Pixar has been churning out blockbuster animated films for decades. I mean, who could forget Toy Story (1995)—the first fully computer-animated movie? This joint venture between Disney and Pixar went on to gross more than $373 million at the box office. For a first, and it being the 90’s and all, this is nothing short of amazing. Add the Toy Story sequels, and the figure jumps to a staggering $1.9 billion—and counting. It’s no wonder Disney snapped up Pixar in 2006 for a cool $7.4 billion.
So, what has Pixar been up to since Toy Story’s debut? With Disney as its parent company, the studio has produced so many high-grossing, Academy award-winning films you’ll lose count. And some of them reached the billion-dollar mark faster than you can say Finding Dory.
The following are some of Pixar’s highest grossing films to date. Combined figures for domestic and worldwide earnings have been obtained from Box Office Mojo.
1. Finding Dory, 2016 ($1.028 billion)
From Pixar: This Pixar animated adventure sequel features the voice talents of Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks. Six months after the events of 'Finding Nemo' (2003), the forgetful Pacific regal blue tang fish, Dory (DeGeneres), unexpectedly remembers something about her childhood, which leads her on a journey to find her family, accompanied by clownfish Marlin (Brooks) and his son Nemo (Hayden Rolence). The film also features the voices of Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Ty Burrell and Willem Dafoe, and it was nominated for Best Animated Film at the BAFTA Awards.
2. Toy Story 3, 2010, ($1.066 billion)
Amazon: Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back, plus new talent including Michael Keaton as Ken and Ned Beatty as Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear. As Andy gets ready to leave for college, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang wonder if this is the end of the line. But, when a mix up lands them in the Sunnyside Day Care Center where they meet 14 new toys, they soon discover that a wild new adventure is just beginning. Toy Story 3 won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film or the Year.
3. Finding Nemo, 2003 ($940 million)
Pixar: Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to Marlin (Albert Brooks), his worrisome father, and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish, to make the epic journey to bring Nemo home. Finding Nemo’s breakthrough computer animation takes you into a whole new world with this undersea adventure about family, courage, and challenges. Finding Nemo won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.
4. Inside Out, 2015 ($857 million)
Amazon: When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home. Inside Out stars Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith. The film won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.
5. Monster’s University, 2013 ($744 million)
Disney-Pixar: Monster’s University is the story of how two mismatched monsters met and became lifelong friends. Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he dreamed of becoming a Scarer – and the best of the best come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with, James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out of control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the program.
With their dreams temporarily dashed, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. Monster’s University was nominated for Best Animated Film at the BAFTA Awards.
6. Up, 2009 ($735 million)
Disney-Pixar: Retired balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams, not realizing he has an 8-year-old wilderness explorer in tow. Up won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score.
7. The Incredibles, 2004 ($633 million)
Amazon: Bob and Helen Parr used to be among the world's greatest crime fighters. Fifteen years later, they have to adapt to civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live a "normal" life with their three kids. The Incredibles stars Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, and Craig T. Nelson and it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year and Best Achievement in Sound Editing.
8. Ratatouille, 2007 ($620 million)
Disney-Pixar: In one of Paris' finest restaurants, Remy (Patton Oswalt), a determined young rat, dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Torn between his family's wishes and his true calling, Remy and his pal Linguini set in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down. Ratatouille also features the voices of Janeane Garofalo, Will Arnett, Peter O’Toole, Brian Dennehy, Brad Garrett, and many others. Ratatouille won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.
9. Monster’s Inc., 2001 ($577 million)
Disney-Pixar: Sulley (John Goodman) and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it's the monsters who are scared silly, and it's up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home. Monster’s Inc., also stars Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly, and Bonnie Hunt. The film won the Oscar for Best Music, Original Song.
10. Cars 2, 2011 ($562 million)
Disney-Pixar: Star race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship on the road from Radiator Springs to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. Cars 2 also features the voice talent of Michael Cain, John Turturro, Joe Mantegna, and Tony Shalhoub, among others. The film was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. It won the ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films.
11. Brave, 2012 ($540 million)
Disney-Pixar: Merida (Kelly Macdonald), an impulsive young lady and daughter to King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), is determined to carve her own path in life. Defying the age-old and sacred customs, Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury with the other Scottish Lords, and in the process, she stumbles upon an eccentric and wise old woman who grants her ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the true meaning of bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late. The film also stars Julie Walters and Craig Ferguson. Brave won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.
12. Wall-E, 2008 ($533 million)
Disney-Pixar: After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable WALL-E (Benjamin A. Burtt) discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE (Elissa Knight). Sigourney Weaver, Kathy Najimy, and Jeff Garlin also star in the film. Wall-E won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.
Honorable Mentions
These films earned less than $500 million at the box office worldwide according to Box Office Mojo. Still an achievement!
- Toy Story 2, 1999 ($497 million)
- Cars, 2006 ($462 million)
- Toy Story, 1995 ($373 million)
- A Bug’s Life, 1998 ($363 million)
- The Good Dinosaur, 2015 ($332 million)
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