15 Best Pixar Characters, Ranked

Pixar has introduced audiences to characters who feel like real people, with clear goals, memorable voices, and stories that reach across generations. These characters often anchor inventive worlds and carry emotional journeys that are easy to follow, whether the setting is a child’s bedroom, the Italian Riviera, or deep space.

Below are fifteen standouts from across the studio’s films. Each entry notes the character’s role in the story, key relationships that shape their choices, and the filmmakers and performers who brought them to life.

Mei Lee from ‘Turning Red’

Mei Lee is a Toronto middle schooler who discovers she transforms into a giant red panda whenever her emotions surge. Her story tracks a family tradition that ties the transformation to her ancestors, a temple dedicated to Sun Yee, and a modern life filled with homework, karaoke, and a devoted friend group. Director Domee Shi uses school events and a local temple ritual to map Mei’s choices across family expectations and personal interests.

Voiced by Rosalie Chiang, Mei navigates her bond with her mother Ming, played by Sandra Oh, while balancing a growing interest in music groups and school life. The film uses rituals, family history, and a stadium set piece to resolve the panda’s magic, and it folds in details about Ming’s side of the family to explain how the condition passes through generations.

Ian Lightfoot from ‘Onward’

Ian Lightfoot is a shy elf who receives a wizard staff and a visitation spell that can bring his late father back for one day. The spell works only halfway, which sends Ian and his brother Barley on a quest across suburban fantasy landmarks to finish the magic before the deadline. Director Dan Scanlon grounds the journey in road trip beats and puzzle like encounters that test the brothers’ resourcefulness.

Tom Holland voices Ian with a tentative tone that strengthens as he practices spells like levitation and bridges of light. The film ties each successful spell to personal confidence and memories of family, and it uses Barley’s role as a supportive older brother to show how Ian measures what he truly needed from a father figure all along.

Luca Paguro from ‘Luca’

Luca Paguro is a curious sea creature who takes human form on land and explores a coastal town on the Italian Riviera with his friend Alberto. Their summer is built around a local race that requires swimming, cycling, and pasta eating, and it offers prize money that they hope to put toward a scooter. Director Enrico Casarosa fills the setting with small town festivals and seaside routines that shape Luca’s understanding of the human world.

Jacob Tremblay voices Luca as he learns to hide his true form from townspeople who fear sea monsters. The story explores friendship, school aspirations, and family ties, and it places Luca between the pull of a new education and loyalty to Alberto. Local traditions and the presence of Giulia and her father Massimo give Luca both a home and a goal to pursue.

Merida from ‘Brave’

Merida is a princess of DunBroch who prefers archery and adventure to courtly duties. A conflict with Queen Elinor over an arranged betrothal leads Merida to seek a witch’s solution that changes her mother into a bear. Directors Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews use the Highlands setting and ancient lore to connect Merida’s actions to clan politics and family legacy.

Kelly Macdonald voices Merida with a spirited cadence that carries through competition trials and forest sequences. The film builds its resolution through needlework, a tapestry motif, and timed challenges that require trust between mother and daughter. The story clarifies how each clan’s customs influence Merida’s choices and how a repaired tapestry symbolizes a restored bond.

Joe Gardner from ‘Soul’

Joe Gardner is a New York middle school band teacher who dreams of performing jazz professionally. A sudden accident transports him to a realm that explores personalities before birth, where he meets a long standing soul named 22. Director Pete Docter, with co director Kemp Powers, creates parallel settings that move between city life and metaphysical spaces to examine purpose and daily experience.

Jamie Foxx provides Joe’s voice, with Tina Fey as 22, while music comes from Jon Batiste for the jazz performances and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the ethereal score. The story follows rules of mentorship badges, body swapping, and a clear time limit for Joe’s return, and it shows how specific moments from everyday life influence a person’s sense of meaning.

Lightning McQueen from ‘Cars’

Lightning McQueen enters the Piston Cup as a rookie who wants to secure a sponsorship and a lucrative contract. An unexpected detour strands him in Radiator Springs, where he meets Doc Hudson, Sally, and Mater, and learns town history that ties to the early days of the highway system. Director John Lasseter pairs racing formats with small town restoration to track Lightning’s decisions.

Owen Wilson voices Lightning through qualifying laps, pit strategies, and photo finishes that involve rivals Chick Hicks and the King. The film establishes rules for pit crew teamwork, tire changes, and drafting, and it uses Route 66 landmarks to show how Radiator Springs once thrived before bypass construction. Later entries like ‘Cars 3’ revisit the character with training sessions and mentor roles that connect back to Doc’s legacy.

Mike Wazowski from ‘Monsters, Inc.’

Mike Wazowski works at the power company that fuels Monstropolis with laughter and screams. He manages paperwork, training, and daily logistics for his best friend and top scarer James P. Sullivan. Director Pete Docter structures the plot around factory floor procedures, door vault mechanics, and energy collection standards that guide the duo’s work.

Billy Crystal voices Mike as he navigates relationships with Celia Mae and corporate leadership that includes Roz and Henry J. Waternoose. The arrival of Boo forces procedural changes and introduces a shift from scream power to laugh power, which Mike helps formalize with new comedy routines. ‘Monsters University’ later fills in his college years with study methods, competitions, and fraternity life.

