Toy Story is looking to write another chapter in the franchise’s long Oscar story. The fifth installment of Disney-Pixar’s beloved franchise hits theaters this weekend, with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen back in their iconic roles joined by Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson, Bad Bunny, Ernie Hudson, and Alan Cumming. The first four films collectively earned multiple Oscar nominations and wins. Here’s a look back at the saga’s Academy Awards legacy as Toy Story 5 prepares to make a run of its own.
The original movie came out in 1995 and was the very first feature-length film from Pixar Animation Studios, as well as the very first to have been animated entirely by computer. Not only was Toy Story a huge commercial hit (grossing more than $404 million at the worldwide box office), but it was also met with universal acclaim from critics, holding a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
It went on to receive three Oscar nominations for:
- Best Original Screenplay (the first animated film to earn a writing nomination from the Academy) — lost to The Usual Suspects
- Best Musical/Comedy Score for Randy Newman — lost to Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz for Pocahontas
- Best Original Song for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” — lost to “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas
The film was bestowed a Special Achievement Academy Award, collected by director John Lasseter, for its innovation in animation.
Toy Story 2 arrived in 1999. Most of the voice actors from the original reprised their roles while newcomers included Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Estelle Harris, and Wayne Knight. Despite some behind-the-scenes struggles — the filmmakers were forced to pivot after it was initially developed as a direct-to-video sequel and delivered the movie in a nine-month timespan — it still proved to be a success. The film made $511 million at the worldwide box office and, like its predecessor, holds a 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Toy Story 2 went on to become the third animated film to win the Golden Globe for Best Film Comedy/Musical, following Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. At the Oscars, which were still two years away from adding a Best Animated Feature category, Toy Story 2 only received one nomination, Best Original Song for “When She Loved Me” (written by Randy Newman, sung by Sarah McLachlan), but lost to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan.
After 11 years and several scrapped story ideas, Toy Story 3 was finally released in 2010. Multiple voice actors from the first two installments returned along with new additions Blake Clark, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bonnie Hunt, and Richard Kind. The threequel was not only highly acclaimed by critics, but it also became the first animated film to make $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
For the first time in the franchise’s history, it managed to win competitive Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Randy Newman’s “We Belong Together.” Toy Story 3 also earned three additional bids for:
- Best Picture (the third and most recent animated film to have received this nomination following Beauty and the Beast and Up) — lost to The King’s Speech
- Best Adapted Screenplay — lost to The Social Network
- Best Sound Editing — lost to Inception
Despite many initially viewing the third film as the end of the saga, Toy Story 4 brought Woody, Buzz, and pals back in 2019. Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, and Ally Maki were among the new voices in the ensemble. The fourth installment also hit $1 billion at the box office and was lauded by reviewers.
Toy Story 4 overcame stiff competition from Golden Globe winner Missing Link and BAFTA winner Klaus to become the second sequel in history to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature following Toy Story 3. Randy Newman was also once again nominated for Best Original Song for “I Won’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” but lost to Elton John’s “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman.
Seven years later, how will the fifth installment fare at the 2027 Oscars? Our advice: Don’t bet against the toys.
