The 10 Best Pixar Characters, Ranked

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BY JOSH SPIEGEL/JUNE 14, 2024 6:00 PM EST

Pixar Animation Studios has been a standard-bearer in the industry for over three decades. In the autumn of 1995, the studio not just demonstrated that computer animation could be used to tell a complete feature-length story in “Toy Story,” but they also demonstrated that there were various kinds of storylines that were possible to tell using all-ages animation. They introduced viewers to the world of monsters, toys, superheroes, talking cars, and many more. This summer is the return of another of their beloved original movies with the 2015 classic “Inside Out” gets a sequel, titled “Inside Out 2.”

The advertising of “Inside Out 2” has focused on one aspect: the introduction of new characters. When we saw the original film we got to know the five primary emotions that guided the young Riley who was moving along with her parents to Minnesota in Minnesota to San Francisco. After her move to San Francisco’s Bay Area, Riley has completely new emotions, which implies that there’s a myriad of new characters to meet. But is any of them included among the top 10 names that Disney has introduced us in the last three decades of production? Let’s determine that.

10. Syndrome, The Incredibles

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The funny thing about Pixar The reason is that they don’t have many memorable villains. This is partly due to the fact that they are a family-oriented company because the films are so focused on the mismatched friends on the inside that antagonists aren’t always able to have the power to make an impact. The case of “The Incredibles,” though the villain has an interesting story of his own and must stand out. It’s a superhero movie in the end and a superhero can only be so memorable as his villainous counterpart. The voice of Jason Lee, Syndrome is filled with cynicism and frustration and has plenty of dangerous wisdom. Syndrome had been a fan of the character Mr. Incredible before the real superhero took away the childish pretender who did possess a keen sense of science and technology. Many years later, that child has transformed into Syndrome with the same incredibly powerful gadgets in order to establish himself as a brand new kind of superhero … through slaying off real superheroes.

Syndrome is a dangerous character, not only because he’s able to design big gadgets but also because he’s intelligent enough to understand the way superheroes function. “You sly dog … you got me monologuing!” is among the most lines from the Pixar film due to the level of knowledge its writer/director Brad Bird has and is aware that the viewers have too. It’s not just one-liners such as those that make Syndrome make a splash. His entire strategy, that anyone can use his devices as well as “become” super, is intended as a stern warning that by not focusing on the unique, significant things that are available, the rest will be ignored. The syndrome is just as awe-inspiring as his bright hair color, and is in certain ways, a well-known villain who is distinguished by the little notable villains Pixar has.

9. Mike Wazowski, Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University

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One of the lesser-known character arcs of the course of a Pixar film is”Monsters University,” a 2013 sequel “Monsters University,” which concentrates more on the single-eyed Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) instead of his huge hairy friend James P. Sullivan (John Goodman). The movie’s plot is pretty straightforward softball: what would happen if these two best friends had got together and then had trouble with each and each other? However, the opening of the film presents an interesting creative challenge. From the comical 2001 comedy “Monsters, Inc.” We are aware the fact that Sulley is the most terrifying of the two and that Mike’s strength is derived from making the people in his vicinity laugh. However, Mike, the younger Mike is determined to become the Scarer like his heros however, we are aware already that he’s not all that terrifying.

The fact the fact that “Monsters, Inc.” is a more complete movie in general than “Monsters University,” but”Monsters University” is a great job at giving a fuller picture of the hilarious and chatty Mike and giving him a the depth that was not present in the 2001 film, and giving the experience more fun when you view the films with chronological sequence. The fact that Billy Crystal can bring a chatterbox to life isn’t too surprising. Mike is as strong and a good friend as a lot of other Pixar characters. However “Monsters University” gave Mike an unknown dimension, which made him much more memorable than the hairy mate he shares with.

8. Carl Fredricksen, Up

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A little over 15 years more than 15 years later, there remain only a handful of scenes from the Pixar canon that struck just as hard like that “Married Life” sequence at the beginning of 2009’s action film “Up.” The common wisdom regarding the entire film is that it’s not able to surpass the emotional devastation that was created by that one brief scene that is set to Michael Giacchino’s Oscar-winning score. We witness Carl Fredricksen and his wife Ellie grow together, fall in love, marrying but not having children that are their own, becoming older, and then dying. It’s true that Ellie passes away, but a parts of Carl may also die. However, the entire performance of “Up,” relying on the more tense and shrewd Carl (voiced in the voice of legendary Ed Asner), works precisely due to the smug Carl and the way in which he gradually becomes more relaxed over time and can overcome the loss of his wife.

“I’m going to Paradise Falls if it kills me!” Carl shouts during a tense moment. It’s an unsettling reminds us of the amount that is really in the balance for the persona. In spite of the story, which takes place as an elderly man tries to raise his home using balloons, there’s an underlying undercurrent that afflicts Carl as a character because of the fact that his life is tied to Ellie. Although it is that the “Married Life” sequence is however, the movie following this sequence is a slow-motion punch as we understand how much sorrow Carl feels as he nears the end of his existence. “Up” features an excellent opening sequence that’s not a lie as well as some of studio’s most appealing and most complete characters.

