Though Pixar has been releasing solid animations since the creation of its first feature film in 1995, Toy Story, the 2010s was a particularly successful decade for the film studio. Defined as the years between 2010 and 2019, Pixar created a series of fun sequels and creative originals during this time. Because of this, we’re here to look at the best of the decade now. Rather than ranking the films ourselves, however, we’ll be turning to IMDb for answers.
The popular entertainment website has assigned every Pixar film a rating. These scores are based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10, and they’re what we’ll be using to stack it all up.
With the logistics out of the way, it’s time to journey back through some of the greatest animated hits of the 2010s. Here are the 10 best Pixar films of the decade, according to the fans at IMDb.
The Good Dinosaur (6.7)
In 2015, Pixar released a film about dinosaurs who live in an alternate universe in which their species never went extinct.
The story focuses on a young Apatosaurus named Arlo who works on a farm alongside his parents and siblings. Though both his brother and sister are allowed to put their footprint on the silo to symbolize their success, Arlo is never given this opportunity because he is frequently fearful and does a poor job at helping out the family.
Soon after Arlo’s father dies in a flash flood, however, he himself gets swept away and must summon up the courage to find his way home alongside a little caveboy he calls Spot.
Cars 3 (6.7)
Though Cars 2 received a lot of criticism at the time of its 2011 release, Cars 3 sort of redeemed the series by featuring an emotional story reminiscent of that in the original.
This 2017 installment picks up with racer Lightning McQueen realizing that his time in the spotlight is fading as newer and faster racers are on the rise. In an attempt to stay relevant, McQueen collaborates with a younger car who hopes to win named Cruz Ramirez. It’s not long before their teamwork drives them to one crazy conclusion at the finish line.
Brave (7.1)
2012’s Brave tells of an adventurous Scottish princess named Merida who values her freedom. This is why, after her parents tell her that her hand in marriage is to be won in an archery match, she decides to take things into her own control.
Merida ends up seeking help from an old witch, but the assistance she gets is nothing close to what she expects. The magic backfires, and the princess’ mother, the queen, is turned into a bear. This sends Merida on a journey to figure out how to reverse fate and discover the true meaning of courage.
Monsters University (7.3)
Mike and Sully took on college life in this 2013 prequel to Monsters Inc.
While Mike dreams of becoming the top scarer at Monsters University, his aspirations come crashing down after he meets Sully, a student with natural talent and a legacy to prove it. After the pair’s rivalry gets out of hand, however, both Mike and Sully are kicked out of the coveted scare program and must work together to end up back on top and fulfill their futures.
Finding Dory (7.3)
Finding Nemo was another one of Pixar’s biggest hits to get a sequel in the 2010s. Finding Dory followed the forgetful regal blue tang of the first film on a journey to track down her parents.
Dory’s adventure eventually leads her to the Marine Life Institute, where she encounters all sorts of sea creatures living in captivity. It’s not long before getting out of the institute becomes just as important as finding her mom and dad.
Incredibles 2 (7.7)
This 2019 superhero sequel had the Incredibles embarking on their biggest adventure yet.
Picking up where the first film left off, Mrs. Incredible is recruited to improve the image of supers and save the day by tracking down a technologically advanced villain known as the Screenslaver. Meanwhile, Mr. Incredible is forced to handle things at home where Violet deals with a moody teenage crush, Dash struggles with math homework, and Jack-Jack explores his newfound superpowers.
Toy Story 4 (7.9)
The final Pixar film of the 2010s (as well as the last installment in the Toy Story series) has Woody and the gang meeting Bonnie’s newest friend: a plastic spork she puts googly eyes on and names “Forky.”
When Forky gets away, Woody makes it his goal to bring the utensil back to his owner. However, after the cowboy encounters a free-living Bo Peep, he is forced to reconsider his own place in life and his purpose as a toy.
Inside Out (8.2)
Pixar decided to make its most emotional story yet through the release of 2015’s Inside Out.
The comedy focuses on an eleven-year-old hockey-loving girl, Riley, who is forced to move out of her small Minnesota town and into the bustling city of San Francisco after her dad gets a new job there. Rather than displaying this externally, however, the film focuses in on the five little emotions – Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger – who run the craziness inside of Riley’s mind.
Toy Story 3 (8.3)
The third installment in the Toy Story series hit theaters at the start of the decade, in 2010.
The toys have been collecting dust in Andy’s room for years, and at 17-years-old, he’s about to leave for college. After the gang is accidentally donated to a daycare, however, they’re forced to figure out how to get home to their owner. Things only become more complicated after they meet Lots-O’Huggin’ Bear, a revenge-driven toy who is not ready to let Andy’s friends get away.
Coco (8.4)
Topping off the list as the highest-rated Pixar film of the 2010s in Coco. This 2017 fantasy adventure, based on the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, tells of a young boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a famous musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz.
After Miguel accidentally enters the Land of the Dead while he’s still alive, however, he must figure out how to get home and enter a music competition before the sun rises and he remains dead forever. With a little help from the mischevious Héctor, this might be possible; but time is not on his side.
