Every Pixar movie in chronological and release order is best watched in release order: start with Toy Story and continue through Pixar’s 31 released feature films, ending with Toy Story 5 in 2026. Story order matters mainly within franchises, especially when watching Monsters University before Monsters, Inc..
“Chronological order” can be misleading for Pixar because the studio’s films do not share one confirmed, continuous fictional universe. This guide separates the complete release list from the smaller number of franchise timelines that can be followed confidently.
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Key takeaways
- Pixar has released 31 feature films through August 14, 2026, ending with Toy Story 5.
- Release order is the best default for a first-time Pixar marathon because Pixar’s films do not share one official, continuous universe-wide timeline.
- The clearest franchise story-order change is watching Monsters University before Monsters, Inc..
- Soul, Luca, and Turning Red debuted on Disney+ rather than in conventional theatrical releases.
- The 31-film count excludes Pixar shorts, series, SparkShorts, and documentaries.
What is the Pixar movie release order?
The Pixar movie release order is the recommended viewing order for the studio’s 31 released feature films. The sequence begins with Toy Story in 1995 and currently ends with Toy Story 5 in 2026. The dates below use the original U.S. theatrical release date when available, or the Disney+ debut for streaming-first releases.
According to Pixar’s official feature-film catalog and the studio’s official history, the catalog is current through August 14, 2026. Pixar’s feature-film category is separate from its shorts, series, SparkShorts, and documentary projects.
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Every Pixar movie in chronological and release order
| # | Film | Year | Original U.S. release or debut | Initial platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toy Story | 1995 | November 22, 1995 | Theaters |
| 2 | A Bug’s Life | 1998 | November 25, 1998 | Theaters |
| 3 | Toy Story 2 | 1999 | November 24, 1999 | Theaters |
| 4 | Monsters, Inc. | 2001 | November 2, 2001 | Theaters |
| 5 | Finding Nemo | 2003 | May 30, 2003 | Theaters |
| 6 | The Incredibles | 2004 | November 5, 2004 | Theaters |
| 7 | Cars | 2006 | June 9, 2006 | Theaters |
| 8 | Ratatouille | 2007 | June 29, 2007 | Theaters |
| 9 | WALL-E | 2008 | June 27, 2008 | Theaters |
| 10 | Up | 2009 | May 29, 2009 | Theaters |
| 11 | Toy Story 3 | 2010 | June 18, 2010 | Theaters |
| 12 | Cars 2 | 2011 | June 24, 2011 | Theaters |
| 13 | Brave | 2012 | June 22, 2012 | Theaters |
| 14 | Monsters University | 2013 | June 21, 2013 | Theaters |
| 15 | Inside Out | 2015 | June 19, 2015 | Theaters |
| 16 | The Good Dinosaur | 2015 | November 25, 2015 | Theaters |
| 17 | Finding Dory | 2016 | June 17, 2016 | Theaters |
| 18 | Cars 3 | 2017 | June 16, 2017 | Theaters |
| 19 | Coco | 2017 | November 22, 2017 | Theaters |
| 20 | Incredibles 2 | 2018 | June 15, 2018 | Theaters |
| 21 | Toy Story 4 | 2019 | June 21, 2019 | Theaters |
| 22 | Onward | 2020 | March 6, 2020 | Theaters |
| 23 | Soul | 2020 | December 25, 2020 | Disney+ |
| 24 | Luca | 2021 | June 18, 2021 | Disney+ |
| 25 | Turning Red | 2022 | March 11, 2022 | Disney+ |
| 26 | Lightyear | 2022 | June 18, 2022 | Theaters |
| 27 | Elemental | 2023 | June 16, 2023 | Theaters |
| 28 | Inside Out 2 | 2024 | June 14, 2024 | Theaters |
| 29 | Elio | 2025 | June 20, 2025 | Theaters |
| 30 | Hoppers | 2026 | March 6, 2026 | Theaters |
| 31 | Toy Story 5 | 2026 | June 19, 2026 | Theaters |
Toy Story was Pixar’s first feature. Pixar’s official history describes the film as “the world’s first computer animated feature film” and records its theatrical release on November 22, 1995. The 2026 entries are supported by Pixar’s official Hoppers film page and Disney’s 2026 theatrical announcement and coverage of Toy Story 5.
What is the chronological order of Pixar movies?
The chronological order of Pixar movies is not one official sequence across the entire studio catalog. Pixar films generally occupy separate fictional worlds, so there is no reliable master timeline that places Brave, WALL-E, Coco, Elemental, and every other standalone film into one story chronology.
For that reason, release order is also the practical chronological order for a complete Pixar watch-through. Release order preserves each sequel’s intended relationship to the original and avoids treating fan theories or visual Easter eggs as an official shared universe.
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Should you watch Monsters University before Monsters, Inc.?