7. Elastigirl/Helen Parr, The Incredibles and Incredibles II

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Helen Parr, AKA Elastigirl is among the most complex characters of the history of Pixar. The voice of the character is Holly Hunter, Elastigirl is first depicted as being one of the most talented superheroes who appears content living a super-life. “Leave the saving of the world to the men? I don’t think so! … I don’t think so” is one of her very first phrases of dialogue but the way she utters it suggests her multi-dimensional character. In the initial part in “The Incredibles,” Helen Parr is a very happy person living her life as a fictitious character and she tries extremely hard to make sure that her incredibly gifted family behaves similar to a boring and normal family. It’s easy to look at the film and imagine Helen as a fun-loving character but she’s one of the most adult characters from Pixar’s universe and even in the film’s own.

It’s possible to see a remark that motherhood is the definition of a superhero. It’s common sense and unoriginal However, the way in which director and writer Brad Bird brings this idea to life in three dimensions means that Helen’s super-powered stretching abilities become less of an impressive and attractive way to impress her children and more to protect them from the wrath of death. (With time the film’s most terrifying scene is that where Helen is desperate to stop Syndrome’s gangsters to not shoot down their planes because “there are children onboard!”) Hunter has long ago proved herself to be among the most talented actresses of her time, however her role as the complicated Elastigirl makes her character an unforgettable character.

6. Dory, Finding Nemo and Finding Dory

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It’s hard for you to imagine, Ellen DeGeneres’ second-stage career as a talk show host didn’t take off from the starting point until the launch of “Finding Nemo” in 2003. It was a blessing the fact that her talk program began in the fall following and that viewers were quickly and logically been in love with the snobby Blue Tang called Dory. “Finding Nemo” is another major adventure featuring two characters who are not compatible however, unlike prior Pixar films One of the characters is unaware of the extent to which they disturb their spouse. This is because Dory suffers from short-term memory loss The twist is that is so absurd, it manages to function extremely well.

Of course, another reason Dory performs so well is due to DeGeneres her performance, and how she seemed a bit impressed by her unique performance as a stand-up comedian. Dory is an excellent contrast to the nerdy and smart Marlin and is effortlessly navigating her slumbering life with hardly any concerns and, more importantly when she realizes the extent to which this particular journey allowed her memory to get better the passionate monologue that Dory delivers at the close the film “Nemo” becomes very emotionally powerful in the end. The 2016 sequel “Finding Dory” put the Blue Tang in the spotlight by letting us meet her entire family, but that was “Finding Nemo” that made Dory one of the most adored characters from the Pixar filmography.

5. Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4

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If you consider the casting processes that go in Pixar movies, it’s not hard to think about what the directors at Pixar love their favorite James L. Brooks film “Broadcast News.” The 1987 comedy-drama starred Holly Hunter, Albert Brooks and Joan Cusack, who not only acted as the characters of Pixar and characters, but also individually create three of the company’s most memorable characters. (Brooks’ Marlin may not be included on the list but you should consider placing him to be at very top on our list of Honorable Mentions.) Cusack became the initial major character to be added to the “Toy Story” franchise with her appearance in the 1999 sequel “Toy Story 2,” as Jessie her Yodeling Cowgirl who was the female version that played Sheriff Woody on a 1950s-era television show that introduced the world of fantasy to our hero from the west.

However, Jessie’s existence as a doll is from being enthralled when Woody comes across her. She’s ready to be packed in and shipped out to Japan to be a part of the “Woody’s Roundup” exhibit at an toy museum since she was left by her child, and the experience has been haunting her for a long time. Jessie’s personal story is told in”Patient Zero of Pixar emotional films, featuring Sarah MacLachlan singing “When She Loved Me” to the soundtrack. Cusack’s performance goes beyond changing her normal Chicago accent with the Southern accent. She brings anger and sadness and also hesitancy and happiness to Jessie making her an character with a lot of emotion and vitality that is far more than animators were able imagine.

4. Joy, Inside Out and Inside Out 2

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It is possible to see Joy In the films “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2” and witness the motherly aspect of Pixar that is coming out. Films like “Finding Nemo” or even “Monsters, Inc.” are mostly concerned with dads (or fathers) dealing with their children’s growing up and overcoming their fears However, the “Inside Out” films are more focused on female mental health. Although the five emotions that are inside the brain of a young Riley are portrayed by men’s voices (Lewis Black in the role of hot Anger as well as the unsteady Fear that was recorded in the film from Bill Hader and now by Tony Hale), Riley herself is led with Joy (Amy Poehler) and sadness (Phyllis Smith) and, more recently, new emotions like anxiety (Maya Hawke).

