Pixar’s best – With “Toy Story 5” now out, The Queue ranks Pixar’s five best movies—placing classics like “WALL-E” at the top and highlighting what still holds up, even as sequels proliferate. It also lists new streaming titles to watch and one romcom to skip.
When Pixar first detonated the animation world with “Toy Story” more than three decades ago, it didn’t just entertain kids—it reset what audiences expected from computer animation. That legacy is hard to ignore as the studio leans into sequels, and it’s exactly why The Queue is looking back now.
The newsletter marks the studio’s 31-year run with a ranked list of Pixar’s best movies. from its early classics through the kind of high-emotion sci-fi that still feels fresh. And at the center of the moment is “Toy Story 5. ” the 31st Pixar film. which The Queue describes as one of the studio’s better efforts.
The piece praises “Toy Story 5” for tapping into anxiety shaped by contemporary, screen-dominated childhood—without abandoning the warmth that made the franchise matter. It also notes a surprising cameo from the comedy world: Conan O’Brien plays a potty-training toy.
From there, the ranking leans heavily into Pixar’s so-called golden age, keeping the focus tight because “space constraints” mean only the top five make the cut. The full list—including where “Toy Story 5” lands—is said to be available on Letterboxd.
The countdown starts at 5 with “Finding Nemo” (2003). The story follows clownfish Marlin’s journey across the ocean to find his lost son, Nemo, but The Queue makes clear it’s Dory—“forgetful” and unforgettable—who steals the show. It points out that Dory later got her own sequel in 2016.
At number 4 is “The Incredibles” (2004). The newsletter frames the film as enduring partly because it doesn’t treat superheroes like pure fantasy. Brad Bird’s story of the Parr family is presented as a rare blend: it captures the virtuous reasons caped heroes do what they do. while also acknowledging less noble motivations.
The number 3 slot goes to “Toy Story” (1995), the film that started it all. The Queue says that for more than three decades. Woody convinced Buzz that he’s “indeed a children’s plaything. ” and that the movie has set an ongoing benchmark—comparing its influence to “Jaws. ” the way it became a standard every later blockbuster struggled to reach.
Number 2 is “Ratatouille” (2007), described as a classic fish-out-of-water narrative. Remy the rat becomes the unlikely engine of the plot. turning into an executive chef. while Linguini—called out as a bumbling garbage boy—learns to share the kitchen with his furry friend. The piece also singles out Pixar’s best physical comedy as part of what makes the movie land.
And the top spot belongs to “WALL-E” (2008). The Queue calls it a mostly wordless sci-fi film about a garbage-compacting robot that both scolds humanity’s excess and validates the tenacity of the human spirit. It also identifies the love story at the heart of the movie as one of the most touching ever put on screen. calling “WALL-E” a masterpiece.
After the Pixar rewind, the newsletter pivots to what’s new to watch and what’s not worth the time.
For new picks, The Queue lists “I Will Find You” (2026), calling it a crime miniseries from Harlan Coben. It highlights that the series is set in Boston and credits Britt Lower—known from “Severance”—for a solid performance as a former Boston Globe reporter. The plot detail that drives the premise: her onetime brother-in-law. played by Sam Worthington. is serving a life sentence for a murder he may not have committed. The show is described as on Netflix.
Next is “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World)” (2026), a music documentary. The newsletter credits Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson—also noted as The Roots bandleader—for another enjoyable music doc. following up on 2021’s “The Summer of Soul.” This time. it focuses on the soul and R&B group that helped define the dance music of the ‘70s. and it’s listed as on HBO Max.
The third new recommendation is “Lorne” (2026), a documentary by Morgan Neville. The Queue suggests it’s especially appealing if you didn’t watch enough behind-the-scenes content about “SNL” ahead of its 50th anniversary show last year. The newsletter admits a wish the documentary were a “tad more probing. ” but says that’s the nature of documentary filmmaking in 2026. “Lorne” is listed as on Peacock.
There’s also a clear skip: “Office Romance” (2026). The newsletter says Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein are “lackluster. ” and it points to a very specific reason the film keeps showing up: audiences are said to be so starved for romcoms that it’s been rooted at the top of Netflix’s most-watched list since its release. The Queue closes the preference gap with a counter-programming suggestion—recommending “The Wedding Planner,” also on Netflix, instead.
That’s the wrap on this edition of The Queue—signed off with a simple promise to keep the streaming hunts coming, including an email invitation at [email protected] for readers who have shows they “can’t stop watching.”
Pixar Toy Story 5 WALL-E Ratatouille Finding Nemo The Incredibles streaming recommendations Netflix HBO Max Peacock romance skip