There are a handful of Disney movies that have stood the test of time. But if you were to ask me which film is the best, without a doubt, it’s Toy Story. It’s undeniable that Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the entire Toy Story crew have been some of the most beloved characters (and kids’ toys) for the past 30 years. But with five movie installments under Disney-Pixar’s belt, there’s a little ~controversy~ over which Toy Story film ranks as the best one to watch.
My family and I are Toy Story experts. Seriously, I’ve lost count of how many times I (and my kids) have seen each movie. Plus, our most-worn family Halloween costumes are our Toy Story ones—so much so that my kids actually wear the costumes all year round. So, as The Everymom’s Toy Story expert, if you want to know which film ranks as the most liked, least liked, and what’s in between, I’m sharing where they stand in my book.
Editor’s Note: Some Toy Story movie spoilers are ahead!
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What is Toy Story about?
If you haven’t seen the films in a while, let’s do a little plot summary. The original Toy Story is a ‘90s animated movie widely regarded as a film classic, with famous actors like Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Wallace Shawn, and more voicing its beloved characters. A young boy named Andy spends his days playing with his most cherished toys. From a cowboy named Woody to a new toy astronaut named Buzz Lightyear, Andy doesn’t know that all of his toys (and every toy out there) come to life when he and other kids aren’t looking. In each movie, the toys embark on an adventure.
How I’m ranking the Toy Story movies
Before I dive deep into my ranking criteria, I have to preface this by saying that every Toy Story film is worth watching. Each film brings new characters and fun plot lines and connects with the audience, no matter what age you are. The Toy Story films are truly for everyone!
To give my official Toy Story rankings, I considered each movie’s storyline, character development, emotional impact, and humor, which movies are most watched in my household, and how my kids would rank them too, of course.
My Toy Story movie rankings from least- to most-favorite
Without further ado, read on for my *official* ranking of the five Toy Story films!
#5. Toy Story 3 (2010)
In Toy Story 3, the toys’ owner, Andy, has grown up. In this film, he’s getting ready to leave for college, and his mom forces him to decide which of his childhood toys should be donated to the local daycare. As he cleans out his bedroom, the toys Andy wants to keep (Woody, Buzz, and the gang) accidentally get misplaced in the donation pile. Once they arrive at Sunnyside Daycare, the toys must learn the rules of the land, in which an evil pink bear named Lots-o resides as the head honcho. Woody and his friends need to escape and make it back home—before Andy leaves for college.
This film has the darkest moment in the franchise
When this film debuted, like Andy, I was going off to college. While the storyline was parallel to my life at the time, it isn’t my favorite. For one, the main antagonist is too evil for me, but maybe that was the point. Lots-o plays his villainous character a little too well. Toward the end of the movie, his evil antics get the toys stuck in a trash incinerator. The toys start to accept their fate and the fact that they aren’t immortal—a darker metaphor and theme we’ve seen from the previous Toy Story films. Even director Andrew Stanton agrees that it is one of the darkest moments in the franchise. The film concludes with a happy ending, but that scene is what I remember the most, and it’s just too darn sad to think about.
#4. Toy Story 4 (2019)
It was hard to pick which movie ranks next. The fourth movie is a wonderful Toy Story film, but it ranks second to last in my list, considering that I’d say it’s overall the scariest one. Maybe it’s because my kids and I aren’t fond of scary talking dolls. The villain in this story, a 1950s talking pull-string doll named Gabby Gabby, has ventriloquist dolls as her evil minions. There’s also a jump scare moment where a couple of toys frighten an older woman in her house, and it never fails that my son hides behind me during this scene.
There are plenty of funny moments in Toy Story 4
But besides its scarier moments, there are some hilarious scenes that usually send me and my kids laughing. In Toy Story 4, the gang is introduced to a new character named Forky—a DIY spork toy, voiced by actor Tony Hale—when the toys’ newest owner, Bonnie, crafts him up in her kindergarten classroom. Forky’s memorable line is his continuous reminder that he’s trash. My kids and I jokingly refer to Forky any time something gets thrown in the trash can. Another laughable scene is when the toys slam the brakes on Bonnie’s parents’ RV to prevent her dad from driving away. Bonnie’s dad can’t figure out why his RV has suddenly gone haywire—thanks to the toys.
A main character officially breaks from the pack
Another reason why this film is one of my least favorites is that Woody decides to leave the group at the end. While the toys in most of the films struggle with their owners leaving them, the tables turn in Toy Story 4. As a viewer, I didn’t want Woody to leave us. I just wasn’t ready to let him go!
#3. Toy Story 5 (2026)
Before I officially solidified my rankings, I asked my kids which Toy Story movie is the best. Given we had just seen Toy Story 5, I wasn’t surprised that they both immediately said the latest film ranked as their top Toy Story movie.
The Toy Story 5 storyline is relevant for kids and parents
But what places Toy Story 5 in the third spot of my ranking is that the audience gets to see more of the toys’ owner compared to other Toy Story movies. In this flick, the toys are fighting for attention against a tablet named Lilypad. Bonnie, the gang’s 8-year-old owner, and a new character named Blaze are glued to their devices—and the toys fear they’ll be replaced by technology forever. For parents and kids, the storyline is also relatable and relevant to what society is dealing with today.
