Disney Pixar Animated Movies in Chronological Order

In 1979 Pixar Animation Studios made its start at Lucasfilm Ltd. as the Graphics Group, part of the Computer Division. It would go on to change hands several more times, first of which to Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer in 1986.

Finally, in 2006, a fateful collaboration was made when The Walt Disney Company acquired Pixar, setting in motion a legacy of computer-animated filmography that has touched the lives of millions. Since then, Pixar has gone on to produce 23 highly-rated feature films, garnering over $14 Billion at the worldwide box office. Pixar has paved the way and set the standard for computer animation with its long list of record-setting theatrical hits.

24 Toy Story, 1995

On November 22, 1995, Pixar debuted their first feature film,Toy Story. The plot follows a group of anthropomorphic children's toys, who band together to reunite with their human after being separated.Toy Storywas also the first fully computer-animated feature film, period.

23 A Bug's Life, 1998

On November 25, 1998,A Bug's Lifewas released to box-office success. Inspired by Aesop's fableThe Ant and the Grasshopper, it follows a group of outcast bugs looking to save their ant colony from a tyrannical grasshopper. It was the first film to be digitally transferred and released on DVD.

22 Toy Story 2, 1999

On November 24, 1999,Toy Story 2premiered to rave critical reviews and box office success. It follows the original gang of toys setting out to rescue Woody after he's stolen by a toy collector. Originally pitched as a direct-to-home sequel, the film received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.

21 Monsters, Inc., 2001

Releasing on November 2, 2001,Monsters, Inc.was a major commercial hit, becoming the third-highest-grossing film of the year. The story follows two monsters who have to chase down and rescue a toddler who finds herself lost in a factory filled with monsters who fear children. It was nominated for the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and went on to win for Best Original Song.

20 Finding Nemo, 2003

On May 30, 2003, Pixar debutedFinding Nemo, the story of an overprotective clownfish looking to rescue his son after he's caught in a fishing net. The movie became the highest-grossing animated film of its time and won Pixar's first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

19 The Incredibles, 2004

On November 5, 2004,The Incrediblesdebuted to wild critical and commercial success. The story follows a family of superpowered humans who bond over saving the world from a megalomaniac and putting superheroes back in the public eye.

The film won two Academy Awards and was the first fully-animated film to win a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.

18 Cars, 2006

On June 9, 2006,Cars was released.Taking place in a world occupied by anthropomorphized vehicles, the story follows a celebrity race car who discovers friendship and humility after being stranded in a small country town.Carsreceived Golden Globe and Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature and went on to launch a highly successful multimedia franchise.

17 Ratatouille, 2007

On June 29, 2007, Pixar'sRatatouillepremiered to major critical and commercial success. The story follows an anthropomorphized rat who teams up with a restaurant garbage boy to follow their dreams of becoming world-renowned chefs. It was nominated for several Academy Awards and won Best Animated Feature.

16 WALL-E, 2008

On June 27, 2008,Wall-Edebuted to critical and commercial success, winning several prestigious awards including Academy, Golden Globe, and Hugo Awards. The story follows a solitary robot on a decimated Earth who follows a modern robot through space. It is Pixar's first film to feature portions of live-action.

15 Up, 2009

Updebuted on May 29, 2009 to rousing acclaim. The story follows a young boy who tags along with an elderly man on an adventure to South America to fulfill his late wife's wish.Upwas the first animated film to open at Cannes Film Festival and went on the win two Academy Awards, becoming only the second-ever animated film to be nominated for Best Picture.

14 Toy Story 3, 2010

On June 18, 2010, Pixar released the third installment in the Toy Story franchise,Toy Story 3. It became the third ever animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and won several others.

The story follows the gang rushing to get back to their owner after they've been donated to a daycare center. It became Pixar's first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.

13 Cars 2, 2011

On June 24, 2011,Cars 2was released to middling critical reviews despite being a box office success. The story follows protagonists Lightning McQueen and Mater as they travel abroad to compete in the World Grand Prix. In spite of less-than-positive critical reviews, the film has a large fanbase.

