Every Pixar film ranked from worst to best according to fans

Which of the movies from the animation studio do fans rate as the best?

Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Coco are just some of the films Pixar has made since 1995 (Pixar).
Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Coco are just some of the films Pixar has made since 1995 (Pixar).

Since 1995, Pixar has proven itself to be one of the best animation studios in the world, finding a place in the hearts of viewers thanks to its eye-catching art, captivating characters and emotional storytelling.

The company was brought under the umbrella of former rivals Disney in 2006, and it has continued to bring new and innovative stories to the screen — the most recent of which is Elemental, which premieres on Friday, 7 July.

Read more: Elemental review: Pixar film is not a firecracker but its heart is in the right place

Pixar has made a total of 27 films so far, including Elemental, and it will continue to grow its legacy with 2024's Elio, Inside Out 2 and more.

But the question is how do the audience see Pixar's movies? To find out, Yahoo UK took to IMDb to discover how every film ranked according to fans, and the answer may surprise you.

Every Pixar film ranked from worst to best according to fans

As Elemental is not yet out in UK cinemas it will not be included in this ranking, despite being released stateside in June.

26 | Lightyear (2022)

Tim Peake had a lot of praise for the depiction of space travel in Pixar animation Lightyear. (Pixar)
Buzz Lightyear in Pixar animation Lightyear. (Pixar)

Pixar's most recent film Lightyear finds itself in bottom place with a middling score of 6.1, falling short for fans despite being based on one of its most beloved franchises: Toy Story.

The film may reveal the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the astronaut that the toy in the aforementioned classic is based, but viewers were not inspired by it.

IMDb rating: 6.1

25 | Cars 2 (2011)

Original Film Title: CARS 2.  English Title: CARS 2.  Film Director: JOHN LASSETER.  Year: 2011. Credit: PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS/WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album
Cars 2 (Pixar)

The poorly received Cars sequel comes in second-to-last place, it is widely seen as one of the worst films made by Pixar because of its lacklustre espionage story.

IMDb rating: 6.2

24 | Cars 3 (2017)

Cars 3 Cars III Cars trois Cars three 2017 Real  Brian Fee. Collection Christophel © Disney / Pixar
Cars 3 Cars III Cars trois Cars three 2017 Real Brian Fee. Collection Christophel © Disney / Pixar

The third film in the Cars franchise fairs slightly better amongst fans as it received a higher rating, though the threequel marked a return to form it does not appear to have wowed audiences.

IMDb rating: 6.7

23 | The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Spot comforts Arlo in <i>The Good Dinosaur</i> (Disney)
The Good Dinosaur (Pixar/Disney)

Elemental director Peter Sohn's first film with Pixar, The Good Dinosaur, has received a middling score from the public, despite its sweet storyline about the friendship between a human and dinosaur.

IMDb rating: 6.7

22 | Turning Red (2022)

Pixar's new animated movie 'Turning Red' is heading straight to Disney+. (Disney/Pixar)
Turning Red (Disney/Pixar)

The COVID pandemic was a difficult time for Pixar whose films were relegated to Disney+-only releases. The moving coming-of-age story Turning Red was one of the animations released on the streamer during this period and while it received a strong score by the public it comes surprisingly low in the studio's overall film ranking.

IMDb rating: 7

21 | Brave (2012)

Original Film Title: BRAVE.  English Title: BRAVE.  Film Director: BRENDA CHAPMAN; MARK ANDREWS.  Year: 2012. Credit: PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS/WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album
Brave (Pixar)

Pixar took on Scottish folklore in the stylish Brave, which follows warrior princess Merida as she brings chaos to her kingdom after not wanting to follow custom, and it received a slightly higher score than Turning Red.

IMDb rating: 7.1

18= |Monsters University (2013)

Monsters University  Mike & Sullivan
Mike & Sullivan in Monsters University (Pixar)

The prequel to Pixar's iconic Monsters, Inc. surprisingly lands higher than both Turning Red and Brave in the public ranking, despite the film proving rather forgettable as it followed Sully and Mike in their early years training to become part of the scare programme.

IMDb rating: 7.2

18= |Cars (2006)

Cars (Credit: Disney/Pixar)
Cars (Credit: Disney/Pixar)

The first Cars movie received the same rating as Monsters University — John Lasseter's brainchild follows the fall of race-car Lightning McQueen and his quest to get back on top in a fun yet compelling adventure.

