They are basically the mascots of Pixar. You know the ones. Three eyes, neon skin, and a weirdly hypnotic way of saying "The Claw." Honestly, the little green men Toy Story fans adore were never supposed to be this big. They started as a literal joke. A throwaway gag in a Pizza Planet vending machine. But if you look at the trajectory of the franchise, these squeaky aliens represent the heart of the whole series.
Think about it.
When we first meet them in 1995, they are part of a cult. It's a hilarious, miniature cult centered around a mechanical crane. They are nameless. They are identical. Most people don't realize that their official name in the Pixar production notes was originally just "Little Green Men" or LGMs. They don't have individual identities because their entire existence is defined by their collective belief in a higher power. It’s dark if you think too hard about it, but in the context of a kid's movie, it’s pure gold.
The Claw is Our Master: Where the Little Green Men Came From
The design of the little green men Toy Story introduced was a deliberate subversion of the "Grey Alien" trope. In the 90s, everyone was obsessed with The X-Files and tall, spindly visitors from space. Pixar went the other way. They made them short, plump, and lime-colored.
John Lasseter and the original story team needed a way to show Buzz Lightyear’s delusion. Buzz thinks he’s a space ranger; the aliens think he’s a god. Or at least, a high-ranking official within the "Space Station" (which is actually just a tacky pizza parlor).
The voice is the secret sauce. Jeff Pidgeon, a long-time Pixar animator and storyboard artist, provided that distinct, airy, multi-tonal squeak. It wasn't just one voice. It was a layer of voices. They sound like they’re constantly inhaling a tiny bit of helium. It’s endearing but also slightly unsettling, which is exactly why they work.
Why Pizza Planet Changed Everything
Pizza Planet is the catalyst for the entire second act of the first film. Without the little green men Toy Story wouldn't have had a bridge between the suburban bedroom and Sid’s house of horrors.
When Woody and Buzz hop into that crane game, they enter a different world. The aliens aren't scared. They’re hopeful. They want to be "chosen." This is a recurring theme in the movies—toys wanting to be picked. But while Woody wants to be picked by Andy, the aliens want to be picked by a metal claw.
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It’s a bizarre parallel.
How the Aliens Became Part of the Family
By the time Toy Story 2 rolled around, the LGMs could have easily been left on the cutting room floor. They served their purpose. But audiences loved them. So, Pixar did something interesting: they tied them to Mr. Potato Head.
It’s one of the best running gags in animation history. After Mr. Potato Head saves three of them during the high-speed chase in the Pizza Planet truck, they "adopt" him. "You have saved our lives! We are eternally grateful!"
It’s not just a funny line. It actually changes the group dynamic. By Toy Story 3, they aren't just background noise. They are part of the core rescue team. They’ve moved from being "the others" to being part of the family.
The Incinerator Scene (The Moment Everyone Cried)
Let's talk about the incinerator in Toy Story 3.
You remember it. The toys are sliding toward certain death. They hold hands. It’s the most depressing thing Pixar ever did. And then, out of nowhere, the little green men Toy Story fans had grown up with become the literal deus ex machina.
They use a massive industrial claw to save everyone.
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It’s poetic. The thing they once worshipped as a god became a tool they used to save their friends. It’s a complete character arc for a group of toys that doesn't even have individual names. They went from being passive victims of fate to masters of the Claw.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Alien Design
People often think the three eyes are just "to look weird." There’s more to it than that. From a character design standpoint, three eyes allow for a very specific type of expression. When they look up at the Claw, their gaze is wider. It feels more "all-encompassing."
Also, have you noticed their outfits? They wear blue jumpsuits with a planet logo. That logo is actually a pepperoni pizza with mushrooms and a ring around it. It’s a tiny detail that reinforces their origin. They are products of corporate branding that found a soul.
The Merchandising Juggernaut
If you go to Disneyland or Disney World today, you can't escape them. The little green men Toy Story aliens are everywhere. There are "Alien Pizza Planet" restaurants. There are popcorn buckets. There’s the Alien Swirling Saucers ride in Toy Story Land.
Why?
Because they are "shape-friendly." In toy manufacturing, simple shapes sell better. A rounded triangle with three circles on top is iconic. It’s as recognizable as Mickey’s ears.
The Philosophy of "The Collective"
Unlike Woody, who is an individualist, or Buzz, who is a hero-archetype, the aliens represent the power of the group. They always speak in unison. They move in a pack. In a world where every toy is desperately trying to stand out to be loved by a child, the aliens are perfectly content just being together.
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There is a weirdly peaceful stoicism to them.
They don't panic. Even when they’re about to be chewed up by Sid’s dog, Scud, they just sort of accept it. "A stranger! From the outside! Ooooooh!" That lack of ego makes them the perfect comedic foil to the high-strung personalities of Rex or Hamm.
Technical Trivia You Probably Missed
If you’re a real Pixar nerd, you might know some of this, but most casual viewers don't.
- The Squeak: The sound of the aliens was partially inspired by the sound of a squeaky dog toy being stepped on, then manipulated in post-production.
- The Names: In the spin-off series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, the LGMs are actually the scientists and engineers for Star Command. They are the brains of the operation.
- The Cameos: You can find references to the little green men Toy Story characters in almost every other Pixar film if you look closely enough. They are the ultimate Easter Egg.
Real-World Impact: The "Eternally Grateful" Legacy
The phrase "You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful" has leaked into the real world. You’ll see it on Etsy shirts, in wedding vows (seriously), and used as a meme for the last two decades.
It struck a chord because it’s about unexpected loyalty. We like the idea that a small, seemingly insignificant act of kindness can earn us a lifelong ally. Even if that ally is a three-eyed squeak toy.
Your Next Steps: Building Your Own Toy Story Knowledge
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Pixar’s most iconic sidekicks, here is what you should actually do. Forget the generic wiki pages.
- Watch the "Art of Toy Story" features. Look specifically for the character design sketches for the Pizza Planet scene. You’ll see that they almost had antennae that looked like pepperoni slices.
- Check out the 2026 anniversary merchandise. Disney has been releasing limited edition "LGM" figures that use the original 1995 molds. These are the "holy grail" for collectors because the proportions are slightly different than the modern, sleeker versions.
- Analyze the "Alien Swirling Saucers" ride mechanics. If you ever visit Hollywood Studios, look at the floor. The ride is designed to mimic the movement of the Crane—a subtle nod to the fact that the aliens are still "being moved" by a higher power.
- Listen to the 5.1 surround sound mix of the first film. During the crane game scene, the aliens’ voices are panned across all speakers. It’s designed to make you feel like you are inside the machine with them. It’s a totally different experience than watching it on a phone.
The little green men Toy Story introduced weren't just background filler. They are the ultimate survivors. They survived the transition from 2D concepts to 3D models, they survived the dumpster at Sunnyside Daycare, and they survived an actual incinerator. They are the true MVPs of the Pixar universe.
Keep an eye out for the subtle variations in their expressions in the later films. By Toy Story 4, the animation technology allowed for micro-expressions in their eyes that weren't possible in 1995. They actually look worried during the carnival scenes, showing that while they are a collective, they’re starting to develop individual "toy" anxieties. That’s the kind of detail that makes Pixar the gold standard.