In tackling timely, nuanced observations on childhood and the rise of technology, Toy Story 5 delivers in both expected and surprising ways.
It’s fair to say that Toy Story is Pixar’s most iconic franchise. Revolutionary animation, lively comedy, and timeless themes that evolve alongside the characters have rightfully turned these films into household classics. Toy Story 1 to 3 is a near-perfect trilogy, and Toy Story 4 is brilliantly heartwarming in its own right. You would think the gimmick would be getting stale by Toy Story 5, but, based on this film’s charm and resonance, there’s still some inspiration alive and kicking in these old toys.
Toy Story concerns toys that are secretly sentient when their child owners aren’t looking. In this fifth film, the toys continue to be the playthings of now 8-year-old Bonnie (Scarlett Spears). They are now led by cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack) and space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), following the departure of cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks). But Bonnie is struggling to make friends, partly because her peers prefer playing on tablets. When Bonnie’s parents get her a tablet of her own – Lilypad (Greta Lee) – Bonnie quickly becomes addicted, fully neglecting her toys. Fearing the ramifications of this, Jessie seeks to get rid of Lilypad and find “the right way” to help Bonnie make friends, spurring an adventure that sees the toys reunite with Woody, among other hijinks.
At the film’s core is a pondering on technology in relation to childhood development. As phones, tablets, and, depressingly, AI see increasing use, one fears how that affects human growth, especially a child’s learning and social skills. Eschewing traditional toys for a device that seemingly covers everything may be an evolution of our times to some. Still, Jessie, like a lot of us, fears the cost of this, as she believes Lilypad’s presence in Bonnie’s life is robbing her of the chance for a true social interaction.
(L-R): Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody in Disney and Pixar’s TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
There’s a lot of truth in these concerns, but unlike other films and kids’ entertainment that have tackled the rise of technology, Toy Story 5’s investigation is refreshingly balanced. It recognises that overreliance is an issue not unique to devices – that too much of anything can be harmful to someone. Like toys, electronic devices are tools that support a child’s development. The film doesn’t shy away from the harmful effects of addiction – some of the visuals detailing household after household of kids glued to screens wouldn’t be out of place in a horror film. Yet it also understands that there are multiple ways for people to come into their own and, in the case of the toys, make peace with the impacts we have on others’ lives.
Characterisation, which has always been a strong point of this franchise, lends weight to its themes. With Woody’s story virtually wrapped, the film wisely makes Jessie its main character. Her own history of abandonment gives her the strongest opposition to what Lilypad represents, making the conflict feel all the more urgent.
Jessie’s arc not only affords her greater agency but also sees her coming to terms with her own trauma, as detailed in that heartbreaking “When Somebody Loved Me” number in Toy Story 2. This stems from a meeting with other device-based characters, namely a tech toy named Smarty Pants (Conan O’Brien), forcing her to confront her own assumptions through empathy. It’s a wonderful turn for her character, culminating in a beautiful moment of healing in a scene involving a tyre swing, a sequence that will leave even adults teary-eyed. Joan Cusack relishes the new spotlight, imbuing Jessie’s loveable zaniness with gravitas and pathos when needed.
It would’ve been easy to make Lilypad a generic antagonist, but her role is thankfully measured too. She’s not a straight-up villain – just someone who thinks differently while wanting the same goal as the toys. This makes later developments involving her, as well as Smarty Pants and other tech toys, engaging without taking away the essence of the conflict or themes. Woody and Buzz are perhaps more side-characters this time around, as are the rest of the entourage, which is a touch disappointing. Nevertheless, their dynamic remains as joyful and hilarious as ever, Hanks and Allen’s voice work being affably effervescent. Even Bonnie undergoes a compelling character journey in her own right, one that would still pack a gut-wrenching punch even if her toys didn’t come to life.
The Toy Story films are a testament to evolving technical skill, and their gorgeous animation only elevates their ambitions. The stunning colours and finer details of the rendering and graphics here are a jaw-dropping upgrade from the charming, if slightly clunky, animation of the original. Not only is the photorealism so convincing that some shots look live action, but the attention to continuity, and how it physically showcases character arcs, is terrific – such as a choice to abandon Jessie’s hat for much of the film.
Unsurprisingly, the film is often emotional, sometimes with lachrymose results, but it evens this out with a spirited sense of humour. Conan O’Brien is a welcome addition to the cast, his sassy delivery of gags delightfully adding to the timing and giddiness of the rest of the comedy. Like the toys themselves, the film has a playful sense of humour that enhances our enthusiasm for the story and characterisation without ever undermining the substance of its drama or themes. I lost count of how many Star Wars parodies and jokes were used for a subplot involving multiple Buzz Lightyears, a side story that features one of the funniest uses of the Bambi soundtrack in years. All the while, the clashing character personalities and embrace of imagination – portrayed through a vivid, hand-drawn-esque animation style – ensure that chuckles, if not full, vigorous laughs, are as abundant as sniffles.
Like with Toy Story 4, one can be forgiven for questioning the film’s necessity. After all, there’s only so many times we can say goodbye to these characters before it loses its impact. The juggling of the main story and subplots can sometimes disrupt the pacing, and there are a couple of bizarre instances where the soundtrack seems to lift music from Monsters Inc. However, that same earnestness that made us all fall in love with this franchise is still very much present here. It may not be as fresh, but it’s as joyous, funny and sincere as ever. In tackling timely, nuanced observations on childhood and the rise of technology, Toy Story 5 delivers in both expected and surprising ways. The stellar craft and enormous heart that make these films so beloved remain as delightful as ever.
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