Pixar is well known for its most successful franchises, including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles. These popular films have made the studio a dominant force in children's entertainment. However, the animation studio has some exceptional standalone films that shouldn't be overlooked. Some of its most successful standalone films include Up, Ratatouille, and Coco.

These animated films are not just the best without sequels but among the most respected and beloved stories by Pixar. Even less popular standalone movies, such as Elemental and Turning Red, resonate with a dedicated audience that enjoys the imagery, narrative, and themes presented. Disney's Pixar may thrive off of the profits of its sensational franchises, but it has a dozen great standalone films.

12 Elemental (2023) Is Visually Stunning

Like many Disney and Pixar films, Elemental is set in a fantastical world in which the residents of Element City are beings made up of four major elements: fire, water, land, and air. The main character is Ember, an ambitious and proud young fire elemental who strives to protect her father's struggling shop. When she meets a water being, Wade, whose friendly and kind personality compels him to assist Ember, she begins to question her narrow view of the world.

Elemental is one of the lowest-rated Pixar movies, failing to produce a riveting plot and the emotional moments Pixar films are known for. However, despite the poor reviews, many viewers appreciated the unique concept and the adorable character designs. The true gem of this animated movie is the visuals, which are well-detailed and full of vibrant colors.

11 The Good Dinosaur (2015) Is Emotionally Captivating

The Good Dinosaur focuses on the storyline of a young dino, Arlo, who has a happy and loving family but often gets into trouble with his ambitious personality. When a natural disaster sends Arlo downriver, he comes across a little Neanderthal boy. The unlikely pair becomes friends, partnering together as Arlo begins the long and treacherous journey to reunite with his family.

The Good Dinosaur did not have an exceptionally unique plotline, going through the motions of a long journey with a few close calls and dangerous encounters. It makes up for this lack of originality by being one of the most emotionally stimulating Pixar movies of the modern era, pulling on the heartstrings of the audience with loving displays and heartwarming reunions.

10 Brave (2012) Isn't the Average Princess Movie

In Brave, Merida is the daughter of Scottish King Fergus, who defies the tradition of young men fighting for her hand in marriage. She doesn't fit the mold of a traditional princess, preferring to practice her archery and horse riding. In Merida's attempt to fight back against the misogynistic practices of her people, she makes an agreement with a mysterious witch that results in her mother being turned into a bear.

Brave is considered the most underrated Pixar movie and an extremely underappreciated Disney princess. Merida's storyline is one of the few that doesn't revolve around a love story, instead focusing on the relationships within a family. This was a refreshing twist on the overused princess trope that modernized the concept into an empowering feminist icon.

9 Onward (2020) Plays With Modern-Day Fantasy Themes

Onward takes place in a mythological world in which the modern era of technology has overshadowed magic. When the teenage elf Ian gets a spell to spend one last day with his deceased father, and it goes horribly wrong, he sets out on a journey with his brother, Barley, to accomplish this goal. When his mother finds them missing, she sets out with her centaur boyfriend to track down her children.

Onward is another Pixar movie that many viewers believe doesn't get enough attention. The storyline focuses on the relationship between brothers as well as fathers and sons, which is not often explored in children's animated films. The story has an exceptional focus on emotions, making it a compelling watch.

8 Luca (2021) Is a Coming-of-Age Story

In Luca, two sea monsters, Luca and Alberto, visit an Italian seaside town. The two young creatures spend an unforgettable summer interacting with the local people and enjoying the human world, including the delicious food and thrilling activities. However, they are constantly frightened by the idea of being discovered as sea monsters and not being accepted.

The importance of Luca cannot be overlooked. In this coming-of-age storyline, it focuses on the classic trope of a youthful character wanting to be accepted in a world they feel they don't belong in. The film also has a good dose of self-indulgence, reminding the adult and children audience alike that there's no shame in appreciating the everyday aspects of life.

7 A Bug’s Life (1998) Is Classic Pixar

A Bug's Life is one of the first Pixar films that didn't get nearly enough attention. In this classic animated film, an ambitious inventor, Flik, an ant, makes a catastrophic mistake that endangers his entire colony. When the brutish grasshoppers demand double the food they normally take, Flik goes on a harrowing journey and uses his spirit to unite the ants against their dictators.

