20 Years Since ‘Toy Story’ Hit Theaters; The Franchise Still Has Some of Computer Animation’s Best Scenes to Date

The first computer-animated feature film "Toy Story" came out on Nov. 22, 1995, and started the movie craze while still providing some of the most emotional scenes ever created using digital animation.

Since "Toy Story," two sequels were released years between each other and became blockbuster hits that were adored by critics and public viewers alike.

Back in 1995, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner said to Fortune Magazine that "Toy Story" employed the best technology at the time to complement the talented cast and the promising story, according to ABC News.

Likewise, even the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who owned also owned Pixar at the time, cited the animated film as the greatest leap in animation since "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was released by Walt Disney back on Dec. 21, 1937.

The "Toy Story" franchise has become fantastic, nostalgic movies for many people, young and old. Several scenes in the movies have long captured the hearts of families through excellent animation and story execution.

For example, the moment when Buzz Aldrin realized that he was just a plastic action figure was an emotionally significant scene in the first "Toy Story" film, according to USA Today.

The audience already knew about Aldrin's state and how he would not be able to actually fly, but the revelation for the astronaut only happened once a commercial played and showed various Buzz Aldrin toys for sale.

Another moving scene could be found in "Toy Story 2," specifically when the cowgirl named Jessie confessed to Woody how her owner, Emily, grew up and eventually exchanged Jessie for makeup supplies. Jessie was sadly left inside a donation box, and the scene just became too painful to bear as Sarah McLachlan sang "When She Loved Me."

"Toy Story 3" continued the memorable, heart-wrenching scenes expected of the franchise with the incineration scene that gave viewers a certain sense of panic at the thought of the famous toys being burned alive. If that happened, "Toy Story 4" would probably not have been announced.

Finally, perhaps the most emotional scene to have been recently unveiled to fans of the animated franchise was when Andy finally decided to leave the brilliant toys behind for a little girl named Bonnie as Andy goes to college.