Pixar has played a major role in millions of lives, especially around Apex High. For students in this stage of their education, it can be so hard balancing childhood and adulthood and adjusting to a level of maturity that’s expected from us for the next few years. That’s why it’s nice to remind both teenagers and adults of some nostalgic memories, hence why we surveyed 84 people around Apex High in order to find out: What is our school’s favorite Pixar film?

The movie choices consisted of: Toy Story, Cars, Ratatouille, Brave, Coco, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Up, Soul, A Bug’s Life, Luca, Inside Out, and Onward. The form did mistakenly miss some classics like Wall-E and The Good Dinosaur, and a few new ones like Lightyear and Elemental. So out of the listed items, which one is YOUR favorite?

Now, let’s review the top eight Pixar films, which consisted of votes from 31 staff members and 53 students. 

8. Inside Out (2015 and 2024)

3 Votes (Featured voters: Ms. Hill, Ms. Hornacek, and Ms. Taylor)

This film explores 11-year-old Riley’s emotions, as her feelings become personified into characters while trying to navigate a new life after moving to a new city. 

7. Luca (2021)

4 Votes (Featured voter: Mr. Zies)

A unique animated picture in which we follow two Italian sea monsters who transform into humans while trying to hide their identities.

6. Brave (2012)

5 Votes (Featured voter: Ms. Evans)

Set in Scotland, Princess Merida rebels against her traditional and royal conditions, but ends up casting a curse on her mother, the queen, that transformed her into a bear.

5. The Incredibles (2004 and 2018) / Toy Story (1995, 1999, 2010 and 2019)

The Incredibles

6 Votes (Featured voters: Mr. Burroughs, Mrs. Cadavid, and Mrs. Welch)

In the era of the 60’s, the Parr family must live ordinary lives after superheroes were declared banned, but a supervillain prompts the family to return to their old ways.

Toy Story

6 Votes (Featured voters: Ms. Gardiner, Mrs. Nobles, and Mrs. Butler)

Andy’s toys, who come alive when he isn’t around, get in a dispute when a shiny new space ranger takes the “favorite toy” title from the cowboy doll. 

4. Ratatouille (2007) / Finding Nemo (2003 and 2016)

Ratatouille

9 Votes (Featured voters: Mr. Whalen, Mrs. Rutledge, and Mrs. Ibrahim)

After getting separated from his family, Remy, a rat, follows his dreams to become a cook and befriends a French rookie chef.

Finding Nemo

9 Votes (Featured voters: Ms. Senff, Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Hartley, and Ms. Scwartz)

After finding out only one of his children survived an attack, Marlin the clownfish becomes highly protective of his last son, and crosses the ocean in order to save him after he gets captured.

3. Monsters Inc. (2001 and 2013)

12 Votes (Featured voters: Ms. Yale, Coach MacWilliams, Coach Olgesby, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Doane)

Monsters Mike and Sully work together at Monsters Inc. to gather energy for their city by scaring human children, but they accidentally bring one back into the monster world. 

2. Coco (2017)

13 Votes (Featured voter: Coach Jordan)

Born into a shoemaking family who banned music from their home, Miguel accidentally travels to the land of the dead to find his famous great-great-grandfather, who inspired him to become a musician. 

1. Cars (2006, 2010, and 2017)

15 Votes (Featured voters: Mr. Derda, Coach Pennisi, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Hill)

Hotshot race car Lightning McQueen gets stranded in a rundown town, where he makes unlikely friends along the travel to the most important race of his life.

Up received one vote from a student, alongside A Bug’s Life. No votes were cast for Soul or Onward, which makes sense since they’re more recent than others. The most popular movie among each group of voters was:

Students: Coco

Teachers/Coaches: Monsters Inc.

Admin/Counselors: Inside Out

It turns out that Cars is Apex High’s favorite! You can stream all of these films on Disney+, alongside countless others!