At face value, A Bug's Life is about a defiant individual who manages to make a difference in his world. However, looking beyond Flik's personal journey, it is a riveting narrative about undervalued characters rallying to demand respect and compensation for their work. Modern adult viewers will appreciate the undertones of valuing the efforts of everyday workers.

6 Wall-E (2008) Is a Harsh Realization

Wall-E is set in a futuristic dystopian world in which the Earth's population have to escape the disastrous world they ruined. A lone robot, WALL-E, spends his days cleaning up the piles of garbage and caring for a single plant he found growing among the rubble. When he meets EVE, a sleek robot sent to Earth to scan the environment, he becomes infatuated and goes on a journey into the galaxy.

Wall-E is visually stunning, emotionally evocative, and thought-provoking. While the love story between the two robots is adorable, the true heart of this animation is the commentary on humanity's destruction of the planet. The movie succeeds in being deeply moving and making some much-needed points about the importance of protecting the environment.

5 Turning Red (2022) Is More Than It Seems

Turning Red follows Mei Lee, a 13-year-old girl who respects the traditions of her family but is torn between honoring her mother and being confident in her defiant, quirky personality. When she suddenly starts turning into a giant red panda when she's excited or overwhelmed, Mei Lee is disturbed by her new reality while also empowered by her new-found popularity.

Turning Red is one of Disney's biggest box-office bombs, completely failing financially while also being popular among critics and viewers. The coming-of-age narrative is endearing, exploring the nuances of puberty, which made it entertaining for the audience. Many modern viewers also praise the film for being an allegory for young girls going through menstruation.

4 Soul (2020) Explores a Complicated Topic

Soul follows a middle school music teacher, Joe, who dreams of becoming a jazz musician but hasn't dedicated his life to his passion. When Joe is injured, he goes into a coma and becomes a disembodied soul in the afterlife known as the "Great Beyond." Determined to live, he goes on a journey with another soul to get back to his body and change his life for the better.

There are very few children's movies that explore the concept of the afterlife. Soul does a fantastic job of examining the concept of death and how someone can strive to live the best life they can before it's gone. The film is visually stunning, with a captivating storyline and an endearing character.

3 Ratatouille (2007) Features an Unlikely Hero

In Ratatouille, Paris city rat, Remy is unlike his kind and dreams of eating gourmet food and cooking like five-star chefs. When he happens upon a fine-dining restaurant and a kitchen worker, Alfredo Linguini, trying to fix a dish he ruined, Remy steps in and creates a divine dish. The unlikely pair become a dynamic duo, with Remy controlling Linguini to make exceptional food.

Ratatouille is one of the best Pixar movies ever and is still beloved by the adults who grew up watching the animated film. The storyline has an adorable hero with exceptional motivation to make his dreams come true. It isn't just another story about a dream coming true, however, but highlights the themes of appreciating art and finding friendship in a humorous and light-hearted way.

2 Coco (2017) Is About Breaking Generational Curses

In Coco, Young Miguel has aspirations of being a great musician, living up to his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. However, his family has a generations-old ban on music and demands he find passion in their shoe business. Desperate to become a musician, Miguel unexpectedly finds himself in the Land of the Dead and goes on a journey to uncover family secrets and learn how to follow his dreams without upsetting his loved ones.

Coco is visually stunning and masterfully designed, giving viewers beautiful imagery to match the powerful narrative. The film features some of the most tragic Pixar characters, who have heartbreaking backstories that must be explored during their afterlife. It has an important focus on generational trauma, family traditions, and culture.

1 Up (2009) Is a Second Chance at Life

Up tells the story of an old man and widower, Carl, who dreams of fulfilling his and his wife's dream of becoming an explorer and journeying to Paradise Falls. He straps thousands of balloons to his house and takes off toward the destination, unaware that a boy scout, Russell, is a stowaway on the floating home. During the journey, they encounter Charles Muntz, Carl's explorer hero, who turns out to be obsessed with hunting down a rare bird that Russell and Carl have befriended.

It's a difficult feat for a children's film to focus on the thwarted dreams of an old man, but Up does it beautifully. The relationship between the old and young characters is endearing, highlighting how two vastly different generations can find friendship and respect. The film is the best standalone Pixar movie of all time, capturing multiple generations with its quirky concept, humor, and heartwarming storyline.