Pixar’s Ratatouille is Disney’s Greatest Animated Classic

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Disney has thrived in many ways throughout its history, both through its own creations and by acquiring other studios and their content. While it’s hard to pick the best period for Disney, the early 2000s were particularly iconic. Movies like Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Ratatouille have remained popular with audiences for years.

Beginning with a single film in 1995, Pixar has become one of Disney’s most successful and innovative animation studios, completely changing the world of animated filmmaking. Fans continue to passionately debate which Pixar movie is the greatest, a testament to the consistently high quality of their work, particularly in their earlier years. Considering all this, their 2007 film perfectly showcases Pixar’s strengths and is often considered a true masterpiece.

Ratatouille Came Out During a Unique High Point In Pixar’s History

Many people think of Ratatouille when considering Pixar’s films, likely because of when it was released. 2007 was a strong year for movies overall, and Pixar was consistently releasing new films annually. While Pixar was about to experience a slower period, they first delivered three instantly beloved movies. WALL-E in 2008 received widespread acclaim, followed quickly by the hugely popular Up, which remains a favorite for many. Then came what many consider the best Toy Story film, Toy Story 3.

Before 2007, Pixar consistently released incredibly popular films, beginning with their groundbreaking debut, Toy Story, in 1995. Many fans who grew up with early Pixar movies remember how special each one felt. Films like A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Cars were huge successes. Ratatouille came out after this string of hits, and just before three more very popular movies, which caused it to sometimes feel overlooked.

Since it came out, Ratatouille has become increasingly beloved and is now considered one of the best animated films of the 21st century. This isn’t surprising to those who’ve enjoyed it repeatedly since 2007. What’s notable is that it grew into a cult classic over time, rather than being an instant hit. Interestingly, unlike many other Pixar films from that era, Ratatouille didn’t boast a star-studded voice cast, which may explain why it took a while to gain widespread popularity.

Beyond Patton Oswalt, the voice cast of Ratatouille isn’t filled with big names, making it one of Pixar’s less star-studded ensembles. Coming just a few years after the huge success of The Incredibles, director Brad Bird created a deeply touching and meaningful film. While it didn’t immediately grab a large audience, critics loved Ratatouille, and it earned multiple Academy Award nominations, winning Best Animated Feature.

It’s amazing how well Brad Bird’s Ratatouille did, especially considering the movie landscape of the early 2000s. Its fifteen-year popularity actually compares to the success of huge franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and, more recently, A24 films. Many people don’t realize just how skillfully made and perfectly executed Ratatouille is – some even think it’s Pixar’s greatest achievement.

Ratatouille Is Actually the Greatest Movie Pixar Ever Made

What makes this film special isn’t just its realistic and mature storytelling, which truly connects with viewers emotionally. The animation is also strikingly unique compared to other Pixar movies. It’s a story about a rat with huge dreams and a big appetite, and it beautifully illustrates the themes of pursuing those dreams, even when facing enormous challenges. On a deeper level, the film subtly explores issues of discrimination – how people can be unfairly blocked from achieving their goals simply because of who they are. While the story focuses on rats, the message resonates with any group that has faced prejudice in the real world.

A central strength of Ratatouille is its ability to explore deeper themes beyond its simple story. Like all great Pixar films, it blends real-world ideas with a fantastical setting, but Ratatouille tackles surprisingly relatable issues that set it apart. Pixar is known for offering pure escapism and consistently connects with audiences worldwide, regardless of age or background. Though made for children, their films consistently appeal to viewers of all ages.

This approach is common in many beloved films that don’t strive for strict realism, like Star Wars and the Marvel movies. Pixar consistently blends realistic emotions with fantastical stories. At their heart, films like Toy Story are about friendship, loyalty, and working together, and Finding Nemo is a touching story about a father’s love for his son. Pixar’s success lies in its excellent storytelling – carefully crafted plots combined with meaningful themes. They’ve created films that are often more impactful and profound than people realize, proving they’re much more than just children’s entertainment.

Although Pixar has consistently produced excellent films, Ratatouille stands out as a hallmark of the studio’s creative peak, a period we haven’t seen replicated in recent years. Amidst a string of successful movies, the story of a rat and a struggling chef feels increasingly powerful over time. While its critical acclaim and awards certainly contribute to its reputation, the true reason Ratatouille is considered Pixar’s best is surprisingly straightforward: the heartwarming friendship between Linguini and Remy, the challenges they overcome, and their ultimately touching story continue to resonate with audiences of all ages.

France is beautifully depicted, creating a dreamy and romantic atmosphere, and the characters’ journeys are genuinely touching. It evokes the feeling of a classic Pixar movie from the past, one many fondly remember from their childhood. While it’s always hard to pick the best Pixar film, Ratatouille is increasingly making a strong case for itself. Released in 2007, it builds on successful elements from other Pixar favorites, but it’s uniquely crafted and stands out as Pixar’s most memorable film.

Ratatouille Risks Getting Lost in the Weeds as Years Go By

Despite having dedicated fans, some people fear Ratatouille is fading from memory compared to other, more popular Pixar films. This isn’t to say it’s a bad movie, just that it hasn’t reached the same level of cultural recognition. When people think of Pixar, films like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, or Inside Out usually come to mind first, before Ratatouille. This is simply due to the wider impact and recognition those other films have achieved.

The timing of Ratatouille‘s release wasn’t ideal – it came out during a very successful period for Pixar and in a year packed with huge cultural moments. Unlike many other Pixar films, it didn’t launch a franchise, making it a unique and standalone movie. This means it risks being overlooked, but it doesn’t diminish its impact. It remains a special film that resonates with anyone who watches it, though it relies on being discovered by new audiences. Once people experience it, though, its quality is undeniable.

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2026-02-09 06:38