnie’s free time away from Jessie and other toys. The piece adds that while the film raises thorny questions about tech’s impact on children’s development. it can’t quite commit enough to make tech an actual villain. Will it make you cry?. Probably not full-on tears. but anyone who grew up with “Toy Story 2” and was traumatized by
“When She Loved Me” will get misty-eyed over numerous callbacks.
15. “Coco” (2017)
What it is: “Coco” takes what could be a generic coming-of-age story and lifts it through genuine emotions and cultural specificity. It focuses on Miguel, a 12 year-old boy whose musical aspirations conflict with his family’s longtime ban on music. He is transported to the afterlife during the Day of the Dead. The breakout character: Coco, Miguel’s elderly and wise great-grandmother. Will it make you cry?. Even those who don’t care for the rest of the film are likely get teary-eyed during the big “Remember Me” scene.
14. “Brave” (2012)
What it is: “Brave” is described as having turned into a completely different movie after original director Brenda Chapman got replaced by Mark Andrews and Steve Purcell. The shift changed it away from a more intense action film to a homebound family comedy. The result is called inconsistent, with tonal and pacing issues. Still. Merida’s struggles to break free from the constraints she deals with as a princess in her Scottish kingdom—and her complicated relationship with her mother—gives the film enough weight not to collapse. The breakout character: Merida herself. She’s described as Pixar’s first female main protagonist—fun. feisty. and flawed in a way that makes her magnetic. Will it make you cry?. If you have mommy issues, then definitely.
13. “Soul” (2020)
What it is: “Soul” features a spectacular soundtrack by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste. The film follows Joe: a jazz pianist who falls into a coma and wakes in the realm of souls. Joe teams up with a pre-born soul 22 to attempt to escape and journey back home. The breakout character: Terry. the control freak astral being pursuing Joe and 22. described as the closest thing the understated movie has to a villain. Will it make you cry?. Kids won’t cry, but adults who see themselves in Joe’s pursuit of greatness definitely will.
12. “Monsters, Inc.” (2001)
What it is: Pixar’s first outright comedy. “Monsters, Inc.” is set in a world where monsters uses the screams of human children for energy. Sulley and Mike accidentally harbor a human child that escapes into the monsters world. and learn laughter is far more powerful than screams as an energy source. The breakout character: Mike Wazowski, voiced by Billy Crystal. Will it make you cry?. From laughter, maybe!.
11. “Turning Red” (2022)
What it is: “Turning Red” is described as Pixar’s first great film in a good seven years. It’s a coming-of-age for Mei Lee. a hyperactive girl in Toronto whose strained relationship with her mother turns more complicated when she discovers her ability to turn into a gigantic red panda. Director Domee Shi is said to have heavily based the film on her own childhood growing up. and its specificity and deeply felt emotion is described as letting it transcend cliché and resonate as one of Pixar’s best. The breakout character: 4*town, described as the greatest fictional band of all time. Will it make you cry?. The relationship between Mei and her mother is called one of Pixar’s most resonant. and their confrontation at the end is guaranteed to hit you hard.
10. “Toy Story” (1995)
What it is: The original “Toy Story” introduced audiences to living toys that became cultural icons. Woody is described as a prima donna who tries to hog owner Andy’s attention after purchasing action figure Buzz Lightyear. When Woody and Buzz end up in the home of Andy’s neighbor Sid. the toys are forced to team up and become friends to survive. The breakout character: Sid, whose bratty behavior and nightmarish experiments with toys are described as a perfect antagonist. Will it make you cry?. You probably won’t be bawling. though the scene where Buzz confronts his existence as a toy is described as the first sign of Pixar’s deeper issues to come.
9. “Up” (2009)
What it is: “Up” follows Carl. a retiree who turns his home into an airship with balloons to visit Paradise Falls. the destination he and his deceased wife Ellie always dreamed of seeing. Russell. an 8-year-old wilderness explorer. accidentally ends up on the journey. forcing Carl to open up and let go of bitterness protected since losing Ellie. The breakout character: Dug, the talking golden retriever. Will it make you cry?. It’s called famously emotional, with the saddest part being its opening sequence detailing Carl and Ellie’s shared life.
8. “Hoppers” (2026)
What it is: After a string of middling original films like “Elemental” and “Elio. ” “Hoppers” is described as Pixar getting some of its mojo back with one of its most irreverent and funniest films. Directed by Daniel Chong of “We Bare Bears” fame. “Hoppers” follows environmental activist Mabel as she inhabits the body of a robot beaver and infiltrates the animal kingdom to stop the construction of a highway and save a beloved glade near her home. The breakout character: Lots of fun animals, plus Meryl Streep making a cameo as a regal butterfly queen. Will it make you cry?. Not particularly, but “Hoppers” is described as an emotionally affecting look at community and human’s relationship with nature.
