10 Massively Underrated Pixar Movies (2024)

Though most Pixar feature films are both critically acclaimed and popular among audiences, some of their movies weren't granted the appreciation or long-term attention that they deserve. Since Pixar's founding in 1986, the animation studio has put out 27 feature-length films. Pixar's movies are best known for their emotional storylines and innovative animation styles. These films have seemingly covered every conceivable premise from talking toys to personified elements. Over the years, Pixar has won 11 Oscars for Best Animated Feature.

Despite the overall success, Pixar has experienced multiple box-office flops and put out releases with substantially negative reviews. Some films have gained unwarranted hatred due to the storylines and themes. Many of Pixar's sequel movies have also struggled to gain traction due to the large shadow cast by their predecessors. This doesn't mean the films lack merit, though. Even lower-rated Pixar movies still possess traits that make them interesting or well-crafted. All things considered, at least 10 Pixar movies are massively underrated.

10 A Bug's Life (1998)

Toy Story was the perfect feature debut for Pixar, raising the bar of animated storytelling to an impossibly high standard. Unfortunately, the studio's sophom*ore movie, A Bug's Life, didn't gain as much attention as the first. This was partly because of the DreamWorks Animation film Antz, which had a similar premise and arrived in theaters only a month earlier. Despite these barriers, A Bug's Life is a hidden masterpiece. The movie delivers a strong message about working together to overcome injustice. With witty lines like "Hey, Bartender! Bloody Mary, O-Positive," the comedy is underrated. Additionally, the character Hopper can give children nightmares, making him one of Pixar's most evil villains.

Related: Antz Vs. A Bug's Life - Which Movie Is Better

9 Onward (2020)

Due to its release right before the COVID-19 lockdown, Onward failed at the box offices. Additionally, some viewers wrote off the movie as too nerdy and out of place for Pixar. On the contrary, Onward is a better Pixar movie than it gets credit for. Onward tells a deep, emotional story about family, emphasizing that the people who shape children don't need to be biological parents. The world-building is on-caliber with movies like Toy Story and WALL-E. Plus, Onward includes characters with various body shapes and sizes, a choice that shows Pixar is moving forward with the times.

8 The Good Dinosaur (2015)

In the fall of 2015, Pixar released The Good Dinosaur, and it became the animation studio's first flop. The Good Dinosaur was doomed from the start due to its constant changes in directors, actors, and release date. The movie then quickly received negative reviews because of its unoriginal storyline. Despite this fair criticism, The Good Dinosaur has really beautiful animation that deserves more credit, as its scenery transports viewers into the prehistoric era. Moreover, the movie has a stellar score composed by brothers Mychael and Jeff Dana that creates an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. Though this doesn't make up for the flimsy story and characters, it makes The Good Dinosaur underappreciated.

7 Ratatouille (2007)

Ratatouille won more than 10 awards for Best Animated Film including the Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Film Award. Despite this, the movie doesn't get talked about as much as it should be. Ratatouille possesses such amazing animation that both the scenery and food look almost real. Additionally, the main characters Remy and Linguine learn to communicate and work together despite their language barrier. The film's messaging still feels poignant and relevant years later, pushing viewers to believe in themselves no matter the barriers they face. Adding in the unspoken comedy of Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt), Ratatouille should gain much more continued recognition for its brilliance than it gets.

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6 Monsters University (2013)

Due to the massive success of Monsters, Inc., Monsters University couldn't catch a break. The prequel was basically set up to fail. Still, Monsters University gives a compelling origin story for the characters Mike Wazowski, Sulley, and Randall while introducing a whole new set of monsters who are unique and hilarious. The characters aren't the only strength of the movie, though. Pixar is known for the kind of thought-out, complex world-building shown in Monsters University. This movie expanded the universe of Monsters, Inc. by exploring the education systems and social norms in Monstropolis. Monsters University is also great fun for adult viewers, capturing the excitement of college.

5 Coco (2017)

Upon its release, Coco received plenty of attention and praise, but it has essentially disappeared from the Pixar zeitgeist. Regardless, Coco tells an emotional story that includes moments of joy and sorrow and also offers a great depiction of Mexican culture, including its family structure, holidays, and music. The protagonist Miguel has a deep reverence for his elders, which is a core tenant of most Mexican families. Coco explores the holiday Dia De Los Muertos, a remembrance of deceased loved ones. It's also Pixar's first musical, incorporating the Spanish language and multiple Mexican music styles into every song. Based on these factors and the stunning animation, Coco deserves more appreciation.

Related: Coco Secretly Hid Pixar's Most Surprising Adult Easter Egg

4 Brave (2012)

Brave has the unfortunate circ*mstance of being compared not only to other Pixar films but also to other Disney Princess movies. As such, the movie is often written off. Despite this, Brave has strong music, exceptional animation, and a unique storyline. Though the movie isn't a musical, Brave seamlessly combines Celtic styles with classic Disney music in its soundtrack. Additionally, the movie pushed animation forward with artists making a new computer program to create the movement and texture of Merida's hair. Regarding the plot, Merida chooses to fight for her right not to marry, setting her apart from other Disney princesses. All of these factors make Brave an underrated masterpiece.

Related: 10 Ways Brave Is A Unique Pixar Movie

3 Turning Red (2022)

After Turning Red was released on Disney Plus, the internet went into a frenzy making bad-faith criticisms against the movie. It breaks the mold by normalizing the topics of female puberty and cross-cultural expectations. Though some people disliked this, Pixar has always pushed the envelope with storylines, taking on topics like injustice and consumerism in the past. Additionally, the characters in Turning Red accurately depict the awkward, embarrassing nature of being a young teenage girl. Combining a strong storyline, relatable characters, and memorable animation, Turning Red deserves more credit for being a great Pixar movie.

2 Luca (2021)

Pixar made a mistake by releasing Luca on Disney Plus instead of in theaters. Luca includes beautiful animation that is vibrant and textured. Still, the heart of Luca lies in its storyline. Both Luca and Turning Red broke a Pixar trend by showing their characters hiding fantastical secrets but eventually becoming accepted for who they are. While Pixar movies before Luca held similar themes, the message is more impactful when applied to human characters, resonating with both children and adults. Each of the characters feels fully thought out and impactful to the plot. On top of being deep, Luca is just really fun and invigorating to watch.

1 Cars 2 (2011)

Due to how much it diverges from the first movie, Cars 2 was met with a lot of negative reactions. The movie has little to do with racing and focuses instead on an espionage plot. Additionally, it involves little world-building. However, when removed from its predecessor, Cars 2 is a vastly underrated Pixar movie. The plot tells a fun spy story that centers on a character who wouldn't usually get attention. It isn't the most visually stunning, but the Cars 2 chase scenes are action-packed and compelling. Ultimately, when looking at the fundamentals, this movie isn't that different from other spy comedy films like Austin Powers and Johnny English.