Cars 2

Cars 2

Pixar have become the greatest producers of animation movies over the last decade bringing the likes of Toy Story, Up and Finding Nemo to the big screen.

Movie fans have taken Pixar's movies to their heart and they are always the must see animation of the years.

This summer sees the return of Lightening McQueen as Cars 2 hit the big screen this week - with Owen Wilson back voicing the central character.

So to celebrate the release of the latest Pixar film we take a look at their top ten grossing movies.

1. Toy Story 3 - $1,063 billion

Last summer Woody, Buzz and co made a welcome return to the big screen eleven years after Toy Story 2 had blasted onto the big screen.

The film was a huge critical and commercial success and became the first animation movie to break $1 billion at the global box office.

The film went on to pick up the Best Animated Feature Oscar - as well as being nominated for Best Picture.

2. Finding Nemo - $867.8 million

Finding Nemo cemented Pixar as the leading producers of quality animation when it was released in 2005.

The film was a box office smash and was, at the time, Pixar's most successful movie at the box office as it grossed over $864 million worldwide

The movie went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

3. Up - $731.3  million

Pixar have a trend of winning over both children and adults - and 2009 was no different when Up hit the big screen.

Perhaps like none of Pixar’s movies before, Up is well and truly rooted in the real world that examines real issues and feelings.

The movie grossed in excess of $731 million worldwide and was a critical smash as movie buffs fell in love with this Pixar movie like never before.

Once again a Best Animated Feature Oscar went the way of Pixar.

4. The Incredibles - $631.4 million

The Incredibles was released in 2004 and followed a family of superheores who are trying to live normal lives until once again their powers are needed to protect the planet.

The film grossed over $631 million at the international box office the second highest grossing Pixar movie behind Finding Nemo.

The film also went on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

5. Ratatouille - $623.7 million

Ratatouille was another Pixar movie that won over many critics when it was released back in 2007 as Brad Bird was on directing duties.

Ratatouille was one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of 2007 as fans and critics alike were all interested in how animation giants Pixar were going to further stretch the boundaries of their craft.

Visually the movie is just stunning bringing Paris and the hustle and bustle of busy kitchen to life.

Yes it won the Oscar.

6. Wall-E - $521.3 million

Wall-E was Pixar's most ambitious movie to date when it was released back 2008 - just a year after Ratatouille - as the central character is predominately non speaking.

While there may not be much dialogue the movie was packed with emotion and tugged on many a heart-string.

The movie was another box office success as it took $521 million at the global box office - and another Oscar went Pixar's way.

7. Monsters, Inc. - $525,366 million

2001 release Monster's Inc was the fourth release from the studio and continued their success as they showed another leap in technology with what was their most advanced movie to date.

I have to admit that Monster's Inc is my personal favourite but it missed out on the Oscar - Shrek won Best Animated Feature.

However there are supposed plans afoot for a sequel- fingers crossed!!

8. Toy Story 2 - $485,015 million

While it was Toy Story that was breath of fresh air for the animation genre in 1995 it was Toy Story in 1999 that really cemented Pixar as an animation genre that was going to push the boundaries.

While being just as technically brilliant, bright and funny as it's predecessor Pixar were clever to aim the movie at adults as well as children - something which they continued to do in the movies that followed.

9. Cars - $461,982 million

It was back in 2006 when Lightening McQueen first burst onto the big screen, five years later and the sequel is enjoying huge success.

Larry the Cable Guy, Paul Newman and Bonnie Hunt all lent their voice to the movie - which was directed by John Lasseter.

10. A Bug's Life - $363.3 million

A Bug's Life was only the second movie to be released by Pixar back in 1998 - hard to believe that this movie is over a decade old.

A misfit ant, looking for "warriors" to save his colony from greedy grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe.

Cars 2 is out now.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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