Pixar’s biggest and most popular franchise isToy Story, and thanks to its confirmed expansion, its most controversial movie has now gotten so much better. As the movie that kicked off Pixar’s reign in the world of animation, it’s fitting that it became the studio’s biggest franchise. With four movies, one spinoff, and various short films, animated TV shows, and TV specials,Toy Storyhas built a solid fanbase that keeps welcoming new stories from this one-of-a-kind world with open arms. TheToy Storyfranchiseis now expanding with a fifth movie, to be released in 2026.
What’s known about theplot ofToy Story 5so far is that it will see the beloved toys fighting technology, including an army of Buzz Lightyear toys controlled by computers. The confirmation ofToy Story 5was both surprising and expected, as the story of Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) was given a supposedly definitive ending inToy Story 4, but at the same time, the saga had already had a supposed end inToy Story 3. On the bright side, thanks to this expansion, the saga’s most controversial movie can now get the recognition it deserves.
Toy Story 5 Happening Means Toy Story 4 Can Be Better Appreciated
Directed by Josh Cooley,Toy Story 4was released in 2019, nine years after the third movie.Toy Story 4catches up with Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys as they adapt to life with their new owner, Bonnie. However, this new dynamic isn’t sitting well with Woody, who feels left out as Bonnie prefers other toys over him. When Bonnie’s family goes on a road trip and she takes all her toys, Woody reunites with Bo Peep (Annie Potts) and gets a new perspective on life, especially now that Andy has grown up and left.
It became the most controversial movie in the saga as it felt like a weird (and, to some, unnecessary) continuation afterToy Story 3’s ending.
Despite being the lowest-rated movie in theToy Storyfranchise with 97%,Toy Story 4was a critical success and an even bigger box office one, grossing $1.074 billion and becoming the highest-grossing movie in the franchise. However, it became the most controversial movie in the saga as it felt like a weird (and, to some, unnecessary) continuation afterToy Story 3’s ending. Even ifToy Story 4couldn’t match the popularity of its predecessors, it’s still a fun, heartwarming, and visually stunning movie.
WithToy Story 5officially happening,Toy Story 4can shake off the label of the saga’s weirdest and/or most controversial movie, as it’s not the one to blame for not honoringToy Story 3’s ending, as the franchise doesn’t show any signs of stopping soon.Toy Story 5could make way for even more movies, puttingToy Story 4in a new light.
Toy Story 4’s Biggest Problem Was “Ruining” Toy Story 3’s Perfect Ending
Toy Story 3 Was The Perfect Ending To The Franchise
Toy Story 4isn’t bad at all and its numbers everywhere prove it – its problem wasToy Story 3’s ending.Toy Story 3arrived 11 years afterToy Story 2and answered some big questions, mostly about what would happen to Woody and company once Andy grew up. As Andy prepares to go to college, the toys are accidentally donated to Sunnyside Daycare, where they endure a rough playtime with toddlers, while Woody is taken home by Bonnie. After meeting villain Lotso, the toys almost meet their end at a garbage incinerator but ultimately make it back to Andy’s home.
One of its most praised elements was its ending, giving perfect closure to the saga – that is, until Toy Story 4 arrived.
Finally understanding the changes that their history with Andy has gone through and that they all need to move on, Woody writes a note to Andy that he assumes is from his mother and decides to donate the toys to Bonnie.Toy Story 3was a huge critical and commercial success, and one of its most praised elements was its ending, giving perfect closure to the saga – that is, untilToy Story 4arrived.
Toy Story 4was named “unnecessary” and believed to have ruinedToy Story 3’s perfect ending, and as such,it was never given a chance to be judged by its own merits. WithToy Story 5happening and the franchise potentially continuing to expand after that,Toy Story 4can finally be looked at as its own thing rather than the movie that ruinedToy Story 3’s ending.
Toy Story 4 Will Continue To Age Well (Especially After Toy Story 5 Comes Out)
Toy Story 4 Has A Brighter Future Ahead
TheToy Storyfranchise continuing to expand with a new movie will benefitToy Story 4no matter how the fifth movie performs. By simply being confirmed,Toy Story 5is givingToy Story 4the attention it deserves, and the latter’s legacy won’t be badly affected by the former’s performance. IfToy Story 5is the success it’s expected to be (simply by being aToy Storymovie and a Pixar production),Toy Story 4will be the one responsible as it brought the franchise back to life, thus making way for the fifth movie.
IfToy Story 5isn’t as good as expected, it will prompt more nostalgia forToy Story 4, allowing the audience to finally see it in a different light.Toy Story 4’s biggest ally now is time, and the more theToy Storyfranchise expands with movies, the more appreciated it can be for what it is rather than for not “respecting” the third movie’s ending.
Toy Story
Toy Storyis a beloved animated franchise created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The series centers on the secret life of toys, primarily focusing on the friendship between Woody, a cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger action figure. The films explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and growing up, resonating with audiences of all ages.Toy Storyis widely credited with revolutionizing animation, as the first film was the first fully computer-animated feature. The franchise is not only a critical success but also a cultural icon, influencing a generation of films and storytelling in animation.
