6 Best Toy Store and Childhood Nostalgia Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 5, 2026

The magical, wide-eyed wonder of toy stores and childhood imagination has powered some of cinema’s most beloved family comedies. In Toy Story (1995): A cowboy doll’s treasured place in his owner’s heart is threatened by the arrival of a flashy new space ranger toy. Don’t overlook Big (1988): A young boy magically transforms into an adult overnight and lands a dream job at a toy company.

Elf (2003)

IMDb ★ 7.1 RT 85% Metacritic 66

A human raised as one of Santa's elves travels to New York to find his birth father and spread Christmas cheer.

Directed by Jon Favreau · 1h 37m · Rated PG

2 wins & 9 nominations

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Jingle All the Way (1996)

IMDb ★ 5.8 RT 20% Metacritic 34

A frantic father races across town on Christmas Eve to find the season's hottest sold-out toy.

Directed by Brian Levant · 1h 29m · Rated PG

2 wins & 4 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Toy Story (1995)

IMDb ★ 8.3 RT 100% Metacritic 96

A cowboy doll's treasured place in his owner's heart is threatened by the arrival of a flashy new space ranger toy.

Directed by John Lasseter · 1h 21m · Rated G

Nominated for 3 Oscars29 wins & 24 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Hulu · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Santa Clause (1994)

IMDb ★ 6.6 RT 73% Metacritic 57

A divorced father accidentally causes Santa's fall from a rooftop and is magically bound to take his place.

Directed by John Pasquin · 1h 37m · Rated PG

2 wins & 9 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Toys (1992)

TMDB ★ 5.6

A whimsical toy factory heir battles his militaristic uncle for control of the beloved family business.

Directed by Barry Levinson · 2h 02m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Big (1988)

IMDb ★ 7.3 RT 98% Metacritic 73

A young boy magically transforms into an adult overnight and lands a dream job at a toy company.

Directed by Penny Marshall · 1h 44m · Rated PG

Nominated for 2 Oscars12 wins & 15 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Toy Store and Childhood Nostalgia Movies

Elf (2003)

Jingle All the Way (1996)

Toy Story (1995)

The Santa Clause (1994)

Toys (1992)

Big (1988)

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