Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014)

The Toy Story franchise has always occupied a curious space in animation history: a series that began as a technical landmark in 1995 and somehow kept finding fresh emotional and comedic territory across sequels, shorts and spin-offs over the following decades. Toy Story That Time Forgot sits within that broader world of supplementary material, a 22-minute television special that aired on ABC in the United States in December 2014, timed, as you might expect, for the post-Christmas period its story inhabits. It is modest in its ambitions compared to the feature films, but that modesty is part of the point. Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures have, over the years, used shorts and specials like this one to experiment, to give secondary characters room to breathe, and to keep the universe ticking over between major releases. This one belongs squarely to that tradition: polished but unremarkable in scope, and clearly designed with a family sofa in mind rather than a cinema screen.

The special was directed by Steve Purcell, a writer and artist who had been part of the Pixar creative family for some years before taking the director's chair here, having contributed to Brave among other projects. The story follows Bonnie's toys during a post-Christmas play date, where Woody, Buzz and the gang encounter a set of dinosaur action figures whose devotion to their own fictional mythology has left them entirely unaware that they are, in fact, toys. The real dramatic and comic weight falls on Trixie the triceratops, voiced by Kristen Schaal, who brings her familiar warmth and slightly flustered charm to a character who is, in many ways, the emotional anchor of the whole piece. Kevin McKidd voices the antagonist of sorts among the dinosaur figures, giving the role a theatrical grandeur that plays nicely against the absurdity of the situation. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return as Woody and Buzz, their voices as comfortable in these roles as a well-worn pair of shoes, even if neither is given a great deal to do here beyond supporting the central story.

For fans who have followed the franchise, there is a gentle pleasure in seeing characters like Rex given a little more screen time. The short also fits into a broader moment in the mid-2010s when animation, both in theatres and on television, was doing interesting things with format and length. If you are curious how other animation from around this period holds up, it is worth checking out my thoughts on Trolls, another animated film I have covered, or the rather different in tone Josep, which shows just how varied the animation world can be. For something from the same general era that takes a very different approach to short-form storytelling, The OceanMaker, which also comes from 2014, makes for an interesting comparison piece.

Toy Story That Time Forgot is a charming holiday special that leans into the magic of childhood imagination, this time with a side of awkward Dino chaos. The premise is clever, the animation sparkles, and there’s plenty of humour that works for both kids and adults. My son absolutely loves this one, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. It’s got heart, a fun twist on toy logic, and some genuinely funny moments, especially from Rex and Trixie trying to “educate” the delusional dinosaurs. It doesn’t hit the emotional depth of the main films, but as a short, addition to the Toy Story universe, it’s sweet, smart, and full of playful energy. Minor canon, major charm. A quiet gem for fans who still believe in toy-sized adventures.

For me, that balance between charm and modest ambition is really what defines this one. It knows its lane, and it stays in it with a fair amount of confidence. I have seen plenty of franchise extensions that try to punch above their weight and end up feeling strained or unnecessary, so there is something genuinely refreshing about a short that is content to be exactly what it is: a small, warm, funny thing made for families to enjoy together, probably in pyjamas, probably still surrounded by wrapping paper. It does not need to be more than that. Sometimes the quiet little additions to a universe you love are the ones that stick around longest.

Rating: ★★★  | Year: 2014  | Watched: 2025-09-25

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Trailer

▶ Watch the official trailer for Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014) on YouTube

Where to watch

Watch in the UK
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Rakuten TV
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK · Zavvi

Watch in the US
Stream: Disney Plus
Buy: Amazon Video · Apple TV Store · Fandango At Home
Physical: Amazon US

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