A landmark animated adventure with sharp comedy, emotional clarity, and remarkable craft. It works as a kid-friendly romp and as a surprisingly rich story about jealousy, identity, and friendship.
Toy Story
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Family · Comedy
Wed · 1h 21m
Director: John Lasseter
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
Overview
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
Director
John Lasseter
Cast
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
Curator Review
Verdict
A landmark animated adventure with sharp comedy, emotional clarity, and remarkable craft. It works as a kid-friendly romp and as a surprisingly rich story about jealousy, identity, and friendship.
Best for
family movie nights
animation fans
smart comedy
first-time viewers of classic Pixar
viewers who like heartfelt adventure
Skip if
you want a slow, meditative film
you dislike sentimental stories
you prefer adult-only humor
you are looking for something experimental or abstract
Overview
Toy Story is the rare family film that feels both effortless and meticulously built. Its premise is simple and instantly legible, but the writing keeps finding new angles: rivalry, insecurity, loyalty, status anxiety, and the terror of being replaced. The result is funny, brisk, and emotionally precise without ever losing its sense of play.
Worth noting
What still stands out most is how cleanly every scene earns its place. The movie moves with comic confidence, but it also understands how to turn a toy-box premise into real stakes. Buzz’s identity crisis and Woody’s jealousy give the story a strong emotional engine, while the visual invention keeps the world feeling fresh and alive.
Bottom line
Even decades later, it remains a model of animated storytelling: accessible for children, layered for adults, and built with unusually disciplined pacing. It is not just historically important; it is genuinely excellent on its own terms.
Top Letterboxd reviews
cinéfila... 🕯️ (4★) · 14412 likes
the most relatable part of this movie is when buzz becomes self-aware, has an existential crisis and sinks into depression
Syaoran (5★) · 5286 likes
24 years later, Toy Story still remains as one of the best and cleverly written animated films of all time. Only an uncultured swine would tell otherwise.
Patrick Willems (4.5★) · 4517 likes
This movie is 81 minutes long!
meg✨ (5★) · 4244 likes
Petition to make Pizza Planet a real chain restaurant.
liam f (4.5★) · 4161 likes
it's about time we all addressed the fact that Mr Potato Head is undoubtedly the true villain of this film