Sid Phillips is said to be inspired by a former Pixar Animation Studios employee of the same last name who was known to disassemble toys and use the parts to build bizarre creations.
This was the first animated film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted.
Billy Crystal was originally offered the chance to voice Buzz Lightyear, but declined. After seeing the finished film, he said the decision was the biggest mistake of his career. Upon learning this, John Lasseter telephoned Billy's house to offer him the role of Mike Wazowski in Monstres, Inc. (2001). Billy's wife answered the telephone and said "John Lasseter wants to speak to you". Billy took the telephone from his wife and said "Yes".
The animation team perfected the movement of the toy soldiers by nailing a pair of sneakers to a sheet of wood and trying to walk around with them on.
The carpet in Sid's house has the same hexagonal pattern as the carpet in the Overlook Hotel from Shining: L'enfant lumière (1980).