IMDb rating: 7.2

18= | A Bug's Life (1998)

Das Grosse Krabbeln   Bug's Life, A   Heimlich, Slim, Francis, Rosie, Flik *** Local Caption *** 1998  Walt Disney / Pixar
A Bug's Life (Pixar)

One of Pixar's original films, A Bug's Life, was also given a 7.2 rating by the public, it tells the terrifying story of ants going up against their grasshopper enemies.

IMDb rating: 7.2

17 | Finding Dory (2016)

Finding Dory is an upcoming American 3D computer-animated comedy adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.  This photograph is for editorial use only and is the copyright of the film company and/or the photographer assigned by the film or production company and can only be reproduced by publications in conjunction with the promotion of the above Film. A Mandatory Credit to the film company is required. The Photographer should also be credited when known.be credited when known.
Finding Dory (Pixar)

The sequel to Finding Nemo comes in next, with the public being moved by forgetful fish Dory's quest to find her mother and father.

IMDb rating: 7.3

15= |Onward (2020)

Ian and Barley embark on an epic quest in search of a rare Phoenix Gem in an effort to fully conjure their late dad for one magical day. (© 2020 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.)
Onward (Disney/Pixar.)

Parents are rarely safe in Pixar films, but Onward sees brothers Ian and Barley go on an epic quest to find a way to see their late father again which appealed to viewers at home.

IMDb rating: 7.4

15= | Luca (2021)

LUCA (2021), directed by ENRICO CASAROSA. Credit: Pixar Animation Studios / Walt Disney Pictures / Album
Pixar's Luca was released direct to Disney+ in 2021. (Alamy)

Pixar's Luca explores the sweet coming of age story of its titular sea monster who is able to transform into a human and visit land, where he makes new friends Alberto and Giulia and they enjoy a fun summer adventure together.

IMDb rating: 7.4

14 | The Incredibles 2 (2018)

Incredibles 2 smashes box office records with £174 million opening
Incredibles 2 (Pixar).

The sequel to Pixar's superhero family drama The Incredibles comes in next, with the next chapter in the lives of the Parr family receiving a strong score by fans. It's also the highest-grossing Pixar film to date, taking over $1bn at the global box office.

IMDb rating: 7.6

13 | Toy Story 4 (2019)

Woody and Bo Peep were reunited in 'Toy Story 4'. (Credit: Disney)
Woody and Bo Peep are reunited in 'Toy Story 4' (Pixar).

Toy Story is, of course, Pixar's most iconic work and it has inspired four films, countless shorts, and one spin-off so far, the most recent one is ranked last in the quartet but still had a strong IMDb score. It follows Woody and the gang as they head to a travelling circus where the cowboy meets his old love Bo Peep once more.

IMDb rating: 7.7

12 | Toy Story 2 (1992)

Original Film Title: TOY STORY 2.  English Title: TOY STORY 2.  Film Director: JOHN LASSETER.  Year: 1999. Credit: PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS/WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album
Toy Story 2 (Pixar).

Coming in next is Pixar's first sequel in the Toy Story franchise, which saw Woody get sold to a collector were he meets cowgirl Jessie and the pair make it their mission to find their way back to Andy.

IMDb rating: 7.9

10= | Soul (2020)

Soul (2020) directed by Tara Miele and starring Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and Graham Norton. After landing the gig of a lifetime, a New York jazz pianist suddenly finds himself trapped in a strange land between Earth and the afterlife.
Soul (Pixar).

Pixar has explored a number of ways to explore what makes us human, and in Soul the studio looks at how personalities are made through the story of jazz musician Joe

IMDb rating: 8

10= | The Incredibles (2004)

THE INCREDIBLES (2004), directed by BRAD BIRD. Credit: PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS/WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album
The Incredibles (Pixar).

The original Incredibles movie, which introduced the world to its titular superhero family and their quest to fight crime, received the same score as Soul.

IMDb rating: 8

7= | Inside Out (2015)

'Inside Out' is one of the most interesting Pixar films to hit Disney+. (Credit: Pixar/Disney)
Inside Out (Credit: Pixar/Disney)

Another instance where Pixar explored the psyche, Inside Out instead looked at emotions and where they come from in a heartfelt examination of what makes humans human.

