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Watch all Pixar movies! Even before Pixar became a subsidiary of Disney, their films were widely regarded as among the finest in the industry. Which Pixar film should we see first? I say, let’s find out. Pixar has produced more than 25 feature-length films and dozens of shorts. At the box office, their features have made almost $14 billion, which is extraordinary for animated pictures. Fifteen Pixar movies are among the 50 highest-grossing animated films ever. They have won several awards, including 21 Oscars, 9 Golden Globes, 11 Grammys, and many more. After Disney acquired Pixar, their films became more accessible.
The Pixar Theory Film Sequence
Keeping the Pixar Theory in mind when watching a Pixar film is one way to enjoy them. It’s no secret that Pixar’s animators sneak in all kinds of easter eggs, references to previous films, and continuity between films with its characters.
For one thing, the Pixar Theory states that every Pixar movie exists in the same continuity. It all starts in the film The Good Dinosaur when an asteroid passes by Earth, yet the dinosaurs do not perish. The Earth then evolves via several stages. It all started with the dinosaurs, then it was us, then it was the machines, and now it’s the smart animals. Of course, this unfolds over millions of years, but it all makes sense considering how each newly released film fits within the hypothesis.
- The Good Dinosaur (2015)
- Brave (2012)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- Incredibles 2 (2018)
- Toy Story (1995)
- Toy Story 2 (1999)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Finding Dory (2016)
- Ratatouille (2007)
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
- Toy Story 4 (2019)
- Up (2009)
- Inside Out (2015)
- Coco (2017)
- Soul (2020)
- Cars (2006)
- Cars 2 (2011)
- Cars 3 (2017)
- WALL-E (2008)
- A Bug’s Life (1998)
- Onwards (2020)
- Monsters University (2013)
- Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Following this logic, the ants, roaches, and crabs in A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, and Cars 3 are the last living creatures on Earth and eventually transform into the monsters of Monsters, Inc. An entertaining hypothesis despite its complexity. This may be nothing more than a notion, but it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a new perspective on your favourite Pixar movies.
The Good Dinosaur (2015)
This charming animated story from filmmaker Peter Sohn follows the unlikely relationship between an Apatosaurus and a young kid. Unfortunately, audiences seldom go back to see The Good Dinosaur, but it’s a film that deserves your attention whenever possible.
Director: Peter Sohn
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, and Maleah Nipay-Padilla.
Runtime: 100 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Brave (2012)
Brave is a film about Princess Merida, a strong-willed, betrothed woman, and her adventures in mediaeval Scotland. However, Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman’s animated fantasy film follows the unconventional plans of its protagonist, the independent-minded Merida.
Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompsan
Runtime: 108 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
The Incredibles (2004)
They may appear like any other average family to outsiders, but the Parrs are a group of superheroes known as “The Incredibles.” This entertaining animated action film is directed by Brad Bird and features the voice talents of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Director: Brad Bird
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Craig T Nelson, Holly Hunter, and Samuel L Jackson.
Runtime: 126 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Incredibles 2 (2018)
The Parr family returns in this sequel to The Incredibles, donning their superhero outfits once again to battle evil while also dealing with the stresses of everyday life. Brad Bird is back in the director’s chair, so you know the score will have the same blend of emotion and humour as the last film.
Director: Brad Bird
Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy
Cast: Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter.
Runtime: 118 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Luca (2021)
A young kid called Luca and his closest buddy have to keep their shared secret afloat in this coming-of-age comedy: they are both sea monsters! Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Maya Rudolph are some of the actors in this film directed by Enrico Casarosa.
Director: Enrico Casarosa
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo.
Runtime: 90 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story, the classic animated fantasy film about a boy named Andy and his toys who come to life whenever he is not around, is the first to hit theatres. It’s great to see so many beloved toys in one place, from Buzz and Woody to Slinky and Mr Potato Head.
Director: John Lasseter
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.
Runtime: 90mins
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Toy Story’s original characters—Woody, Buzz, and the gang—return in a brand-new adventure that’s just as laugh-out-loud funny as the original. The gang’s adventures continue in Toy Story 2, as they must deal with a snarky toy and a shady collector.
Director: John Lasseter
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger.
Runtime: 99mins
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Finding Nemo (2003)
In the 2003 film Finding Nemo, a worried clownfish recruits a pompous blue tang (with memory issues) to help him look for his lost kid. Wonderful visuals and laughs make this one of Pixar’s best films.
Director: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Alexander Gould, Hayden Rolence, Albert Brooks, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Runtime: 100 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Finding Dory (2016)
Dory, the forgetful fish, comes to the fore in this sequel to Finding Nemo as she embarks on a mission to locate her missing parents.
Director: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, and Diane Keaton.
Runtime: 109 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Ratatouille (2007)
Remy, the rat, makes his initial steps toward realising his ambition of becoming a chef in the animated film Ratatouille. Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Will Arnett, and Janeane Garofalo are among the cast members in this Brad Bird-directed film.
Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Patton Oswalt, Brad Garrett, and Lou Romano.
Runtime: 115 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Toy Story 3 (2010)
The toys from Toy Story 3 are back for another adventure, and this time they have to deal with the fact that Andy no longer plays with them. Toy Story 3 is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you with a knot in your throat.
Director: Lee Unkrich
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack.
Runtime: 103 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Forky, a spork transformed into a toy, joins Woody on his road trip in this, the fourth film in the popular Toy Story franchise. The series approaches a major turning point, resulting in more laughter and tears.
Director: Josh Cooley
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Tom Hanks and Annie Potts.
Runtime: 100 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Up (2009)
An elderly man and a teenage “Wilderness Explorer” go on the journey of a lifetime in Up, directed by Pete Docter and starring Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, and Jordan Nagai. Up is a fantastic animated film that deserves its reputation as a classic
Director: Bob Peterson, Pete Docter
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Cast: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger and Jordan Nagai.
Runtime: 96 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
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Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out is a fantastic story about the many varied feelings that might arise in a young girl’s head. Amy Poehler, Mindy Kailing, and Phyllis Smith do the voices in the movie.
Director: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carman
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, and Bill Hader.
Runtime: 109 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Coco (2017)
When a little kid called Miguel finds himself in the afterlife by mistake, he turns to his deceased great-great-grandfather for help returning to the living world. Coco is another great example of Pixar providing a lovely and emotional narrative, and it’s full of gorgeous visuals and the wonderfully moving song “Remember Me.”
Director: Lee Unkrich
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Anthony Gonzalez.
Runtime: 109 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Soul (2020)
Pete Docter directs this fantastic fantasy movie. It follows an ambitious jazz musician and music teacher who loses his soul in an accident and must return to Earth to retrieve it. The visuals of Soul are breathtaking, and the score by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste is also excellent.
Director: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, and Graham Norton
Runtime: 100 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Cars (2006)
The voice cast of Cars, a fast-paced action comedy about talking automobiles, includes Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, and Cheech Marin. Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, Mater, and Sally Carrera are all featured in the movie.
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Larry the Cable Guy, and Bonnie Hunt.
Runtime: 117 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Cars 2 (2011)
The sequel to 2006’s Cars has an all-star voice cast, including Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, and Emily Mortimer. While on their journey to the World Grand Prix to compete, Lightning McQueen and Mater find themselves embroiled in a global spy plot.
Director: John Lasseter, Bradford Lewis
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine
Runtime: 104 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Cars 3 (2017)
To prove once and for all that he is still the finest racing vehicle in the world, Lightning McQueen is back for a third time in an all-new adventure.
Director: Brian Fee
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, and Armie Hammer.
Runtime: 107 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
WALL-E (2008)
The world of Wall-E, a lovable but lone robot, is all that remains on Earth after its destruction in the future. Directed by Andrew Stanton, Wall-E is a gorgeous sci-fi love tale in which the protagonist’s mission is to clean up the world, a pointless endeavour.
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Director: Andrew Stanton
Genre: Family, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, and Jeff Garlin.
Runtime: 98 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
A Bug’s Life (1998)
A Bug’s Life is a hidden treasure among Pixar’s films, often ignored (maybe because it is between two Toy Story films). In this hilarious film, a band of bugs takes on a gang of vicious locusts in a high-stakes battle that will have you laughing out loud.
Director: John Lasseter
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Dave Foley, Denis Leary, Bonnie Hunt, Phyllis Diller.
Runtime: 90mins
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Onward (2020)
Onward is a Dan Scanlon-directed film about two elf brothers who go on a mission to resurrect their dead father briefly. The film, which takes place in a fantastical world, has plenty of exciting action and adventure.
Director: Dan Scanlon
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis
Runtime: 110 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Monster University (2013)
Monsters University follows Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan through their college years before the events of 2001’s Monsters, Inc. Directed by Dan Scanlon, the film also stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman in a reunion of the two.
Director: Dan Scanlon
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and Helen Mirren.
Runtime: 112 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
A nightly ritual for monsters involves entering children’s beds, scaring them, and then taking their cries as souvenirs. This is not a scary movie; rather, it is a little part of Monsters, Inc., a fantastic and uplifting story starring the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman.
Director: Pete Docter, David Silverman
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Adventure
Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, and James Coburn.
Runtime: 107 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Wrap Up!
Watch all Pixar movies in order allows viewers to witness the evolution of animation, storytelling, and technical achievements over the years. From the early successes that established Pixar as a pioneering animation studio to the recent innovations in visual storytelling, the watch all Pixar movies demonstrate the dedication and creativity of the Pixar team.
Throughout the Pixar filmography, universal themes such as friendship, family, identity, and the importance of embracing one’s true self are beautifully explored. The movies are known for their ability to appeal to audiences of all ages, blending humour, heart, and profound messages that resonate with viewers on a deep level.
