Disney's 5-Part Fantasy Franchise Is Officially the Best of the Year

Critically lauded as the best animated film of all time, there is no question why Toy Story still resonates. Like any good Pixar film, the narrative is more than a surface-level children’s story. This particular narrative uses toys in a child’s bedroom to weave what is essentially a buddy cop story. Cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks) is one of Andy’s favorite toys but feels that he may be replaced when the child gets a space ranger, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). The humor comes into play as Buzz has an identity crisis of sorts. He believes he is a real space ranger instead of just a toy.

Buzz and Woody must overcome their differences in one of the great movies about male friendship. Toy Story is humorous in a way that is accessible to children but also so clever that adults still get gratification out of it. What could have been just a one-off instead evolved into a sprawling franchise that only gets better as it progresses.

The Toy Story franchise is full of heart and devastation, as the direct sequel indicates. It is arguably the best of the franchise as it delves into complex issues of abandonment with the introduction of Joan Cusack’s iconic character, Jessie. Another Western-style doll and part of Woody’s Roundup, Jessie is discarded by her previous owner, which leads to feelings of deficiency and claustrophobia. These themes teach children about the value of treating people with kindness and are also painful realities of the world. Her song “When She Loved Me” is a traumatic rehash of her backstory that perhaps hits even harder for the adults who watch it.

These storylines pack a punch, and that hasn’t changed in the 30 years since its premiere. Toy Story continues to grow and change with the times in a way that other franchises seldom do. The audience has grown up with Andy to see him pass his toys on to the next generation. As entertainment has advanced, so too have the stories. The 2026 sequel, Toy Story 5, is entirely unsubtle about children’s dependency on technology. This is an asset to the brand that shows it can evolve with the times. Now fans, both new and old, can revisit these timeless classics, all streaming on Disney+.

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John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joss Whedon, Alec Sokolow, Joel Cohen, Joe Ranft, Pete Docter

Bonnie Arnold, Ralph Guggenheim

Tom Hanks