In 1974, a little animation studio was formed as part of the computer division at the freshly minted Lucasfilm. Two decades later, they were releasing their very own animated film to massive success. The movie was Toy Story, and the studio was—you guessed it—Pixar.
Pixar has just released their fourth sequel to that film (and their newest feature), Toy Story 5, this week. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best Pixar movies that you can watch for a family movie night.
Check them out and let us know your favorites in the comments below!
Toy Story 2 (G, 1999)
Theme: Finding Your Family
Let’s start things off with a surprise: I’m going to pass over the original classic in favor of Pixar’s first (and, in my opinion, best) sequel, Toy Story 2. The story sees Woody kidnapped by a greedy toy collector who hopes to sell the drawstring cowboy to a Japanese museum. There’s heroism aplenty here, as Buzz Lightyear rallies the other toys to rescue their friend. But there’s also poignant messages about finding your family, delivered with maximal Pixar inventiveness and charm.
This is one sequel that doesn’t disappoint. As Adam Holz said in his review of the film, Toy Story 2 “cleverly expands Toy Story’s imaginative universe” and is “as inventive and funny as the original.”
Inside Out (PG, 2015)
Theme: Understanding/Handling Emotions Appropriately
Next up, we have what our own Paul Asay called “Pixar’s most ambitious movie.” That’s no small claim (WALL-E barely had any dialogue for nearly half its runtime), but what other studio could have crafted such a resonant story around anthropomorphic emotions? Not only did Pixar create an adventure as clever as it is colorful, but they also gifted families with a great vocabulary to use when talking about emotions together. When you see the personifications of Joy or Sadness or Fear, something just clicks—for kids and adults.
More than that, Inside Out delivers the mature message that all emotions have an important place in our lives. Indeed, the author of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything, including sadness. Inside Out echoes that message with aplomb. Add in a great depiction of loving, supportive parents, and you’ve got a slam dunk choice for a family movie night.
Finding Nemo (G, 2003)
Theme: A Father’s Love
Just how big is a father’s love? Bigger than the ocean, Finding Nemo tells us. When Marlin’s young son, Nemo, is taken from him, there is no limit to what he will do to be reunited. Through their separate adventures, Marlin learns to be a better father and Nemo to be a better son, which makes it all the sweeter when they find each other again. Additionally, Finding Nemo has some of Pixar’s most memorable characters, including the delightfully daffy Dory (who got a pic of her own a decade later).
“Finding Nemo is a beautifully animated movie that holds up [years later],” Steven Isaac said in his review of the film. It’s a remarkable movie that boasts a story just as beautiful as its expertly rendered ocean scenery.
Brave (PG, 2012)
Theme: Mother and Daughter Relationships
Let’s move from a father-and-son tale to one about a mother and daughter. In Brave, strong-willed Merida shares a complex relationship with her mother, Queen Elinor. Much like Finding Nemo, the parent-child pair go on a sweeping adventure that results in some equally dramatic personal growth. “[Brave] asks us to remember that when you strip away all the differences and all the hurt,” Paul Asay wrote in his review, “the bond between mother and daughter is a thing of transcendent beauty.”
There are a few elements that might dissuade families from sharing this pic with younger kids, including a bit of rude humor, some scary moments and lots of magic. But for those comfortable with navigating those issues, Brave tells a lovely tale that will connect especially with any mothers and daughters watching.
The Incredibles (PG, 2004)
Theme: Coming Together as a Family
When it was released in 2004, The Incredibles took some critics aback with its presentation of some mature topics. After all, the lead character—valorous-superhero-turned-demoralized-desk-jockey Bob Parr—is essentially suffering a midlife crisis. And his family is having difficulties, too, struggling to be normal when they’re anything but. However, these tricky topics are handled with a deftness that might make you think Pixar storytellers have superpowers of their own.
As Steven Isaac said in his review, “While illustrating the value of an intact family or the beauty of individuality or the negative results of pride, The Incredibles is, well, incredible.” This action-packed adventure is a rousing choice for family movie night and shines a superhero-sized spotlight on the importance of family relationships.
Luca (PG, 2021)
Theme: Healthy Friendships and the Need for Parental Figures
While Pixar’s recent string of films hasn’t been as strong as some of their earlier work, Luca may be an exception to that. It’s a delightful story centered on friendship: The titular Luca is a timid kid (mer-kid?) who needs some nudging from his friends to step out of his comfort zone. However, in typical Pixar fashion, there’s a level deeper here that shows the incalculable value of loving parents. While Luca at first envies his friend Alberto’s carefree, parent-free life, he soon learns that he is lucky to have parents who care about him.
In his review of Luca, Paul Asay wrote, “Pixar still knows how to craft a great, resonant story. It might just nurse out a tear or two from even jaded moms and dads.”
Up (PG, 2009)
Theme: Processing Grief, Finding New Purpose
Is there a bigger tearjerker in the history of Pixar than the opening sequence of Up? We’re shown the wonder of childhood, the joy of marital bliss (even through the various trials of life) and, finally, the grief of losing the one you love. It’s a powerful—and heartrending—10 minutes. But it doesn’t end there! We follow curmudgeonly widower Carl as he goes on a fantastical adventure that, ultimately, allows him to process his grief and choose to really live again.
“[Up] is a story in the world’s best, most mythical sense,” noted Paul Asay in his review, “a narrative that educates and entertains, a fairy tale that can make your heart larger.” Up beautifully renders the ups and downs of life, the joy and pain. And it does so in a remarkably accessible and humorous way for the whole family to enjoy, making it a great pick for a family movie night.
We hope you enjoyed this list! Let us know your top Pixar films in the comments below. And speaking of Pixar, did you know we published our movie review for Toy Story 5? You can read the review here. Or, if you’re interested in a deeper dive into the film, check out the video below!
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