The Dark Pixar Theory: Did One Toy Story Villain Die Decades Later?

The Intriguing Connection Between Coco and Toy Story

The Toy Story franchise is best known for exploring the friendship between Woody and Buzz Lightyear, their relationship with Andy and Bonnie, and some heavier thematic ideas. The four films, or five if Lightyear is considered part of the series, might seem as though they are entirely disconnected from the rest of Pixar's movies. However, the popularity of the Pixar shared universe theory and the studio's penchant for including Easter eggs to its various films with each new release create some fun connections.

Skeleton wearing Sid's shirt from Toy Story in Coco

There is no shortage of popular Toy Story theories based on what the four main films have included. While most of the references to the popular franchise in other Pixar movies are quite inconsequential, not every Easter egg should be easily overlooked. There are rare cases where the connections not only could be more important but could confirm major details about what has transpired in the Toy Story franchise off-screen. This is particularly true when it comes to one of the Easter eggs in Coco and the implications it has on the bigger Pixar franchise if it is meant to be more than just a fun reference.

Sid in Toy Story and Sid in Toy Story 3 as a garbage man

The working theory, thanks to Coco's Easter egg, is that this is confirmation that Sid died after Toy Story. This is due to how his signature shirt appears in the movie, worn by a skeleton in the Land of the Dead. Coco firmly establishes that this afterlife location is the final destination for spirits after someone has died, matching the Mexican beliefs and culture that the movie is firmly rooted in. This means that anyone who is in the Land of the Dead is someone who died in the real world.

Sid scowling outside in Toy Story 1

Unraveling the Coco Easter Egg and Sid's Fate

Released in 2017, Coco features the usual amount of Pixar Easter eggs, and that, unsurprisingly, means a few connections to Toy Story. This includes seeing piñatas of Woody, Buzz, and other characters from the franchise. One of the other Easter eggs that audiences may have missed connects to the Toy Story franchise's original villain, Sid. The kid who lives next door to Andy is synonymous with wearing a black shirt with a white skull logo on it. The exact same shirt, albeit infused with a bit of Spanish design, is featured in Coco, but the movie stops short of confirming this is Sid.

Sid surrounded by toys in Toy Story

The theory suggests that this dead spirit in Coco is actually Sid. Due to the brevity of this potential Sid cameo, there is no further information that Pixar's 2017 animated movie provides about how Sid could have died. His appearance is slightly different, which would make sense after how much time has passed since the original movie. The Toy Story movie timeline has mostly progressed in real-time, so if Coco takes place in 2017, this could be a glimpse of Sid in his late 20s or early 30s, depending on his time of death.

Sid scowling outside in Toy Story 1

Since the idea that Sid died after Toy Story is only a theory born from Coco, there are elements to it that work nicely and others that create complications. Pixar seemingly last provided a glimpse into Sid's life during Toy Story 3. The sequel showed a garbage truck driver wearing his signature shirt who works in Andy's neighborhood. The Easter egg has been taken to be a reveal about what happened to Sid after Toy Story. The Coco death theory could work with this detail, as Sid could have died after the events of the movie, whether that be on the job or through some other means.

Sid talking to the match box with Buzz strapped to a rocket in Toy Story

The Future of Sid's Fate in Toy Story 5

The truth of Sid's fate could be confirmed years after Coco depending on what Toy Story 5 includes. There is a chance that Pixar will use the fifth installment of the franchise to provide an update on the original villain's life. If he is dead as the Coco theory suggests, then some reflection on what happened to the franchise's original villain could come. It would be quite strange for Woody or Buzz to discuss his fate as they likely never encountered him again. However, reports that Andy returns in Toy Story 5 could come with him mentioning what happened to his former neighbor, confirming his tragic passing if that happened.

Toy story 5 sid and toys

The other possibility is that Toy Story 5 could debunk the theory and confirm Sid is still alive and well. This could happen through a line of dialogue or even seeing Sid again, this time as an adult, possibly with a kid of his own even. Learning that Sid is alive would mean that this Pixar theory Coco created is not accurate and is merely an example of fan speculation turning an Easter egg into something more. However, the tragic Toy Story theory is still plausible in the meantime.

Sid looking at Woody in terror in Toy Story