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Where Does ‘Incredibles 2’ Rank in the Pixar Canon?

Is it better than the original? Does it REALLY beat Toy Story 3? What about Up?

by Ryan Britt
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Disney/Pixar

Only an insane person would say that the long-awaited Incredibles 2 is bad. The superheroic family’s second outing is a worthy successor of the original full of laughs, sly references, and some clever commentary about fatherhood. The movie is good, but is it the best Pixar movie ever? Here’s how Incredibles 2 stacks up against all the others.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than Toy Story 3?

If you want to get real, Toy Story 3 is the highest standard of heartfelt Pixar feelings. Everyone is still recovering from it to this day, which is saying something considering it’s the third movie in the series and three-quels are rarely the best the in any series. The point is, Incredibles 2 is good, but it’s not better than Toy Story 3. No way.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than Finding Nemo or Finding Dory?

Again, if you’re going to rumble with the biggest, most heartfelt Pixar movies, you gotta be ready to take on the movies that can make people cry just by thinking about them. Incredibles 2 has some strong feelings, but it can’t quite beat these two fish tales in the waterworks department.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than Inside Out?

No. And that’s only because Inside Out is so original and creative. Incredibles 2 has a lot of heartfelt feelings (particularly from Mr. Incredible himself) but Inside Out has a movie where feelings are literal characters.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than Ratatouille?

Probably the fairest grudge match on this list, if only because Ratatouille was written and directed by Brad Bird, the same guy who did both Incredibles movies and um…Tomorrowland. Anyway, sadly, no! Like, Inside Out, the concept of Ratatouille a rat that becomes a chef — is just so freaking novel that it’s really hard to beat.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than Up?

No. Full stop. Just no.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than Wall-E?

Because the dialogue is slightly better in Incredibles 2 (there’s almost none in Wall-E) the answer is clearly yes.

Is Incredibles 2 Better Than The Original Incredibles?

Assuming the original Incredibles ranks somewhere in everyone’s top five Pixar movies ever, does the fourteen-years-later sequel top it, ala’ The Empire Strikes Back or Toy Story 3? Here, there’s a close race. Without the original Incredibles, Incredibles 2 obviously couldn’t exist, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. For creativity alone, the first film will always be special, but, because Incredibles 2 came out in 2018, after the boom of both Marvel and DC superhero movies, the concept feels oddly more relevant now than it did in 2004. Plus, unlike big Marvel and DC superhero movies, Incredibles 2 manages to have its lead superhero be female without having to invent new characters or make a huge statement. In other words, Incredibles 2 surpasses what most sequels struggle with: it feels like a natural extension of the story and characters while at the same time having more fun than should be possible. And, for the smart family dynamics alone, Incredibles 2 just might be better than the first one.

So, Is Incredibles 2 In the Top 10 Best Pixar Movies Ever?

The answer to this question is probably a big yes, but it also assumes you don’t put a lot of movies we didn’t mention here on your list, like any of the Cars movies, for example. With that in mind, here’s a totally arbitrary, 100 percent subjective ranking of the top 10 best Pixar movies ever, including Incredibles 2.

  1. Finding Nemo
  2. Toy Story 3
  3. Inside Out
  4. Ratatouille
  5. Finding Dory
  6. Toy Story
  7. Up
  8. Incredibles 2
  9. Incredibles
  10. Wall-E

Does this list seem fair? Is anyone mad that Monsters Inc. has been excluded? If so, here’s a complete list of how you can stream every single Pixar movie right now.

-Incredibles 2 is out in theaters right now.-

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