10 Iconic Films Referenced in the Toy Story Series

Toy Story has established itself as a monumental work in the realm of animated films, often celebrated for its creative storytelling. The film’s global box office earnings eclipsed its production budget by an impressive 800%, according to Box Office Mojo. Following its initial success, the Toy Story franchise flourished, leading to three additional films between 1999 and 2019, with anticipation building for the upcoming Toy Story 5, set for a 2026 release. The beloved characters of Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, and Buzz Lightyear, brought to life by Tim Allen, remain iconic figures in animation history.

The enduring appeal of the Toy Story series can be attributed to several factors, including a stellar voice cast, its groundbreaking status as the first-ever fully computer-animated feature, and its masterful blend of humor, including slapstick and clever wordplay. One of the most compelling aspects of the franchise is its incorporation of hidden Easter eggs, which pay homage to popular films—ranging from classic animations to cinematic masterpieces like Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.

10 Jurassic Park

Toys in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

Toy Story references Jurassic Park with the

Released in 1993, Jurassic Park is heralded as one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made, subsequently leading to five sequels with another on the horizon for July 2025. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this dinosaur epic revolutionized special effects, utilizing CGI technology in ways previously unseen. The Toy Story franchise’s reference to Jurassic Park can be seen as a clever nod to its own pioneering role as the first computer-generated feature film.

Film	Release Year	Budget	Domestic Gross	Worldwide Gross	IMDB Score	Rotten Tomatoes “Tomatometer”	SR Score
Toy Story	1995	$30,000,000	$191,796,233	$244,660,876	8.3/10	100%	10/10
Toy Story 2	1999	$90,000,000	$245,852,179	$487,059,677	7.9/10	100%	10/10
Toy Story 3	2010	$200,000,000	$415,004,880	$1,066,969,703	8.3/10	98%	9/10
Toy Story 4	2019	$200,000,000	$434,038,008	$1,073,394,593	7.6/10	97%	8/10

Toy Story 2 cleverly features a Jurassic Park homage through the character Rex, voiced by Wallace Shawn. In a notable scene, Mr. Potato Head, voiced by Don Rickles, glances into the rearview mirror to find Rex pursuing them. This scene directly alludes to a sequence from Jurassic Park where characters Ellie Sattler and Ian Malcolm observe a T-Rex from the mirror of their Jeep, underscoring the warning: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.”

9 The Shining

References to Sid’s Overlook Hotel Carpet, Room 237, Mr. Tony the Janitor, & “Here’s Benson!”

Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, released in 1980, is widely regarded as one of the greatest psychological horror films in cinematic history. The Toy Story franchise pays homage to this classic with references sprinkled throughout the original film, Toy Story 3, and Toy Story 4. Notably, in 1995’s Toy Story, the carpet in Sid’s house mimics the infamous pattern from the Overlook Hotel.

Additionally, the janitor in Toy Story 3 is named Mr. Tony, echoing Danny Torrance’s imaginary friend, while the numeral 237 pops up various times, referencing the eerie Room 237 from the Overlook. This is where Danny encounters a terrifying apparition. Moreover, in Toy Story 4, the ventriloquist dummies known as Bensons reference Lloyd the Bartender, furthering the eerie connection to the horror classic.

8 The Wizard of Oz

We Need More (Flying) Monkeys

The 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz is another film that made history through its pioneering use of technicolor. Featuring the formidable Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys, it has influenced numerous productions, including the Toy Story series. In Toy Story, the plastic monkeys—while not capable of flight like the original counterparts—serve crucial roles as “evil minions”and practical tools for the toys’ various escapades.

Slinky: “We need more monkeys!”

Rex: “There aren’t anymore — that’s the whole barrel!”

— Toy Story (1995)

The barrel of monkeys makes a memorable appearance in both Toy Story 3 and the original Toy Story. In Toy Story 3, Slinky Dog and the gang attempt to rescue Buzz from a high window, leading to a comical shortage. Additionally, Woody references The Wizard of Oz by exclaiming, “There’s no place like home”as he yearns to escape Sid’s house.

7 The Exorcist

Woody’s Head Creepily Spins Around

Although The Exorcist received mixed reviews upon release, it solidified itself as a powerhouse in the horror genre, holding the title of highest-grossing horror film for 44 years. The film has spawned numerous sequels and even a television adaptation.

