Okay, real talk: You're scrolling through Disney+ trying to find something for family movie night, and you land on the Pixar section. It's filled with movies you loved as a kid (or as a young adult), and you're thinking "perfect, I'll just put on Cars and everyone will be happy!"
But then... your 8-year-old is bored within 20 minutes. Or worse, you're watching with fresh 2024 eyes and thinking "wait, is this actually kind of... not great?"
Not all Pixar movies age equally. Some are genuinely timeless masterpieces that spark amazing conversations. Others feel dated, move too slowly for today's kids, or just don't land the same way they used to. Let's break down which ones are actually worth your time right now.
Inside Out (Ages 7+)
This one might be even MORE relevant now than when it came out in 2015. Kids today are dealing with unprecedented mental health challenges, and this movie gives them (and you) an actual vocabulary for talking about emotions. When your kid says "my Sadness is really big today," that's not just cute—that's emotional literacy in action.
The sequel, Inside Out 2, tackles anxiety and is basically required viewing for anyone with a tween. Seriously, it's doing the heavy lifting for those "big feelings" conversations you've been putting off.
Coco (Ages 6+)
Still gorgeous. Still makes everyone cry. The themes about family, memory, and honoring those who came before us feel even more poignant post-pandemic. Plus, it's one of the few Pixar films with genuinely diverse representation that doesn't feel tokenizing.
The Incredibles (Ages 7+)
Holds up shockingly well. Yes, it's about superheroes (which your kids are probably already obsessed with thanks to the Marvel universe), but it's really about family dynamics, middle-age crisis, and the tension between fitting in and being yourself. The action sequences still look great, and kids today absolutely get into it.
Turning Red (Ages 9+)
One of the newer ones, but it's already a classic for a reason. It tackles puberty, generational trauma, and the immigrant experience without being heavy-handed. Your tween will see themselves in Mei, and you might see yourself in her mom (ouch, but also: healing).
Cars (Ages 5+)
Look, I'm just going to say it: Cars is kind of boring for anyone over 6. The pacing is slow, the plot is predictable, and honestly? It was always more about selling toys than telling a compelling story. Your toddler might love it, but don't expect your 10-year-old to sit through it. The sequels are even worse—Cars 2 is genuinely confusing and involves international espionage for some reason?
A Bug's Life (Ages 5+)
This one just feels... old. The animation hasn't aged well, the story drags, and kids today have zero patience for it. It's not bad, exactly, but there are so many better options.
Toy Story series (Ages 5+)
The original trilogy mostly holds up, though the first one's animation looks pretty dated now. Toy Story 3 is still an emotional gut-punch (that incinerator scene, omg). Toy Story 4 is more divisive—some parents love the message about moving on and finding your own path, others feel like it undermines the previous movies' themes about loyalty.
Finding Nemo (Ages 5+)
Still beautiful, still engaging, but heads up: that opening scene is INTENSE. If your kid is sensitive to parent-loss themes, maybe save this one. Finding Dory is actually gentler and has great representation of disability.
Ratatouille (Ages 8+)
Honestly? This one's more for the adults. Kids under 10 often find it slow and hard to follow. But if you've got a budding foodie or a kid who loves cooking shows, they might really connect with it.
WALL-E (Ages 6+)
The environmental message is more urgent than ever, and the first half is genuinely beautiful filmmaking. But the second half can lose younger kids, and the "humans are lazy and glued to screens" message might feel a little on-the-nose during your family screen time (the irony is not lost on me).
Up (Ages 8+): That opening montage will wreck you, but the rest is solid adventure storytelling that still works.
Monsters Inc. (Ages 5+): Sweet, funny, and the scream-to-laughter energy conversion is actually a great metaphor for emotional regulation.
Brave (Ages 7+): Underrated! Great for conversations about mother-daughter relationships and cultural expectations.
Soul (Ages 10+): Philosophically deep—maybe too deep for younger kids, but amazing for tweens and teens grappling with purpose and passion.
The best Pixar movies for your family right now are probably the ones that give you something to talk about afterward. Inside Out and Coco consistently spark great conversations. The Incredibles is pure fun that also has substance. And Turning Red is essential viewing for anyone navigating the tween years.
Meanwhile, Cars is fine for a rainy afternoon with a preschooler, but don't feel bad if you skip it entirely.
The real question isn't "which Pixar movies are objectively the best?" It's "which ones will resonate with MY kid right now?" And that's going to be different for every family.
Not sure which movie to start with? Ask our chatbot about age-appropriate Pixar recommendations for your specific kid
. You can also check out our guide on how to have better conversations about movies with your kids to make the most of family movie night.
And hey, if you end up watching Cars for the 47th time because your toddler demands it? No judgment here. Sometimes "good enough" is actually perfect.