Disney's animated films of the 2010s, ranked

I'm not necessarily saying that any film on this list is particularly bad, but Cars 2 is just, well, meh. It's pretty much background noise, nothing more. Sorry about it, Disney. The story just wasn't there.

Like most Disney sequels, Frozen II didn't need to happen. It's not the worst thing you'll ever watch, but it is far from the best. While I am fully aware that there are at least two more sequels in the works, I strongly urge Disney to reconsider. Think about it.

I don't remember much marketing for The Good Dinosaur, but it's possible I just wasn't paying attention. The film received relatively positive reviews; however, audiences found it somewhat boring compared to other Disney and Pixar movies. I'll give it points for the animation, as it is quite visually appealing.

Despite the mixed reviews, the third Cars movie was a huge step up from the last one. Cars 3 received praise for its animation and ultimately brought the heart back to the franchise. Hopefully, they don't ruin it with a fourth installment. I'm looking at you, Toy Story.

Finding Dory is a decent sequel to Finding Nemo, but one that no one was necessarily asking for. If there's anything I've learned while babysitting, kids love this movie. That said, it does not get any better after the first, second, or third time you see it, so don't feel bad if you don't watch it again.

I was not on board the Toy Story 4 train; however, I'll admit it had its moments. The cast was wonderful as always, newcomers included, but I just wasn't too engaged in the story. After ending on a high note with the third movie, I feel like the creators could've done a series of shorts instead if they wanted to keep the toys' adventures going.

Ralph Breaks the Internet was a better sequel than most will probably give credit for. As much as I'm sure we all loved the classic arcade game style of Wreck-It-Ralph, taking Ralph to the internet was the logical next step for the story. The film encapsulated how amazing the internet can be while highlighting its negative aspects.

While Incredibles 2 isn't on the level of the first film, it does come pretty close. Sure, the villain could've been better; it's a sequel, after all, but after 14 years, the characters are just as hilarious and entertaining as we remember, so props to writer and director Brad Bird.

For Winnie the Pooh fans, this film gave us everything but a long runtime. Both kids and adults can enjoy this nostalgic and wholesome tale of Pooh's adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood. Paired with narration by John Cleese and a soundtrack featuring Zooey Deschanel, what's not to love?

Do we all remember watching Frozen for the first time? It was pretty much the best thing since Tangled, so naturally, we immediately played the soundtrack into the ground. Good times. It basically took home all of the awards during awards season, including the Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Let It Go."

I'll be honest: I wasn't in a hurry to see Moana like everyone else, so for all I knew, it was the second coming of Frozen. The music was there, the visuals were immaculate, and the story of a young Polynesian girl venturing off on her own to save the day was inspiring. Much like the next film on this list, these strong female protagonists don't need a Prince Charming.

Despite being considered a box-office success, Brave is still incredibly underrated. The film won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award for Best Feature Film, proving that Pixar's first Disney princess is, in fact, the ultimate baddie. Also, hats off to Billy Connolly for being his remarkably Scottish self.

Let's be honest: No one else could have done a better job as Rapunzel than Mandy Moore. Audiences loved the dynamic between her and Flynn Rider, which made rooting for them incredibly easy. Tangled received its fair share of award nominations but it was the song "I See the Light" by Moore and Zachary Levi that ended up winning a Grammy that year.

I know the Monsters, Inc. prequel, Monsters University, technically doesn't make any sense, with Mike clearly stating in the first movie that Sully has been jealous of his good looks since the fourth grade. Still, we got to see Mike and Sully together again! Anything goes in the "Monsters Cinematic Universe," right? Do I have the wrong MCU? Regardless, it was an adorable and fun little addition to their story.

Was Toy Story 3 up to par with the first two? No. Was it an acceptable send-off to what we thought would be the end of the story? Yes. It left millennials who had been there since the beginning feeling a little emotional but ultimately content with the direction in which it went. And then the fourth movie happened.

If you're in the mood for a real tearjerker, Coco is your movie. It's a beautiful film in every aspect; the animation, story, and music make for an incredibly moving work of art, as it offers a fresh perspective on how we remember loved ones who've passed on to those who may be unfamiliar with the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead.

According to critics, Inside Out is considered a modern animated classic, and they got it right this time. The film creatively represents human emotion and really tugs at your heartstrings, making it a favorite among children and adults. Its success garnered a sequel released in 2024.

Name a cuter animated Disney film than Wreck-It-Ralph. I'll wait. If you're a gamer, chances are you enjoyed this movie. The "bad-anon" group scene referencing various video game villains was the cherry on top of all that sweet, sweet nostalgia.

Zootopia is, dare I say, wildly entertaining. It's clever, thought-provoking, and overall aesthetically pleasing to look at. The film was nominated for various awards and won the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature Film that year. A sequel is set to be released in the fall of 2025.

Big Hero 6 is one of Disney's best animated films. Period. Don't believe me? Well, it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2015. Its success produced two television series, comics, video games, and possibly a sequel. Why is it my favorite? It's imaginative, funny, and a heartwarming story. What else do you need?