- 7/10/2025
Looking beyond the spotlight to find hidden gems! Join us as we count down the Pixar films that deserve more recognition and a fresh appraisal. These animated masterpieces may have been overshadowed by their blockbuster siblings, but they're packed with heart, creativity, and stunning animation that proves Pixar's magic extends far beyond their most celebrated hits.
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00:00Oh, sure, I'd like to take credit for all of this, but, well, that wouldn't be right.
00:04Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the Pixar movies that could use some more love, or are most worthy of reappraisal.
00:11It's just some, you know, inconvenient, uh, genetic thingy.
00:18Number 10, Elio.
00:20Pixar's latest feature has debuted to less than stellar results at the box office, but it might be the audience's loss more than the studio's,
00:27as Elio has already proven itself a delightful, out-of-this-world take on the coming-of-age genre.
00:33The movie follows the space-obsessed protagonist as he ascends to the communiverse and meets a slew of new alien friends.
00:39We searched the universe for the dreamers and stargazers like you.
00:44This is awesome!
00:45In many ways, it's a spiritual successor to cult sci-fi adventures like Explorers and Flight of the Navigator,
00:52complete with a nostalgic tone that reminds us equally of Pixar's golden years.
00:55Back home, I didn't fit in.
00:57I thought Earth was the problem.
00:59But what if it's me?
01:00Well, I like you, and you seem fine to me.
01:03Although it's too soon to tell if it'll earn a place amongst its forebears,
01:06its peculiar characters and eye-popping visuals are enough to remind us that the studio can still shoot for the stars.
01:12These are the lava tunnels!
01:14Gordon, I am not fireproof!
01:16Why didn't you say something?
01:17Gordon!
01:17Just get in my mouth.
01:19Number 9, Monsters University.
01:21This origin story of Mike and Sully's brotherhood deserves credit for being Pixar's only prequel to date.
01:27In capturing the two as enemies turned friends during their college days,
01:30Oh, sorry about that, buddy!
01:32Why are you in my room?
01:33Your room?
01:33This is my...
01:35This is not my room.
01:37Monsters University does what any good follow-up should do,
01:40by reminding us why we love the original.
01:42Well, now that we've all been introduced, as captain of our team...
01:45Basically, you guys have no scaring experience?
01:48Not a lot!
01:49But now we've got you!
01:50Reuniting Billy Crystal and John Goodman,
01:52the movie expands upon the universe's concept in intriguing ways,
01:56while retaining the heart that brings it all together.
01:58Although the story is a tad predictable and reminiscent of one too many college comedies,
02:03it still works thanks to its innocent humor and earnest message.
02:06I'm as scary as you!
02:07I'm as scary as anyone!
02:09I just wanted to help!
02:10No!
02:11You just wanted to help yourself!
02:12Mike and Sully's journey to the scare floor is filled with speed bumps and harsh truths,
02:16but that only enhances their appeal for older fans who grew up alongside them.
02:20You know, there is still one way we can work at a scare company.
02:27They're always hiring in the mailroom.
02:29Number 8.
02:30Soul.
02:31Surely a movie that notched Pixar its astounding 11th Oscar for Best Animated Feature
02:36couldn't be considered underrated, right?
02:42Uh, sorry, I zoned out a little back there.
02:56Well, Soul is definitely a special case.
02:58Having gone straight to Disney+, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
03:01it was largely denied the widespread appeal that its near-unanimous critical acclaim set it up for.
03:06Who are you?
03:07I am the coming together of all quantized fields of the universe,
03:12appearing in a form your feeble human brain can comprehend.
03:15What?
03:15You can call me Jerry.
03:16And that's really too bad, as it backs up its glorious animation,
03:20with a diverse cast of likable characters, and a thought-provoking story.
03:23You didn't see how tough being a musician was on your father.
03:26I don't want to see you struggle like that.
03:28So dad could pursue his dreams and I can't?
03:30Your father had me.
03:33Most times, this shop is what paid the bills.
03:35Its setup may inspire comparisons to Inside Out or Coco,
03:39but Soul distinguishes itself with an electrifying, jazz-infused score,
03:43and its ambitious handling of ideas regarding how we judge the value of our lives.
03:47It's the kind of movie that can affirm or change your life in equal measure.
03:50So, what do you think you'll do?
03:52How are you going to spend your life?
03:55I'm not sure.
03:59But, I do know.
04:01I'm going to live every minute of it.
04:08Number 7.
04:10Brave
04:10Bearing a strong resemblance to Disney's typical princess stories,
04:14Brave tends to provoke a larger share of comparisons than the average Pixar movie.
