The Pixar Films - Top 10 Ranked

As of right now in 2019, there are 21 total Pixar films, excluding the iconic shorts. We all have our favorites, whether we grew up in the "A Bugs Life" era, or the "Inside Out" era. Since this blog is all about our favorite classics, I'm partial to the 1995-2008 era, majorly because that's what I grew up around too. So, after much consideration and deliberation, I've made a list of my top 10 favorite Pixar films. Do you agree or disagree? Leave a comment!

10. Cars

I've never had a big opinion about the Cars franchise, but I'll never forget watching it for the first time. I loved seeing so many diverse characters and seeing something that we hadn't seen as much from Disney, using machines rather than animals or humans. It's a whole new Pixar era, teaching amazing lessons to kids, animation is on point, and the character development and story is definitely there. No complaints about this one (besides Cars 2 and Cars 3, but won't get into that here).

9. Up

If I ever watch the very first scene from Up, even if I'm in my best mood possible, I will still cry. It triggers such a personal soft mechanism in me that's uncontrollable when I watch the opening scenes. The whole idea that Up is all actually about Carl's journey to heaven to meet Ellie again makes me watch the movie in such a different way. This was a critical movie for Pixar that we needed to really push audiences over the edge with emotional state and it does that every single time.

8. a bug's life

It was tough for me to rank A Bug's Life *just like it's tough to be a bug ;)*, because although the animation was still being worked on and evolving at the time being that it's the second Pixar film ever, it's still the most classic Pixar movie. I feel it's very underrated, yet tells such an important story about speaking up for yourself, not giving up on what you want, being bold, and also is just extremely humorous. There are so many different types of characters in this one that you have to fall in love with at least one of them. A Bug's Land will always hold a special place in my heart, as it's my only memory of my 2003 Disneyland trip as well.

7. Toy Story 4

Although Toy Story 4 is still fresh, I was an absolute mess after watching it. There were some things that I wish were different, and I wish some characters were showcased more than they were (cough cough, Buzz). But, sometimes continuous sequels tend to get old and ingenuine and totally miss the point of the original, but they did such a good job with not messing the Toy Story franchise up. There's a Toy Story 4 Review on my blog from earlier in the year, check it out.

6. Wall-E

Wall-E is the most real, unfiltered children's movie out there I believe. A lot of the times films are made to escape our harsh realities, and although Wall-E is based on a fictional story, it's also so real when you relate it to the world today. Whenever I see someone litter, the climate changing, people becoming dependent on technology, I always think of Wall-E and how scary it might be to end up that way. There's a romantic element, villainous element, artistic element, and heart string-pulling element. Wall-E tells this whole story all without any dialogue.

5. Toy Story 3

Similar to Toy Story 4, it just has a certain pull on my heart that makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it. It's something different than we're used to. Not to mention watching it now that I'm in college, I can relate to Andy's want to hold onto his childhood for as long as possible, but eventually having to move on. The last scene just gets me, it is the perfect trilogy. The characters stay true to themselves.

4. Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo is very easily my most watched Pixar movie as a child. It produced something different than just a story about romance, but a story about family. I'm very close with my family, so it's 100% relatable when it comes to Marlin. Also, Dory's just an iconic character. There's no Pixar without Dory

3. Toy Story

I had a hard time ranking Toy Story and Toy Story 2, and I've heard other Disney fans say the same. There is something magical about Toy Story, being that it's the first computer animated film ever, and also being such a iconic story. We all thought about our toys talking when we left the room, and the fact that a movie was made about it with an adventurous and heartwarming plot just tops childhoods off. It gives action, excitement, sadness, and every other emotion. I just remember yelling "get back home to Andy!!!"

2. Toy Story 2

I ultimately chose Toy Story 2 as #2 because the animation of course is much better, there are more characters to work with, and gives us more information about our favorites. It was a very full circle movie, speaking about Woody's roundup, Jessie's back story, Buzz's place in the group, and more. The idea of it is so original and unique that it's hard not to love it.

1. Monsters Inc

My number one, all time, could watch at any time of day, favorite Pixar film is Monsters Inc. The animation at the time, the idea of it, the character development, and all of the action that goes on in it is surprising to me that it's not 3 hours long. The humor is child and adult friendly, all of the character have different traits, and is yet another story that we all thought as children, just in movie form. I currently work with kids, and I know the attachment you can develop just like Sulley did with Boo. This is a movie I will never get sick of. Another reason why it's amazing is because it ties the whole Pixar theory together, being that Boo is the witch in Brave and is still looking for Sulley (read my post about the Pixar Theory too while you're at it). It's so satisfying yet cliff-hanging at the end when he opens the door to see Boo again. Not to mention, the animation and detail is incredible for a 2001 movie. I wouldn't have nothin if I didn't have (this movie).