toy story celebrates its 30th anniversary, becoming essential piece of modern cinema historyand which will continue in 2026 with the debut of the fifth edition.
Since 1995, Woody, Buzz and company have experienced an evolution parallel to that of their viewers, throughout a series of films that are part of the lives of millions of people.
Come explore with us three decades of adventures, friendship and toys with soul. Ready to go back to Andy’s room?
The origins of Pixar
Pixar born in 1986 by John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobswhich acquired Lucasfilm’s computer division to create a company focused on computer graphics.
His goal was to demonstrate that digital animation could be as emotional as traditional animation; and short like Luxo Jr.. and tin toy They kept that promise. It was the beginning of something much bigger.
How it was done toy story
The success of tin toy piqued Disney’s interest, to the point that the company broke its own rules: produce a film made outside their studios. Thus, the first fully computer-animated feature film was given the green light.
toy story began preparation in 1991 and It took four years of work, more than 100 computers and proprietary softwarethat simulated lights, shadows and textures.
John Lasseter directed the film, from a story by Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton, and a screenplay by Pete Docter. A talent equal to that of the main voices: Tom Hanks and Tim Allenwhich would have been common throughout the saga.
An unexpected phenomenon
toy story presented to Woody, a cowboy, and Buzz Lightyear, a space hero who didn’t know he was a toy. Their conflict was the transition between the old and the new, also reflecting the technological evolution of cinema itself.
Upon its release in November 1995, the film was an instant success. Raised more than 370 million dollars and changed the landscape of animation forever.
Critics applauded its clever humor and message, which moved millions of viewers. Pixar had passed from experimental study to global reference.
A sequel that exceeded expectations
In 1999 came toy story 2that it would be a video release; but the end result was so impressive that Disney decided to release it in theaters.
This time, the story revolved around the fear of abandonment. Woody was kidnapped by a collectorand his rescue led the group to face the idea of being forgotten.
With more than 500 million dollars at the box office, toy story 2 It was the definitive boost for Pixar. From then on, the studio would release one gem after another.
The emotional leap of the trilogy
Eleven years would pass before Woody and Buzz returned. toy story 3 (2010) featured Andy as a pre-college student, with their toys already forgotten and facing an uncertain fate.
The incineration furnace scene, where the toys accept their end, remains one of the most moving moments in animated cinema; and is part a film that talks about nostalgia and the value of saying goodbye.
With toy story 3, Pixar won the Oscar for Best Animated Featureit was nominated for Best Picture – something very rare for an animated film – and surpassed one billion dollars at the box office. It was the ideal ending… or so it seemed.
An unexpected fourth installment
Nine years later, in 2019, it arrived toy story 4. Many doubted its need, but the result surprised once again, with a story centered on Woody.
Now the toys belong to Bonnie, and Woody feels he no longer has the same role as before. In the midst of this crisis, he meets Forky, a doll made of a spoon and fork.
toy story 4 He was a technical prodigy and at the box office it exceeded 1 billion dollars. Its ending, with Woody choosing his own path and saying goodbye to Buzz, was one of the most emotional moments in the franchise.
The shorts toy story
Between each film, Pixar released a series of shorts that expanded the universe of the saga. Vacation in Hawaii, Fiestasaurus Rex and French fries They served to show comical and captivating situations.
One of the most celebrated was Toy Story: Horror!A scary story for all audiences. Pixar took advantage of these projects to experiment with different genres, without losing the familiar tone of the saga.
They also highlighted Toy Story: lost time (2014) and Lamp life (2020), in a format that could offer complete adventures with the same quality as the films.
The animated series
The toy astronaut had a traditional animated series, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000), which explored his galactic missions. It was preceded by a video film of the same name, also in 2000.
Only one other character has had an animated series: Forky asks a questionin which the famous bifurcation makes existential reflections.
Merchandising, parks and video games
At Disney parks, Toy Story Land lets guests feel like toys in Andy’s gardenwith attractions based on Buzz, Woody and the little green soldiers.
Video games also stood out: from 16-bit era titles to Toy Story 3: the video gamewhich included a “Toy Box” mode where players could create their own adventures.
Construction games, dolls, stuffed animals, collectors’ items… Few franchises have maintained such a solid presence for so long. on the market without wearing out.
Light year: the saga becomes metanarrative
In 2022, Pixar reimagined the space guardian with Light year, a film that showed the adventures of the “real Buzz”. It was directed by Angus MacLane, with Chris Evans in the lead role.
In the midst of the multiverse fashion, the film shows Buzz facing a future version of himself; on a ribbon with an epic tone.
It did not reach the impact of the main saga and was surrounded by controversy; but despite this, Light year expanded the universe of toy story with a more adult look.
The future of toys
In 2023, Disney and Pixar announced toy story 5. Although many thought that the saga was over, Producers assured that there are still paths to explore. But there was also a commercial reason.
The failure of Elio marked the lowest point for Pixar, which needs the safe bet of toy story to recover. An ironic parallel, as if the company were a toy that can no longer be pulled.
toy story 5 will bring back all the charactersto confront them with a new entertainment: tablets, which make little Bonnie put aside her toys. The premiere will be on July 9, 2026.
Technology at the service of emotion
The greatest achievement of toy story It wasn’t just technical, although that was enough to place it in cinema history: Pixar has developed unprecedented tools to simulate materials, lights and movements.
But every advance was at the service of the characters. The animation evolved at the same pace as the narrative, always seeking the emotional truth behind each gesture.
This balance between innovation and humanity has become the hallmark of Pixar, a company that has demonstrated that Digital stories can be as emotional as human interpretations.
The legacy of a generation
For millions of viewers, toy story It’s part of their life. The saga grew with its audience, following its passage from childhood to maturity.
Andy’s toys symbolize universal nostalgia: We’ve all had a Woody, a Buzz or a Jessie for those of us who had a hard time saying goodbye. And this identification is the key to your success.
The iconic phrases – “To infinity and beyond” – have become part of popular language; like this your most memorable scenes, transformed into indelible memories.
Pixar’s philosophy
Each delivery of toy story addresses a universal themeI. The first talked about jealousy and acceptance; the second, due to the fear of oblivion; in the third the passage of time is addressed; and the fourth talks about the need to say goodbye.
This progression turns the saga into an emotional mirrorin which the stages of human life are reflected. From childish enthusiasm to adult detachment, toy story chronicles a journey of learning and growth.
Pixar has always appealed to intelligence and empathytrusting that the audience will understand the nuances. And thanks to this, each new generation rediscovers these films with the same intensity.
If you liked this journey through the history of toy storyDon’t miss the best Pixar films, the producer’s best shorts and the main computer animation sagas.
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