IMDb rating: 8.1

7= | Ratatouille (2007)

<p>Pixar’s story of a rat named Remy with a penchant for conjuring fine cuisine was a hit, as it won an Oscar for Best Animation in 2008. Even today it’s still considered one of Pixar’s best during it’s so-called peak period, as ‘WALL-E’, ‘Up’, and ‘Toy Story 3’ followed. Credit: Pixar. </p>
Remy in Ratatouille (Pixar).

The sweet tale of rat Remy's mission to prove his skills as a gourmet chef received was a similar hit with fans, receiving the same rating as Inside Out.

IMDb rating: 8.1

7= | Monsters, Inc. (2001)

John Goodman and Billy Crystal to reprise 'Monsters Inc' roles in new Disney+ series
Monsters Inc (Pixar).

Pixar classic Monsters, Inc. was also given a rating of 8.1, the moving animation sees monsters Sully and Mike try and undo the damage caused in their realm when little girl Boo enters it.

IMDb rating: 8.1

6 | Finding Nemo (2003)

May 30, 2003; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Shark bait?: A friendly Great White Shark named Bruce invites Nemo's dad Marlin, an orange and white striped clownfish, and his buddy Dory, to a party in Finding Nemo.
Finding Nemo (Pixar).

The heartbreaking story of a father going out in search of his son, Finding Nemo is one of the Pixar's most iconic films so it is unsurprising that it ranks highly on IMDb amongst fans.

IMDb rating: 8.2

3= | Toy Story (1995)

John Lasseter directed the 1995 film Toy Story (Pixar)
Buzz Lightyear and Woody in Toy Story (Pixar)

The one to start it all, Toy Story put Pixar on the map and remains one of the best films made by the studio. It introduced the world to its living toys Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the second of which can't quite accept that he is in fact a toy.

IMDb rating: 8.3

3= | Up (2009)

la haut UP 2009 real Peter Docter et Bob Peterson DISNEY PIXAR / COLLECTION CHRISTOPHEL
Up (Pixar).

Pixar made the world cry in unison over its opening sequence in Up which told the love story of Carl and Ellie, the pair always dreamed of going to Paradise Falls and after she dies Carl decides to finally go on the adventure except he accidentally takes scout Russell with him.

IMDb rating: 8.3

3= | Toy Story 3 (2010)

TOY STORY 3   (L-R) Barbie, Ken, Mrs. Potato Head, Mr. Potato Head, Aliens, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Lots-o-Huggin Bear, Rex, Hamm, Slinky Dog, Buzz Lightyear   © Disney/Pixar.  All Rights Reserved.
Toy Story 3 (Pixar).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Toy Story's magnificent third film is ranked higher than the original. The film changed expectations of what sequel could be, and who could forget its shocking yet poignant climax at the incinerator? It felt like the perfect place to end the tale, but the franchise proved too popular to let go.

IMDb rating: 8.3

1= | Coco (2017)

COCO (2017)  LEE UNKRICH (DIR)  ADRIAN MOLINA (DIR)  DISNEY/PIXAR/MOVIESTORE COLLECTION LTD
Coco (Pixar).

In joint first place is Coco, the moving animation about a boy's adventure into the Land of the Dead where he seeks out the soul of his deceased musician relative to help him return to the realm of the living. Full of catchy songs and stunning animation, the compelling narrative has proven a hit with fans.

IMDb rating: 8.4

1= | Wall-E (2008)

Original Film Title: WALL·E.  English Title: WALL·E.  Film Director: ANDREW STANTON.  Year: 2008. Credit: PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS/WALT DISNEY PICTURES / Album
Wall-E and EVE in Wall-E (Pixar).

Pixar's story of lonely robot Wall-E ranked the same as Coco, the film follows its titular robot who was abandoned and left to clean rubbish on Earth until robot EVE lands on the planet and his chooses to follow her across the galaxy. Its sweet story and stark examination of the future appears to have appealed to fans the most on IMDb.

IMDb rating: 8.4

Elemental is released in cinemas on Friday, 7 July.

Watch: Elemental director Peter Sohn discusses Pixar's newest animation