7. “Toy Story 3” (2010)
What It Is: The incredibly emotional (not actual) finale sees Andy all grown up and on the verge of heading to college. After his mom accidentally throws away the toys he intended to store at home. the crew winds up in Sunnyside Daycare. ruled with an iron fist by the psychotic Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear. The Breakout Character: Barbie and Ken. described as leaving big shoes to fill in the live-action “Barbie” movie in 2023. with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Will it make you cry?. The last twenty-ish minutes are described as designed to make anyone who watched a “Toy Story” film break down.
6. “Toy Story 2” (1999)
What it is: The list calls it basically the first “Toy Story” but better. When Woody gets a tear in his arm. anxieties about being thrown away by Andy push him into being stolen by toy collector Al. who intends to sell him to a toy museum in Japan. As the other toys race to save him. Woody has to consider staying in perfect condition forever or enjoying the few short years with the owner he loves. The breakout character: Jessie. the cowgirl toy Woody meets. whose backstory is described as among the saddest of any Pixar hero. She becomes essentially the third lead of the franchise going forward. Will it make you cry?. The Sarah McLachlan song is said to almost certainly get you sobbing.
5. “Inside Out” (2015)
What it is: “Inside Out” leans into emotional stories with a film about emotions. In Riley’s mind. five emotions—Joy. Disgust. Anger. Fear. and Sadness—control reactions as she faces a major life change after her family moves to another state. When Joy and Sadness get knocked out of the control tower and forced to find their way home. they learn how complicated emotions are and how that complication helps Riley grow. The breakout character: Bing Bong. the forgotten imaginary friend designed to make people cry over the loss of their inner child. Will it make you cry?. It’s described as actively encouraging that sadness is as important to life as happiness.
4. “WALL-E” (2008)
What it is: Pixar’s greatest romance focuses on WALL-E. a cleanup robot on a ruined earth. and EVE. a tracking robot trying to find habitable life on the polluted world. The famously dialogue-less opening half is called pitch perfect, and the film’s environmental message never feels overly preachy. The connection between the two robots leads to some of the most beautiful moments in animation—and film history. The breakout character: The cockroach WALL-E befriends. Will it make you cry?. From beginning to end, baby.
3. “The Incredibles” (2004)
What it is: The original “The Incredibles” follows the Parr family. a superhero clan living in a world where those with powers are outlawed. The family takes on Syndrome—called Pixar’s funniest and darkest villain—in an adventure described as a perfect mix of funny. action-packed. and emotional. The breakout character: Frozone’s wife. responsible for “Where is my supersuit?” The moment is called the funniest in any Pixar movie. Will it make you cry?. Not one of the studio’s biggest tearjerkers. but its portrait of middle-aged malaise is described as hitting home for adults watching with their kids.
2. “Ratatouille” (2007)
What it is: One of Pixar’s smartest and deepest films. “Ratatouille” follows Remy. a French rat dreaming of becoming a great chef. who finds an ally in Linguini. the busboy at the restaurant of his culinary idol. The breakout character: Anton Ego. the harsh food critic voiced by Peter O’Toole. who starts as a one-dimensional stereotype before becoming the center of the film’s emotional climax. Will it make you cry?. It’s described as not as famous a tearjerker as some other Pixar films. but as an understated emotional ride with themes of community. art. and the pursuit of greatness.
1. “Finding Nemo” (2003)
What it is: “Finding Nemo” is described as Pixar’s best because it grounds everything in the relationship between fish father Marvin and his son Nemo. with Marvin struggling to let Nemo grow and inadvertently pushing him away. Marvin’s quest to find Nemo after he gets kidnapped is described as Pixar’s most satisfying emotional journey. with a perfectly paced and plotted adventure that still cuts deep on the first. third. or 5. 000th watch. The breakout character: Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. The list argues her voice acting is an all-time performance that gives the film its heart and soul. Will it make you cry?. From the traumatic opening to Dory’s climactic speech to Marvin and Nemo’s reconciliation. it’s described as crying enough to fill up the Great Barrier Reef.
Pixar Pixar movies ranked Toy Story Inside Out 2 Finding Nemo WALL-E Ratatouille Turning Red Elemental Monsters Inc. entertainment news
Ranking lists are pointless lol. Pixar always changes the rules every few years.
I don’t get the Lightyear hate tbh, it was fine. Maybe people just wanted another Toy Story and took it out on it.
Putting Inside Out 2 anywhere near WALL-E is wild. Also I swear PIXAR only makes sequels now because Disney is cheap, like they’re running out of original ideas. But then how come Turning Red was original-ish? Makes no sense to me.
The part about sequels softening the spark… yeah, because every time I see a sequel I’m like “ok so where’s the lesson,” and sometimes it’s just merch. Also how did they rank Ratatouille? That one always seems like #1 in my head, like no contest. I haven’t even seen Lightyear but I’m already judging it because everyone was mad.