James P. Sullivan from ‘Monsters, Inc.’

James P. Sullivan, known as Sulley, is the top scarer at the company and comes from a family with a long record in the profession. The discovery of Boo’s presence exposes a larger plot and leads Sulley to question company policies. Factory safety rules, door transport systems, and power output targets structure his choices throughout the film.

John Goodman voices Sulley with a focus on mentorship and responsibility, and the film shows how he responds to changing energy standards that affect the entire city. His partnership with Mike becomes a business arrangement that retools the company around laughter, and his leadership role emerges from a series of decisions tied to compliance, ethics, and community needs.

Elastigirl from ‘The Incredibles’

Elastigirl, or Helen Parr, is a former superhero who can stretch and reshape her body to complete rescues and investigations. Family life with Bob, Violet, and Dash shifts when secret missions pull her back into active duty. Writer director Brad Bird frames her work through tracking devices, surveillance, and transportation sequences that show how she uses her abilities in varied environments.

Holly Hunter voices Helen across both films, and ‘Incredibles 2’ places her at the center of a campaign to re legalize superhero work. The Screenslaver case uses broadcast technology, public relations planning, and coordinated city operations that place Helen in direct contact with new heroes. Costume design by Edna Mode and support from the Deavor siblings shape her gear, transportation, and mission briefings.

Remy from ‘Ratatouille’

Remy is a rat with an acute sense of smell and a passion for French cuisine. He forms a partnership with Alfredo Linguini that allows him to cook in the kitchen of Gusteau’s restaurant. Director Brad Bird builds the kitchen with clear brigade roles, a station layout, and a daily menu cycle that influences each scene.

Patton Oswalt voices Remy as he crafts dishes that include soups, omelets, and the signature ratatouille for critic Anton Ego. The film shows how a health inspection, a review deadline, and a change in staff affect the restaurant’s future. It concludes with a new bistro named La Ratatouille, which maintains a discreet arrangement that keeps Remy safe while serving guests.

Carl Fredricksen from ‘Up’

Carl Fredricksen is a retired balloon salesman who attaches thousands of balloons to his house to fulfill a promise to his late wife Ellie. The plan sends him to South America, where he encounters Russell, Dug, and the explorer Charles Muntz. Director Pete Docter sets the journey against tepui formations, tropical storms, and an airship that carries a rare bird named Kevin.

Edward Asner voices Carl as he manages navigation, weather, and a contest over Kevin’s fate. The story uses a house as both home and aircraft, with practical details like steering ropes and ballast. A final badge pinning ceremony brings Carl back to city life, where his bond with Russell grows through shared activities and community events.

Buzz Lightyear from ‘Toy Story’

Buzz Lightyear arrives as a Space Ranger action figure who initially believes he is a real space hero. His features include a laser pointer, wings, and a voice box with recorded phrases. Director John Lasseter uses Buzz’s misunderstanding to shape set pieces in Andy’s room, a gas station, and a toy store.

Tim Allen voices Buzz through a series of revelations that clarify his status as a toy. Later films introduce a factory reset and a Spanish mode that affect his behavior and teamwork. Buzz’s relationship with Woody evolves through rescues, moving day logistics, and group plans that involve Mr. Potato Head, Jessie, and the rest of the toys.

Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’

Dory is a regal blue tang fish with short term memory loss who joins Marlin on a search across the ocean. She can read human language and communicates with whales, which helps the pair navigate obstacles like jellyfish swarms and a field of kelp. Director Andrew Stanton uses maps, currents, and fish behavior to guide each step of the journey.

Ellen DeGeneres voices Dory, and ‘Finding Dory’ expands her backstory at a marine life facility with quarantine zones, exhibits, and rescue protocols. The film details tags, transport buckets, and filtration systems that affect Dory’s movement through the center. Her parents Charlie and Jenny appear in flashbacks that connect clues to specific landmarks.

WALL-E from ‘WALL-E’

WALL-E is a small robot programmed to compact trash on an abandoned Earth. He collects artifacts, maintains his treads, and charges his battery using sunlight. Director Andrew Stanton keeps dialogue minimal and relies on physical comedy and musical cues that come from ‘Hello, Dolly!’, which WALL-E watches on a videotape.

Sound designer Ben Burtt provides the character’s voice and mechanical effects, and Elissa Knight voices EVE, the probe who arrives to scan for plant life. The Axiom starliner sequences show autopilot protocols, passenger routines, and gravity controls that determine how the robots complete their directives. The story shows how a single plant triggers a return process that changes life on the ship.

Woody from ‘Toy Story’

Woody is a pull string cowboy doll who serves as the de facto leader of Andy’s toys. He manages meetings, assigns lookout duties, and coordinates responses to birthdays and moving day. Director John Lasseter uses household spaces like bedrooms, a pizza arcade, and a yard sale to place Woody in situations that test his plans.

Tom Hanks voices Woody through moments that involve new arrivals, lost toys, and changing owners. The films track his partnership with Buzz, his care for Andy and then Bonnie, and his reunion with Bo Peep. A final decision in ‘Toy Story 4’ marks a change in his role among the toys, and it follows a series of actions that involve a carnival, a rescue, and a vintage store.

Share your picks for the greatest Pixar characters in the comments and let everyone know who you would add to the list.