Pixar Known for making great movies. Since the first Toy Story in 1995, the studio has continued to bring us animated stories that exploit the human experience in unexpected, humbling, and beautiful ways.
Her filmmakers explored our struggles with tragedy, loss, and grief (even including questions about… The meaning of life), as well as our experiences with love, family, and friendship.
Since the first film from Pixar Animation Studios, the creators have delved into emotional themes in different ways, which makes cataloging their entire catalog of films no easy task. Each of the 26 Pixar films, from every standalone to all of the Pixar sequels, has something to keep us coming back again.
The best Pixar movies for adults and kids touch different people in different ways, so this list is bound to ruffle some feathers. But it’s a testament to just how important these animated films are to audiences. In determining the order, we examined five key attributes for each film: plot line, characters, depth, cultural impact, and relocation potential. This helped with the difficult task of figuring out which of Pixar’s truly great films should top the list.
Here’s our ranking of the best Pixar movies, in order of least crowd-pleasing to most likable.
Screenshot of Abrar Al-Hiti/CNET
One Cars movie was really enough, but that was when Pixar was (unfortunately) deep into its sequel phase. It’s no secret that this movie wasn’t a hit with audiences or critics, as it’s the only Pixar movie to date to have it “Rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Cars 2 is one of those sequels that lacks a strong stand-alone script and instead builds heavily on the success of its predecessor. It also tends to focus more on action scenes than heartfelt moments, leaving viewers without the amazement and depth that characterize other Pixar films.
Known for its stellar animation, The Good Dinosaur is an incredibly sincere movie that will leave anyone feeling left out sympathizing with main character Arlo, the black sheep of the family. It’s a solid movie, but because other Pixar movies have set really high standards in terms of creativity and storytelling, we’re putting this one at #24, as some of the scenes are a bit slower and redundant. (What is this? Another animal attack?)
Somehow Pixar wasn’t deterred by the lukewarm reception Cars 2 received. Thankfully, the third installment in the Cars series features a more entertaining story (and tougher jokes), as we watch a light McQueen struggle to stay relevant in the rapidly changing world of racing. It’s still not quite on par with other Pixar offerings (a sequel is hard to come by anyway), but it’s a pretty good movie, all things considered.
Watching this sequel to Finding Nemo felt like déjà vu. (A missing fish looking for its parents? That sounds pretty familiar…) The movie borrows too heavily from the winning story of its predecessor, and without the same emotional depth. Still, it’s a fun excursion into what made Dory, a blue tang with amnesia, who she is.
Lightyear is Pixar’s most visually stunning movie yet. The epic animation of space and beauty makes for a gripping sci-fi thriller that takes Pixar in a direction like never before. Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of spin-offs, and it’s hard to feel like this wasn’t just an opportunity for Disney/Pixar to make hype around the Toy Story franchise. But even so, it was fun to see the studio entering new territory and pushing the boundaries of animation. Also, embarking on a new thematic direction means we get fewer of the bland moments that characterize other Pixar films like Inside Out, Up, or even Toy Story. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, if you prefer a more action-focused story.
Anthropomorphism is Pixar’s magic power, which is implemented so well in Cars. There’s a little laugh amidst the lessons about the dangers of superficiality, as well as an essential commentary on our obsession with celebrity culture. It’s one of those movies that seems to appeal more to younger audiences, with its flashy scenes and thinner story, but it’s still a better pick from the Cars franchise.
While a fun coming-of-age story about a sea monster that longs to live on land, Luca doesn’t offer the same level of story creativity or emotional depth as many of the other Pixar films (i.e., I didn’t even tear up while watching this, which is always a shame). But it’s still a lively thriller full of adventure, suspense, and beautiful animation of the Italian coastal town where it takes place.
Screenshot of Abrar Al-Hiti/CNET
This prequel features an interesting and well-structured story that allows it to work as a decent standalone story. It does a good job of not feeling forced, and we get an interesting look at the backstory of lovable monsters Sully and Mike Wazowski, while also getting to know memorable new characters like Terry, Terry Perry, and Scott “Squishy” Squibbles.
A creative peek into the goings-on of the insect world, A Bug’s Life finds strength in its wit and originality. It’s a real adventure and an early testament to Pixar’s fantastic storytelling.
The long-awaited sequel is packed with the same action and likable characters that made the first installment a hit, though it’s not quite on par with the original. The plot can at times seem predictable as the family of superheroes fights against a villain, though there are hilarious and wholesome moments to highlight in this follow-up.
This felt like a sequel that didn’t have to happen, especially after Toy Story 3 ended on such a strong (and heartbreaking) note. There are still some fun sequences sprinkled throughout, but this fourth sequel lacks the solid comedy and plot that made the first three Toy Story movies so resonant. However, we’ve been introduced to likable new characters like Forky, who delivers a good dose of laughs.
