Flawless Family Flicks: The 10 Best Pixar Movies

10. Turning Red (2022)

Mei is your average 13-year-old girl dealing with average early teen woes, until one morning she wakes up as a giant red panda—and transforms into this red panda whenever she gets emotional, which as a 13-year-old, is pretty often. Her parents have a lot of explaining to do.

Between this and the Inside Out movies, Pixar proves that it can handle coming-of-age fare just as masterfully as it can handle talking fish and dinosaurs. This is also the first Pixar movie to be solo-directed by a woman, which is a significant milestone for the decades-old studio.

Where to stream Turning Red

9. The Good Dinosaur (2015)

As the runt of his litter, Arlo the dinosaur has a lot to prove, which makes him a perfect candidate for personal growth in this sweet tale of high adventure.

When Arlo chases a mischievous boy off his family’s farm—a boy he blames for his father’s death—it doesn’t take long for him to get utterly lost. It also doesn’t take long for him to bond with the boy, who he names Spot. Together they fight off pterodactyl packs, befriend a trio of T-Rexes, and even get tipsy after eating fermented fruit.

This is one of Pixar’s lower performing films, but I’ve always been a fan of the story’s quieter vibe. Just beware of a parent’s death at the beginning, which can lead to big emotions right out of the gate.

Where to stream The Good Dinosaur

8. Up (2009)

No matter how many times I watch this movie, the first five minutes just bust me up as Carl and his childhood sweetheart Ellie marry and grow old together in their beloved house. (Spoiler alert: Carl is widowed by the end of this dialogue-free opener.)

When Carl’s house is endangered by urban development, Carl uproots his home, literally, with an absurdly strong bouquet of balloons. His mission? Visit the waterfall that he and Ellie had always dreamed of visiting. An accidental young stowaway adds some excitement to cranky Carl’s voyage.

Where to stream Up

7. Coco (2017)

This is one of Pixar’s most visually stunning movies, and the story isn’t too shabby, either. Miguel grows up in a home where music has been banned, thanks to a great-great-grandfather who seemingly abandoned his family for a music career. When Miguel inadvertently crosses into the world of the dead, he unearths a few skeletons in the closet.

A story filled with spirits and ghosts might not sound exactly like kid-friendly fare. But leave it to Pixar to make the world of the dead so stunning and the dead characters so lively, many kids will forget they are watching people beyond the grave.

Where to stream Coco

6. The Incredibles (2004)

What happens to action heroes when they decide to start a family? They settle in the ‘burbs and get desk jobs. That’s the premise of The Incredibles, and it’s surprisingly heartfelt and funny for a plot that could have easily been formulaic with any other studio.

When Mr. and Mrs. Incredible are forced back into the superhero biz to fight a supervillain, their kids join them on the frontlines. It’s a nice balance of fun action scenes and believable family dynamics. FYI we could have easily swapped this movie for its sequel—which features an unforgettable battle between Jack-Jack and a raccoon.

Where to stream The Incredibles

5. Toy Story 3 (2010)

It’s hard to pick a favorite Toy Story movie, but the third installment really hits all the right notes. Andy is off to college, and guess who’s not coming with him? (Sniff, sniff.) Buzz, Barbie, and the rest of the crew are accidentally donated to a daycare, where they’re banged, gnawed, licked, pulled, and tortured every which way by a classroom of toddlers. As the toys scheme to escape, they encounter an evil teddy named Lotso.

All the Toy Story movies have a Velveteen Rabbit vibe, but this particular sequel really leans into the bittersweet sadness of forgotten toys—in a good way. Plus, it has one of Pixar’s most harrowing climaxes.

Where to stream Toy Story 3

4. Ratatouille (2007)

A rat who appreciates fine cuisine—and teaches a newbie chef how to cook five-star meals by whispering cooking instructions from the cover of a chef’s hat? The premise alone sells the movie.

But what really earns this movie a spot on our list is Remy’s passion for cooking. The rat’s appreciation for fine food runs deep and it’s delightful watching him get carried away, even if it means getting caught by a food inspector. I’ve probably watched this movie a dozen times—and that was before I even had kids to watch it with.

Where to stream Ratatouille

3. Finding Dory (2016)

It was hard to decide between Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, but this sequel gets the edge because, well, Dory.

The blue tang breakout star of Finding Nemo completely deserved her own movie, and her forgetful ways never get old because she’s so full of heart. This movie gives us Dory’s backstory and follows Dory, Nemo, and company as they try to reconnect Dory with her forgotten past. Their journey takes them across the ocean and into the belly of an aquarium.

Where to stream Finding Dory

2. Wall-E (2008)

This movie is a testament to the power of silent storytelling, as we follow Wall-E the robot on his adventures from an abandoned, landfilled Earth into space.

The film features minimal dialogue, with more beeps and boops than actual words spoken, even when Wall-E meets a fellow robot, Eva. But the story pulls you in so entirely, you might not even notice the absence of words. (Fun experiment: If you’re showing it to a kiddo for the first time, don’t mention the whole “no words” part and see how long it takes them to realize.)

Where to stream Wall-E

1. Inside Out (2015)

Few movies, animated or live action, capture the emotions of adolescence as well as Inside Out.

When Riley moves to a new city at age 11, there are some emotions welling up inside of her—and her emotions are played by different characters residing in her head. Amy Poehler is perfectly cast as Joy, who is tirelessly positive at all times. Phyllis Smith as Sadness is a foil to all of Joy’s exuberance. And Lewis Black steals the spotlight as Anger, especially when he loses it. If you’ve got a soft spot for movies about kids growing up and leaving childhood behind, this will hit you in all the right ways.

Where to stream Inside Out