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life lessons taught by our Pixar favorites


Credit: CinemaBlend


Since the release of its very first feature film, Toy Story , in 1995, Pixar has become one of Hollywood's most celebrated animation studios. From superhero adventures to tales of a fish trying to find his son in the big blue, audiences have been captivated. The studio's 24 movies to date have earned awards for being artistically adventurous and for telling stories aimed for children that have just as many adult fans.


Trying to rank all of the Pixar movies in order of quality is similar to ranking your favorite dog. None of these movies are bad, per say, but when you have to choose just one, it's a tough decision. Some of these movies are more popular than others, but all of them connect with their audiences and show different perspectives of life.

" They have created a franchise full of stories and characters that actually managed to teach us a few things about life, even if we didn't realize it at the time." ~ Meg Dowell.

We asked viewers to name their favorite Disney Pixar movies. Let's take a look at the list and the lesson it taught us, shall we?


10.Toy Story 3


When Andy gives his toys away to Bonnie, fans lost it. Fans shed some tears as they were reminded of the importance of selflessness. We see that Andy really cares for all these toys. At the end of the day, a kid deserves to play with toys and use their imagination. Friendship is key. Woody and Buzz started on the wrong foot. But, after an accident causing them to separate, they were forced to find their way back home. They stuck by each other when Andy made the final decision to give them both to Bonnie.


" We actually have become very close simply because of the union of Woody and Buzz." ~ Tom Hanks.

Did You Know The Film's Trash Was The Hardest To Animate?

Credit: ScreenRant


9.rATATOUILLE


Seeing a rat cooking in your kitchen means that something is not right here. This little rat, Remy, can cook! Yes, you heard that right. He wants to show his family that he can be successful. He eventually scurries to a human who is not good at cooking, and Remy shows him what he is capable of. His talent becomes noticed when the critic tries the dish of ratatouille. His hard work and dedication are more important than his appearance. Remy's background doesn't determine his success.

"I think it's quite simply the best food movie ever made. The best restaurant movie ever made-the best chef movie." ~ Anthony Bourdain.
Fun Fact: A hidden cameo is evil Bomb Voyage from The Incredibles.


8.Bug's Life


No one likes creepy crawlies, but these little animated bugs aren't so bad. They learn to work as team to provide for their colony and protect themselves from grasshoppers. In this scene, Flik owns up to his mistakes and tells his colony they should not serve the grasshoppers anymore. They learn to fight against the grasshoppers once and for all.

" Hopper is my animated crush."~ Doja Cat.
Did you know that the Circus Junior from Dumbo is featured as the train used by the circus bugs?


7.Cars


Lightning McQueen is a talented racer, and he is thought to be arrogant and unappreciative of his team when audiences first meet him. He eventually learns some lessons when he gets to Radiator Springs. He grows to love the other cars and realizes they are the best friends anyone could have. McQueen learns arrogance will get him nowhere, but perseverance will get him everywhere. He learned from Doc Hudson, especially, not just how to be a better racer, but also how to be a better person. He went through an experience he hated, and he gained more than he he ever imagined.

"It's kind of like Maverick in Top Gun, somebody who just wants to go fast and win. Over the course of this movie he has to learn that there's more important things."~ Owen Wilson.
Fun Fact: A sneaky detail in the movie is where you see jet trails in the film's sky scenes and they are actually tire marks.

Credit: OhMyDisney


6.Coco


Coco discovers that he can see people that are dead! However, it's during the Day of the Dead, of course. He meets his old family members; he can see and talk to them. He learns the importance of family, to treat them with respect, to prioritize them, but, most importantly, to never forget them. His demeanor tells us that we should treasure our family members not only when they're here with us , but when they pass as well. He teaches us that we should take the information they give us throughout their lifetime and pass it onto the next generation.

"The intent in making the film was not to bring more representation, or diversify the kinds of stories we’re telling."~ Director, Lee Unkrich.
Fun Fact: Most of the alebrijes (folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures) in Coco are made with parts of animals from other Pixar movies.

Credit: Buzzfeed


5.The Incredibles


Glory days may be fun to relive every once in a while, but it's not a good idea to live in the past. It takes away from the present and the future. Mr. Incredible has the chance to relive his glory days prior to superheroes becoming illegal. He realizes he needs to appreciate the present, and he recognizes he did have everything all along--his family.

" And the character of Bob changes so much throughout the film, he basically becomes a different guy by the end."~ Composer, Michael Giacchino.
Did you know that the voice of Dash had to run laps while recording?

Credit: ScreenRant


4.Finding nemo


He touched the what?! Nemo wants to impress his friends by showing how far he can swim. He swims too far and his friends are stranded. His father, Marlin, comes to the rescue to protect him at all costs. All Nemo wanted to do was go out in the world and have independence. Letting go is a part of growing up. Marlin has to learn to let go, too; it's a part of life.

" I've cried so hard during 'Finding Nemo.' ~ Linda Cardellini.
Did you know that dogs were used as models for the fishy facial expressions?

Credit: MentalFloss


3.Up!


They say "where there is love, there is life." Due to Carl's love for Ellie, he is motivated to live on without her by his side. He stretches out of his comfort zone to make her long-lost dream a reality. Love in all aspects of life gives you hope. It hopefully will make you love this world a bit more, and it makes you love yourself a bit more.

" I personally like the part we call "Married Life" -- the wordless section showing Carl and Ellie's life together. I think it plays to the strengths of film and animation in general, letting the visuals tell the story." ~ Director, Pete Docter.
Fun Fact: There are 10,297 balloons lifting Carl's house!


2.Wall-e


This little robot is the only one left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the plant, one piece of garbage at a time. He stumbles on a plant that can bring all of humanity back to Earth. That is a big job for a little robot. He realizes that being self-managed is all he needs. He knows he is making an impact on the people, places, and the environment around him. Although, there are technically no humans on earth. They are stuck in space. The viewers learn about self-awareness. He realizes that he needs to use his magic plant to save everyone.

"And that was my theme: irrational love defeats life’s programming." ~ Director, Andrew Stanton.
Did you know Wall-e is the first Pixar film to be nominated for 6 academy Awards?

Credit: Thehobbeefive


1.Monsters Inc.


BOO! Did we scare you? Sorry, but we made it to number one! Mike and Sulley were terrified to meet the little child, Boo. When they are taking care of the her, they learn some facts they didn't know. The real enemies were Randall and Mr. Waternoose. Mike and Sulley were put to the test, but they learned that not everything they had been told was true. Remember: don't believe everything you hear.

" But I was obviously wrong because it’s emotionally satisfying and I think that’s what John Goodman recognized–that the monsters’ world changes because of this relationship between Sulley and Boo and Mike."~ Director, Pete Docter.
Did you know that Sulley has more than 2.3 million strands of hair?

Credit: Eonline


Fans enjoyed picking out their favorite Pixar Movies. We provided some life lessons that maybe you needed reminded of. Just sit back and watch one these movies on our list if you need a little help in life!


What Pixar life lesson is your favorite?
Let us know down in the comments!

1 Comment


Eli Grimes
Eli Grimes
Feb 23, 2022

Wall-E and Ratatouille are easily the best movies on this list 🚫🧢 Wall-E has a better message tho

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