Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Best Pixar Movies, Ranked" Summary

Release Date: June 24, 2025

In this engaging episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Stephen Thompson and Aisha Harris delve into the enchanting world of Pixar Animation Studios, celebrating nearly three decades of beloved animated films. Through a listener poll, they uncover the community's favorite Pixar movies, providing insightful commentary, personal anecdotes, and lively discussions about what makes these films stand out. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of their conversation, highlighting key points and memorable quotes with timestamps.

1. Introduction to the Pixar Poll

[00:23] Stephen Thompson:
Stephen sets the stage by reminding listeners of the historic journey Pixar has embarked upon since the release of Toy Story 30 years ago. He introduces the episode’s focus: ranking the best Pixar movies based on listener votes.

[00:57] Stephen Thompson:
“For those of you who didn't vote in our Pixar poll, a quick bit of background. We gave listeners a list of Pixar features, 28 of them in all, prior to the release of Elio. And the chance to pick no more than three of them, which given the number of classic films, was a tough task.”

2. Top Six Pixar Movies

Due to a tie for the fifth position, the hosts present a top six list instead of a top five.

2.1. Toy Story (#5 Tie)

[01:30] Aisha Harris:
Aisha kicks off the rankings with Toy Story, highlighting its nostalgic value and foundational role in Pixar’s success.

[02:07] Aisha Harris:
“Coco, I think it might be the best Pixar, personally... and the music's great. And that last scene, 'Remember Me,' I have to travel far, Remember me...”

[03:07] Stephen Thompson:
Stephen praises Toy Story for not only launching Pixar but also setting the stage for its exceptional sequels.

[04:21] Stephen Thompson:
“Toy Story is a masterful film. It is funny. It is warm. ... It lays all this groundwork for a bunch of magnificent sequels.”

2.2. Coco (#5 Tie)

[01:58] Aisha Harris:
Aisha expresses her deep admiration for Coco, emphasizing its emotional depth and cultural richness.

[02:07] Aisha Harris:
“This a movie that came out in 2017, so it's later era Pixar, but to me it kind of has all the ingredients that we, or at least I've come to love about Pixar movies. It's about family...”

[05:37] Aisha Harris:
“The Land of the Dead is just such a visual feast. ... I think it's one of the most gorgeous, gorgeous Pixar movies ever.”

[06:08] Stephen Thompson:
Stephen commends Coco for its lifelike world-building and respectful storytelling.

[06:21] Aisha Harris:
Coco was able to create an original story while being respectful and thoughtful about its cultural elements.

2.3. Up (#4)

[07:01] Aisha Harris:
Aisha introduces Up, praising its opening sequence as one of the greatest in animated film history.

[07:53] Stephen Thompson:
Stephen reflects on the emotional impact of Up, describing it as both a fun and profoundly moving film.

[10:16] Aisha Harris:
“One part shows Carl and his wife unable to conceive, yet finding happiness together...”

[12:09] Stephen Thompson:
“He is the one who's trying to keep the gang together. ... Up is such an object lesson in the fact that you can make a kid's movie about almost anything if you have enough of an appreciation for the characters.”

2.4. Finding Nemo (#3)

[11:20] Aisha Harris:
Aisha ranks Finding Nemo third, reminiscing about its lasting impression and emotional storytelling.

[12:09] Stephen Thompson:
“It's a story about overprotective parenting, fear of your child's safety...”

[13:57] Aisha Harris:
“Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming... When life gets you down, you know what you got to do.”

[15:20] Aisha Harris:
Finding Nemo resonates across generations, offering both humor and heartfelt lessons.

2.5. WALL-E (#2)

[15:42] Aisha Harris:
Aisha places WALL-E second, acknowledging its iconic silent film-like opening and poignant environmental message.

[17:11] Aisha Harris:
“WALL-E is the artiest in the Criterion fanboy film bro way...”

[18:17] Stephen Thompson:
Stephen critiques the latter part of WALL-E, feeling it detracts from the film’s initial magic despite its brilliance.

[19:01] Aisha Harris:
While recognizing WALL-E’s artistic achievements, Aisha argues that it doesn’t fully sustain its early enchantment throughout the entire narrative.

2.6. Inside Out (#1)

[22:05] Aisha Harris:
Contrary to Stephen’s initial reveal, Aisha claims Inside Out as the top Pixar film, praising its exploration of emotions and its universal appeal.

[22:09] Stephen Thompson:
“I am so happy with our listeners right now because they picked my favorite Pixar movie at number one, The Good Dinosaur.”

[22:14] Aisha Harris:
“... it's definitely in my top three... It was every audience person I talked to connected with it.”

[24:30] Stephen Thompson:
Emphasizes the film’s portrayal of growing up and the bittersweet nature of leaving childhood innocence behind.

[24:45] Aisha Harris:
"Bing Bong represents the loss of creative spark and imagination..."

[25:43] Stephen Thompson:
Shares a personal anecdote about watching Inside Out with his daughter, highlighting its emotional resonance.

3. Reflections and Additional Insights

[27:10] Stephen Thompson:
Stephen acknowledges that while their top six list is comprehensive, many other beloved Pixar films like The Incredibles, Monsters Inc., and Ratatouille didn't make the cut, sparking curiosity and discussions about differing favorites.

[27:39] Aisha Harris:
Expresses disappointment over favorites like Turning Red not being included, indicating the diverse tastes among Pixar enthusiasts.

4. Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode

Stephen and Aisha wrap up the episode by directing listeners to their Letterboxd page for the full poll results and hinting at a deep dive into the lower-ranked Pixar films in the following month’s episode for their Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus supporters.

[27:40] Stephen Thompson:
“We have the full list over on our Letterboxd page... And next month... talking about the movies that ranked at the bottom of the list...”

Notable Quotes

• Aisha Harris on Coco:
  “[...] 'Remember me.' One of the last scenes with Mama Coco. Oh, my goodness. That scene especially [...] still a gut punch.”
  [02:10]

• Stephen Thompson on Up’s opening:
  “[...] wordless, in which this little robot kind of moves through the world and is, like, still kind of. Is very dutiful.”
  [16:49]

• Aisha Harris on Finding Nemo:
  “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.”
  [15:17]

• Aisha Harris on Inside Out:
  “It's about finding strength from our different emotions. Kind of like Finding Nemo, not only for kids, but also for their parents.”
  [24:14]

Closing Thoughts

Stephen Thompson and Aisha Harris provide a heartfelt and comprehensive exploration of Pixar's cinematic legacy, celebrating the artistry, emotional depth, and cultural impact of its films. Their thoughtful analysis and personal connections offer listeners a deeper appreciation of Pixar’s storytelling prowess, making this episode a must-listen for animation enthusiasts and pop culture aficionados alike.

Check Out More:

For the full list of listener rankings and to engage with the community’s favorite Pixar films, visit the NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour Letterboxd page.

Produced by Liz Metzger, Hafsa Fathoma, and Mike Katsif. Edited by Jessica Reedy.