When Toy Story was released in 1995 it confirmed what we all suspected – that our toys come alive when we’re not looking.
Woody and Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen respectively, captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation of ’90s kids, leading Toy Story to become one of the most successful animated franchises of all time – behind only Despicable Me, Shrek, Ice Age, and Madagascar (all of which I’ll one day get around to covering here on TTA).
Until the release of Inside Out, Toy Story 3 was one of the most emotional films Pixar has ever produced. Will Toy Story 4 again manage to render us complete emotional wrecks, curled up in the foetal position on the popcorn-strewn floor of the cinema?
Fandom tattoos, in more recent years, have become so much more than a tacky early ’90s Tweety Bird, so it comes as no surprise that Pixar characters – Toy Story in particular – are being brought to life in the tattoo realm.
Sure, the first film was released 24 years ago, but the childhood nostalgia remains strong with the Toy Story franchise as the films are still enjoyed by many even as adults. The trailer for Toy Story 4 was uploaded to YouTube three weeks ago and already has over 40 million views. As with most new releases of blockbuster films we’ll be seeing the number of Toy Story inspired tattoos soar over the coming months.
Do you have plans for a Toy Story tattoo or will you be waiting until the introduction of new characters in Toy Story 4? The next addition to the franchise is set for a June 21, 2019 release, but until then enjoy these tattoos.
(NOTE: This list was originally published in 2019 on my former website. Toy Story 5 has since been announced for a June, 2026 release)
Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @whisperstattoo
Sketchy watercolour Bullseye tattoo by @ladychappelletattoos
Baby Face (Toy Story) tattoo by @thebakery
Sketchy watercolour Woody and Buzz tattoo by @ladychappelletattoos
Mr Potato Head tattoo by @whisperstattoo
Slinky Dog tattoo by @leotattoons
Rex (Toy Story) tattoo by @petethethief
Lotso (Toy Story) decorative love heart tattoo by @isobelmortontattoo
Jessie (Toy Story) tattoo by @ryanlucastattoos
Forky foot tattoo by @whisperstattoo
Colourful Slinky Dog tattoo by @honestlydear
Illustrative Toy Story tattoo by @hannahmaitattoo
I’m not a girl’s toy. Ken (Toy Story) tattoo by @gooneytoons
Lotso (Toy Story) tattoo by @chelseytattoos
Partysaurus Rex (Toy Story) tattoo by @pony_tbr
Black and grey Slinky Dog tattoo by @owenpaulls
Howdy, howdy, howdy. Shark (Toy Story) tattoo by @bootattoo89
Slinky Dog tattoo by @thebakery
Oooohhh the Claw. Alien tattoo by @keelyglitters
You’ve got a friend in me. Woody and Buzz hands tattoo by @riahdertattooz
Toy Story characters tattoo by @troyslackink
Bo Peep and Woody love heart tattoo by @missmaelaroux
Sketchy watercolour tattoo by @findyoursmile
Woody tattoo by @tattoosbyjaclyn
Black and grey Barbie (Toy Story) tattoo by @owenpaulls
Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @jamesmullintattoos
Traditional style Bullseye tattoo by @maxslattertattoo
Woody tattoo by @thebakery
Woody tattoo by @martapoisontattoo
Black and grey Babyface tattoo by @anrijsstraume
You’ve got a friend in me. Traditional style Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @lonerosetattoo
Wreck It Ralph x Lotso (Toy Story) tattoo by @pretty_grotesque
Woody, Alien and Mr Potato Head tattoo by @troyslackink
Woody (Toy Story) tattoo by @thebakery
Slinky Dog, Rex and Hamm tattoo by @ladychappelletattoos
Woody tattoo by @londonreese
Buzz and Woody holding hands gap filler tattoo by @whisperstattoo
Toy Story tattoo by @tattoosbyjaclyn
Woody tattoo by @pixierobsontattoo
Traditional style Toy Story inspired snake and cowboy boot tattoo by @josh_todaro
Slinky Dog tattoo by @tattoosbyjaclyn
Rex (Toy Story) tattoo by @pineapryl.on.pizza
Black and grey Mr Potato Head tattoo by @owenpaulls
Buzz Lightyear decorative love heart tattoo by @tattoosbyjaclyn
Jessie and Alien tattoo by @tattooyauu
Forky tattoo by @jacksonmay_tattooist
Black and grey Jessie and Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @owenpaulls
Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @thebakery
Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @tattoosbyjaclyn
Trash? Forky (Toy Story) love heart tattoo by @stickypop
Black and grey Bullseye (Toy Story) tattoo by @owenpaulls
Black and grey Woody tattoo by @owenpaulls
Woody tattoo by @missmaelaroux
Woody and Buzz tattoo by @troyslackink
Toy Story themed snake and cowboy boots tattoo by @goldlagrimas
Toy Story characters tattoo by @ladychappelletattoos
Bold Slinky Dog tattoo by @redliptattoo
Toy Story tattoo by @alexrowntreetattoo
Slinky Dog tattoo by @chelseytattoos
Rex (Toy Story) tattoo by @jerome_crazycaps
I’m trash. Forky and sparkly love hearts tattoo by @aimeeloutattoo
Black and grey Buzz Lightyear tattoo by @owenpaulls
The Tattooed Archivist 