As an elder millennial, Pixar raised me. More directly, Toy Story raised me, reaching into the core of a boy who used to play with toys far longer than I care to admit and expanding my imagination of what movies could be. I’m of the belief that there is no bad Pixar movie, only less successful ones. The Toy Story franchise is special not just because it was the first – and you never forget your first – but because it is one of the only franchises in the Pixar canon (and maybe even Disney as a whole) to never really fall victim to sequelitus. No matter how people rank the films, the “worst” entry still holds over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
That’s a helluva 30-year run, and very few IP franchises can make that claim. So, as we attempt to rank all of the Toy Story movies, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re not working on a good or bad spectrum. It’s more of a masterpiece to good scale, weighing flawless entries against near-perfect ones. That’s such a testament to the strength of these beloved stories, and helps us remember that this is not an objective list. It’s a personal one, and a reflection on the varying degrees of impact each film has made on me throughout most of my life. They’re all impactful; some are just more than others. So with that, let’s get into it! Here is my personal Toy Story Franchise Rankings!
#5 – Toy Story 4
I don’t think anyone is surprised to see Toy Story 4 at the bottom of the list. Having lived through its release I can tell you it was significantly harder to argue FOR this film than it is today, with a bit of reclamation and revisionist history. Opinions can certainly change over time, and Toy Story 4 has seen new life in placement as people return to it. But even for all the merits the film possesses, it still came off the heels of one of the greatest trilogy entries of all time.
Only now, removed from that fog, can we see clearly that while Toy Story 4 never fully justifies its existence, it is actually a pretty solid continuation of the story. It’s more of an epilogue than a narrative chapter, but I found myself being quite charmed by it on a rewatch even if that magic isn’t enough to beat out many of its other companions. Toy Story 4 is actually really good and I encourage you give it another try, but it’s not great, nor a masterpiece, and that’s why it’s at the bottom here.
#4 Toy Story 5
I want to be very clear: I absolutely adored Toy Story 5 (review here). For being such a late entry and truly an unnecessary one, it won me over big time in the end. I uncrossed my arms and let the waterworks flow, and found myself swept up once again in the adventures of plastic toys. I’d argue that both 4 and 5 can be interchangeable when watched in close proximity, but Toy Story 5 edges itself out slightly by doing more to justify itself. It never feels desperate, never wears its Corporate Disney Overlords mandate on its sleeve and feels like a genuine story told by people who love these characters as much as we do.
There’s no reason Toy Story 5 should be this good let alone exist at all. But I guess we were foolish to doubt Pixar and the franchise that made them. I don’t want another one even though this one made me weep. But I’d understand if they tried their had at 6 given how great Toy Story 5 turned out to be.
#3 Toy Story 2
Do not come for me! We’re in the which masterpiece do you like the best category and those waters are bound to get a little murky. Toy Story 2 is one of the best sequels ever made, bar none. And I’m not just talking about animated films, either. I mean of all time, you’d be hard pressed to find a sequel this good. It’s a miracle of a movie too, given all of the behind-the-scenes drama during the making of the film – including but not limited to an entire version of this film already made and lost completely, forcing them to scrap it all and remake it from scratch in the middle of production – Toy Story 2 really beats the odds.
Between this and Toy Story, it’s a one-two knockout combination of cinematic excellence. Movies just don’t get better than this, and the only thing that ekes out over it are other Toy Story movies.
#2 Toy Story 3
Ok, so here’s the deal.Toy Story 2 is a better movie overall. Just in how it’s constructed and its propulsive story etc. But Toy Story 3 did something to me emotionally that I will never, ever forget, and solidifies it as one of the most emotional wrecking balls I’ve ever witnessed. Its predecessor may hold the high praise of greatest sequel ever, but there is no third entry that can hold a candle to Toy Story 3. If this is where the franchise ended – and I would argue that it should have, despite my love for 4 and 5 – it would be a complete, cinematic masterpiece trilogy. I will never forget the last 30 minutes of this film.
The reaching out for their hands as their impending death looms and the passing of the torch from Andy to Bonnie – I get misty-eyed just thinking about those moments. Toy Story 3 holds a special place in my heart, which is why I have chosen to rank it so high.
#1 Toy Story
Of course, back to where it all began takes the number 1 spot. Toy Story is the star command of the entire franchise, guiding each new entry and remaining an evergreen trove of wonder for generations. Just as Andy grows up and passes his childhood to Bonnie, Toy Story transcends generations and becomes a key component of shared memory and experience.
It changed us as children, and for the last three decades, we have passed it down to every new crop of kids. Just like the toys in Toy Story, and that’s an undeniable masterpiece that will live forever, to infinity and beyond. Movies just don’t get better than this. Animation is what it is today because of Toy Story. Pixar continues because Toy Story was such a massive success. Movie magic is forever becauseToy Story exists, and that is something truly special that simply can’t be beat, even by its own franchise continuations.
So there you have it! My official Toy Story rankings! How would you rate the Toy Story Franchise?
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