Pixar jump-started its success as an animation studio with the release of its first film, Toy Story, in 1995. Pixar's critically acclaimed films have also created countless recognizable characters, like Buzz Lightyear and Mike Wazowski.
While Pixar has released many hit films, there have been numerous that received mixed reviews. Pixar has been in competition with DreamWorks for several years, with each studio fighting for its place at the top. IMDb considers certain films as Pixar's best work, which gives DreamWorks a run for its money.
10 The Incredibles Is A Great Animated Superhero Alternative - 8
For fans that want a break from Marvel's superhero films, Pixar's The Incredibles is a great alternative. As an excellent entry in the animated superhero film genre after its release in 2004, The Incredibles received a high rating on IMDb. The Incredibles closely follows the lives of undercover supers Bob and Helen Parr, formerly Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl.
The Parr children all have their own superpowers, like invisibility and super speed, which come in handy on their mission to defeat Syndrome. The Incredibles won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Sound Editing. The film received a sequel in 2018, titled The Incredibles 2.
9 The Successful Ratatouille Led To A TikTok Musical - 8
Ratatouille was not only a hit film, but also launched a TikTok frenzy to create a musical based on the Pixar production. Ratatouille depicts the life of a rat named Remy, who has exceptional cooking skills. Remy helps a restaurant garbage boy, Alfredo Linguini, while he cooks various dishes. Remy does this by hiding under a chef hat and pulling Linguini's hair strands to control his movements. The pair and Linguini's love interest, Colette, eventually start a restaurant together after health inspectors shut down the previous establishment.
8 Monsters, Inc. Needs A Sequel, Badly - 8.1
The development for Monsters, Inc. began five years before its release in 2001. Monsters, Inc. was a huge success, and even won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for If I Didn't Have You. Unfortunately, it lost to DreamWorks' Shrek for Best Animated Feature. The praise for Monsters, Inc. led to the release of the prequel, Monsters University and a Disney+ TV series titled Monsters At Work.
Monsters, Inc. creates the iconic characters of best friends Sulley and Mike as scarers at a factory in Monstropolis. Monsters, Inc. introduces viewers to the adorable character of Boo and is one of the most requested films to be made into a sequel.
7 Finding Nemo Introduces Viewers To Iconic Pixar Characters - 8.1
Finding Nemo makes Pixar history by becoming their first film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2003. Finding Nemo was also the second highest-grossing film of that year. The story begins with Marlin, a clownfish who loses his wife and all children, but one, in a barracuda attack. When his only child, Nemo, goes missing, Marlin and his new friend Dory set off on a quest to find him.
6 Inside Out Took Almost Six Years To Develop - 8.1
The development of Pixar's Inside Out was an almost six-year process, beginning in 2009. The production crew wanted to accurately portray emotions, so they sought the advice of mental health specialists. This Oscar-winning film follows the life of a girl named Riley, from her birth to her teenage years.
Five emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger, are responsible for controlling Riley's reactions and her core memories. Amy Poehler's character, Joy, often takes the lead of situations and prevents Sadness from touching any memories to protect them. The two of them strengthen their friendship by end of Inside Out, and Joy allows Sadness to take some control.
5 Toy Story 3 Is Pixar's Highest-Grossing Film - 8.2
The third installment of the Toy Story franchise was released in 2010. While it is one of the highest-grossing animated films, Toy Story 3 has one of the priciest productions. Toy Story 3 is Pixar's most financially successful film and continues the story of Andy and his toys. This time, Andy is 17 years old, having got rid of many of his toys to prepare for college.
Andy's mom accidentally brings the familiar toys, like Woody and Buzz Lightyear, to Sunnyside Daycare. There, they encounter the evil Lots-O'-Huggin Bear. The toys eventually escape, and Andy donates them to Bonnie.
4 It's Hard Not To Cry At Pixar's Up - 8.2
Up is one film that is hard not to cry during. The popular 2009 film managed to snag two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score by Michael Giacchino. Giacchino has composed film scores for productions like Doctor Strange and Pixar's Coco.
Up follows Carl Frederickson and a Wilderness Explorer named Russell on a journey to obtain Russell's final merit badge. Their quest is met with several obstacles along the way, including vicious dogs owned by Carl and his late wife's former idol, Charles Muntz.
3 Toy Story Starts Off Pixar's Success With A Bang - 8.3
Toy Story is the 1995 film that started it all. The fame of the franchise, the first feature-length film by Pixar, and the first film to be completed with computer-animation entirely. Toy Story sports a 100 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and became the second highest-grossing film of 1995. The film introduces the iconic characters of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, two of Andy's toys with human-like abilities. The success of Toy Story led to three more installments and an upcoming spin-off titled Lightyear.
2 WALL-E Shows What Greed Will Do To Society - 8.4
WALL-E is considered one of the best animated films ever made, so it's not surprising it won so many accolades. This includes the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2009, along with four other nominations.
WALL-E sets the scene in 29th-century Earth, which has now become unrecognizable due to the heaps of garbage fueled by the level of greed present in society. WALL-E is a trash compacting robots who falls in love with another robot named EVE. This heart-warming film is praised for various elements, like its scenery and overall message.
1 Coco Is Another Tearful Pixar Film - 8.4
Coco, which released in 2017, is considered the best Pixar film, according to IMDb. The Mexican holiday, The Day Of The Dead, heavily inspires Coco. Coco follows the life of a 12-year-old aspiring musician named Miguel, who is transported into the Land of the Dead and sets off on a journey to find his great-great-grandfather.
"Of course, being a Pixar film, Coco is also building toward emotionally overwhelming moments, so stealthily that you may be surprised to find yourself wiping away a tear" said Matt Zoller Seitz in a review for Roger Ebert.