1
Credit: Disney Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 4 won the Academy Award for “Best Animated Feature Film” making it the second film of the franchise to earn the honor.
Congratulations to Toy Story 4 for winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature! #Oscars
Posted by Toy Story on Sunday, February 9, 2020
Nobody saw Toy Story 4 coming. Simple fans and animators alike thought Pixar’s first story came to a close in the heart-shattering moments where Andy gives his toys to Bonnie and left for college. Wiping the tears from our cheeks, we moved on.
But, then John Lasseter was thrown an idea that caused the studio to revisit the series.
After Lasseter’s unfortunate departure from Pixar in 2018, the continued development of Toy Story’s fourth installment became the responsibility of three men, Josh Cooley, Mark Neilson, and Jonas Rivera. What they released in theaters was an epilogue to Woody’s story. Fans saw the return of Bo Peep, the creation of Forky, and the introduction of some of Pixar’s most hilarious side characters. Specifically, Duke Caboom, Ducky and Bunnie.
Toy Story 4 told the story of Woody’s final chapter. It focused on the sacrifices these adult beings make in order to care for their kids, and knowing when it’s time to let go.
It was not as much of a tear-jerker as Toy Story 3, and it featured an ending the audience was finally ready to accept. It was time to let go. Bonnie didn’t need Woody anymore. And that’s okay.
“Toy Story 4 is a love letter to our families,” said Jonas Riveras. “For our parents, for our wives, for our kids.”
Josh Cooley also thanked the audience that had the privilege to grow up with the adventures of Buzz and Woody. “We hope the many adventures with Woody and Buzz made growing up a little bit easier.”
WATCH: Idina Menzel and 9 Elsas Perform “Into the Unknown” at the Oscars
The Toy Story Franchise’s Other Oscars
Toy Story 4 is not the first film in Pixar’s flagship franchise to win big at the Academy Awards. The first film, Toy Story, was awarded a special achievement award from the Academy for being the first-ever computer-animated feature film. It was also nominated for Best Writing, Best Original Song (“You Got A Friend In Me”) and Best Music.
Toy Story 2 was snubbed at the Oscars, receiving only a nomination for Best Original Song (“When She Loved Me”), but Pixar would come back with Toy Story 3 and take home the franchise’s first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of the year.
Toy Story 4 is available for streaming now on Disney+.
Related: “Toy Story 4” and “Avengers: Endgame” Win At Critics’ Choice Awards