Following its wildly successful Renaissance of the 1990s, the 2000s were an incredibly eclectic era for Disney. Still in its early days, Pixar Animation Studios saw a rise in popularity with its CGI animated films — beginning with Toy Story in 1995 — which defined 2000s animation with its groundbreaking visuals and deep emotional storytelling, whereas Disney’s post-renaissance era saw the studio fall into a creative slump. Experimenting with different animation styles, the 2000s also marked a clear departure from traditional fairytales and musicals and refocused storytelling on adventure, science fiction, and comedy.
Struggling to find their audience and corporate disputes with Michael Eisner (CEO of the Walt Disney Company from 1984 to 2005), Disney’s difficulties were only made worse by strong cinematic competition from DreamWorks and Blue Sky Studios. While the new millennium brought troubles for Disney, it also delivered some of the studio’s most beloved and criminally underrated films that defined this unique decade of Disney and Pixar’s history.
2000: The Emperor’s New Groove Deserves More Love
Inspired by South America’s Andean civilizations, The Emperor’s New Groove is set in an Incan empire that follows the spoiled and arrogant Emperor Kuzco, who is accidentally transformed into a llama. After firing his advisor Yzma, when he hears her plans to usurp him, she plots to poison Kuzco’s wine before he can announce her dismissal, but is accidentally turned into a llama by her bumbling henchman Kronk.
Though failing to blow minds at the box office, with its quotable and meme-inducing moments of hilarity, this irreverent, slapstick buddy comedy has remained a Disney favorite. While still considered criminally underrated, Disney adults who grew up with the crazy antics of Kuzco, Yzma, and Kronk are demanding more respect for this animated masterpiece. The Emperor’s New Groove perfectly encapsulates the tumultuous nature of Disney at the turn of the new millennium and the company’s change in direction to comedy-focused movies with inane but ultimately entertaining plots.
2001: Monsters, Inc. Shows That Joy Is Stronger Than Fear
2001’s Monsters, Inc. centers on the buddy comedy duo of monsters — the furry James P. “Sulley” Sullivan and his one-eyed best friend Mike Wazowski, voiced by John Goodman and Billy Crystal. Employed at the titular energy-producing factory, which generates Monstropolis’ power with the screams of the children they scare. Despite this, the monster world believes children are deadly, and when Boo, a toddler, escapes into the city, Sulley and Mike must safely return her home before anyone finds out.
Breaking away from classic monster movie traditions, Monsters, Inc. subverted the “monster in the closet” trope to teach children about the power of empathy and that joy — through the children’s laughter — will always be stronger than fear. Grossing over $577 million worldwide, the film cemented Pixar as a commercial powerhouse and was one of the first three films to ever be nominated for the Academy Award category for Best Animated Feature. With the iconic pair’s genius comedic timing and the film’s incredible but subtle world-building, Monsters, Inc. proved that Pixar’s success wasn’t a fluke or purely down to the creative direction of John Lasseter, by spawning a successful franchise with a third film on the horizon.
2002: Lilo & Stitch Exceeded Disney Animation Expectations
The cult classic that grew into an increasingly popular franchise, 2002’s Lilo & Stitch remains one of the most beloved core Disney movies. This heartwarming and quirky film centers on a lonely Hawaiian, Lilo, and a genetically-engineered alien creature, Experiment 626, as they both try to find their place in the world. Raised by her older sister, Nani, after the death of their parents, Lilo adopts 626 as her “dog” and renames him Stitch. Despite using Lilo to avoid recapture by the United Galactic Federation, the two develop a close bond.
Focused on the Hawaiian concept of ‘ohana, the film demonstrates the importance of a found family and unconventional dynamics while capturing the reality of Hawai’i beyond the exotic and sanitized cinematic paradise. Subverting the typical monster narrative, the film became a profound vessel for exploring childhood grief, neurodivergence, and the universal need to belong. A financial triumph, the film challenged the studio’s traditional formulas and served as a critical lifeline for Walt Disney Animation during its turbulent post-Renaissance downturn. Proving that unconventional, deeply human stories without a prominent romantic storyline could resonate on a global scale, Lilo & Stitch built an enduring legacy with its $7.9 billion multimedia franchise and 2025 live-action remake.
2003: Finding Nemo Is a Family-Friendly Version of Taken
An emotional underwater epic, Finding Nemo follows Marlin, a clownfish father who, after losing his wife to a barracuda, becomes intensely overprotective of his only son, Nemo, who is taken by a scuba diver on his first day of school. On a desperate rescue mission, Marlin is joined by Dory, an optimistic blue tang fish suffering from anterograde amnesia, and together they face numerous perils as they cross the ocean to find his son.
Delivering a complex, dual-layered storytelling that resonates with children and adults, Finding Nemo is a cinematic landmark that cemented Pixar’s prestige by earning the studio and Disney’s first Best Animated Feature win at the Oscars. Receiving widespread critical acclaim for its visuals, animation, screenplay, and score, this underwater movie transformed the narrative standard for animation as a child-friendly version of Liam Neeson’s gritty film, Taken. Becoming the highest-grossing animated film and sixth-highest-grossing overall at the time of its release, Finding Nemo not only holds a massive cultural and cinematic legacy that established Pixar’s dominance in the summer blockbuster season but remains the bestselling DVD title of all time.
2004: The Incredibles Subverted the Superhero Genre
Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s landscape, The Incredibles is an action-packed superhero film that follows a family of undercover heroes who are hiding their powers in accordance with a new mandate outlawing vigilantism as they try to live mundane suburban lives until they are forced out of retirement by a former fan turned foe. Paving the way for the modern superhero boom, The Incredibles revolutionized the genre while paying homage to retro comic book formats and 1960s spy thriller aesthetics.