04:17I am Merida, firstborn descendant of Clan Dunbrook.
04:23Even with an Oscar to its name, it's still not exactly thought of as a classic.
04:27But considering that it was helmed by Pixar's first female director,
04:30and starred its first female protagonist,
04:33it gives us plenty of reasons to celebrate it.
04:35Are you sure you know what you're doing?
04:38I want a spell to change my mum.
04:42That'll change my fate.
04:43While certain story beats are undoubtedly familiar,
04:46Brave still has plenty of things going for it,
04:48such as its flawed yet forward-thinking protagonist,
04:50and a cast of the UK's best talents.
04:53You are a princess.
04:55And I expect you to fight like one.
04:57And that's to say nothing of its authentic vision of the Scottish Highlands,
05:01which is given life by a stirring score that honors the story's Celtic roots.
05:05Follow.
05:06Our.
05:08Hearts.
05:10And find love.
05:11In our own time.
05:17That's.
05:19Beautiful.
05:21Number 6.
05:22Luca.
05:22Pixar is no stranger to exploring acceptance and impossible dreams.
05:26Wait, it feels like it's still there.
05:29Yeah, that's called Phantom Tail.
05:30You'll get used to it.
05:31Luca may seem like it blends in when compared to a movie like Ratatouille,
05:34but it's bolstered considerably by its wholesome take on the fish-out-of-water trope
05:38and its unique visual design.
05:40Have you ever gone to the human town?
05:41Yeah.
05:42Uh, no.
05:44But, but my dad told me all about it.
05:46So, I'm pretty much an expert.
05:49Following a pair of sea monster buddies exploring the Italian Riviera as humans,
05:53Luca takes several cues from stop motion and the work of Hayao Miyazaki.
05:57The off-kilter storybook-like animation gives it a charm that's entirely its own,
06:08with its lack of verisimilitude befitting a story that embraces and celebrates imperfection.
06:13Luca may not swing for the emotional fences like other Pixar movies,
06:17but it's nevertheless a whimsical yet touching salute to youth and friendship
06:20that's perfect for summertime viewings.
06:22Girolamo, trombetta.
06:26Seriously, what does that mean?
06:29No idea.
06:29Go find out for me, will ya?
06:31Number 5, Incredibles 2.
06:33Despite its financial success, we'd argue Incredibles 2 is still owed a little more respect.
06:38You said things were different now.
06:40And they were.
06:41On the island.
06:42But I didn't mean that from now on...
06:44So now we've got to go back to never using our powers.
06:47It defines who I am.
06:48We're not saying you have...
06:49What?
06:50Someone on TV said it.
06:52With its predecessor regarded as one of the studio's finest,
06:55it could be said that high expectations caused the sequel to be unfairly judged by some.
06:59Oh no, cookies.
07:01I gotta get cookies.
07:02You do not need cookies.
07:04But it's a cut up of the majority of Pixar sequels, not to mention superhero sequels.
07:08Writer-director Brad Bird shows no signs of being out of touch,
07:11with Incredibles 2 pulling off a hilarious role reversal in the lovable Parr family
07:16that brings new dimensions to its action.
07:18Mom, the suit, try this.
07:22With Helen kicking some major butt as Elastigirl,
07:25and Bob stuck at home with the kids,
07:26the movie delivers a story that's as endearing and upstanding as the Tichler family,
07:31making it worth its 14-year wait.
07:33And in recognition of the extraordinary service they have demonstrated,
07:37the legal status of superheroes is hereby restored.
07:41Number 4, Turning Red.
07:46Another work relegated to Disney+,
07:48Turning Red was additionally hampered by insensitive criticisms
07:52over its cross-cultural story and frank portrayal of puberty.
07:55Of course, you don't have to look far to understand that these are the movie's greatest strengths.
08:07Following pre-teen Mei Li as she experiences profound changes while contending with a family curse,
08:13Turning Red is at its best when normalizing difficult topics.
08:16In addition to its invigorating humor, catchy music, and all too relatable themes,
08:30it's a milestone for Pixar in terms of representation.
08:33Headed by the company's first all-female creative team,
08:35Turning Red reflects this evolution through its personal yet universal tone.
08:39It's simultaneously a throwback for older viewers and a warm hug for kids who might need it later in life.
09:09Number 3, Cars.
09:16The Cars franchise hasn't exactly produced great returns with its overabundance of sequels and spin-offs.
09:22However, that saturation makes it easy to forget that the first installment does a number of things quite well.
