Collin Willis

Pixar is the king of buddy movies. While not all of their films fall into the buddy movie category, the majority of them rely on this trope; two unlikely characters bound together for a whirlwind adventure. To start of a series of Pixar rankings, here goes the top ten Pixar duos.

Honorable Mentions

Lightning and Mater

WALL-E and EVA

Woody and Forky

Ian and Barley

Lightning and Cruz

10. Miguel and Hector

Though Coco is much more of a solo outing for Miguel than it is a buddy film with Hector, the pair form a very charming and sincerely sweet duo. Ultimately it’s a tale about two characters who want to be reconnected with their family, even if they don’t realize it’s the same family they’re both longing to find their place in.

9. Dory and Hank

The smartest thing that Finding Dory did as a film was to separate the original duo of Dory and Marlin. Not only do we get to see Nemo and Marlin interact positively with one another but we get to see Dory’s ever-swimming optimism clash with a character more cynical than the aforementioned clownfish. Played brilliantly by Ed O’Neill, Dory and Hank get to explore the world in a physical way that no other Nemo duo does.

8. Joe and 22

Pixar loves a good mentorship and there’s no greater than Joe Gardner and his pupil, 22. One of the more complex dynamics in the Pixar canon, Joe and 22’s search for their spark, (a search that Joe doesn’t realize he’s on) is fantastic. Not only is the interplay between these two a lot of fun, its really deep and heartfelt.

7. Remy and Linguini

Perhaps the goofiest of Pixar duos, Remy and Linguini are an interesting pair to say the least. What makes these two especially dynamic is the fact that they can’t communicate with the same ease that the others on this list can. Remy has to mime and control his feelings whereas Linguini can say them. The difference in ability and expression helps these two to come more alive in movement and actions, cementing Little Chef and Big Chef as one of Pixar’s most entertaining and emotive.

6. Luca and Alberto

One of the most balanced of Pixar’s duos because the lines between mentor and protégé are much more blurred. While Alberto is the supposedly more mature and experienced human, he and Luca often find themselves learning and experiencing the world together. The dynamic between these two always feels genuine, with each acting as young boys running from home might do in real life.

5. Marlin and Dory

Pixar’s early years tactic of “let’s stick some comedians together” plays off most humorously in Finding Nemo. Veteran comedian Albert Brooks and then in the prime of her career Ellen DeGeneres form a perfect pairing of polar opposites. Their comedic timing allows them to bounce perfectly off of one another in what is almost a constant joust of two flawed characters inadvertently being funny.

4. Carl and Russell

The most traditional of buddy comedy pairings, a grumpy old guy who doesn’t want a buddy and a naïve, boisterous kid who’s overly attached, is one of Pixar’s most heartfelt. Carl, sad and determined to hold on, is met with someone who exhibits the qualities of his deceased wife. Complete with a rounded look to match Ellie and oppose Carl’s squareness, Russell is the ultimate foil. Though Carl never got to take Ellie on her adventure, he got to share one with someone that couldn’t be more like her.

3. Joy and Sadness

Polar opposites don’t come much more polarized than between Joy and Sadness. These two characters are wired different, yet despite their complete lack of understanding for each other they serve a common goal. Though not quite excited to be stuck together, they walk into the relationship with a trust that many others on this list take time to build. This film is mostly about Joy and Sadness working to understand each other and to experience the complexity of feelings between the two.

2. Buzz and Woody

You might be wondering, how can I put Buzz and Woody anywhere but #1? And if this were just taking into account Toy Story (1995) you’d be right. However, despite how iconic Buzz and Woody are together, they do their best emotional work separately.

After the first film, Buzz and Woody don’t spend much time together. Toy Story 2 sees Buzz on an adventure to save Woody and Toy Story 3 delivers the opposite scenario. Only again in Toy Story 4 do they spend much of the journey in the same place. There is undeniably a fantastic bond between the two and their conflicts, trials, and triumphs are certainly some of Pixar’s best. However, these are Woody’s movies and the franchise’s best moments come from Woody tackling his emotions solo.

And of course, you can’t talk about Buzz and Woody without talking about how perfectly Tim Allen and Tom Hanks (respectively) voice these iconic characters. Pixar always casts amazing talent and this duo have yet to give anything less than their A-game.

1. Mike and Sully

Best friends, roommates, and coworkers, Mike and Sully don’t spend much time apart. The loveable goofball (literally) and endearing leader are brought perfectly to life by the competing talents of Billy Crystal and John Goodman. The beauty of this pairing is that despite the fact that they are in conflict most of the movie, the relationship and exchanges between the two in the first act remove any doubt of the love between these two. They work together, not to leap over the other but to move up as a team. And, they have what is perhaps Pixar’s best two original songs.