By Kevin Slane
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It’s been 31 years since Pixar changed the world of animation forever with the release of “Toy Story.” The then-independent studio ushered in an age of computer animation and raised audience expectations for what kid-friendly movies could accomplish.
While the studio has been suffering from sequel-itis lately, I’m happy to report that “Toy Story 5,” the 31st Pixar film, is one of the studio’s better efforts. You can read my full review here, but the short version is that director Andrew Stanton has tapped into the anxiety of a contemporary, screen-dominated childhood, without going full Luddite. Also, Conan O’Brien plays a potty-training toy.
With 31 films in 31 years, now felt like a good time to rank the Pixar canon from worst to best. Due to space constraints, I’m only writing about my top 5, which skews heavily toward Pixar’s golden age. But if you want to see the full list, including where “Toy Story 5” lands in the rankings, check out my Letterboxd.
5. “Finding Nemo” (2003): While the story of clownfish Marlin’s journey across the ocean to find his lost son Nemo is center stage, it’s forgetful sidekick Dory who steals the show. No wonder she got her own sequel in 2016. (Disney+)
4. “The Incredibles” (2004): Thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we’ve arguably reached a superhero saturation point. But Brad Bird’s tale of the superheroic Parr family will endure thanks to its honest look at both the virtuous and less-noble reasons caped crusaders do what they do. (Disney+)
3. “Toy Story” (1995): The one that started it all. In the three-plus decades since Woody convinced Buzz that he was indeed a children’s plaything, “Toy Story” has done to the animated film what Jaws did to the summer blockbuster: established a benchmark that every film after tried (and failed) to reach. (Disney+)
2. “Ratatouille” (2007): An underrated member of the Pixar canon, the tale of Remy the rat turned executive chef is a classic fish-out-of-water narrative. It also features Pixar’s best physical comedy, as bumbling garbage boy Linguini learns to share the kitchen with his furry friend. (Disney+)
1. “WALL-E” (2008): A mostly wordless sci-fi film about a garbage-compacting robot that both scolds humanity’s excess and validates the tenacity of the human spirit, all while telling one of the most touching love stories ever put on screen. Simply put, “WALL-E” is a masterpiece. (Disney+)
Have a show you can’t stop watching? Email me about it at [email protected], and your recommendation may appear in a future edition of The Queue.
“I Will Find You” (2026): This crime miniseries from Harlan Coben doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it gets bonus points for being set in Boston and for a solid performance from Britt Lower (“Severance”), playing a former Boston Globe reporter whose onetime brother-in-law (Sam Worthington) is serving a life sentence for a murder he may not have committed. (Netflix)
“Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World)” (2026): Following up on 2021’s “The Summer of Soul,” The Roots bandleader Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is back with another enjoyable music doc, this time delving into the pioneering soul and R&B group that helped define the dance music of the ‘70s. (HBO Max)
“Lorne” (2026): If you didn’t watch enough behind-the-scenes content about “SNL” in the leadup to its 50th anniversary show last year, this Morgan Neville doc goes down easy. I wish it were a tad more probing, but such is the nature of documentary filmmaking in 2026. (Peacock)
“Office Romance” (2026): Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein are lackluster, but audiences are so starved for romcoms that this movie has been rooted to the top of Netflix’s most-watched list since its release. I’d rather rewatch “The Wedding Planner” (also on Netflix), but you do you. (Netflix)
That’s a wrap on this edition of The Queue. If you’re a fan, please consider recommending this newsletter to your friends.
Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!
— Kevin
Kevin Slane is a staff writer for Boston.com covering entertainment and culture. His work focuses on movie reviews, streaming guides, celebrities, and things to do in Boston.
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