Can you all believe that Pixar Animation Studios is celebrating its 25th year of business? And while the movie they have released this year isn’t exactly one of their best outings, one can argue that even though it is one of their worst critically acclaimed films (personally, I happen to have liked the film), it is still a lot better than many other studios have ever done. I mean, when your first film (Toy Story) pulled in roughly $332 million in 1995 (roughly $487 million in today’s dollars) and your worst critically acclaimed film before this one (Cars) pulled in roughly $342 million (or just around $380 million in today’s dollars), you can’t dispute that they are amongst the most successful studios in movie making today. In fact, none of the films made by Pixar have grossed any less than $330 million. And it is obvious that fans of the studio aren’t listening to the critics when they negatively review any of their films. There is something about Pixar that just connects with the people they are trying to entertain. 

Funny, for a company that once started off as a part of Lucasfilm’s computer divisions in the late 1970s before becoming their own company in February of 1986, they sure have grown. Past just being a CGI division, and past the short animated movies they used to solely produce (actually, their animated shorts are still some of the best around), to grow into a full-fledged studio that has been recognized and awarded by such prestigious groups as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and numerous others… that is an accomplishment any studio would be proud of. 

In commemorating this historic year for Pixar, I wanted to take the time and list here my favorite Pixar films in order from least favorite to my personal favorite of the 12 movies they have released thus far. But do keep in mind that even my least favorite Pixar movie would still rank within my top fifty movies list… if I ever did compile one (there’s a thought), and that is saying something considering some of the classic and memorable films that would fill up that list. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the list. I know some of you may not agree with the ranking of the films, but as with most lists, remember, this is just my own opinion. 

12. A Bug’s Life

Released November 25, 1998

There is nothing really bad to say about A Bug’s Life other than it really didn’t appeal to me as much as the other Pixar movies did. I loved the cast, I loved the story – but when I compare it to the other films, it is just slightly less entertaining. Overall, I would still consider A Bug’s Life to be a great film.

11. Cars

Released June 9, 2006

Is Cars anything but a marketing vehicle? Not really; but that doesn’t mean that it was a bad movie either. I absolutely fell in love with the depth in the animation for both the characters and the backgrounds. Cars may have been a little light in the story department, but it was still better than half of the other crap Disney had been producing in recent years.

10. Cars 2

Released June 24, 2011

For as much as critics and certain movie aficionados panned Cars 2, my kids and I loved it. Focusing more on the comedic act of Mater, who happens to be a big draw for the kiddies out there, Cars 2 still managed to deliver a fun story for children. It may not have been much for adults, but Cars 2 sure did find the mark with their target audience. 

9. Monsters, Inc.

Released November 2, 2001

Can I be honest and say that the ending for Monsters, Inc., when Sully opens the door and hears Boo call out to him still makes me cry. Monsters, Inc. had an incredible cast and a story that was both heartwarming and hilarious that I could watch this one over and over in one sitting with my kids and not mind it one bit.

8. Toy Story

Released November 22, 1995

The movie that started it all; Toy Story was a wonderful gamble for both Pixar and Disney and sparked a relationship that, through ups and downs, benefitted both companies greatly. For the first film by Pixar, Toy Story went and got two incredible actors for the leads and delivered a story that adults and kids equally related to for various and similar reasons at the same time. 

7. Finding Nemo

Released May 30, 2003

Personally, as a father, Finding Nemo strikes several familiar chords in my heart; to protect one’s child against everything but at the same time learning when it is time to let go. The literal analogy of going to the ends of the oceans to find his son, Finding Nemo is just that special kind of movie that I felt spoke personally to me once I knew what the feeling of being a father was. 

6. Toy Story 2

Released November 24, 1999

You don’t get sequels that improve upon the original all that often, but Toy Story 2 was so much more enjoyable than the first movie, which was already a classic in its own rights, that I could not believe it was possible. Improved animation, the introduction of amazing new characters and what it means to be there for someone, a friend, as the moral of the story… simply perfect.

5. Up

Released May 29, 2009

I know some people didn’t connect with the Carl Fredricksen character, but tell me that the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of Up didn’t make you want to cry and understand what his dilemma in life was.  If you missed that message, and the fact that all Carl needed was a refocus in his life showing him he had all he ever needed the entire time, then you missed Up entirely.

4. Ratatouille

Released June 29, 2007

Oddly enough, I actually have mixed feelings towards Ratatouille. In one part, I love the movie for its story and characters, but at the same time, and those of you who know me know why this is a big deal, I wasn’t all that fond of the music. Still, music aside, watching Ratatouille is like watching magic happen on the big screen and enthralling you to just fall in love with it.

3. Toy Story 3

Released June 18, 2010

Sequels that are better than the originals are one thing – but for a third movie in a series being best of them all, that is something special. Toy Story 3 hit closer to home for me in that you see what it is to part with something that was so important to you for so long. It didn’t help that just days before seeing the movie I donated many of my old toys to neighbor kids for them to enjoy.

2. WALL-E

Released June 27, 2008

For the focus of WALL-E to be on two robots and yet feel, to me, as the most human of all the stories Pixar has told throughout the years really says something. As both a message of being mindful of our fragile planet and about the importance of relationships between ourselves, WALL-E was both smart and loveable in one amazing movie.

1. The Incredibles

Released November 5, 2004

Family. Adventure. Superheroes. Those three things add up to a formula that spoke directly to me. The Incredibles brought all three of those aspects and added a bit of adult drama to the mix that I still consider it to be the best comic book movie I have ever seen right behind The Dark Knight. If only the real Fantastic Four movie would have been this good…

Next up for Pixar is Brave. Only time will tell how much I will like Brave compared to the other incredibly amazing stories that Pixar has presented to us over the past 16 years. But given the pedigree of movies, characters, music and stories that have come before, I wouldn’t be surprised if Brave turned out to be another top notch, near perfect film for Pixar that can measure up to the high standards they have set for themselves, and other movie companies, over the years.