Yes, if you are watching the Monsters films in story order: watch Monsters University first and Monsters, Inc. second. Monsters University is a prequel about Mike and Sulley’s college years, although Pixar released it twelve years after Monsters, Inc..
| Viewing goal | Order | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| First-time viewer | Monsters, Inc. → Monsters University | Matches release order and preserves the original introduction to the characters. |
| Story-focused rewatch | Monsters University → Monsters, Inc. | Follows the characters’ fictional chronology. |
What is the story order for each Pixar franchise?
The following franchise sequences are clear enough to use for a focused rewatch. Standalone Pixar films do not need to be inserted into these lists.
| Franchise | Story order | Release-order difference |
|---|---|---|
| Toy Story | Toy Story → Toy Story 2 → Toy Story 3 → Toy Story 4 → Toy Story 5 | None established in the released feature sequence. |
| Monsters | Monsters University → Monsters, Inc. | The prequel was released after the original. |
| Finding Nemo | Finding Nemo → Finding Dory | None. |
| Cars | Cars → Cars 2 → Cars 3 | None. |
| The Incredibles | The Incredibles → Incredibles 2 | None. |
| Inside Out | Inside Out → Inside Out 2 | None. |
Is Lightyear part of the Toy Story timeline?
Lightyear should not be placed casually before Toy Story as though it were a direct chapter about Andy’s toys. Pixar describes Lightyear as a film about the hero who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy, so the film functions as a film-within-the-Toy Story concept rather than a straightforward chronological entry in the toys’ adventures.
For a Toy Story franchise marathon, watch Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4, and Toy Story 5 in that order. Add Lightyear afterward if you want to explore the fictional hero behind the toy.
Which Pixar viewing order is best for you?
| Your goal | Best order or scope | Practical reason |
|---|---|---|
| First-time Pixar viewer | All 31 films in release order | The clearest route through Pixar’s creative development and sequels. |
| Complete Pixar marathon | All 31 films in release order | No invented studio-wide timeline is required. |
| Franchise rewatch | Use the franchise table above | Story order is useful when a clear sequel or prequel relationship exists. |
| Family movie night | Choose a short franchise or a standalone film | Age suitability, tone, and runtime matter more than chronology. |
| Full Pixar screen catalog | 31 features, then shorts and other formats separately | Short films, series, SparkShorts, and documentaries are not part of the feature count. |
Where can you watch Pixar movies in order?
For a streaming-first marathon, you can watch Pixar movies in order on Disney+ by using Disney’s official Pixar hub. Disney+ availability varies by country and can change with licensing windows, so the hub should be checked for the viewer’s region rather than treated as a permanent worldwide catalog.
Streaming is not the only option. Disney’s official Pixar physical-media catalog documents numerous Pixar titles on DVD and/or Blu-ray, while Disney separately promotes newer titles such as Inside Out 2 as available to own on Blu-ray and DVD. Readers comparing a Pixar movie collection Blu-ray should verify the exact included films; do not assume that one collection contains all 31 features.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are Pixar shorts included in the 31-film count?
No. The 31-film count covers released Pixar feature films only. Pixar shorts, series, SparkShorts, and documentaries belong to separate categories and should be added through a separate viewing list.
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- Product type: PHYSICAL MOVIE
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Readers who want supplementary short-form material can look for Pixar Short Films Collection Vol. 3 Blu-ray. Disney identifies that collection as containing eleven shorts, making it a useful companion after the feature marathon rather than a 32nd Pixar feature. See Disney’s official page for Pixar Short Films Collection Vol. 3 for the collection information.
How should you plan a Pixar marathon?
- Start with Toy Story and follow the numbered release-order table.
- Keep Monsters University after Monsters, Inc. unless you deliberately want franchise story order.
- Keep Lightyear separate from the direct Toy Story sequence.
- Mark Disney+ titles separately because Soul, Luca, and Turning Red debuted on the platform.
- Check regional streaming availability before starting and consider physical editions for films you want to own.
- Add shorts, series, SparkShorts, and documentaries only after deciding whether your goal is a feature-film marathon or Pixar’s broader screen catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pixar movies are there?
Pixar has released 31 feature films through August 14, 2026. The count ends with Toy Story 5 and excludes shorts, series, SparkShorts, and documentaries.
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What order should I watch Pixar movies in?
Watch the Pixar feature films in release order for a first viewing, beginning with Toy Story. Pixar’s films do not form one official shared universe-wide chronology.
Should I watch Monsters University before Monsters, Inc.?
Yes. In the Monsters story chronology, Monsters University comes before Monsters, Inc., even though Monsters University was released twelve years later.
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Is Lightyear part of the Toy Story timeline?
Lightyear is about the fictional hero who inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy. It is not a straightforward chronological chapter about the toys in the Toy Story films.
The Bottom Line
For nearly every viewer, watch Pixar’s 31 released feature films in release order: begin with Toy Story and finish with Toy Story 5. Use story order only within a franchise, especially Monsters University before Monsters, Inc., and treat Lightyear as a film about the hero who inspired the toy rather than as a direct chapter in the toys’ timeline.
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