As a mom who has loved the movie Toy Story since it first premiered over 30 years ago, it’s been quite magical to see my 5-year-old fall in love with the franchise too. From watching the movies to playing with the toys to dressing as Buzz Lightyear for Halloween, I’ve loved my son’s Toy Story era. In fact, on the first day of school, he packed his Woody doll in his backpack—much like the scene in Toy Story 4, when Woody jumped into Bonnie’s bag for kindergarten orientation. The moment sent all the feels to this Toy Story-obsessed mom.
Whether you’re young or old, people know the phrases “There’s a snake in my boot” or “To infinity and beyond.” I’m a millennial who grew up loving the movies. And now I’m a mother witnessing the love of Toy Story grow in my kids’ hearts. That’s part of the magic of the Toy Story movies—you relate to each one differently as you grow.
I know there are people out there who love Toy Story just as much as my kids and I do. Not to mention the franchise has won multiple Oscars, Golden Globes, a Grammy, and more. So what else is it about the Toy Story movies that continues to make them a family favorite, over three decades later?
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What are the ‘Toy Story’ movies about?
Since 1995, there have been three additional Toy Story sequels, with Toy Story 5 debuting this summer. My son is beyond excited. He’s been counting down the days until we attend its premiere. I can proudly say that I’m just as excited as he is. We’ve even had Taylor Swift’s new song from the movie, I Knew It, I Knew You playing on repeat.
A quick refresher if you haven’t seen the films in a while: 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. In the original Toy Story movie, Woody and Buzz are competing for the title of Andy’s “favorite toy.” Then, in 1999, Walt Disney Pictures released Pixar’s Toy Story 2, where Woody is stolen by a toy collector and meets a new toy named Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl voiced by actress Joan Cusack. In Toy Story 3 (2010), Andy is getting ready to leave for college, and his mom accidentally donates his toys to a daycare. It’s up to the toys to find their way back home. And the gang is introduced to a character named Forky (voiced by actor Tony Hale) when the toys’ newest owner, Bonnie, crafts him up in her kindergarten classroom in Toy Story 4 (2019).
What is ‘Toy Story 5’ about?
Toy Story 5 premieres in theaters on June 19, 2026. If you’re wondering what the fifth installment is about, Woody and his crew are faced with what many kids and parents are grappling with today: electronics. The toys are against a tablet named Lilypad. 8-year-old Bonnie and a new character named Blaze are glued to their devices, and the toys fear they’ll be replaced forever. However, parents may be surprised that Lilypad isn’t exactly a villain. In an interview with Variety, director and screenwriter Andrew Stanton explained, “[Lilypad is a villain] to the toys because they’re understandably intimidated … She’s just the next phase in Bonnie’s life.”
The best age for ‘Toy Story’
The first movie my eldest son sat down and watched in its entirety was Toy Story. Granted, he already had a Woody and Buzz Lightyear doll in his hands long before he could even walk. So, when my husband and I introduced him to the movies as a toddler, he was captivated by the idea of his toys coming to life.
When it comes to deciding which age is best to introduce your kids to the Toy Story films, I may be biased in saying, “as soon as possible.” All the films are family-friendly movies with either G or PG ratings. However, knowing that toddlers start to grasp the concept of pretend play at the age of 2, this age might be the magical sweet spot if you’re looking for the earliest time for a Toy Story introduction. But for kids to truly grasp the storylines and concepts of the Toy Story movies, the best age for kids to meet Woody and the gang is ages 5 and up. However, Mr. Potato Head might say it’s for “ages 3 and up” (IYKYK).
With that said, Toy Story is truly a multi-generational classic. In fact, seeing Toy Story 5 in theaters is going to be a family affair. My family, along with my mother-in-law, all have tickets to the premiere. We’re all equally as excited to see everyone’s favorite toys back on the big screen.
Why people still love the ‘Toy Story’ movies today
As a parent, I’m interested in seeing how Toy Story 5 will portray the tug-and-pull of technology in a way that both parents and children can relate to and understand. After all, I’m in the same phase of life. I, too, am trying to figure out how I can incorporate technology without it replacing my kids’ creativity and imagination. That’s what’s so magical about the franchise. The Toy Story movies have always been relatable for every generation.
No matter the age, Toy Story depicts the perspective of what kids, tweens, teens, and parents are experiencing in the real world. You can rewatch the movies at any phase of life and see yourself in one of the characters.
How kids relate to the movies
When I watched the original Toy Story movie as a child, I related to Andy. Watching the toys come to life on the big screen was a magical experience that left me imagining whether or not my toys in my bedroom did the same. Now, when I rewatch the movie with my sons, I’m watching them have the same experience.
Plus, for my sons and most kids, these movies are relatable not only in the aspect of pretend play but also in the big moments of childhood. From moving houses to celebrating birthdays to starting kindergarten, certain toys bring kids a steady comfort in those big milestone moments.
How tween and teens relate to the movies
One scene that I still can’t get over is in Toy Story 3. When the movie was released in 2010, like me, Andy was going off to college. Spoiler alert: at the end of the movie, he gives his toys to a young girl named Bonnie. For Andy, it was the end of an era. The movie reminded me that Andy was growing up, and that meant I was, too. Yes, the movie is considered a kids’ movie, yet I still found myself sobbing in my theater seat as Andy passed his toys on to young Bonnie.
Millennials are old enough to be Andy’s mom
Currently, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’m in the chapter of my life where I’m old enough to be Andy’s mom—and my kids are Andy. Other millennial moms are struggling with this realization, too, and are taking it to social media, posting this same sentiment. I’m not exactly sure how to describe this feeling other than as two parallel universes crashing into one another. Somehow, when I watch the movies, I still feel that inner child in me. I remember sitting on the couch with my mom watching our Toy Story VHS together. It’s the same thing I’m doing with my two kids now.
‘Toy Story’ is nostalgic to grandparents, too
The movies even resonate with grandparents. My mother-in-law passed down my husband’s original Toy Story toys to my son. And it was emotional for her, too. Can you even imagine a Toy Story scene when Andy’s kids are playing with Buzz, Woody, and the gang? To Andrew Stanton and the Toy Story screenwriters: if you’re reading this and decide to include this in any future Toy Story movies, please warn me so I can be prepared to pack an entire box of tissues.
‘Toy Story’ will always be a family favorite
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen each Toy Story movie. I get tired of most kids’ movies on repeat. However, I don’t mind watching the Toy Story movies over and over. Even after 30 years, I still get that feel-good feeling I had when I was a child. But as I rewatch them as a parent, not only are the movies nostalgic, but I’m adding more fond memories by watching them with my kids.
And that’s what makes Toy Story so special. It captures every phase of life in whatever season you’re in. So, will Toy Story always be a family favorite? I think so. There will always be people out there who love Toy Story, and I’m one of them.
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.
