In the first of what will be two big releases for the animation company in 2020, Pixar’s latest venture Onward is now in cinemas.
Set in a supernatural world, the film focusses on two brothers, who embark on a magical quest to bring back their late father, who neither of them have any memories of.
Things take a bit of a downward turn though, when they’re only able to bring back his legs (!), which join them on their journey (!!).
Inspired by the release of Onward, we’re looking back at Pixar’s previous big-screen outings, and ranking all 21 releases.
21. The Good Dinosaur (2015)
We have to be honest… we have pretty much no recollection of this film. Apparently it takes place in a world where dinosaurs never became extinct, and while the friendship between dinosaur Arlo and caveboy Spot is pretty sweet, we don’t think this is a film that will be remembered as one that had cinemagoers blubbing into their popcorn.
20. The Incredibles 2 (2018)
This animated superhero sequel was not a bad film, so don’t take its placing so low in our listing as a slight, but the lack of an emotional punch was one of the biggest issues with it.
19. Cars (2006)
While Pixar films are generally regarded as being fun for all the family rather than purely for children, there’s something about the Cars franchise that does feel like it was made solely to entertain younger viewers. The closest this one comes to a hard-hitting scene is when we learn about Doc Hudson’s story, particularly the way his return to racing didn’t quite get the celebratory reaction he was expecting.
18. Cars 2 (2011)
Still the only one of the production company’s films to have been named “rotten” on the film ratings website Rotten Tomatoes, Cars 2 is not the first Pixar film we’d recommend, but it does have one quite sweet moment, when producers pay tribute to voice actor Paul Newman, who died before this sequel was made, by naming a cup after his character.
17. Monsters University (2013)
Another rare miss for Pixar, Monsters University is not a film we expect will be held in the same regard as Toy Story, Finding Nemo or Wall-E in the years to come. Still, young Mike Wazowski is indisputably adorable, which definitely helps you root for him during his low moments.
16. The Incredibles (2004)
The action-packed Incredibles films aren’t exactly the biggest tear-jerkers on the Pixar roster, but the first one literally has a scene where Mr Incredible thinks his whole family have been killed, so we can’t say it’s entirely without its emotional moments.
15. Ratatouille (2007)
Ratatouille’s emotional peak doesn’t actually feature either of its main characters – the amateur chef Alfredo or the Remy the rat. Instead, a surprisingly moving scene quite late into the film, sees food critic Anton Ego taking a bite of some food which immediately transports him back to his childhood. It’s a lovely scene in an often overlooked Pixar film.
14. Cars 3 (2017)
While Cars 3 is far from a cinematic masterpiece, it does have its highs, namely seeing the former lead character – who suffers an injury at the beginning of the film – making space for the next generation of racers.
13. Brave (2012)
Brave centres around the often difficult relationships between parents and children, which is something most of us can relate to. Throughout the film, Merida is distraught at her own actions (which somehow lead to her mother being turned into a bear), and their reunion at the very end, which sees both of them growing to understand the other better, is undeniably lovely.
12. A Bug’s Life (1998)
One of the very first Pixar offerings, A Bug’s Life doesn’t get the recognition of films like Toy Story or Finding Nemo, but there’s a lot to love. The film’s hero, Flik, is particularly loveable, and only wants the best for the colony, so when his inventions and schemes go awry and he winds up getting himself totally banished, it’s an especially gutting moment.
11. Finding Dory (2016)
Finding Dory didn’t quite live up to Finding Nemo in terms of iconic quotes or memorable characters, but just like its predecessor, it still had plenty of heart. And while Pixar’s tear-jerking scenes tend to come as crushing blows, Finding Dory’s most emotional moments were rooted in joy, particularly at the end when Dory is finally reunited with her parents.
10. Toy Story 4 (2019)
It might be the the lowest-placed Toy Story film on this list, but don’t let that fool you, as you probably still won’t make it to the credits dry-eyed. Toy Story 4 ends with Woody deciding he’s done with the toy life, and would rather run off with his former love, Bo Peep. This means he has to say a touching farewell to his right-hand man Buzz Lightyear, not to mention the toys who’ve relied on him to lead them for more than a decade. We never were very good at goodbyes.
9. Finding Nemo (2003)
In a trick that they’d repeat a few years later with Up, Pixar open Finding Nemo with its most crushing moment, when Marlin’s wife and unborn children (all but one, of course) are killed in a barracuda attack. This is, rightfully, held up as the most tear-jerking part of the film, but scattered throughout are poignant moments when Marlin regrets being so strict with his beloved son (“You think you can do these things but you just can’t Nemo!”) that pack a real punch, and make their inevitable reunion all the sweeter.
8. Toy Story (1995)
When we watched this as a kid, we were more dazzled by the animation and taken in by the story to really appreciate just how hard it gets you in the feels, but revisiting it as an adult really opened our eyes. Buzz Lightyear’s realisation that he is not, in fact, the spaceman he’d bigged himself up to be, and seeing him and Woody put their differences aside to end up back with Andy still gets us every time.
7. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Monsters, Inc., at its core, is a buddy movie packed with plenty of laughs, while the universe it’s set in really allowed the animators to go wild with their designs. But that certainly doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the capacity to move you, particularly during the devastating scene when Sully says goodbye to Boo for the last time, and the film’s joyful final seconds, when they are reunited.
6. Toy Story 2 (1999)
It’s all about the When She Loved Me sequence in Toy Story 3: a three-minute flashback segment where Jessie the cowgirl remembers the good times with owner Emily, before she outgrows her. Still guaranteed to melt the hardest of hearts.
5. Wall-E (2008)
Wall-E is so unlike anything else Pixar (or the Walt Disney Company in general) has ever done that it’s pretty much impossible not to be impressed by. It’s also packed full of tear-jerking moments, from Wall-E taking care of Eve during her time on Earth, to the same way she brings him back to life after he saves the day. Sidenote: Has anyone in cinema history ever come as close to #CoupleGoals as this robot pair. We think not.
4. Inside Out (2015)
As we watched Bing Bong disappearing before our eyes the first time we saw Inside Out, a cynical side of us did think “Pixar has only included this scene to try and make us cry in that Pixar sort of way”. And then, we realised it had worked, so fair play, really.
3. Coco (2018)
Pixar have never been afraid to shy away from difficult subjects and none more so than in Coco – a film about well, death (yes, and family). The whole thing is pulled off brilliantly, but it’s definitely not one to watch if you’re already feeling a bit down.
2. Up (2009)
Much is made of Up’s first four minutes, which details Carl and Ellie’s long relationship right up until her devastating death. And just as your eyes have dried, there’s a second hugely impactful scene at the end of the film, when Carl discovers his late wife’s “adventure book”, which shows just how happy she had been spending her days with him at her side. Beautiful.
1. Toy Story 3 (2010)
It just had to be, didn’t it? Honestly, try watching the above clip, and see how long it takes for you to well up.
Onward is in UK cinemas now. The entire Pixar catalogue will be available on Disney+ which launches in the UK on 24 March. Sign up here.
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