Toy Story is an American media franchise created by Pixar Animation Studios and owned by The Walt Disney Company. It centers on toys that, unknown to humans, are secretly living. It began in 1995 with the release of the animated feature film of the same name, which focuses on a diverse group of toys featuring a classic cowboy doll named Sheriff Woody and a modern spaceman action figure named Buzz Lightyear.
The Toy Story franchise consists mainly of seven animated feature films: Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010), Toy Story 4 (2019), Toy Story 5 (2026) and the spin-off film within a film Lightyear (2022). It also includes the 2D-animated direct-to-video spin-off film within a film Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins (2000) and the animated television series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000–01) which followed the film. The first Toy Story was the first feature-length film to be made entirely using computer-generated imagery. The first two films were directed by John Lasseter, the third film by Lee Unkrich (who acted as co-director of the second film alongside Ash Brannon), the fourth film by Josh Cooley, the fifth film by Andrew Stanton (who co-wrote all five films) and Lightyear by Angus MacLane.
Produced on a total budget of $720 million, the Toy Story films have grossed more than $3.3 billion worldwide, becoming the 18th highest-grossing film franchise worldwide, the second highest-grossing animated franchise, and one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Each film of the main series set box office records, with the third and fourth included in the top 50 all-time worldwide films. The franchise has received acclaim from critics and audiences.<ref name="lightyearrt"/> The first two films were re-released in theaters as a Disney Digital 3-D "double feature" for at least two weeks in October 2009 as a promotion for the then-upcoming third film.
Films Film Release date Director Screenplay by Story by Producer(s) Main series Toy Story John Lasseter Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton & Joe Ranft Bonnie Arnold & Ralph Guggenheim Toy Story 2 Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin & Chris Webb John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon & Andrew Stanton Helene Plotkin & Karen Robert Jackson Toy Story 3 Lee Unkrich Michael Arndt John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich Darla K. Anderson Toy Story 4 Josh Cooley Andrew Stanton & Stephany Folsom John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Josh Cooley, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes & Stephany Folsom Mark Nielsen & Jonas Rivera Toy Story 5 Andrew Stanton Andrew Stanton & Kenna Harris Andrew Stanton Lindsey Collins & Jessica Choi Spin-offs Lightyear Angus MacLane Angus MacLane & Jason Headley Angus MacLane, Jason Headley & Matthew Aldrich Galyn Susman
Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story, the first film in the franchise, was released on November 22, 1995. It was the first feature-length film created entirely by computer-generated imagery (CGI) and was directed by John Lasseter. The plot of the film involves Andy Davis (voiced by John Morris), an imaginative young boy, getting a new Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) action figure for his birthday, causing Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), a vintage cowboy doll, to think that he has been replaced as Andy's favorite toy. In competing for Andy's attention, Woody accidentally knocks Buzz out of a window, leading the other toys to believe he tried to murder Buzz. Determined to set things right, Woody tries to save Buzz and both must escape from the house of the next-door neighbor Sid Phillips (voiced by Erik von Detten), who likes to torture and destroy toys. In addition to Hanks and Allen, the film featured the voices of Jim Varney, Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, and Annie Potts. The film was critically and financially successful, grossing over $373 million worldwide. The film was later re-released in Disney Digital 3-D as part of a double feature, along with Toy Story 2, for a two-week run, which was later extended due to its financial success. The film was re-released in theaters again on September 12, 2025, for its 30th anniversary.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Toy Story 2, the second film in the franchise, was released on November 24, 1999. Lasseter reprised his role as director. The film's plot involves Woody getting stolen by a greedy toy collector who is named Al McWhiggin (voiced by Wayne Knight). Buzz and several of Andy's toys set off to attempt to rescue Woody, who meanwhile has discovered his origins as a historic television star. In addition to the returning cast, Toy Story 2 included voice acting from Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Estelle Harris, and Jodi Benson. Toy Story 2 was not originally intended for release in theaters, but as a direct-to-video sequel to the first Toy Story, with a 60-minute running time. Disney's executives, however, were impressed by the high quality of the in-work imagery for the sequel, and were also pressured by the main characters' voice actors Hanks and Allen, so they decided to convert Toy Story 2 into a theatrical film. It turned out to be an even greater success than the first Toy Story, grossing over $497 million worldwide. The film was re-released in Disney Digital 3-D as part of a double feature, along with the first Toy Story, on October 2, 2009.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story 3, the third film in the franchise, was released on June 18, 2010, nearly 11 years after Toy Story 2. The plot focuses on the toys being accidentally dropped off at Sunnyside, a daycare center while their owner, Andy, is getting ready to go to college. The toys discover that all of the toys at Sunnyside Daycare are ruled by Lotso (voiced by Ned Beatty), a sinister teddy bear, while Woody finds potential hope for a new home in the hands of Bonnie, a toddler from the daycare that takes great care of her toys. Blake Clark replaced Jim Varney following his death in 2000, while other new cast members included Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Kristen Schaal, and Bonnie Hunt. It was the first Toy Story film not to be directed by Lasseter (although he remained involved in the film as executive producer), but by Lee Unkrich, who edited the first two films and co-directed the second. It was Pixar's highest-grossing film of all time both domestically, surpassing Finding Nemo, until it was surpassed by Finding Dory in 2016 and worldwide, also surpassing Finding Nemo, until it was surpassed by Incredibles 2 in 2018. Toy Story 3 grossed more than the first two films combined, making it the first animated film to have crossed the $1 billion mark. In August 2010, it surpassed Shrek 2, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time until it was surpassed by Frozen, another Disney production, in March 2014. The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 2, 2010.
