Beloved 2000s Animated Film, Which Made Oscars History, Ranked Among 'Best Movies' of All Time
There's something even more magical about a movie that'll make you feel all of the things in a few hours or less. And that's exactly what one of Pixar's most beloved animated films will do. From tears of laughter to tears of joy, this fan-favorite is an emotional rollercoaster - and it's considered to be one of the best films in cinematic history.
Up was directed by Pixar royalty, Pete Docter, who is also the mastermind filmmaker behind other 2000s and 2010s animated movies like Monsters Inc., Inside Out, and Soul. The movie follows the story of Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower who is aiming to get to South America to fulfill his promise to his late wife. However, Carl discovers a young stowaway, a Boy Scout named Russell, who accidentally ended aboard the flying home.
At the time of its release in May 2009, the film achieved a major milestone after it was nominated for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture, only the second movie in history to be under consideration for the Oscar, following Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Up went on to win two Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.
Today, the renowned movie is still considered to be one of the greatest animated movies in history, and is among Rotten Tomatoes' 300 Best Movies Movies of All Time. Placing at number 39 in the list, it has received a Tomatometer score of 98% and rave reviews from some of the best film critics in the industry.
"Up is buoyant with thrills and spills, yet it's anchored, quite movingly, in the acceptance of mortality. This rollercoaster ride will leave everyone on an up." The Independent's Anthony Quinn wrote.
"If it had lived up to its golden first five minutes, Up would have been the film of the decade," Empire Magazine critic, Ian Freer, wrote. "As it is, it remains the best animated flick of 2009, a funny, moving, beautifully made argument that dreamers can move mountains."
Per Empire, in 2023, Carl's story continued with a short titled Carl's Date, which was played in theaters at the start of Pixar's Elemental, which was also directed by Docter.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM.