The film begins with a flashback to Andy’s childhood, showing him playing with his beloved toys, including Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), and the rest of the gang.
Fast forward to the present day, Andy is now grown up and heading off to college. He decides to take Woody with him but intends to leave the rest of his toys in the attic. However, a mix-up occurs, and the toys end up being donated to a daycare center called Sunnyside.
At Sunnyside, the toys initially believe they have found paradise, with lots of children to play with and a seemingly friendly bear named Lotso (voiced by Ned Beatty) in charge. However, they soon discover that Sunnyside is not what it seems. Lotso runs the daycare like a prison, assigning new toys to the rough-and-tumble toddlers in the Caterpillar Room, while the older toys are relegated to the quieter Butterfly Room.
Woody learns about the harsh reality of Sunnyside from a toy named Chuckles (voiced by Bud Luckey), who tells him about Lotso’s true nature and how he ended up at the daycare. Meanwhile, the rest of Andy’s toys struggle to cope with their new environment and long to be reunited with Andy.
Buzz and the gang hatch a plan to escape from Sunnyside and return to Andy’s house, where they hope to be played with once again. With the help of some new friends, including a Barbie doll named Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton), they put their plan into action.
The toys encounter numerous obstacles and challenges as they attempt to make their way back to Andy’s house, including a thrilling escape from Sunnyside, a daring rescue mission at a garbage dump, and a heartfelt farewell to Woody, who decides to stay with a little girl named Bonnie.
In the emotional climax of the film, Andy prepares to leave for college and must decide what to do with his toys. After some hesitation, he ultimately decides to donate them to Bonnie, realizing that they will be loved and played with in their new home.
The movie ends with a touching scene of Andy playing with Bonnie and his beloved toys one last time before heading off to college, symbolizing the end of one chapter in their lives and the beginning of a new one.
“Toy Story 3” is praised for its heartwarming story, memorable characters, stunning animation, and emotional depth. It received critical acclaim upon its release and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The film is widely regarded as a fitting conclusion to the beloved “Toy Story” trilogy and a testament to the enduring power of friendship and loyalty.