Pixar was a strong contender between 1995 and 2006, and Disney knew it. That’s why Disney went ahead and acquired Pixar Studios altogether, making them into a subsidiary of the global conglomerate. Under Disney, Pixar continues to put out some of the best animated movies in the entire industry—not just ones that are kid-friendly, but ones that are deep, meaningful, and beloved by adults. As of this writing, Pixar Studios has 23 feature films under their belt. Of those, here are the best Pixar movies that are beautiful, layered, complex, and packed with emotional heart.
11. Coco (2017)
In Coco, we see Pixar take a step away from the standard setting of suburban America. Instead, Coco takes place in vibrant Mexico, where young Miguel dreams of becoming a musician. The only problem is, his family forbids it. After uncovering a family secret, he decides to enter the Day of the Dead talent show anyway. What ensues is a dynamic, magical trip into the not-so-scary Land of the Dead, giving kids a taste of something more culturally diverse.
10. Wall-E (2008)
Prepare for this cute little robot to break your heart, being the only (lonely) one left on planet Earth. Wall-E was made with a very clear message in mind: stop consuming so much unnecessary stuff! With the globe completely overrun with garbage and Operation Clean Up having completely failed, the human race now lives on a spaceship. Obese, brainwashed, and mindlessly distracted by technology, mankind is practically at an end—just like the environment. That is, until Wall-E and his robot girlfriend Eva show up and save us all.
9. Up (2009)
Up is a solid rival to The Notebook and The Impossible when it comes to films that will make you weep. Specifically, the montage scene that depicts the loss of Carl’s childhood sweetheart. To honor his wife’s passing, grumpy old man Carl takes a trip to Paradise Falls (where she’d always dreamed of going). He ties 20,622 balloons to his house and flies away to the land of talking dogs and giant exotic birds. There’s just one thing he didn’t plan for: young Wilderness Explorer Russell tagging along!
8. Ratatouille (2007)
Pixar has a beautiful way of visually capturing passion. In Ratatouille, flavors present themselves as dancing lights every time Remy (a rat who longs to be a chef) tries a new food combination, like fireworks exploding in the darkness. Having left the herd, Remy lives his dream of cooking in a fancy Parisian restaurant. The only catch? He has to hide under the hat of kitchen porter Alfredo Linguini. But that’s OK, because Remy discovers that he can control Alfredo’s limbs from within his hat and begins to cook food by living—quite literally—through him.
7. A Bug’s Life (1998)
An early classic, A Bug’s Life follows the life of a small ant facing off against the big bad world of “bug city.” When Flik accidentally destroys the colony’s food stores, he’s made to restore it—with interest—or face the axe. He decides to raise an army of insects to fight against the grasshoppers instead. Here, children are taught the values of teamwork as well as individuality. Adults just get a good laugh.
6. Soul (2020)
This Oscar-winning animated movie, which happens to be the most recent Pixar production as of this writing, follows broke jazz musician Joe Gardner, whose near-death experience triggers a spiritual awakening in the Great Before. Get ready for an existential crisis. Are we sure this is even a kids film? Soul is more like an introspective adult cartoon—the colorful flowing lights serve to distract kids while parents question the meaning of life.
5. Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out primarily takes place in the mind of 11-year-old Riley. Her five core emotions—Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust, and Sadness—are personified into colorful characters who work together to control her neuropsychology and keep her in balance. But when Joy and Sadness are accidentally lost, the Headquarters of Riley’s Brain turns to chaos as they try to figure out how to restore order and prevent Riley from destroying her relationships. Much like Soul, Inside Out treats all ages of the family as equals, engaging the minds of 7-year-olds and 70-year-olds alike as it essentially teaches us how to deal with our emotions.
4. Finding Nemo (2003)
After his son gets abducted by divers, agoraphobic clownfish Marlin leaves his safe coral home and dives into the abyss to find his son and bring him back home. On the way, he befriends ditzy blue-tang fish Dory (who suffers from comical short-term memory loss), stoner turtles, and sharks who aren’t as scary as they look—a lesson Marvin continually learns. Even though Finding Dory had its moments, it’s nothing compared to the original. Finding Nemo was an instant classic at release, navigating viewers through ocean depths and dangers of the land.
3. The Incredibles (2004)
Beginning in the 1950s, the world has turned against superheroes because of all the damage and disruption they cause, which puts Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl out of their jobs. Mr. Incredible finds himself particularly downtrodden by the monotony of suburban life, and embarks on secret missions to defeat his ex-sidekick, Syndrome. It doesn’t stay secret for long, though, and soon the whole family’s involved. An animated match for the MCU, The Incredibles is an animated superhero movie like no other. The sheer creativity and wit make it a hit with older viewers, earning third spot on our list.
2. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Monsters Inc. opens with a truly terrifying scene for any sensitive child—glowing eyes rising under the bed—but once the light is switched on, the comedy kicks in. The film takes place in Monstropolis, where funny creatures put on a scary face to extract fuel from kids’ screams. It’s clever, it’s witty, and the final scene just might break your heart… Monster’s Inc. finds inventive and entertaining ways to teach kids that there’s no need to fear the monsters lurking in the closet. The lovably fluffy Sully (or “Kitty” as the toddler Boo calls him) and his sarcastic one-eyed buddy Mike are the least scary things in the world.
1. Toy Story (1995)
Of all the brilliant Pixar movies out there, Toy Story is the most famous. And it’s no wonder why! Touching and original, it was the first of the Pixar films and launched the modern era of animated CGI movies. Toy Story gives us a glimpse into the world of toys, who only come to life when nobody is looking. Woody and his gang of toys welcome newbie space-ranger Buzz Lightyear, who fast becomes Andy’s new favorite toy. Overcome with jealousy, Woody plans to eliminate his competition—and quickly receives his karma. Toy Story was followed by a number of successful sequels, concluding with the fourth entry in 2019. Toy Story 2 was particularly loved by fans, but the one that started it all must take the throne as king. Read next: Why Disney+ is worth subscribing to
