10 Dark Implications Of Toy Story That Everyone Missed As A Kid

One of the most beloved movie universes of all time is actually pretty terrifying if you think about what it means for both toys and humans.

The Toy Story franchise is one of the most beloved series in cinema. The original broke new ground in animation, and they've been celebrated by both critics and moviegoers for their heart, hilarity and storytelling. However, not every aspect of the Toy Story universe is uplifting.

The rules of the universe expanded upon in each movie actually have some dark implications for both toys and humans. As fascinating as it is to imagine what happens to toys when their owners leave the room, thinking about it for too long will lead to some troubling assumptions. Here are 10 of the most unsettling implications made by the Toy Story universe.

While Sid Phillips is painted as the main antagonist of Toy Story, he really doesn't do anything all that villainous. Stepping out of the toys’ perspective, Sid seems to be a highly imaginative boy who plays with toys rather creatively, even though his toys wind up worse for wear on occasion. Considering he has no knowledge that the toys are alive, he doesn't display any real cruelty beyond the rough play of a pre-teenaged boy. He plays with his toys as a surgeon, a military officer and an astronaut—which isn't far off from Andy playing with them as a cowboy or space ranger.

The next time audiences see Sid in Toy Story 3, however, he is already working as a trash collector. While he does have a good stable job, he seems to have abandoned the creativity of his youth in favor of a manual labor-intensive career. The knowledge that he had been tormenting toys—or more likely the fear that he now has of toys—established in his interaction with Woody was clearly a turning point in Sid's Toy Story arc. He continued to bear the scars of that encounter as an adult, and almost certainly will for the rest of his life.

The "rules" that Woody refers to in Toy Story regarding toys revealing their sentience to humans are never clearly laid out. While there are many hypotheses, it could be a form of self-preservation that every toy is imbued with from their creation. Knowing the repercussions of toys being "alive", they instinctively know to drop when humans are present. As Woody proves, that is an instinct that can be overridden. What proves it is a form of self-preservation is how Woody chooses to reveal himself to Sid. He first attracts Sid's attention by using his pre-programmed pull-string phrases, which is unusual to Sid but not significant.

Woody then speaks directly to Sid while maintaining the voice box-quality sound—keeping that shadow of doubt alive that this is just a malfunction. It's not until Sid is literally shaking with fear that he reveals his true mobility and voice. That progression of communication leaves just enough doubt to make Sid question whether or not it really happened. Sid's aforementioned trauma indicates he believes it fully, but it proves that toys are clever enough to manipulate humans into thinking what they want them to think.

Related: 10 Times Pixar's Toy Story Got Suprisingly Dark

As seen in Toy Story, there don't seem to be any consequences for toys revealing their true nature to humans. In theory, that means there is nothing stopping many from doing it at the same time. One toy on its own isn't much of a threat, but a toy store's worth of united Buzz Lightyear action figures becomes a different matter.

One clever, well-organized army numbering in the hundreds that doesn't require food, sleep or water, is small enough to maintain stealth and has (remote control) soldiers capable of flight and high speed is a sobering thought. Add in the fact that some (like Lotso from Toy Story 3) display leadership qualities and have vendettas against humans, and suddenly Woody scaring Sid to save the day has some terrifying implications. Had Woody and Buzz not bonded so much with Andy, the series could have definitely taken a very different turn.

Another hotly debated point of the Toy Story franchise is when life begins in a toy. The prevailing theory is that it begins when they are played with for the first time, and that's supported by the creation of Forky from loose arts and crafts items. Interestingly, there are multiple examples of toys’ central consciousness continuing on despite their disassembly. In fact, Mr. Potato Head pushes this concept to the limit in Toy Story 3 by putting his facial features and limbs on a tortilla and then a cucumber instead of his plastic body.

The question, then, naturally becomes what happens to Toy Story toys when they die, and if that is indeed even possible. Given the fear the toys display as they slide towards the incinerator in the gripping climax of Toy Story 3, it would seem that the complete destruction of all pieces is necessary to end a toy's life. So what happens if the toys are never destroyed? The old adage "anything is a toy if you play with it" makes the notion even scarier. In primitive times, toys could be as simple as rocks or sticks. If those are considered toys, then by the Toy Story universe's logic they are still out there somewhere.