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Toy Story 4, the fourth feature film in the franchise, was released on June 21, 2019. Taking place some time after Toy Story 3, the story involves Woody, Buzz, and the other toys living with their new owner Bonnie. On her first day of kindergarten, Bonnie creates a toy spork, named Forky (voiced by Tony Hale), out of garbage. Woody, having been neglected by Bonnie lately, personally takes it upon himself to keep Forky out of harm's way. During a road trip with Bonnie's family, Woody, to his delight, encounters his old friend and former fellow toy Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who he had been separated from in the interim period between Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 and has to deal with fears of becoming a "lost toy". Don Rickles died in 2017 prior to the production of the film, but Pixar used archival recordings of Rickles to continue his voice work for the film. Additional new cast members include Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, and Christina Hendricks. The film was originally announced in November 2014 during an investor's call with Lasseter to direct, Galyn Susman to produce, with the screenplay written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack based on the story developed by Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, and Lee Unkrich. During production, however, Lasseter stepped down from his position at Pixar in 2017, though remained to consult for the film; Josh Cooley was named as the film's director, with Jonas Rivera replacing Susman as producer. The film underwent a major revision following the departures of Jones and McCormack later in 2017, with Stephany Folsom replacing them as screenwriter. Much of the original script by Jones and McCormack had to be dropped, delaying the release of the film.
Toy Story 5 (2026)
In February 2019, Allen expressed interest in doing a fifth film. He explained that, since Toy Story 4 released the series from being constrained to trilogy status, he did not "see any reason why they wouldn't do it". On The Ellen DeGeneres Show that May, Hanks said Toy Story 4 would be the final installment in the franchise, but producer Mark Nielsen disclosed the possibility of a fifth film, as Pixar was not ruling it out. In February 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the franchise would continue with additional films, while Allen confirmed his return as the voice of Buzz. Later in the month, Pixar CCO and franchise alumnus Pete Docter stated the film would be "surprising" and would have "cool things you've never seen before". In June 2023, Docter confirmed Woody would return in the film. In April 2024, it was revealed the film would release on June 19, 2026. In June 2024, Docter revealed that Andrew Stanton was directing the film. In August 2024, at the D23 Expo, it was revealed that the plot would involve the toys fighting technology, and would also involve an army of Buzz Lightyear toys controlled by computers. In addition, Kenna Harris would co-direct the film. In April 2025, Tim Allen confirmed that Woody and Buzz Lightyear would reunite in the film. In June 2025, Docter confirmed that Joan Cusack would return to voice Jessie, while also confirming the return of Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex, Hamm and Bo Peep.
Future In April 2026, ahead of the release of Toy Story 5, director Andrew Stanton revealed that brainstorming sessions that generated enough narrative material to potentially explore two more sequels. Stanton also hinted that the future sequels will likely shift away from Bonnie and center on a completely different character. However, as of 2026, Pixar has not yet officially confirmed any sequels.
Short films Lamp Life (2020) Lamp Life is a Midquel revealing Bo Peep's fate after she left Andy's House, between the events of Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3. where she was sold to a private family one rainy night. she was used as a night light for first one and then two children. When they didn't need Bo Peep anymore she was shipped and donated to the antique shop, where she and her sheep eventually abandoned their home lamp and were reunited with Woody. It was released on Disney+ on January 31, 2020.
Valerie LaPointe, who was a story supervisor for Toy Story 4, wrote and directed the short film. Annie Potts and Ally Maki returned as Bo Peep and Giggle McDimples. However, Woody is voiced by Jim Hanks, the younger brother of Tom Hanks.
Toy Story Back-to-School Lunchbox Disaster! (2026) Toy Story Back-to-School Lunchbox Disaster! is a three-minute short film released on Disney+ and the Disney Kids YouTube channel on August 10, 2026.
Television specials Pixar has also developed two 22-minute Toy Story television specials for ABC. They also air them on Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior.
Toy Story of Terror! (2013)
Toy Story of Terror! was a Halloween-themed special and aired on October 16, 2013.