09:28There's a lot more to racing than just winning.
09:30I mean, taking the race by a full lap?
09:32Where's the entertainment in that?
09:34Cars eases us into its world of anthropomorphic vehicles through precisely detailed animation.
09:38Each resident of Radiator Springs is given their own distinct look,
09:42while the top-notch cast managed to make us identify with Pixar's most inhuman ensemble.
09:47I mean, have you ever seen him race?
09:49No, but I wish I could have.
09:51They say it was amazing.
09:53He won three piston cups.
09:55He did what in his cup?
09:56Cars benefits especially from the late Paul Newman,
09:59who turned in his final feature performance as Doc Hudson.
10:02Newman's gruff and somber voice effectively elevates the movie beyond its kid-friendly nature.
10:07There was a lot left in me.
10:10I never got a chance to show him.
10:12He offers some much-needed guidance to Lightning McQueen and audiences alike,
10:16encouraging compassion and an appreciation for the smaller things in life.
10:20You just gave up the piston cup.
10:22You know then?
10:23Ah!
10:24This grumpy old race car in L1's told me something.
10:27It's just an empty cup.
10:29Number 2.
10:30Onward.
10:30If any Pixar movie is a victim of circumstance, it's this one.
10:34How ironic, since Onward is a movie the world could have used in the spring of 2020.
10:39No way!
10:40It's a wizard staff.
10:42Dad was a wizard!
10:43What?
10:43Hold on.
10:43Your dad was an accountant.
10:45Glending fantasy with contemporary landscape,
10:48the movie follows elf brothers Ian and Barley
10:50on a quest to reconnect with their deceased father.
10:52Whoa, whoa!
10:53Dad, it's me!
10:54Dun-dun-dun-dun!
10:55Onward thrives on its imaginative world-building
10:58and the heartfelt bond between its two protagonists,
11:01whose hilarious differences never stop them from sharing a life-changing experience.
11:05Thanks to Chris Pratt and Tom Holland's fantastic chemistry,
11:08Onward rests comfortably in Pixar's wheelhouse
11:10of addressing significant issues without sacrificing its entertainment value.
11:14No, the expressway is too obvious.
11:16You can never take the obvious.
11:17I hadn't listened to you, okay?
11:19I can't believe this.
11:21It's a sincere approach to the rush of childhood adventure,
11:24reminding us that, sometimes,
11:26what we're looking for was with us the whole time.
11:28He said he always thought his wizard name would be Leldon the Whimsical.
11:34Wow, that's really terrible.
11:37I know.
11:41He also said he's very proud of the person you grew up to be.
11:47Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:51Finding Dory.
11:52It tries familiar waters, but still makes a satisfying splash.
11:56Mom, Dad, it's gonna be okay,
11:58because I know that even if I forget,
12:00I can find you again.
12:02Elemental.
12:03An insightful look at the immigrant experience told with exquisite style.
12:07Actually, my family stopped by for dinner.
12:10You wanna come up and wait for the call together?
12:12Your family?
12:13The Good Dinosaur.
12:14It's a simple story, but still contains some of Pixar's best imagery.
12:18We're a home spot.
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12:35Number 1.
12:36A Bug's Life
12:37As the only one of Pixar's first handful of features not to receive a sequel,
12:41A Bug's Life maintains a unique sense of individuality.
12:44It seems to me that you ants are forgetting your place.
12:50So let's double the order of food.
12:53But as the title may suggest, its reputation has remained small after being released between
12:59two Toy Story movies.
13:00Granted, the movie did good business, but it definitely deserves re-examination nowadays.
13:05A playful riff on both Aesop and Seven Samurai, its story of an inventive ant defending his
13:10colony from grasshoppers is supremely entertaining.
13:13Now, I truly believe that these bugs are the answer to our-
13:17No, there's no circus around here.
13:19So, I'm-
13:20Huh?
13:24Packed to the brim with likable characters and ingenious humor,
13:27A Bug's Life is also a rich meditation on revolution and supremacy.
13:31Well, princess-
13:33Um, Hopper, um, I hate to interrupt, but um-
13:37In fact, its ability to combine family-friendly thrills with hefty subject matter arguably
13:46solidified Pixar as an animation powerhouse heading into the new millennium.
13:50Well, Flick, you're really goofed up.
13:53Thanks.
13:54Yeah.
13:55You too.
13:57Is there a Pixar movie you think doesn't get the love it deserves?
14:00Let us know down in the comments.
14:01Alright, now it's getting fussy.
14:03We're out of here.
14:04No!
14:07We're out of here.
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