Related: Woody is Closer to Pixar's Dark Toy Story Plan Than You Remember

Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the Toy Story universe to think about is what an eternity of solitude and sentience does to a mind that, as has been established, can be broken. Buzz's mind breaks as he comes to terms with his own identity as a toy, something that must be common among toys. But the ultimate example of the tortuous existence of a toy is the dreaded toy box.

Jessie displays classic signs of claustrophobia in Toy Story 2 as a result of her time being stuffed in storage in the dark. This is especially noteworthy, as it's a condition that's likely prevalent in the toy world. Toys put into storage of any kind suffer from never ending dark, the constant crush of other inhabitants, and a mind-bending lack of stimulation.

A number of characters in the Toy Story franchise display classic signs of mental illness, and much of it is brought on by how humans treat them. Besides Buzz's breakdown and Jessie's claustrophobia, Rex clearly suffers from some form of anxiety and struggles with self-confidence. Lotso Huggin’ Bear displays textbook megalomania while ruling over the Sunnyside daycare in Toy Story 3. Perhaps most tragically, Forky's creation results in acute anxiety and even Imposter Syndrome. Whether it was due to how humans programmed them, created them, or wronged them, toys are just as susceptible to mental illness as any human is, and the results are heartbreaking.

Related: Every The Shining Easter Egg in Pixar's Toy Story Movies

It's clear that toys are capable of the full range of emotions, and one of the most significant examples is in the love and affection they have for each other. The relationships of toys in Toy Story can only extend as far as their owners allow them to. Toy Story 4 shows this concept in particularly sad fashion, providing a glimpse into how Bo Peep and Woody were separated. Their romantic relationship was taken from them and there was nothing they could do about it. Any time toys are split up, sold or thrown away countless complex relationships are destroyed, leaving a hole in the soul of each toy involved.

Speaking of broken, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that popping a toy's arm out of its socket causes them physical pain. This is proven right off the bat in Toy Story, as Woody actually yells "ow" when Buzz wrenches his arms as they fight underneath the truck at the gas station on their way to Pizza Planet. Slinky Dog is clearly in pain after being stretched to his limit trying to reach Buzz, Woody and RC as they try to reach the moving van a well.

In Toy Story 4 Ducky cries out when his toes get clamped in Buzz's retractable helmet. Multiple times in the series toys grunt as they struggle to lift or push heavy objects, indicating there is some semblance of physical toll that comes with the action. While their rules keep them from expressing any pain while in "play mode", it's clear that toys can suffer physical pain, and likely do when playtime goes beyond what their parts are supposed to do.

Related: Incredibly Dark Toy Story Theory Says Toys Are Secretly Vampires

Throughout the Toy Story movies, toys partake in leisure activities, have hobbies, and establish friendships and social groups. But some are not as lucky as Andy's favorite toys. In Toy Story 2, Woody encounters Wheezy the penguin, who has been trapped on Andy's shelf for what looks like months if not years. With a broken squeaker keeping him from calling for help and the previously discussed rules in place requiring him to maintain his position (so as not to reveal his sentience), Wheezy is entirely at the mercy of Andy's mom, who put him there in the first place.

Therein lies a terrible fact—toys are completely subject to the whims of their owners. For example, toys stuck in the attic must remain in the attic, regardless of if there is anything for them to do or anyone else up there with them. In most circumstances they have absolutely no control over what happens to them, which is inhumane considering their capability of leading full lives.

One of the most fundamental philosophical questions of human existence is "Why are we here?" While no "right" answer exists, humans find fulfillment in any number of ways. Working hard in an enjoyable career, falling in love and starting a family, pushing towards the betterment of humanity, or immersing oneself in hobbies all give humans a reason to get up in the morning.

Toys in the Toy Story universe, on the other hand, have one purpose, and it's chosen for them. This naturally generates questions as to how full a life can be that isn't lived for oneself, but for another - especially another who will inevitably discard the toy in question. Of all the torture humanity inflicts on toys, very little of it can compare to the existential dread that comes with, at the end of the day, having no reason to live.