Top 10 Pixar Characters

#10: Carl Fredricksen

“Up” (2009)

A cantankerous old man isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of animated movie protagonists. And yet, within the first 5 minutes of “Up,” we become more attached to Carl Fredricksen than characters we follow for entire movies! We see his whole life, and why he became so beaten down after the loss of his wife. The title of the movie isn’t just about Carl flying his house away on a new adventure. It also refers to his state of mind. With help from a talking dog, a Junior Wilderness Explorer, and a bird, Carl begins to feel his outlook rise too. And that last message from his wife certainly didn’t hurt either.

#9: Ernesto de la Cruz“Coco” (2017)

Pixar (and Disney, for that matter) have featured many twist villains, but Ernesto de la Cruz is in a league of his own. Charming, a great singer, and even espousing a theoretically positive motto of pursuing your dreams no matter what, Ernesto seems great on the surface. It’s no wonder “Coco”’s hero Miguel idolizes him, and wants to believe he’s his ancestor. However, after Ernesto is exposed for having killed his best friend Hector, the same things that make him admirable are flipped around. His charm is insidious. His need to fulfill his dreams drove him to murder. And his singing…well, honestly that’s still great. But who doesn’t love a villain who can sing?

#8: Buzz Lightyear“Toy Story” franchise (1995-)

A breakout character in the especially strong cast of the “Toy Story” franchise, Buzz is spectacular. The space ranger toy initially believes himself to be real, leading to an existential crisis when he discovers he’s a plaything. Buzz develops further across the franchise, becoming a dependable leader in his own right, forming a romance with Jessie, and his rivalry with Woody becoming an unshakeable bond. Plus, while he may not be packing real lasers, Buzz has some of “Toy Story”’s most memorable catchphrases and comedic moments. Is it any wonder he got his own spin-off? While he may not top our list, we still love him “to infinity and beyond!”

#7: Edna Mode“The Incredibles” franchise (2004-)

You might expect Pixar’s superhero franchise’s best character to be…you know, a superhero. Rather than a hero herself, Edna Mode is a short, bowl cut sporting fashion designer, specializing in super suits. While she may not be super herself, if Edna did have a power, it’d be stealing the show from every other character she shares a scene with! Her flamboyant, sassy personality, dry sense of humor, and many quotable lines leave us in as many stitches as she leaves in the clothes she creates. Edna might be comic relief, but she’s entertaining enough that she could carry her own movie - get on it Pixar!

#6: Lightning McQueen“Cars” franchise (2006-)

It’d be very easy to dislike a character like Lightning McQueen if Pixar and voice actor Owen Wilson had handled him differently. He’s initially a cocky, competitive, arrogant race car. However, after being stuck in Radiator Springs, Lightning learns to slow down and to care about others, eventually becoming a better person…er, car. Across the franchise we see him develop from a hotshot rookie into a veteran being pushed out of his sport and deciding to train a new generation. Plus, his “lightning in a bottle” design has helped him become a popular mascot for Pixar.

#5: WALL-E“WALL-E” (2008)

The title hero of this sci-fi film, WALL-E is among the most adorable robots in all of fiction. While he may only be limited to single words, usually his own name like a Pokémon, WALL-E manages to have surprising depth for an intelligent trash-compactor. Curious, occasionally clumsy, and surprisingly romantic, WALL-E is an everyman…or everyrobot hero we can’t help but root for as he pursues a bot he falls for and ends up helping save the last humans. While there are heroes who are more expressive outwardly when saving humanity and getting the girl, WALL-E still moves us with his actions and undeniable heart.

#4: Remy“Ratatouille” (2007)

Rats get a bad rap, and Remy has done a lot to rehabilitate their image, at least in Pixar fans’ eyes. A rodent with a passion for food and cooking, Remy is a character whose motivations and dreams are explored in more depth than many other animated characters. While we follow along on his external journey, seeing him puppeteer his way into becoming a respected chef, we also examine his internal struggles, which play out in his imagined conversations with his mentor, the late chef Auguste Gusteau. Remy’s intelligence and emotional growth, as well as his messaging on staying true to yourself and pursuing your dreams help make him a fantastic and admirable character.

#3: James P. ‘Sulley’ Sullivan & Mike Wazowski“Monsters, Inc.” franchise (2001-)

This duo is so inseparable in our minds that we have to talk about them together. Sulley and Mike’s friendship is absolute magic onscreen, whether they’re becoming friends at school in “Monsters University” or working together in “Monsters, Inc.” They’re great individually too! Sulley’s fatherly relationship with the human girl Boo is adorable to watch develop. Meanwhile, Mike’s excitable, sarcastic personality makes for some of Pixar’s best comedy. Together they make an incredible double act that’s both hilarious and heartwarming in equal measure. They “wouldn’t have nothing if they didn’t have” each other, and Pixar wouldn’t be the same without them.

#2: Dory“Finding Nemo” franchise (2003-)

While initially another comic relief character, Dory quickly becomes something more. The blue fish’s forgetfulness and relentless optimism are extremely entertaining and help her bounce off Marlin’s straight man persona perfectly. However, her catchphrases and jokes also lead to some inspirational moments. Her motto of “just keep swimming” keeps Marlin going in his quest to find Nemo, and is oddly motivational for us too. Dory gets continued emotional depth by becoming the focus of the sequel, “Finding Dory,” which sees her look into her past, despite her memory issues. Dory may forget things constantly, but Pixar fans consider her unforgettable.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Merida, “Brave” (2012)Pixar’s Rambunctious Take on the Disney Princess

Mabel Tanaka, “Hoppers” (2026)This Enthusiastic Animal Lover’s Passion is Infectious

Bing Bong, “Inside Out” (2015)

Never Has Someone So Ridiculous Made Us Cry This Much

Syndrome, “The Incredibles” (2004)

One of Pixar’s Most Compelling Villains

Crush, “Finding Nemo” franchise (2003-)

We Just Want to Hang With This Chill Turtle

#1: Woody“Toy Story” franchise (1995-)

This is probably a predictable choice, but Woody is Pixar’s mascot character for good reason. He’s sarcastic and funny, without being comic relief. He has catchphrases without being one-note. He’s deeply flawed, while still being relatable. Plus, with how long he’s been a major focus for every film in his franchise, we’ve just gotten more time to get to know Woody than practically any other Pixar character. Woody matures and grows along with the audience. The toy cowboy struggles with issues like jealousy, abandonment, and loss that hit hard no matter what age you are. And no matter what, “we’ve got a friend” in him. Always.

Is there a Pixar character that soars in your mind that we forgot? Share your picks in the comments! No capes though.