This list has been long overdue, as I’ve published this favorite Pixar character list over a decade ago! Well, with the release of Inside Out 2, I thought I’d list my favorite Pixar movies since Toy Story in 1995, nearly 30 years ago. Pixar movies stand out because they appeal to both our emotions and intellect. The films are sophisticated and cater to adults, but the vibrant animation also captivates children. Now, the newer Pixar releases have been mixed, ranging from underwhelming (Onward) to disappointing (Lightyear), but they have also come up with some real gems that have now become my new favorites.

10 Favorite Pixar Movies

10. Ratatouille (2007)

Rewatchability is a big factor in determining which movies would make the list. I had just rewatched this last year and I still enjoyed it immensely. Leave it to Pixar to create a rat character as adorable as Remy, and somehow we aren’t grossed out by seeing a rat in the kitchen doing the cooking, ahah. The opposite is true, we easily get absorbed by Remy’s journey and his dream of becoming a great French chef. The cooking scenes make my mouth water, while the Parisian visuals are gorgeous.

9. Elemental (2023) | full review

I love this imaginative and deeply personal story from Peter Sohn. Pixar movies stand out because they appeal to both our emotions and intellect. The immigration aspect appeals to me, as having moved here from Indonesia, some of the struggles the characters face are relatable. Elemental combines breathtaking animation with a powerful emotional narrative that offers a glimpse into the depths of human nature. It had me laughing, crying, and utterly amazed by the beauty and impact of storytelling.

8. UP (2009)

First impressions are key in any film, and the 10-minute Married Life sequence is the most charming and heart-wrenching intro I’ve ever seen, not just in animated films. The scene resonates on a profound level, and the lack of dialogue effectively gets us to imagine Carl and Ellie’s thoughts. Michael Giacchino‘s piano score perfectly complements the sentimental scenes. I love the character of Russell, whose buoyant spirit is hilariously paired with Carl’s gruff and disillusioned nature. The movie swept me off my feet, just like the chubby munchkin literally gets swept up, up, and away with Carl in his balloon-hoisted house.

7. BRAVE (2012) | full review

I have a thing for Scottish culture and this is perhaps the most mythical work of the studio so far. My favorite part is Princess Merida, the only Pixar princess who represents the studio’s characteristics with her adventurous, funny, and innovative mind. Merida is just adorable in every way, from her lovely Scottish accent (voiced by Kelly MacDonald) to her expressive eyes, and her fearless personality. I find BRAVE to be one of the funniest Pixar movies thanks to Merida’s triplet brothers’ shenanigans, while the mother-daughter story is genuinely moving. This film is like a Scotland tourism video come to life, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

6. Inside Out (2015)

Seeing the sequel last night reminds me just how brilliant this movie is. The concept is wonderfully original and presents a challenging topic that revolves around the psychology and science of the brain. If not executed properly, it could easily become dull and uninteresting. However, directors Pete Docter (a Minnesota native) and Ronaldo Del Carmen managed to infuse the scientific elements with a whimsical and delightful touch. The four emotions are the real highlights, but Riley as the human character is equally adorable. The fact that she’s from Minnesota makes it even more enchanting to me. The voice cast is top notch too, I especially love Amy Poehler as Joy and Bill Hader as Anger.

5. Finding Nemo (2003)

I absolutely love the underwater visuals of this feature. But this movie isn’t just stunning to look at, the story is brimming with so much charm and heart. The characters, especially Nemo and Dory (voiced by Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres), are so lovable that you wish you could just give them a big hug. Even tertiary characters like Bruce the Shark are memorable. Going a step further from a cute animated movie, there’s a valuable lesson to glean from, and it ingeniously presents a children’s tale from an adult’s perspective. The way the sea is portrayed here is truly remarkable and unforgettable, it’s just so pretty!! Every frame is filled with brilliance and beauty, and I adore Thomas Newman‘s emotional and whimsical score.

4. SOUL (2020)

After I saw this movie, I knew it would end up on my best Pixar movies list. It’s another one from Pixar’s animation genius Pete Docter that he co-directed with Kemp Powers. Once they settled on a jazz musician as the main character, the filmmakers decided to make him African-American. This makes Joe the first black protagonist in a Pixar movie, and the feature gives a wonderful tribute to jazz music. Given the subject matter, it’s fitting that the music is simply amazing. I appreciate how the piano playing scenes are so authentic, thanks to the talented musician Jon Batiste, who composed and performed some of the songs. The movie also doesn’t shy away from philosophical and existential conversations that might be too deep for kids, but they’re still delivered in a whimsical and hilarious way.

3. Monsters Inc. (2001)

Pixar movies have so many memorable duos and my favorite of them all has got to be Mike and Sulley. Billy Crystal and John Goodman are so perfectly paired as voice-cast… Mike’s adorably high-pitched voice is contrasted with Sulley’s deep baritone. Their voices match their personalities as well, I absolutely love it when Mike bursts into songs. I have a special fondness for Mike Wazowski, the lovable green-eyed monster. He’s more expressive with his single, giant eye than most characters do with two! Pete Docter [again!] is so great with characters, even the supporting ones are so much fun. I love Mike’s snail-monster boss Roz and Mike’s girlfriend Celia with the Medusa-like hair.

2. Toy Story 2 (1999)

With four Toy Story movies so far (and the fifth one scheduled to come out in 2026), my favorite of the bunch is easily the second movie. It’s rare that a sequel surpasses the original, but this one does it with a clever heist plot involving Woody being kidnapped by a toy dealer. It’s full of memorable action scenes, especially the traffic cone scene where the toys cross the street, it’s one of the riotous scenes I can watch over and over again.

While the action scenes are funny and entertaining, it’s the emotional moments that stay with you for years to come. Who could forget the tearjerker scene when Jesse sang When She Loved Me (voiced by Sarah McLachlan). Featuring some of the best characters out of the entire Pixar slate (three of them make my list), Toy Story 2 ticks all the boxes of what one expects from a movie, and then some!

1. Wall-E (2008)

Toy Story 2 stays at my #1 spot for nearly a decade, that is until this movie about a trash compacting robot shows up. Director Andrew Stanton mastered the underwater animation in Finding Nemo, he tackled one set largely in space with the same artistry. The animation technology is state-of-the-art, but what makes Wall*E resonate with me most is the character development. I was moved to tears watching this movie, it’s more emotional than many live-action dramatic films out there.

I rewatched this about a year ago after I saw Good Night Oppy and it still holds up amazingly well. The movie also subtly alludes to Christian themes, such as parallels to Adam and Eve, a depiction of creation, and messages about thankfulness and rebellion. This lonesome robot, discovering love, becomes humanity’s last hope to return to Earth after all hope seems lost. The allegory of faith and the environmental message pack a powerful punch without coming across as preachy.

---

HONORABLE MENTION

Turning Red – full review

It’s tough to narrow my picks to just 10, so I have to give a special shout-out to Turning Red, which I enjoyed immensely. It’s amazing to see a reflection of my Southeast Asian background in the characters. Just like me, they too face the challenge of harmonizing the Eastern and Western cultures while living as immigrants in the U.S. Now, representation alone doesn’t make a good movie, but director Domee Shi incorporates everything that makes a Pixar film stand out. This is one of the few Pixar movies that features human characters, delving into complex emotions and the essence of being human during a crucial stage of our lives. Plus, Mei Mei and her big red bear alter ego are so darn adorkable!

---

So that’s my pick of favorite Pixar movies? Which ones are YOUR faves?

///