Toy Story (franchise)

Toy Story is a CGI animated media franchise created by Pixar and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, beginning with the original 1995 film Toy Story. The franchise focuses on a group of toys that secretly come to life when no human is watching and end up unexpectedly embarking on life-changing adventures. The first two films of the franchise were directed by John Lasseter, the third by Lee Unkrich, co-director of the second film, and the fourth by Josh Cooley, a storyboard artist at Pixar Animation Studios.
== Film series ==
The Toy Story series consists of five CGI animated films, which include Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010), Toy Story 4 (2019), and Toy Story 5 (2026). Toy Story, the first film in the series, was the first feature-length film to be made entirely using computer generated imagery. The films were produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.
=== Toy Story (1995) ===
: Main article: Toy Story
Toy Story, the first film in the franchise, was released on November 22, 1995 as the first feature-length film created entirely by CGI and directed by John Lasseter. The plot involves Andy getting a new Buzz Lightyear toy, and Woody thinking that he has been replaced as Andy's favorite toy. As a result of Woody's jealousy, he tries to knock Buzz behind a table, but accidentally knocks him out the window. Determined to set things right, Woody attempts to save Buzz, and both try to escape from the house of the next-door neighbor Sid Phillips, who likes to torture and destroy toys. The film was critically and financially successful, grossing over $361 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 2-week run, which was later extended due to its financial success.
=== Toy Story 2 (1999) ===
: Main article: Toy Story 2
Toy Story 2, the second film in the franchise, was released on November 24, 1999 with John Lasseter reprising his role as director. The plot involves Woody getting stolen by a greedy toy collector named Al. Buzz and several of Andy's toys go around the Tri-County Area to save him. Along their journey, the toys meet Woody's Roundup gang, consisting of Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete, and discover that Woody used to be the star of his own TV program. Toy Story 2 was not originally intended for release in theaters, but as a direct-to-video sequel to the original Toy Story, with a 60 minute running time. However, Disney's executives saw how impressive the in-work imagery for the sequel was, and due to pressure from the main characters' voice actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, they decided to convert Toy Story 2 into a theatrical film. It turned out to be an even greater success than the original Toy Story, grossing over $485 million worldwide. The film was re-released in Disney Digital 3-D as part of a double feature, along with Toy Story, on October 2, 2009.
=== Toy Story 3 (2010) ===
: Main article: Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3, the third film in the franchise, was released on June 18, 2010 as the first Toy Story film not to be directed by John Lasseter. Although Lasseter remained involved in the film as executive producer, Lee Unkrich was chosen as director after editing the first two films and co-directing the second. Set ten years after the events of the second, the plot focuses on the toys accidentally being dropped off at a daycare center, ruled by Lotso, while their owner, Andy, is getting ready to go away to college. Meanwhile, Woody gets picked up by Bonnie and taken to her house where he meets Buttercup, Mr. Pricklepants, Trixie, Dolly, the Peas-in-a-Pod, and Chuckles and learns about Lotso's secret plans he's going to do with the toys, encouraging Woody to save them. The film contains over 150 new characters, according to Pixar. It was the highest-grossing Pixar film worldwide, surpassing Finding Nemo, until it was surpassed by Incredibles 2 in 2018. It is currently the third highest-grossing Pixar film worldwide (behind Incredibles 2 and Toy Story 4). In August 2010, it surpassed Shrek 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time worldwide, a record it held until it was surpassed by Frozen in 2013. It is currently the sixth highest-grossing animated film of all time worldwide (behind Frozen II, Frozen, Incredibles 2, Minions, and Toy Story 4). It grossed more than the first and second films combined, making it the first animated film to have earned more than $1 billion at the box office.
=== Toy Story 4 (2019) ===
: Main article: Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4, the fourth film in the franchise, was released on June 21, 2019. Taking place some years after Toy Story 3, the story involves Woody, Buzz, and the other toys having to teach Bonnie's homemade toy Forky how to be a toy. During a road trip with Bonnie's family, Woody reunites with Bo Peep and eventually has to deal with fears of becoming a "lost toy." In addition, Woody and Bo meet Gabby and Duke Caboom and help them with their problems. Don Rickles had died in 2017 prior to the production of the film, but Pixar used archival recordings from him to continue his voice work for the film. Additional new cast members in the film include Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, and Christina Hendricks. The film had been originally announced on November 6, 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. However, during production, 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) ===
: Main article: Toy Story 5
In Toy Story 5, Woody and Buzz will be reunited alongside with their new friends Joy, WALL-E and Pixar Heroes during the Pixar 40 Year celebration. Additional cast members from all the Pixar films include Amy Poehler, Ben Burtt, John Goodman, Billy Crystal and more.
On February 8, 2023, Bob Iger announced that a fifth film is in development.
On February 7, 2024, during the Q1 earnings call, Bob Iger confirmed that the film would be released on June 19, 2026.
Category:Franchises
Category:Toy Story
Category:Pixar
Category:Pixar franchises