2007 | 1h 51m | Directed by Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava

Ratatouille is one of the few films to exemplify the fact that Pixar has an artistic license to do anything it wants. Some may think that the story of a rat who becomes a chef is too far-fetched, but Ratatouille is such a relatable animated movie! The film’s themes of pursuing your dreams and striving to be more than what others expect you to be are universal concepts that will resonate with children and adults alike.

2008 | 1h 38m | Directed by Andrew Stanton
 

This story of a lonely silent robot on a post-apocalyptic Earth proves that animation can tell any kind of story and that the key to making us care about the characters is to focus on their feelings. Wall-E’s wide-eyed wonder at humanity makes you fall in love with him, and his super sweet crush on a robot named Eve (which plays out mainly through gestures and expressions) makes this movie even better.

1994 | 2h 22m | Directed by Robert Zemeckis

It is not uncommon for people to consider Forrest Gump an all-time great film. Forrest Gump tells the story of a slow-witted but kind-hearted guy from Alabama living through some significant American historical events, like Kennedy’s presidency, the Vietnam war, and the Watergate scandal. His only friend is Jenny Curran, with whom he has been friends since they were kids.

1995-Present | Created by John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Joe Ranft

The first feature-length computer-animated film and the first feature film produced by Pixar, the first Toy Story became a blockbuster hit when it was released in 1995. The franchise is based on the anthropomorphic concept that all toys, unknown to humans, are secretly alive and enjoying their own lives and adventures. Toy Story is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of an old-fashioned cowboy doll named Woody and his rivalry with space ranger Buzz Lightyear for the affections of their young owner, Andy.

2009 | 1h 36m | Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson

Up is the heartwarming story of an old widower man who takes his house on a wild flight to South America after tying thousands of balloons to it to fulfill a promise he made to his late wife, Ellie. The opening sequence alone (where the studio retraces the entire life story of Carl and Ellie) will make you laugh and cry at the same time.

1990-Present | Directed by Chris Columbus

One of my all-time favorite childhood movies! Home Alone is a highly successful and beloved family comedy franchise about a young boy named Kevin, accidentally left behind by his family over the holiday season. In the first movie, once he realizes they’ve left him “home alone,” he learns to fend for himself and eventually protect his house against two bumbling burglars planning to rob every house in Kevin’s suburban neighborhood.

2003 | 1h 40m | Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

Probably one of the best kid movies ever made! Finding Nemo is a beautiful animated movie that follows a father clownfish, Marlin, and his son, Nemo. After Nemo is captured by scuba divers, Marlin and a forgetful blue tang fish named Dory set out to find him. Along the way, they meet some interesting characters and learn valuable lessons about friendship, family, determination, and finding courage along the way.

1994 | 2h 22m | Directed by Frank Darabont
 

No movie has ever captured the exhilaration of freedom as eloquently as Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novella. Andy Dufresne is a quiet, clever, and mild-mannered banker who one day finds his life shattered when he is sent to prison, accused of murdering his wife and her lover. While there, he makes friends with a fellow inmate, Ellis “Red” Redding, an older man who has spent most of his life in prison. The two men form a strong bond, and Andy begins to make plans for their future life out of Shawshank State Prison.

1991 | 1h 24m | Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Beauty and the Beast is a fairy tale about a young woman who finds herself trapped in a castle with a terrifying beast. With plenty of humor and heart, this story provides the perfect example of how being true to oneself can bring real happiness. Disney’s take on this timeless classic is not only a well-executed animated film, but it also holds up incredibly well against the recent live action remake.

2004 | 1h 55m | Directed by Brad Bird

The Incredibles is the superhero movie we deserve right now, with a killer blend of nostalgia, excitement, humor, and heart. The film taps into our love of costumed heroes and the classic family dynamic while also cleverly subverting both. This happy movie is geared toward older children and adults, but the hero action will keep young kids riveted and may even inspire them to do their homework so they can grow up to be superheroes themselves.