There is some closure to Jessie’s story
As for the toys, Jessie steals our hearts by giving us more insight into her past life. She ends up at her old owner’s house. Much like during Toy Story 2 (more on that below), I could feel the emotion Jessie felt as she was brought back to a place she thought she’d never see again. Since this movie recently debuted, I can’t give too much away. But I will say, the audience does get some closure on Jessie and Emily’s relationship.
The toys ‘age’
I can’t fail to mention how the creators creatively depict how the toys have aged over the years within Toy Story 5. In an interview with Variety, director Andrew Stanton explained that they gave Woody a bald spot to symbolize that he’s getting older. As a millennial parent who grew up with the films, I felt this was the perfect way to remind loyal viewers that the toys have aged with us, too!
#2. Toy Story 2 (1999)
My second-round pick for the best Toy Story movie goes to Toy Story 2. As far as plot lines go, this sequel’s storyline, in my opinion, is the best. In fact, it’s the most-watched film in my household—next to the first Toy Story, of course. Woody and Buzz continue to be main characters in the film. However, when Woody accidentally gets stolen at a garage sale, the audience is introduced to a new toy named Jessie, a yodeling cowgirl, and a loyal horse named Bullseye. Both Woody and Jessie reflect on what it means to be a lost toy, grappling with the idea that their sense of worth is tied to how much they matter to the kids who own them.
The most memorable scene in Toy Story 2 is truly unforgettable
In this film, I felt so connected to Jessie and how much she misses her previous owner, Emily. The scene where Jessie has a flashback of her time with Emily completely breaks your heart. And with singer Sarah McLachlan singing “When She Loved Me” in the background, let’s just say… it broke me. The first time I saw the film, I was in elementary school, and that scene has stuck with me ever since. In fact, it’s a song I’ve sung to my kids to help them fall asleep. Yes, I know it’s a sad song, but McLachlan’s voice is angelic.
Toy Story 2 is action-packed
Toy Story 2 is also faster-paced compared to the other films. There’s some high-stakes action, and the opening scene where the toys are in a video game gives the audience an instant sense of adventure. Plus, we can’t forget that we’re also officially introduced to the Evil Emperor Zurg, Buzz Lightyear’s archenemy, in this iconic flick.
#1. Toy Story 1 (1995)
In the original Toy Story film, we’re introduced to the iconic characters. A young boy named Andy is playing with his toy cowboy named Woody. At first, Woody seems like any ordinary toy. But as soon as Andy leaves the room, Woody and the rest of the toys come to life. With this hook within the first three minutes of the film, kids are drawn to the idea of their own toys coming to life. As a kid, I remember thinking how magical it would be if my toys at home did the same. My own kids were immediately drawn to this concept, too.
The rest of the story continues with Andy receiving a new toy for his birthday, in which the selfless protector Buzz Lightyear makes his entrance. The premise of the movie is a jealous Woody competing for his spot as Andy’s ‘top toy’ because he feels threatened by Buzz, the shiny new toy.
Toy Story is the most iconic movie in the franchise
I have to give Toy Story the credit for being the best Toy Story film out of the entire franchise. After all, it is *the* movie that started it all and gets kids hooked. The best part was that the creators drew inspiration for the characters from toys they had growing up. Right off the bat, kids and parents connect with nostalgic childhood toys like Slinky Dog, the green army men, an Etch A Sketch, a Speak & Spell, and so many more. Suddenly, imaginative play becomes so real.
Toy Story has the most memorable quotes
And we can’t forget memorable quotes! Some iconic phrases from the OG Toy Story movie include:
- “There’s a snake in my boot!”
- “To infinity and beyond.”
- “You are a TOY!”
- “That wasn’t flying. That was falling… with style.”
- “Reach for the sky!”
- “You’re my favorite deputy.”
Is Toy Story 5 worth watching?
Yes, if you and your kids are fans of Toy Story, the newest film in the installment is worth seeing. Toy Story 5 hit theaters on June 19, 2026. If you’re wondering what the movie is about, Woody and his crew are faced with what many kids and parents are grappling with today: electronics. The toys collide with a tablet named Lilypad, and they fear technology will replace them forever. They’re sent on a journey to show kids what authentic connection looks like.
The film has themes that are relevant to both kids and parents of today. But it’s also enjoyable, funny, and the animation is out of this world. The Toy Story movies are always on repeat in my household. I don’t get tired of the films, but I am excited to add another one to our Toy Story rotation with this newest installment.
FAQs
Is there a Toy Story 6?
It’s not confirmed whether or not a Toy Story 6 will be made. However, in a recent conversation with Screen Rant, director Andrew Stanton said that Toy Story films always end in a way that leaves the storyline open for a future installment.
What order should I watch the Toy Story movies in?
If you’ve never seen the Toy Story movies before, I recommend that you watch them in order. Viewers can better understand the character development and relationships by watching them in the sequence in which they were originally released.
Which Toy Story movie made the most money?
According to Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro, Toy Story 5 has made the most money (over $159 million) in its opening weekend. Since the first Toy Story film debuted, Toy Story 4 is the top-grossing movie with earnings of over $400 million.
Patty Schepel, Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
