‘Toy Story’ At 30: How Pixar’s Classic Changed Animation Forever
Description
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-172314">Image Source: Walt Disney Studios</figcaption></figure>When Toy Story hit theaters on November 22, 1995, it didn’t just entertain audiences. It revolutionized animation and reshaped the future of filmmaking. As the first fully computer animated feature, the movie launched Pixar Animation Studios into the mainstream and proved that digital animation could deliver stories with heart, humor, and lasting emotional power.
The Story That Started It All
Set in a world where toys come to life when humans aren’t around, Toy Story follows Woody, a pull string cowboy doll who has long held the title of Andy’s favorite toy. That changes with the arrival of Buzz Lightyear, a confident space ranger who instantly captures Andy’s imagination. What begins as a rivalry grows into a meaningful friendship as Woody and Buzz navigate jealousy, danger, and what loyalty truly means.
The Iconic Cast
A major part of the film’s charm comes from its unforgettable voice actors, each perfectly suited to their characters:
• Tom Hanks as Woody
• Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear
• Annie Potts as Bo Peep
• Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head
• John Ratzenberger as Hamm
• Wallace Shawn as Rex
• Jim Varney as Slinky Dog
Their performances helped turn animated toys into fully realized personalities with depth and humor.
A Giant Leap for Animation
Before Toy Story, feature animation was almost entirely hand drawn. Pixar’s bold leap into computer generated imagery was a technical marvel. The film required 114,000 individual frames and more than 800,000 machine hours of rendering, resulting in realistic textures, expressive character movement, and dynamic lighting unlike anything audiences had seen before.
Legacy and Impact
Toy Story didn’t just change how animated films looked. It changed what they could be. The movie proved that animation could blend sophisticated storytelling with emotional resonance for audiences of all ages. It grossed more than $400 million worldwide, earned a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, and received a Special Achievement Academy Award in 1996 for being the first feature length computer animated film years before the Best Animated Feature category even existed.
Its success paved the way for a new era of digital animation and cemented Pixar as one of Hollywood’s most important storytelling studios.
Tom Hanks Recalls Pixar’s Original Pitch for Woody
When the original film was released, Tom Hanks reflected on how Pixar first approached him about voicing Woody. During their early meetings in the early 1990s, the filmmakers showed him rough animation tests using his dialogue from Turner & Hooch along with storyboards covering the walls. Hanks said the experience helped him understand Woody’s physicality and energy, even though recording the role required a great deal of imagination because nothing tangible existed yet.
Click on the media bar below to hear Tom Hanks.
5 Fun Facts About Toy Story
• First of Its Kind: The first full length film made entirely with CGI
• The Black Friday Crisis: A disastrous early cut nearly caused the film to be scrapped Pixar reworked the story in just two weeks
• A Name with History: Buzz Lightyear’s name pays tribute to astronaut Buzz Aldrin
• Instant Yes from Tom Hanks: Hanks loved the pitch he always wondered if his own toys came alive when he wasn’t looking
• A Small Start: Pixar’s team began with just three animators working on what felt like a small garage style project
The Legacy Continues: Toy Story 5 Arrives in 2026
Three decades later the saga continues with Toy Story 5, set for release on June 19, 2026. While Toy Story 4 felt like a heartfelt goodbye, this new chapter promises to explore fresh emotional territory while reuniting fans with beloved characters and introducing new ones. The toys’ journey isn’t over. It’s evolving with the storytelling medium they helped transform.
Watch the Original Toy Story Trailer
Where to Watch Toy Story
Toy Story is available on DVD, Blu ray, 4K, digital platforms, and streaming on Disney+.
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