Introducing deep, mature themes of midlife crises, burnout, and stressful family dynamics, the film used animation as a serious medium for layered storytelling that reached a wider audience. While critiquing conformity, The Incredibles promoted themes of embracing true selves, identity, the importance of family, and that true heroism requires balance. As one of the most universally beloved movies of the 2000s, the animation set a new technical benchmark with its evolved, stylized world-building and laid the narrative groundwork for the modern superhero blockbuster era.
2005: Lilo & Stitch 2 Is a Valid Direct-to-Video Sequel
The third film released in the Lilo & Stitch franchise, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, takes place between the events of its original film and 2003’s Stitch! The Movie. This 2005 direct-to-video interquel movie sees Lilo preparing for a hula competition while Stitch begins to revert to his old, destructive programming due to Jumba’s arrest, preventing him from completely charging Stitch’s molecules. With his uncontrollable destructive behavior driving a wedge between him and Lilo and ruining her chances to follow in her mother’s footsteps at the competition, their friendship is truly tested.
Placing immense strain on their iconic friendship, the film teaches the titular characters about forgiveness and communication when it takes a darker turn. In the movie’s heartbreaking climax, Stitch dies due to this defect until Lilo’s unyielding declaration of love acts as a catalyst for his seemingly impossible resurrection. Lilo & Stitch 2 is a valid sequel to the original with an emotional depth that tests Lilo and Stitch’s unbreakable bond while further exploring themes of familial love, grief, and loss as they learn how to maintain their new and fragile family unit while navigating their own personal fears.
2006: Cars Renewed Real-Life Interest in Route 66
Seeing the return of John Lasseter, Cars is a sports comedy about a world of anthropomorphic vehicles that centers on the hotshot rookie racecar Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson. After a three-way tie for the Piston Cup, the self-obsessed racer becomes lost on his way to California for the most important race of his life and becomes stranded in the long-forgotten town of Radiator Springs on Route 66. While at first frustrated about missing out on schmoozing Dinoco sponsors, Lightning begins reevaluating his priorities as he befriends the quirky locals.
Considered one of the best children’s animated movies of the 2000s, Cars is the perfect example of a protagonist not getting what they want, but what they need. Emphasizing the importance of the journey over the destination, the film is a character-driven critique of modern fast-paced life that highlights the value of slowing down to connect with others in this completely human-less movie with an entirely humanist message. Inspired by Lasseter’s cross-country family road trip, Cars is a tribute to the socioeconomic impact of the Interstate highway system on overlooked American towns that had a real-life effect, with the 2006 film revitalizing Route 66 and bringing global attention to its nostalgic, Americana charm.
2007: Ratatouille’s Premise Is Undeniably Absurd
With an absurd premise only Pixar could create, Ratatouille follows Remy, who dreams of becoming a chef in Paris, as he is suddenly separated from his family and lands in the kitchen of his culinary idol, Gusteau — inspired by real-life chef Bernard Loiseau. Forming an unlikely alliance with the restaurant’s clumsy garbage boy, Linguini, Remy learns to control him like a marionette to cook gourmet food.
Despite being one of the best animated movies of 2007, Ratatouille is still a grossly underrated Pixar movie. With the film’s core premise that anyone can cook, the film posits that greatness can come from anywhere and that ambition, talent, passion, and artistry are not bound by birthright, social status, or appearance. It also demonstrates the connection between food and memory when Remy’s rustic ratatouille for food critic Anton Ego triggers a nostalgic, heartwarming childhood memory of his mother’s cooking — showcasing food in an emotionally resonant way and breaking down elitist barriers of haute cuisine.
2008: WALL-E Is Even More Relevant Today
Considered one of the most universally beloved sci-fi films, 2008’s WALL-E follows the titular trash-compacting robot alone on the now uninhabitable Earth until the sleek probe-droid EVE arrives in search of signs of life. Falling in love, WALL-E follows her across the galaxy, which sparks an inadvertent mission to save humanity from its own complacency. Widely praised as one of Pixar’s greatest achievements, the film boasts breathtaking visual storytelling, a timeless love story, and profound social messages that are even more relevant today.
A masterclass in animation, the film relies almost entirely on visual language and sound design to convey emotion for the first 40 minutes. Inspired by silent film legends like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, the Pixar team uses body language, robotic sounds, and intimate animation to make the audience empathize with WALL-E’s loneliness and curiosity. Brilliantly marrying family-friendly animation with blockbuster sci-fi spectacle, WALL-E‘s enduring legacy is cemented by its poignant and prophetic critique of consumerism, screen addiction, and environmental neglect — themes that have become more urgent over the years.
2009: Up Is a Worthwhile Heartbreak
2009’s Up follows elderly widower Carl Frederickson, who intends to fulfill a childhood promise to his late wife. When faced with the threat of being moved into a retirement home, Carl ties thousands of helium balloons to his house on a course for Paradise Falls in South America. After accidentally bringing along Wilderness Explorer scout Russell, Carl’s trip is derailed by giant exotic birds, talking dogs, and his childhood idol Charles Muntz.
Receiving critical acclaim for its screenplay, animation, themes, emotional depth, and score — but nothing has come close to the cultural milestone of Up’s opening montage. A key element to the film’s success, the film’s first 10 minutes are dedicated to sketching out Carl’s early married life with his childhood sweetheart Ellie in a complex emotional narrative focused on grief and aging. Though undoubtedly heartbreaking, Up remains a must-watch Pixar classic that holds the rare distinction of being only the second animated film in Academy Award history to receive a Best Picture nomination — and the first since the inception of the animated feature category.