What can make Joy such a beloved character is not her natural and radiant optimism, but more the way she deals with difficult situations. In the final scene in “Inside Out,” before Joy returns to Riley’s headquarters in the Memory Dump, she believes she’s been trapped within the Memory Dump forever, and experiences an emotional breakdown that is brought to life by Poehler and the film’s directors, keeping a shot of Joy for a period of 30 seconds (which is like a long time in the fast-paced, popular animation).

Note: Very few spoilers from “Inside Out 2” ahead.It’s a good thing that there’s a trailer.

In “Inside Out 2,” Joy and the rest of her emotions are sucked out by an anxiety-driven goal of aiding Riley improve her self-image And Joy must admit that her constant grin can cause stress on the people around her as well as herself. The fact that Joy is open about her shortcomings in these challenging times can make her more relatable, and also winning.

3. Remy, Ratatouille

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Brad Bird has a habit of creating characters that seem a bit less cuddly both from the outside as well as on the inside. The main characters from “The Incredibles” are filled with a sense of resentment however, they’re far more appealing in comparison to … the rat an arachnid. A few Pixar film have taken greater risk with the help of audiences than the epic “Ratatouille,” because it makes us feel empathy for rats who want to cook in the most lavish homes in Paris. The voice of the hilarious and witty comedian Patton Oswalt, Remy is one of the most difficult people to come across in Pixar history. No matter how bizarre his story might be Remy has a strong personality who refuses to be bound by the limitations placed on Remy by the world because he was born rats.

A lot of the characters in “Ratatouille” are similarly tough and uncompromising, ranging from the terrifying and fierce Food critic Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole) or the charming and smart Colette (Janeane Garofalo). However, Remy is the most difficult of them all, claiming at the very heart the infamous saying”anyone can cook” “anyone can cook”. However, for Remy is just as sure that nobody should be able to cook as he is because he’s got the talent of haute cuisine within his small bones. Remy is a distinct Pixar character that is focused on his own needs even if those requirements are a distraction from his family life or force off his friends. He’s an artist and his Remy is one of Pixar’s most beloved creations. (It’s not surprising that famous Anthony Bourdain once called “Ratatouille” the most delicious food-themed film ever produced.)

2. WALL-E, WALL-E

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The 2008 movie “WALL-E” is still the most creative and technically challenging movie Pixar has ever produced in large part due to the fact that the film’s creators faced an almost impossible task. Can they create a compelling story using characters who can’t speak and don’t have a human voice in a world that is that is set in the future, in the midst of a ruined planet Earth? While WALL-E’s character isn’t a human, the small and squishy garbage-collecting robot is among the most human characters Pixar has created. In the vision of Co-writer/director Andrew Stanton, WALL-E is an intelligent robot, whose primary goal was to get rid of Earth after humans have ruined it for centuries, is replaced by an unintentional and inborn curiosity that the robot is possessed by about various bric-a-bracs and doodads along with an unrelenting desire to be in love with.

WALL-E meets and save the entire human race before embarking on his mission and falls into love with Eve which is a more sleek and up-to-date robotic companion who’s mission is in line with WALL-E’s exploration of the plant world on Earth. Within the fifteen years since the debut of “WALL-E,” Pixar has created other romantic stories and a variety of tales with similar exciting and innovative concepts. However “WALL-E” remains one of the best efforts of the company due to the fact that the robot’s chatter (with the sound effects of Ben Burtt, the famous Ben Burtt) is so adorable and cosy.

1. Sheriff Woody, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4

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Sheriff Woody is, in fact, the model for all the top of the most popular Pixar characters (as as some of the lesser-known ones). It’s not surprising that the traditional cowboy doll that is loved by the owners of Andy and Bonnie and Bonnie, is played by Tom Hanks in one of his most memorable and lasting performances. Woody is, as many other Pixar characters, his own worst enemies. Just as Marlin’s neuroses are what lead him to lose his son Nemo, or Remy’s arrogance is what pushes him away from friends and family, and so on, Woody is both a relatable hero and a character whose sometimes-unavoidably selfish nature makes him pricklier than the average good guy.

However, at the core of his character, Woody isn’t just a boy’s best buddy — He’s as committed an ally as the other toys can ask for. It’s not long before Woody to become averse to the glitzy new Space toy Buzz Lightyear in the classic “Toy Story,” but Woody quickly becomes enticed by Buzz when they go on a journey to escape the wrath of an unruly older child, and go back to his bedroom. The sequels to the series reminisce of the events in the first film and the original, Woody’s character is unique and is a step above the other toys. It’s Woody who is confronted with the dreadful notion that he’s not a toy in the same way that Buzz does in “Toy Story 2” or “Toy Story 3,” and it’s Woody who comes to terms with the idea at the end in “Toy Story 4,” leaving his family and departing with his love of his life, Bo Peep. With the upcoming appearance of a fifth movie and possibly a new character arc Woody has the upper hand of the Pixar characters.