In a surprising twist, Toy Story includes an Easter egg from The Exorcist when the toys band together to frighten Sid. During one scene, as Sid menacingly picks up Woody, Woody’s head rotates eerily—akin to the iconic head-spinning moment of Regan, potentially leaving Sid psychologically scarred by the encounter.

6 Monsters, Inc.

The Cleaner’s Handful of Eyeballs & Jessie the Cowgirl Doll

Monsters, Inc. was a presentation of Pixar’s evolution in animation, boasting stellar performances from A-list actors like Billy Crystal and John Goodman. In this follow-up to Toy Story, various references between the films arise, particularly in a montage in Toy Story 2 where a toy repairman revives Woody. Among the items in his toolbox is a drawer filled with eyes. This quirky element is echoed in Monsters, Inc., where the character Theodore Paulley is observed using a handful of eyeballs to complete his appearance.

Additionally, a Jessie doll appears in Boo’s room, drawing ties back to Andy’s earlier possession of a similar hat in the first Toy Story.

5 Cars 2

Lightning McQueen Shirt & Finn McMissile Poster

Cars 2, also directed by John Lassiter, is part of a beloved franchise filled with familiar voices like Michael Caine and Owen Wilson. Released in June 2011, the movie carries its fair share of Easter eggs from earlier Pixar films, including notable nods to the Toy Story series. For instance, in Toy Story 3, Andy’s room features a poster of Finn McMissile hanging prominently above his bed, highlighting the interconnection between the series. Additionally, a child at Sunnyside Daycare wears a shirt emblazoned with Lightning McQueen’s logo, intertwining these two iconic Pixar properties.

4 Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Iconic Boulder Scene

In 1981, Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark set the stage for one of the most successful action franchises, celebrating its 42nd anniversary with a roster of sequels. The film garnered five Academy Awards and dominated the box office in its premiere year, generating a domestic gross of $212 million—comparatively lucrative to Toy Story 14 years later.

A clear allusion to the iconic boulder sequence is evident in Toy Story 2 when Buzz Lightyear escapes from molten spikes. This homage reiterates the franchise’s knack for referencing pop culture classics, paralleling it with another nod in the first Toy Story featuring a globe rolling after Buzz.

3 2001: A Space Odyssey

The Famous Hallway Shot & Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra”

Toy Story references 2001 A Space Odyssey and Star Wars

The 1968 sci-fi cinematic marvel 2001: A Space Odyssey, helmed by Stanley Kubrick, redefined visual storytelling and introduced complex themes of artificial intelligence and evolution. Its monumental significance has made its references ubiquitous in subsequent films.

In Toy Story 2, the depiction of Buzz escaping a corridor of looming spikes visually references this classic, with his leap across hovering platforms underscoring action sequences reminiscent of Kubrick’s work. Notably, the musical motif of Richard Strauss’ famous composition plays, adding weight to this pivotal sequence.

2 Forrest Gump

“I May Not Be A Smart Man”

Toy Story features a Forrest Gump reference from Slinky Dog

The award-winning Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis and released in 1994, remains a pinnacle of American cinema, garnering six Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Tom Hanks. Hanks’ notable involvement with the Toy Story franchise highlights the film’s intertextual references. For example, Toy Story 2 includes a visual callback to Forrest Gump’s feather sequence, illustrating Buzz’s pursuit to save Woody.

Subtlety prevails as characters cross a busy street, where Slinky Dog’s humorous remark, “I’m not a smart dog, but I know what roadkill is,”mirrors one of Forrest’s most poignant lines—a reminder that clever humor resonates within the realm of animation.

1 Star Wars

Buzz Lightyear in Carbonite, “I Am Your Father,”& Other Star Wars Quotes & Imagery

The cultural phenomenon that is Star Wars: A New Hope debuted in 1977, forever altering the landscape of filmmaking. Its ripple effects can be seen throughout the toy universe, particularly in Toy Story’s narrative. The Buzz Lightyear and Zurg dynamic acts as a playful parody of this galaxy far, far away, illustrating the series’ heavy reliance on cinematic references.

One of the most iconic moments arises when Zurg ceremoniously declares, “I am your father,”echoing a famous line from The Empire Strikes Back. Other references exist, such as Sid’s quip to Woody, “Where are your rebel friends now?”Meanwhile, in Toy Story 2, a climactic battle between Buzz and Zurg features an amusing twist reminiscent of Star Wars’s epic confrontations, reinforcing the franchise’s playful homage to an array of cinematic legends.

Source: boxofficemojo.com, the-numbers.com

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