12 Brave, 2012

On June 22, 2012, Pixar's Bravepremiered and represented several firsts for the company. The film, following a Scottish Highland princess who has to reverse a curse she inadvertently sets on her family, is the first Pixar film to feature a female lead. The protagonist, Merida, is also Pixar's first entry to the Disney Princess canon. The film won the Academy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Awards for Best Animated Feature Film.

11 Monsters University, 2013

On June 21, 2013,Monsters University debuted to major box office success, earning widely positive reviews from critics. Following the story of howMonsters Inc.'s main characters, Sully and Mike, meet in college and go from rivals to best friends, it is Pixar's first and so far only prequel film.

10 Inside Out, 2015

On June 19, 2015,Inside Outreleased to major international success, hailed for its concept and portrayal of sensitive subject matter. The story follows a young girl's journey through adolescence from the perspective of her emotions.

The film won several accolades including Academy, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics' Choice Awards

9 The Good Dinosaur, 2015

On November 25, 2015,The Good Dinosaur premiered to positive reviews, though its plot was generally deemed somewhat weak for a Pixar film. The story reimagines a world where most dinosaurs never went extinct and follows a young Apatosaurus who meets a young human on his journey through a treacherous landscape.

8 Finding Dory, 2016

Premiering on June 17, 2016,Finding Doryproved to be an international smash hit, becoming Pixar's second movie to gross over $1 billion worldwide.

The story centers onFinding Nemosupporting character, Dory, as she struggles to find her way back to her parents. The film was nominated for and won several awards.

7 Cars 3, 2017

On June 16, 2017,Cars 3debuted to tepid box office success by Pixar standards but was generally deemed a step up from Cars 2 in terms of quality. The story follows the series protagonist Lightning McQueen as he strives to prove his worth as the best racecar in spite of a new era of flashy modern contenders.

6 Coco, 2017

On November 22, 2017,Cocopremiered as a critical and commercial hit. Inspired by the Mexican holiday,Dia de los Muertos, the story follows a young boy who finds himself in the Land of the Dead and searches for his great-great-grandfather to heal a rift in his family. The film was hailed for its all-Latino principal cast and won several major awards, including two Academy Awards, as well as BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critic's Choice accolades.

5 Incredibles 2, 2018

On June 15, 2018, long-awaited sequel The Incredibles 2 premiered. The story follows the main family directly following the end of the first film when public opinion of superheroes is at an all-time low.

The film quickly became the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time, as well as the 15th highest-grossing film of all time. It became Pixar's third film to gross over $1 billion and won numerous prestigious accolades.

4 Toy Story 4, 2019

On June 21, 2019,Toy Story 4premiered as the fourth installation of the history-making franchise. The story follows Woody and Buzz as they're separated from their new owner, Bonnie, while reuniting with Bo Peep. The film received the critical and commercial success expected of the franchise, becoming the highest earner of the series. It won several notable awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

3 Onward, 2020

On March 6, 2020,Onwardwas released theatrically. It became one of the industry's first casualties of the widespread theater closures due to the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, and was made available digitally less than a month later. The story takes place in a fantasy-themed world where magic has all but vanished and two elf brothers set off on a journey to temporarily resurrect their late father.

2 Soul, 2020

On December 25, 2020,Soulbecame the first Pixar feature not to receive a theatrical release, being billed as a Disney+ Original due to the lingering effects on the industry from the COVID-19 outbreak. The film received positive criticism, being noted as the first Pixar film to feature a Black protagonist. It won Golden Globe Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.

1 Luca, 2021

Pixar's next project,Luca, is slated for release on June 18, 2021, on Disney+. The film will follow the adventures of two young sea monsters and will take place in Portorosso, Italy.

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Taylor Walker (29 Articles Published)

Taylor Walker has worn many hats over the years, from competitive marksman to travel agent. No matter her title, she loves nothing more than indulging in a good narrative - be it from between the pages of a good book or on a screen. She now works as a list-writer exploring themes from some of the most influential entertainment media in contemporary pop culture.