TOY STORY
A funny, virtuous classic for the whole family.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. Toy Story is funny, clean, wholesome, and virtuous. It answers a child’s imaginative question about what toys do when people leave the room, then builds a warm adventure around envy, friendship, forgiveness, and courage.
The film’s moral center is clear: envy destroys, while friendship can overcome adversity. Its imaginative premise and double entendres give it appeal for teenagers and adults as well as younger children. The content concerns are minor by comparison, involving one obscure scatological reference, sarcastic innuendo, action violence, and some scary toys who ultimately prove kind.
Take the whole family. Toy Story is worth the trip.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESWoody is Andy’s cowboy doll and the hero of Andy’s toys—until Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger, becomes the new favorite. Woody’s envy creates trouble, and soon he and Buzz are separated from home. To return, these rivals must learn to work together.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a masterpiece. Toy Story is the first totally computer-animated movie, and its imaginative answer to what toys do when people leave the room captures the hearts of children of all ages.
The film is funny and appealing across generations. Its final chase is a masterpiece, and the story’s memorable characters carry its moral messages with warmth and energy. It is a classic beginning to a new genre, made with enough double entendre to engage teenagers and adults while still delighting younger children.
The Worldview
Toy Story presents a positive moral vision in which friendship and forgiveness triumph over envy and adversity. Woody’s jealousy causes harm, but the story does not leave him there. It points instead toward cooperation, courage, and restored friendship.
The film exalts loyalty, heroism, forgiveness, and the willingness to work with someone who first appears to be a rival. Its central message—that envy destroys while friendship overcomes—aligns closely with biblical wisdom. The toys’ world is imaginative rather than a statement about spiritual reality, but the virtues at its heart are wholesome and constructive.
Scripture warns that “envy makes the bones rot” (Proverbs 14:30), while calling believers to kindness and forgiveness: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Christian worldview where friendship and forgiveness triumph over envy and adversity; one obscure scatological reference & some sarcastic innuendoes; and, action violence such as blowing up toys and a dog chewing toys & some scary toys who prove to be nice guys in the end.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Woody’s envy causes trouble for both him and Buzz. What does envy do in our hearts, and how can we respond when someone else receives attention?
Proverbs 14:30 · James 3:16Woody and Buzz must learn to work together after becoming rivals. What helps turn conflict into friendship?
Ephesians 4:32 · Romans 12:18The toys show courage when they face frightening circumstances. What is the difference between feeling afraid and acting without courage?
Psalm 56:3–4 · Joshua 1:9The film celebrates forgiveness and restored friendship. How has God’s forgiveness shaped the way we forgive others?
Colossians 3:13 · Ephesians 4:32The Final Word
Funny, imaginative, wholesome, and morally grounded, Toy Story remains a joyful choice for children and adults alike. Its minor content concerns do not outweigh its virtues. For family movie night, choose WORTH THE TRIP.