A haunting exposition of what our world could look like if we continued to ignore the environment and consume more technology, Wall-E is a relatable and compelling story about the last robot on Earth, who embarks on a journey into space with the brilliant Eve probe. Despite its minimal monologue, the film tells a captivating story about the consequences of our actions and our innate desire to connect.
There are plenty of stories centering around a stubborn kid eager to get his way, but Brave elevates the oft-repeated narrative with a strong heroine, fun characters, and magical sprinkles. It’s a touching tribute to mother-daughter relationships and a captivating adventure along the way.
A poignant homage to fraternal bonds, this is one of those movies that will surprise you and have you searching for a box of tissues. onwards as a timely comment About how modern conveniences and technology seem to have stripped the world of magic and wonder, but there are ways to reconnect with the past while cherishing the present and those around us.
This is a movie I’d love to see released. This story is about a mouse who dreams of becoming a chef and enlists the help of a garbage boy to try to make that a reality, and brings the beauty and food scene of Paris to life. It plays well in satirizing rats who long to be in the kitchen—a place they don’t often want to be—and delivers a poignant message: “Nobody can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.”
One of Pixar’s most vibrant films, Coco touches on themes that resonate with a range of audiences: family, culture, and chasing a dream against all odds. The animation is amazing, with vivid visuals of the festivities that accompany Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. It also features an epic plot that makes the story more interesting.
Pixar has really identified with its ability to tap into life’s deepest questions and struggles, and Soul is a prime example. The film instills a sense of wonder with its dreamy concept of the afterlife, delicately shielding us from the weight of death and illustrating the beauty of life and our lasting impact. It’s one of the few movies on this list that will make you think about your life’s purpose, and it’s a lot deeper than you’ll get from most animated movies.
A movie about a lovable family of superheroes? It doesn’t get any more fun than that. Incredibles offers the perfect balance of laughter and adventure, as well as some of Pixar’s most memorable characters (Edna Mode is nothing short of legend). There is enough action not to overpower the strong plot that makes this movie a cinematic masterpiece.
Turning a common childhood fear of monsters into a surprisingly poignant film is nothing short of storytelling genius. Monsters, Inc. , about a spooky factory powered by the cries of human babies, follows the unexpected bond that forms between two monsters and a little girl dubbed Boo, setting the stage for another interesting and disturbing story.
I don’t remember laughing as much while watching a Pixar movie as I did turns red. The film follows the story of Mylene Lee, a 13-year-old girl who suddenly begins transforming into a giant red panda when she is stressed or excited (a metaphor for the strange physical changes during puberty). Since this movie is set in 2002, it oozes nostalgia through details like Meilin’s Tamagotchi and 4*Town, their hottest boy band. It’s also incredibly informative, highlighting the importance of culture, family, and strong female role models. The story was touching, the jokes funny and the fast food moving. What more could you ask for?
This sequel to the Toy Story franchise preserves the wonder and comedy that made the original movie stand out. It also builds effectively on the plot, avoiding the pitfalls of many sequels that simply regurgitate the events and themes of their predecessors.
This film balances enlightening lessons about the complexities of parent-child relationships with fun, lively characters, and memorable catchphrases (“Just keep swimming…”). The many plot events will keep viewers invested in Nemo and Abby Marlin’s journey through a wonderfully animated underwater world.
Pixar’s imagination runs wild in Inside Out, one of the deepest and most thought-provoking films around. The film poignantly characterizes a range of human emotions and demonstrates the impact and significance of each one, be it good or “bad”. This is one of those rare films that is as entertaining and stimulating for younger audiences as it is for older ones, and will leave you pondering its meaning long after the credits roll.
While the sequels often pale in comparison to the original movie, Toy Story 3 is a very strong exception. The film explores the bitter truths of change and growth, while tapping into the unbreakable bonds we have with the people, places and moments that shaped our upbringing. Keep a tissue box nearby for this.
Nothing compares to that heart-wrenching montage near the movie’s opening (if you knew, you know). Throughout the film, Up taps into feelings of love, loss, and closure, creating a poignant story about the power of opening up and letting go of your feelings. In addition to some tear-jerking scenes, Up also delivers its fair share of laughs by pairing Russell, a cheerfully curious boy, with Carl Frederiksen, a cranky old man – which also leads to some surprisingly tender moments.
With a cast of unforgettable characters, an impactful story, strong storylines and remarkably retro animation, Toy Story is as timeless as it gets. The film, which is about toys that come to life when humans are not looking, convincingly exploits the wonder and imagination of childhood. As Pixar’s first full-length film and the first entirely computer-animated, Toy Story also had an undeniable impact on the film industry, paving the way for the countless computer-animated films that came after it. It stands out as a movie that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it or how old you are.
New movies coming in 2023 from Marvel, Netflix, DC, and more
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق