With 'Up,' Pixar Animation Studios has done the unthinkable: they've released 10 straight critically acclaimed, audience-adored, box-office smashes. We're starting to think The Incredibles aren't the only superheroes to emerge from those ultra-cool NoCal digs. But where does their latest adventure rank in the Pixar oeuvre? And while we're at it, what's the best of the best? And since "worst" would be a total misnomer, the, um, least great of the not-as-great?
We asked readers for their take on Pixar's very best. After more than 550,000 votes, we present the results.
10. 'A Bug's Life' (1998)Said voter Anne: "The only movie of theirs I never liked was 'Bug's Life.' I always thought it was a creepy movie."
Total votes: 26,352 (5 percent)
9. 'Toy Story 2' (1999)Maybe ranking Pixar characters is easier. That's what our friends over at IGN did, with 'Toy Story' hero Woody topping the list. Wrote IGN, "Buzz Lightyear might have more 'buzz,' but Woody is our sentimental favorite."
Total votes: 35,073 (6 percent)
8. 'Ratatouille' (2007)Pixar's eighth movie was its first to score five Oscar nominations (Animated Feature, Original Screenplay, Score, Sound Mixing and Sound Editing). A year later it was bested by 'WALL-E,' which nabbed six total.
Total votes: 36,735 (7 percent)
7. 'Up' (2009)Said voter Mandy: "It is my favorite Pixar movie. It was so full of wonder and whimsy and GREAT humor ... I cried 3 times during this movie! I have never done that before."
Total votes: 41,172 (7 percent)
6. 'Cars' (2006)Said voter Dana: "Nothing can best 'Cars' ... incredible story and cast ... but 'Up' was close."
Total votes: 44,204 (8 percent)
5. 'WALL-E' (2008) A recent poll on FilmJunk.com found 'WALL-E' the top favorite among its readers, followed closely by 'The Incredibles.'
Total votes: 52,939 (9 percent)
4. 'The Incredibles' (2004) Said voter Felicia: "I've seen 'The Incredibles' and 'Ratatouille' so many times that I know the scenes by heart. It's almost embarrassing because I'm 40 years old."
Total votes: 65,950 (12 percent)
3. 'Monsters, Inc.' (2001)Prior to the release of 'WALL-E,' NYMag.com ranked 'Monsters' as Pixar's all-time best, writing, "in telling this fanciful tale of the monsters who haunt children's closets, the filmmakers at Pixar found their perfect story."
Total votes: 67,338 (12 percent)
2. 'Toy Story' (1995)Forget just Pixar movies, we ranked 'Toy Story' number one on our recent list of the Top 25 Animated Movies of All Time.
Total votes: 89,771 (16 percent)
1. 'Finding Nemo' (2003)Said voter Val: "'Nemo' was just mind-blowing." And for what it's worth, 'Nemo' is still the highest-grossing Pixar movie to date with $339 million.
Total votes: 97,772 votes (18 percent)
Photo credits: Disney/Pixar
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Reader Comments (25)
Chloe at 5:14PM on Jun 1st 2009
It is so hard to pick. Since they made ten movies, you should let us list the best movies all together. I had trouble deciding between Incredibles and Walle as the number 5 spot, If there were 6 or more spots that would be better. Really all the movies are good. I haven't seen Up yet. But I didn't really like A Bugs life and Cars was only OK.
The best aspect of pixar movies is how they've managed to push the boundaries of computer animation in order to make an amazing movie with a dramatic back story. Love pixar movies. keep up the good work guys!
Ann at 6:25PM on Jun 1st 2009
Oh, I loved the movie UP. I think it was some of their best work. I've loved all the pixar movies since I was little, but UP was better than all of them. The only movie of theirs I never liked was Bug's Life. I always thought it was a creepy movie. I thought the Incredibles was too serious, and Ratatouille left alot to be desired; but I still look forward to all their movies. Some of the best family movies I have seen yet.
K at 6:36PM on Jun 1st 2009
Toy Story 2 isn't technicly a Pixar movie.
... at 7:55PM on Jun 1st 2009
yeah it is, it just wasn't part of the original disney contract which didn't count sequels as part of the 5 picture deal
BigHairyBear at 8:57PM on Jun 1st 2009
Wall-E is the best!
Cynthia at 9:07PM on Jun 1st 2009
Took my girls to see Up and they loved it! The story was incredibly touching and even though the beginning was fairly quickly told, they did it in such a way, that you quickly became engaged with the film and we just loved it!
The dogs were so funny, the little boy had so much heart and was truly endearing. We thought that the story was lovingly told and it made me miss my grandparents for sure:)
This wasn't Pixar's best, but it was definitely very, very good!
mksaelens at 9:10PM on Jun 1st 2009
I've seen all of them, including UP, on Saturday night. What's interesting is that I watched it in one of the close-in Chicago suburbs (Oak Park) and the theater was PACKED -- largely with adults of all ages, including more than a few attending without children!!!!
Once I got used to the 3-D (it does take getting used to) and got into the mindset of having to REALLY suspend disbelief (which is quite important with this film), I really thought it was a fine effort. Then again, I think Pixar has that unique ability to seemingly top itself every single time, and UP is no exception.
Keeping that in mind, it really isn't fair to try ranking their films -- they're ALL good in their own ways -- so, for once, let's just try to enjoy it without overanalyzing everything.
Telicia at 10:17PM on Jun 1st 2009
I've seen The Incredibles and Ratatouille so many times that I know the scenes by heart. It's almost embarrassing because I'm 40 years old. I don't think anyone can told Brad Bird. I think he is a genius. I was surprised that he didn't direct "UP", but I guess he needed a vacation.
Felicia at 10:17PM on Jun 1st 2009
I've seen The Incredibles and Ratatouille so many times that I know
the scenes by heart. It's almost embarrassing because I'm 40 years
old. I don't think anyone can told Brad Bird. I think he is a
genius. I was surprised that he didn't direct "UP", but I guess he
needed a vacation.
Dana at 1:52AM on Jun 2nd 2009
We saw UP in 3D at the IMAX.. I highly reccomend seeing it that way.. it was FABULOUS! The story was heartwarming.. I cried 3 times and laughed a million times.. everything a movie needs this movie has! Ed Asner was very touching the animation was incredible! It ranks right "UP" there with my favorite Pixar movies ever! Nothing can still best CARS.. incredible story and cast.. but this was close.. I also hold NEMO near and dear .. as it was equally incredible! Pixar has not missed with me yet! It is an annual event to take everyone in our family including grandparents to see the yearly Pixar release.. this one dosent dissapoint EVERYONE of EVERY age.. LOVED it!
Mandy at 2:02AM on Jun 2nd 2009
I LOVED UP! It is my favorite Pixar movie. It was so full of wonder and whimsy and GREAT humor. The characters really stood out above and beyond all the other Disney/Pixar films to me. They had so much depth, and despite being 'caricatures', felt very real. I cried 3 times during this movie! I have never done that before.
Mandi at 5:05AM on Jun 2nd 2009
OH, this is HARD! I am a HUGE fan of The Incredibles (And WISH they would make a 2nd one!!!) I just saw UP and it was so heart warming. Monster's Inc. I just loved that (seemed like the top movie for the little, little ones!) And finding Nemo was okay. Wall-E was just Okay to me, as was Cars ...and I never got into any of the Toy Story ones. (Again do INcredibles 2 Not Toy Sory 3..but hey! Both would be great!) To be honest, I can't remember a Bugs lLfe too much....but seriously, they all are great feats in animation.
louis at 2:52PM on Jun 2nd 2009
Lets see? A Bugs Life? or Toy Story or Cars, Monster Inc, Wall E, Increables, or Rattatuille, or Igor...They are all simply great!!! oh, Finding Nemo is huge. Comes to 3D animations features, nobody does better than PIXAR. "Up"? have not see yet!
Matt at 8:15PM on Jun 2nd 2009
1. WALL-E
2. Up or Monsters Inc.
3. Finding Nemo
Don't really care how I rank the rest, except Ratatouille and A Bug's Life are last.
Val at 6:55PM on Jun 5th 2009
I wish we could have put all 10 in order from worst to best. I think they were all great. Toy story was amazing when it came out. Nemo was just Mind blowing and the outdoor stuff on the island in the Incredibles was amazing! I haven't seen Up yet, but I came on to find out what time it's playing tonight.
mvigi at 4:03PM on Jun 8th 2009
ok
mvigi at 4:08PM on Jun 8th 2009
Didn't anyone read the May 3rd NY Times Art section - where someone finally mentions the SEXISM rampant in Pixar's movies!!! There has yet to be a lead and central character that is female. Pixar doesn't have a clue when it comes to female heroines who aren't wives or homemakers or damsals in distress or love interests.
Alexander Guzman at 5:00PM on Jun 8th 2009
There are no wrong with PIXAR movie, they are simply incredible, but thre is one movie that deserves a little bit of mentioning. BOLT, it was simply awesome, great touchy story between man and man's best friend. This movie could have done better money wise, if dysney somehow would have released it in the summer, not in November along with that horrible, TWILIGHT movie... MONSTER'S INC, still my favorite of all time.
megthegreat10 at 6:27PM on Jun 8th 2009
um sherk!! 1, 2, and 3, what the ....!
STACEY at 7:41PM on Jun 8th 2009
I think UP didn't get enough time for the survey! I think it was an EXCELLENT movie!!!