Toy Story 5 2026 Review

There are very few franchises that hold the kind of emotional weight that Toy Story does.

For many people, these films have grown up alongside us. The original changed animation forever. Toy Story 2 somehow managed to improve on perfection while delivering one of the most heartbreaking storylines Pixar has ever put to screen. Toy Story 3 gave audiences what felt like the perfect ending. Then Toy Story 4 came along and, while enjoyable, never quite reached the same heights. It felt smaller, more focused on Woody than the ensemble, and left some beloved characters with very little to do.

So when Toy Story 5 was announced, I was sceptical.

Not because I don't love these characters, but because Toy Story 4 had already given Woody what seemed like a definitive ending. He had found a new purpose beyond being Andy or Bonnie's toy. He had chosen a different path. Bringing him back risked undoing all of that.

Thankfully, Toy Story 5 does something I genuinely wasn't expecting.

It gives Jessie the spotlight she has deserved for years.

Picking up after the events of the previous film, Bonnie is struggling to fit in with the other children around her. Unlike previous entries in the series, the conflict isn't that Bonnie has simply outgrown her toys. In fact, she still loves them. The problem is that the world around her has changed.

The other children her age have become consumed by technology, group chats, online trends and constant connectivity. When Bonnie tries to engage with them while staying true to herself, she's ridiculed for still playing with toys. The very thing that once brought her comfort and joy has become something she feels embarrassed about.

Enter LilyPad.

An iPad-like device designed to help Bonnie navigate friendships and social situations, LilyPad quickly becomes the film's central antagonist. Yet what makes LilyPad so fascinating is that she never sees herself as the villain.

She genuinely believes she's helping.

That's what elevates this beyond a simple "technology bad, toys good" story.

LilyPad wants Bonnie to fit in. She wants to help her make friends. The problem is that those friendships aren't necessarily healthy ones. Through LilyPad, Bonnie becomes increasingly immersed in a world where validation comes through group chats, memes and social acceptance rather than genuine human connection.

It's an incredibly timely theme.

Children today are growing up in a completely different world than the one many of us experienced. The pressure to conform starts younger. Technology is ever-present. Social interactions increasingly happen through screens.

What Toy Story 5 does so well is acknowledge the benefits technology can offer while also recognizing the dangers of relying on it too heavily.

This isn't a film pushing an agenda or preaching about how phones are evil. Instead, it's asking a much more thoughtful question.

Are we sacrificing real connection for convenience?

Running parallel to Bonnie's story are two additional plotlines.

The first involves Blaze, a new character who quickly becomes one of the film's most important additions. Without diving into spoiler territory, Blaze's presence becomes deeply intertwined with Jessie's emotional journey, helping to explore themes of growth, legacy and what it means to move forward without forgetting where you've come from.

Then there's the Buzz Lightyear subplot.

Early in the film, audiences are introduced to a shipment of next-generation Buzz Lightyears equipped with enhanced technological capabilities. Following an accident, these Buzzes find themselves stranded and embarking on their own journey towards Star Command.

It's easily the weakest aspect of the film.

That's not to say it's bad. In fact, it does contribute to some entertaining sequences and ultimately plays an important role in the third act. However, compared to the emotional weight of Bonnie and Jessie's stories, it often feels more like a plot device than a necessary component of the narrative.

There is one genuinely brilliant moment, though.

At one point, the Buzzes begin questioning why toys freeze when humans enter the room.

It's such a simple idea, yet it's something the franchise has never truly addressed before. Why do they freeze? It's an existential question hidden beneath the film's comedy, and it's exactly the kind of bizarre, thoughtful detail that Toy Story has always excelled at.

But make no mistake.

This is Jessie's movie.

After being almost completely sidelined in Toy Story 4, seeing Jessie finally take centre stage feels long overdue. Joan Cusack slips back into the role effortlessly, delivering what may genuinely be her strongest performance in the franchise.

The film explores Jessie's history in ways audiences have wanted for decades. It delves deeper into her fears, her trauma and the emotional scars left behind by her original experiences of loss and change.

And it absolutely wrecked me.

There were moments during Jessie's storyline where I found myself genuinely emotional.

The beauty of her arc lies in how universal it feels. Beneath the cowboy hat and pull string, Jessie is grappling with questions many of us ask ourselves.

Did I matter?

Am I still important?

Can people move on and still carry pieces of us with them?

Without revealing specifics, the film delivers some incredibly powerful moments that completely reshape Jessie's understanding of her own worth.

It's beautiful.

And it's easily the strongest emotional thread in the movie.

Visually, Toy Story 5 is stunning.

Pixar continues to evolve its animation in ways that never feel distracting or self-indulgent.

The primary animation style retains the familiar look audiences have come to expect, but with an added level of realism that borders on breathtaking. Lighting feels natural. Colours appear grounded. The environments possess remarkable depth. There were moments where it genuinely felt as though scenes had been shot with actual cinematography techniques rather than entirely computer generated.

Then there's the second visual style.

Whenever Bonnie or Blaze engage in imaginative play, the film transforms.

The animation becomes painterly and expressive, resembling a blend of watercolour illustrations, children's storybooks and comic book aesthetics. Slapstick comedy is heightened. Movement becomes more exaggerated. The entire world takes on a playful energy that perfectly captures how children experience imagination.

It's an inspired creative choice that injects freshness into a franchise five films deep.

The pacing is equally strong.

At roughly ninety minutes, the film understands exactly how much story it needs to tell.

The humour lands consistently.

The emotional moments are given space to breathe.

And the balance between both never feels forced.

This is classic Toy Story,

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen remain effortlessly charming in their iconic roles, but the supporting cast deserve just as much praise. Joan Cusack, in particular, elevates every scene she's in.

If I had one complaint beyond the Buzz subplot, it's that some of the original toys still don't receive as much attention as I'd like.

Characters who once played major roles occasionally feel relegated to the sidelines.

It's understandable given the sheer size of the ensemble, but part of me still wishes they had a little more to do.

Even so, Toy Story 5 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor.

Where Toy Story 4 felt narrower in scope, this film feels richer.

Thematically, it's more ambitious.

Emotionally, it's more rewarding.

And perhaps most importantly, it understands why audiences connected with these characters in the first place.

The conclusion is incredibly satisfying.

Without spoiling anything, longtime fans will finally see certain emotional threads addressed in ways that feel earned rather than obligatory.

It doesn't simply rely on nostalgia.

It rewards investment.

Interestingly, unlike Toy Story 3 or even Toy Story 4, the ending here feels more open-ended.

Could this be the final chapter?

Absolutely.

Could Pixar continue making more?

Also yes.

And honestly, I'm conflicted.

Part of me believes these characters have earned their rest.

The other part knows that if Pixar announced Toy Story 6 tomorrow, I'd be first in line.

Because despite my initial reservations, Toy Story 5 reminded me exactly why this franchise has endured for so long.

It's never really been about toys.

It's about people.

It's about friendship.

It's about change.

It's about finding purpose when life doesn't go according to plan.

And in an increasingly disconnected world dominated by screens and algorithms, Toy Story 5 offers a timely reminder that genuine human connection still matters.

Technology isn't inherently bad.

But it shouldn't replace imagination.

It shouldn't replace relationships.

And it certainly shouldn't determine our worth.

Toy Story 5 is funny, heartfelt and surprisingly profound. While not every storyline lands with equal impact, Jessie's emotionally rich arc and the film's thoughtful exploration of modern childhood make this one of Pixar's strongest efforts in years.

Against all odds, this franchise still has something meaningful left to say. that's why I rate this film a 8.5/10