Disney: The multi billion dollar global network of entertainment has become commonplace in almost every household since its initial inception in the late 1930s. Disney features a multitude of creative genius, which can be found in nearly all of its feature films. The entire Disney franchise has undoubtedly had a major effect on my childhood and the person I am today.

​Since there have been 802 movies produced under the Disney name, I find it extremely hard to condense all of them into a ranking; I've barely seen 50 of them as it is. With that being said, here are my top 10 Disney movies of all time. The films here not only have sentimental value for me, but most of them are also either considered underrated by contemporary film society, or marked a milestone in film production. Let's get into the list:

10. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Starting off this list, we have the most intricate, complex, and heartbreaking film in the Toy Story franchise. Toy Story 3 was the perfect finale to an amazing trilogy (that was until the fourth film was released…), and explored themes of growing up, leaving those who you care about behind, becoming a better version of yourself based on the past, finding your true self, the real definition of "home", "family", "redemption," and much more. Toy Story 3 holds a special place in my heart because it taught me maturity at an early age and the importance of those around me. The end of Toy Story and seeing Andy grow up is a relatable experience for most of us, especially those who are about to enter college or the real world as adults who have to lose connections with those who you truly care about. 

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9. Brave (2012)

Brave is probably one of the greatest Disney movies, not simply due to it being a princess movie. While many of the Disney princess movies feature love interests and stuff of that sorts, Brave is different. It has a  female protagonist who stops at nothing to achieve her goal. Brave is interesting in the sense that it focuses on Scottish culture, which isn't commonly explored. Merida (Kelly Macdonald), the impetuous but courageous daughter of Scottish King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), is a skilled archer who wants to carve out her own path in life. Her defiance of an age-old tradition angers the Highland lords and leads to chaos in the kingdom. Merida seeks help from an eccentric witch (Julie Walters), who grants her an ill-fated wish. Now, Merida must discover the true meaning of courage and undo a beastly curse before it's too late. The main message of this film is that your destiny is ultimately determined by you. If you're "brave" enough, you can overcome struggle and accomplish anything. That is a great message that really resonates with me. 

8. Soul (2020)

Soul is a great film. Based solely on animation and storytelling, it can be considered in a league of its own. Soul is a story that takes inspiration from others, but this does not prevent it from exhibiting its own creativity and ingenuity. The story focuses on Joe, a middle school band teacher whose true passion is jazz. However, right before receiving the opportunity of his lifetime, Joe is involved in an accident that causes him to be sent to another world. He gets stuck in the afterlife and is forced to contemplate his life decisions and what it truly means to be a soul. Soul is also the first Disney Pixar movie to have a black protagonist, which is something that makes this movie very special to me. It also made me love jazz music even more. The main message of this film can be summed up with this: life has much more meaning than personal ambition.

7. Ratatouille (2007)

I can't even write anything for this… it's Ratatouille, who doesn't like this movie?

It's literally about a rat who's a genius at cooking and culinary arts.

​That's just amazing.

6. Up (2009)

Up was probably the first Disney Pixar movie that cemented itself as one of my favorites. From the opening scene, you can automatically tell that this would be a story filled with extraordinary lessons that could follow you through the entirety of your life. The story focuses on Carl Frederickson, a 78 year old balloon salesman who plans to fly his house to South America after accomplishing a life-long goal. However, these plans take a detour when a boy scout named Russell accidentally finds himself in Carl's house. Up is different from most Disney movies in a traditional sense, because right from the start, it shows the audience the dissolution of a dream as a result of tragedy, making the entire film seem like Carl is attempting to find himself again before everything in his life went wrong.

5. Cars 3 (2011)

Cars was the start of a revolution. Cars 2 was terribly mediocre. Cars 3 is undoubtedly the best film in this franchise. At this point in the series, the legend Lightning McQueen finds himself pushed out of the realm of racing… that is until he meets Vruz Ramirez, a young engineer who has her own goals and aspirations. With the help of her and others, McQueen prepares to compete in the Piston Cup for one last grand finale. Cars 3 also explores McQueen’s rivalry with Jackson Storm in great detail. Cars 3 knows how to build up a perfect sense of anticipation and edge-of-the-seat suspense in a good way. The entire story revolves around despair, hope, and the greatness of competition. 

Editor's Note: Mr. Ejzak does not condone the enthusiasm for the Cars franchise on this list. Any complaints may be emailed directly to Chase Jones. 

4. Turning Red (2022)

When I first watched Turning Red, my expectations were low. I was not necessarily expecting anything on par with my favorite Pixar movies, but it looked interesting enough. I was blown out of the water; this film is amazing. Turning Red focuses on a thirteen-year-old girl who is torn between staying with her mother's dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda. Turning Red's main appeal lies in its glorious animation and appealing soundtrack. Not only that, but Turning Red also has the best imagery regarding Chinese culture and tradition, and has the closest representation of Asian culture in general out of any Disney movie. Turning Red, similar to other films on this list, explores the themes of family and identity, two things that find themselves at odds with one another. 

3. Wall-E (2008)

Wall-E is revolutionary, short and simple. As a child, Wall-E was my favorite Disney movie, and this remained true for more than a decade. Wall-E is a character who cannot talk, but his emotions remain vivid throughout the entire film. WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he's more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE (Elissa Knight), a sleek probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy. Wall-E is different in the sense that most of its themes focus on stuff that can be largely correlated to problems in today's world, such as the dangers of consumerism and the effects of pollution. Wall-E as a film can be considered a premonition for humans if they do not change their behavior.

2. Finding Nemo (2003)

Finding Nemo has always been considered a classic. Nemo is probably one of the most relatable Pixar characters of all time, comparable to those of great contemporary and archaic literature. While the plot of this film is simplistic in nature—literally focusing on a clownfish who scours the ocean in an attempt to save his son, who has been captured in an untimely accident—the main source of ingenuity within this film lies within its themes and representations of family. Finding Nemo also has the cool advantage of showing two perspectives of the story at once: the audience is exposed to character development from both the titular protagonist and his father as they eventually learn from their flaws and grow closer by the end of the film.

1. Coco (2017)
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This is it. This is the greatest Disney Pixar movie to date (IN MY OPINION, DON'T HATE ME.) Coco just represents something special to me. The film focuses on Miguel, a young boy in Mexico who strives to become a musician, despite his family absolutely prohibiting music in any way, shape, or form due to the actions of his great-great grandfather, who apparently abandoned the family to pursue his career. During the Day of the Dead celebrations, Miguel accidentally finds himself in the World of the Dead, and must receive his family's blessing to return to the Living World before sunrise (and before his great-grandmother loses her memories). I have watched it multiple times, and every time I watch it there's something new that makes my love for this film grow substantially. Not only does it serve as a great representation of Day of the Dead celebrations, but it also contains very serious themes compared to other Disney movies. Coco also has one of the greatest soundtracks that I have ever heard. I unironically listen to songs such as Un Poco Loco, and Remember Me on a daily basis. The main character of this film is a perfect example of someone who strives to become better, and it ultimately conveys the importance of family in everything you do. Which is why Coco is the greatest Pixar film of all time.

chase jones