As the latest Disney Pixar film, Hoppers, hits theaters this weekend, fans are revisiting the studio's storied catalog of animated masterpieces. The new movie follows an animal lover who transfers her consciousness into a lifelike beaver to communicate with animals and combat environmental destruction, blending heartwarming adventure with timely ecological themes. According to Us Weekly, the premiere of Hoppers has prompted a fresh look at Pixar's greatest hits, ranked by their Rotten Tomatoes critic scores.
Us Weekly's list, published on their entertainment news site, highlights the top five Pixar films based on aggregate critic approval ratings from Rotten Tomatoes. The ranking draws from Pixar's groundbreaking history, starting with the revolutionary Toy Story in 1995 and extending to more recent profound entries like WALL-E. "Using Rotten Tomatoes scores to rank them, we’ve listed the five best Pixar movies ever," the article states, inviting readers to see if they agree with the selections.
Topping the list at a perfect 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score is Toy Story, the 1995 film that launched Pixar's dominance in computer animation. The story centers on Woody, a cowboy doll voiced by Tom Hanks, who faces jealousy when new space ranger Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tim Allen, arrives as Andy's favorite toy. When both toys are accidentally left behind during a family move, they must team up to return home, evading the destructive antics of neighbor boy Sid, played by Erik von Detten.
"Toy Story ignited Pixar’s career-long fixation with making things talk that aren’t supposed to talk, but Toy Story will always be the best of them," Us Weekly reports. As the first fully computer-animated feature film, it set new standards despite its now-dated visuals, which the outlet describes as "extremely charming and adds to the character of the film." The movie features legendary voice performances, a heartfelt narrative, humor that endures, and impressive cinematography, making it a timeless crowd-pleaser that transcends age groups.
Coming in at number two with a 97 percent score is The Incredibles from 2004. This superhero tale depicts a family of retired caped crusaders forced into suburban normalcy after superpowers are outlawed. Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible and voiced by Craig T. Nelson, yearns for excitement, while his wife Helen, Elastigirl and voiced by Holly Hunter, keeps the family grounded. Their children, speedster Dash (Spencer Fox) and shy Violet (Sarah Vowell), navigate their powers amid school life.
The plot escalates when Bob is recruited for a mission on a private island to fight a rogue robot, uncovering a larger conspiracy. Us Weekly praises it as "easily one of the sharpest and funniest Disney Pixar films," noting its script appeals equally to adults and children. "The narrative is impeccable, full of little details that add to the richness of the world and the evolution of the characters," the article adds, highlighting the film's action sequences and satire of suburban monotony.
Tied for third place at 96 percent are Ratatouille (2007) and Monsters, Inc. (2001), showcasing Pixar's versatility in storytelling. Ratatouille, set in Paris, follows Remy, a rat with culinary dreams voiced by Patton Oswalt, who idolizes the late Chef Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett). Separated from his family, Remy ends up at Gusteau's restaurant, where he puppeteers the hapless garbage boy Linguini (Lou Romano) by pulling his hair to guide his cooking.
"With an enduringly absurd premise of a rat being able to control a man’s movements like a puppet by pulling on sections of his hair, Ratatouille has easily remained a favorite among those who grew up with it," Us Weekly writes. The film gained renewed popularity as an unofficial TikTok musical during COVID-19 lockdowns. It excels with a great screenplay, fantastic voice acting, likable humor, and an infectious score by Michael Giacchino, according to the ranking.
Monsters, Inc., directed by Pete Docter, unfolds in the factory-powered city of Monstropolis, where monsters like James P. "Sully" Sullivan (John Goodman) scare children to generate energy. Children are deemed toxic in this world, so chaos ensues when Sully accidentally brings a human girl, nicknamed Boo and voiced by Mary Gibbs, through a portal. Sully and his one-eyed assistant Mike (Billy Crystal) scramble to return her home without alerting authorities.
The film is described by Us Weekly as "energetic, exhilarating and constantly funny," with imaginative world-building and animation that appeals across generations. "The movie features some imaginative world-building that’s enhanced by Pixar’s usual fantastic animation, but Monsters, Inc. has affecting storytelling that will sneak up on you," the article notes. It's praised for being intelligent and well-written, accessible to kids without condescension, and includes adult-oriented references.
Rounding out the list at number five with a 95 percent score is WALL-E (2008), a dystopian sci-fi adventure directed by Andrew Stanton. In a future Earth buried under garbage, the solitary robot WALL-E—short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class—compacts trash for 700 years. His lonely routine changes when the advanced probe EVE arrives on a mission, sparking an instant romance that propels WALL-E into space aboard her mothership.
For a children's film, WALL-E packs "shockingly deft social criticism: it tackles environmentalism, hyper-consumerism, corporatocracy and much more in its compact 97-minute runtime," Us Weekly observes. Notably, the first 45 minutes are dialogue-free, a bold choice that paid off. The movie is called "a little movie with a big heart, a true culture and age-transcending crowd-pleaser and a genuinely terrific sci-fi film." It's the second Pixar entry preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Pixar's journey began humbly with Toy Story, produced in collaboration with Disney and released on November 22, 1995, after years of development at the then-upstart studio founded by John Lasseter and Ed Catmull. The film's success, grossing over $373 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, paved the way for Pixar's acquisition by Disney in 2006 for $7.4 billion in stock. Since then, the studio has released 27 feature films, earning 23 Academy Awards, including best animated feature for nine of them.
The rankings from Us Weekly align with broader critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, where Pixar holds an average score above 90 percent for its features. However, fan preferences sometimes diverge; for instance, while Finding Nemo (2003) scores 99 percent and isn't in the top five here, it's often cited in polls as a favorite for its emotional depth. Similarly, Inside Out (2015) at 98 percent explores mental health themes but falls just outside this list.
The release of Hoppers on March 20, 2026—though exact dates vary by market—comes amid Pixar's evolving landscape. The studio, now under Disney's Pixar Animation Studios banner in Emeryville, California, faces competition from streaming services like Netflix, which boasts its own animated slate. Us Weekly ties the new film to related viewing suggestions, such as "11 Best Netflix Animated Movies to Watch Right Now (March 2026)" and "16 Best Netflix Movies for Kids and Families (March 2026): 'Labyrinth' and More."
Critics and audiences alike anticipate Hoppers to continue Pixar's tradition of blending spectacle with substance. Directed by Domee Shi, known for Turning Red, the film reportedly emphasizes conservation messages, echoing WALL-E's environmental warnings. As Pixar prepares for Toy Story 5, slated for 2026, the legacy of these top-ranked films underscores the studio's ability to innovate while delivering universal stories.
In Monstropolis or a trash-heaped Earth, Pixar's worlds remind viewers of imagination's power. With Hoppers now playing in theaters nationwide, it's a fitting moment to celebrate the animation giant's enduring impact, one frame at a time.