Pixar has been enchanting viewers with its animated films since 1995's Toy Story, a film that didn't just revolutionize the world of computer-generated animation, but also set a standard for the studio that continues to be held up to this day. As of 2021, Pixar has released over twenty feature films that have earned the company several Academy Award nominations and wins, among other accolades.
Despite its reputation for critically acclaimed and well-received films, Pixar has struggled when it comes to sequels. Not many of them are regarded as 'worthy' of their respective original films and most haven't attained the same level of success, both with the critics and the audience.
8 Cars 2 Deserves To Be Called The Worst Pixar Movie Of All Time
Cars 2 isn't just regarded as the worst Pixar sequel, it's also considered to be the worst Pixar movie of all time. The film took what people enjoyed in Cars—which admittedly wasn't much, given the mixed reception it received—upped it to a hundred, and ultimately made itself unwatchable for anyone over the age of six.
The focus on the comedic-relief-slash-sidekick character Mater, the dumbed-down plot, and the emphasis on action and fun over Pixar's signature heartfelt storytelling are all elements that explain Cars 2's poor reception with the public and critics alike. It's also infamous for being the only Pixar movie to date to receive a "rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes, ruining an otherwise perfect record for the renowned animation studio.
7 Cars 3 Went Back To Basics, And It Worked
Having learned from its predecessor's damning mistakes, Cars 3 shone the spotlight on the original protagonist Lightning McQueen once again and delivered a story reminiscent of the first film in the franchise. With a far better plot and the exploration of themes such as growing old and learning to let the newer generation take over, Cars 3 immediately stood out as the best Cars sequel so far.
Critics applauded the animation and celebrated the return to Pixar's more complex narrative that tends to focus on lovable characters and their inner struggles. Despite being better than Cars 2, the film is still far from being great and is often called a 'middle-of-the-road' project when placed next to Pixar's best.
6 Monsters University Wasn't What Fans Wanted, But It Wasn't Terrible
Fans were disappointed when Pixar announced a prequel to the beloved Monsters, Inc. as most of them were expecting a sequel including a reunion between Sulley, Mike and fan-favorite character Boo. Instead, Monsters University focuses on Mike and Sulley's first meeting and subsequent team-up, expanding the franchise's world by introducing new monster characters and ultimately bridging into the plot of the first movie.
While the film is harmlessly entertaining and bright, it doesn't stand out amongst other Pixar films given its lack of originality and edge. It was a good enough return to form for Pixar after the disastrous Cars 2, but it still lacks the charm and warmth characteristic of the studio.
5 Finding Dory Played It Safe. Too Safe.
Thirteen years after Finding Nemo became an international phenomenon, Finding Dory finally brought viewers Dory's story as she traverses the ocean in search of her parents and her forgotten memories. The film was praised for its animation and comedy, with many once again singling out Ellen DeGeneres' portrayal of Dory as one of the movie's best elements.
In spite of being considered a good sequel, Finding Dory has been criticized for not being as fresh as the original and relying on many of Finding Nemo's emotional beats. Still, playing safe definitely made the film good enough to earn it an A CinemaScore from audiences who clearly enjoyed Dory's adventures.
4 The Incredibles 2 Isn't Perfect, But It's Good Enough
The Incredibles 2 was bound to receive heated criticism from the start. As one of the most anticipated sequels to an animated movie, the film immediately drew widespread attention from fans who had enjoyed the more mature, comic-book-inspired tone of the original. Thankfully, The Incredibles 2 is filled with enough hilarious comedy and great action to make it a more-than-acceptable sequel.
Despite remaining on the more complex side and taking a few more risks, the film suffers from a predictable, cookie-cutter villain that drags the plot in unappealing directions. On the other hand, the Parrs are the best thing about The Incredibles 2, and the film is at its best when it's centered around them and their family antics.
3 Toy Story 4 Proved That Sequels Can Be Great
As the fourth sequel to the acclaimed and beloved Toy Story, one might think Toy Story 4 to be subpar and redundant, but the reality is the complete opposite. With its charming new and returning characters and a clever plot, the film demonstrates why Toy Story remains Pixar's most iconic franchise to this day.
The movie's pace and lack of unnecessarily loud visuals were praised and contrasted with other animated movies with the same G-rating, which tend towards distracting on-screen action rather than Toy Story 4's engaging storytelling. Nonetheless, critics also pointed out that despite staying true to the Toy Story sentiment, the film still held the position of the weakest entry in the series.
2 Toy Story 3 Used Nostalgia To Its Advantage
Pixar's choices for Toy Story 3 are what turned the film from a simple but effective nostalgic product into a full-fledged, emotional rollercoaster. Ageing Andy up so it reflected the growth of Toy Story's original audience—who were children when the first and second films came out—and attaching the themes of impermanence and leaving childhood behind made the film an instant, relatable hit.
Toy Story 3 is a rarity in the world of movie sequels, being a highly regarded second sequel that is just as beloved and enjoyable as the first two. It was named as the best film of 2010 by the likes of TIME Magazine and Quentin Tarantino and is famous for its emotional, character-driven narrative despite its simpler plot. Not a single person left the theatre with dry eyes.
1 Toy Story 2 Is An Iconic Masterpiece
Toy Story 2 has it all: hilarious comedy and pop culture references, charming and adorable characters, and engaging adventures that everyone regardless of age can enjoy. It has often been elevated above Toy Story as the best Pixar movie of all time, being one of the few sequels to have equaled the commercial success of the original, and for many, surpassed it in quality.
The film started as a direct-to-video effort, but it quickly turned into a feature film project that seemed larger than what Pixar could handle at the time. Luckily, the team was able to push through the production issues and long work hours to deliver one of the most iconic films of all time. Toy Story 2 is still considered a masterpiece of animation and screenwriting more than twenty years since its debut, and currently holds the rare and coveted 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.