Ranking The Pixar Sequels From Toy Story 2 To Finding Dory

In recent years Pixar has been criticised for leaning too heavily on sequels instead of generating original ideas, but people keep forgetting one important thing: it’s still Pixar.

This week’s marks the UK release of ‘Finding Dory’, so we thought we’d look back at Pixar’s sequels to date and rank them from best to worst. We say “worst”, but there’s never been a truly terrible Pixar film.

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‘Toy Story 2′

'Toy Story 2’ was Pixar’s only sequel in the fifteen years between the 1995 original and 'Toy Story 3’. Arriving at a time when Pixar making a sequel didn’t raise any eyebrows, this second outing switches the focus from Buzz Lightyear to Woody.

Like most the films on this list, 'Toy Story’ is delightful by simple virtue of the amazing cast and the characters they play. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are great once again, and are this time joined by the wonderful Joan Cusack, Wayne Knight and Kelsey Grammar.

In the film we learn where Woody comes from, which introduces us to new characters like his horse Bullseye, Prospector Pete and Jessie: the subject of the film’s most heartbreaking and memorable scene, set to Leila’s 'When Somebody Loved Me’.

‘Toy Story 3′

All three of the 'Toy Story’ movies are true classics. Many would pick the third film over the second, but there’s basically nothing between any of them.

'Toy Story 3’ began Pixar’s recent spate of sequels, and proved the worth there can be in continuing a story rather than telling a new one. This entry rounds off one of the greatest ever film trilogies with Woody and co winding up at a day care centre, and dealing with a sociopathic cuddly bear.

The film ends with a scene to rival Jessie’s song in 'Toy Story 2’ as Andy gives his toys away, closing one chapter of his life and giving Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the others a new lease on theirs. Let’s not talk about the incinerator scene, I still haven’t quite recovered.

‘Monsters University’

To make a 'Monsters Inc’ sequel would ruin the excellent ending of Pete Doctor’s 2001 classic, so instead Pixar went for a prequel. The result was Pixar’s most inventive follow-up to date.

A move aimed at kids that’s also a college campus comedy in the vein of 'Animal House’ was not what anyone would have expected, but it was an excellent decision. It allowed Sulley and Mike to meet organically but also clash numerous times on their way to discovering how they could help each other achieve greatness.

Like 'Toy Story 2’, 'Monsters University’ switches its focus to the straight-man/monster/toy of its lead pairing, focusing on Billy Crystal’s Mike over John Goodman’s Sulley.

It’s a story about coming to terms with things you simply aren’t capable of and instead finding out, and finding happiness in, what you are capable of doing. Like Pixar generally, it’s a great deal deeper than most animated features.

‘Finding Dory’

'Finding Nemo’ didn’t need a sequel, but it has one. “Are they just going to lose Nemo again?” asked many fans, but of course Pixar had something far more clever planned.

In the now-great tradition of Pixar sequels focusing on different characters, 'Finding Dory’ shifts the focus from Nemo and father Marlin and Ellen Degeneres’ fantastic blue tang fish, Dory.

Having suddenly remembered she lost her parents as a child, Dory journeys to find them. As much as it is about that quest however, it’s also about disability, self-doubt and mentally overcoming both.

The plot is a little messy and the final act might jump the shark, but 'Finding Dory’ has an important lesson, is enormous fun and includes three or four fantastic new characters.

‘Cars 2′

Most would agree that the 'Cars’ series represents Pixar’s worst work, but I’m okay with Pixar returning to this particularly deep well. The studio has kind earned it.

The films aren’t much to write home about. They’re perfectly functional with a certain charm at times and are set in a world that gets more nightmarish the more you think about it.

But after all the classics Pixar has produced, who can really begrudge the studio nudging along its merchandising behemoth. Back in 2011, former Pixar boss John Lasseter revealed the first film alone generated $10 billion in merchandising. Whatever the figure is five years on hasn’t been revealed.

'Cars’ is Pixar’s monetary reward for the golden age of animation they are responsible for. A third film is on the way, and after 'Inside Out’ and 'Finding Nemo’ they’ve earned that too.

'Finding Dory’ is out this Friday, 29 July.

Picture Credits: Disney / Pixar