Toy Story 5

More than three decades after Pixar revolutionized animation with the first Toy Story, it would have been easy to view this fifth installment as unnecessary, especially after the moving and satisfying conclusions offered by both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4. On the contrary, Toy Story 5 achieves a remarkable feat: it finds a new purpose. Under the direction of Andrew Stanton, the franchise returns not by revisiting old formulas, but by exploring a new reality of childhood shaped by screens, social media, and digital companionship. Yet behind this timely premise lies the same emotion that has always defined the series. It isn’t really a film pitting technology against toys. It’s a story about belonging, self-esteem, friendship, and the fear of being left behind—themes that resonate just as strongly with adults as they do with children.

Pixar’s wisest creative decision is to place Jessie at the heart of the story. Voiced with extraordinary warmth and vulnerability by Joan Cusack, the much-loved cowgirl finally gets the spotlight she’s deserved ever since her heart-wrenching appearance in Toy Story 2. Anyone who still remembers the emotional turmoil caused by the “When She Loved Me” sequence will immediately understand why this film is so moving. Rather than simply reopening old wounds, Toy Story 5 explores how these experiences continue to shape Jessie years later. Her fear of abandonment has never truly gone away, and as Bonnie begins to take an interest in new things, those insecurities resurface with a vengeance. Pixar skillfully transforms what could have been a simple sequel into a moving character study, allowing Jessie to confront her past while discovering her own worth—beyond the approval of a single child.

The film’s central conflict revolves around Bonnie, who is now older and struggling to connect with children her own age. This is where Lilypad enters the scene—a tablet-like device, voiced by Greta Lee, designed to help children socialize through technology. Less ambitious films might have made Lilypad a one-dimensional villain, but Pixar takes a much more nuanced approach. The screenplay acknowledges both the benefits and the dangers of digital life, recognizing that technology can create meaningful connections while also isolating people from the world around them. In one of the film’s most insightful ideas, the toys realize that their greatest threat isn’t another toy, but a rapidly changing culture. Watching Jessie desperately try to preserve Bonnie’s imagination in a world increasingly dominated by screens results in some of the franchise’s most relevant and thought-provoking moments.

At the same time, Toy Story 5 never forgets that it’s meant to entertain. The film may even be the funniest in the series since Toy Story 2, brimming with inventive visual gags and wonderfully absurd situations. Among the new characters, Smarty Pants—voiced by Conan O’Brien—stands out in particular: his gloriously ridiculous potty-training gadget steals the show in nearly every scene in which he appears. Alongside Craig Robinson as Atlas and Shelby Rabara as Snappy, these new characters breathe fresh comedic energy into a franchise that could easily have relied solely on nostalgia. Equally memorable is the delightfully chaotic subplot featuring an entire army of Buzz Lightyear action figures convinced they’re on a mission to join Star Command. It’s exactly the kind of playful madness that reminds audiences why Pixar remains one of animation’s most inventive storytellers.

The audience’s favorite characters are put to good use throughout the film. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen slip effortlessly into the roles of Woody and Buzz, bringing with them decades of emotional history. Although Woody plays a more supporting role this time around, his presence remains significant, particularly in reminding us of the long journey these characters have taken together. Buzz, for his part, gets one of his best roles in years, rediscovering the charm, courage, and sincerity that made him an iconic character from the very beginning. Rather than dominating the narrative, the two characters gracefully step aside to let Jessie’s journey take center stage, which enhances the film’s impact.

Visually, Toy Story 5 is undoubtedly the most impressive installment in the franchise. Pixar’s artists continue to push the boundaries of animation technology to astonishing levels, with environments that often appear photorealistic. Water, sunlight, animals, and natural landscapes are rendered with breathtaking detail, yet the film never loses the warmth and stylized charm that define the series. The imaginative sequences inspired by Bonnie’s creativity are particularly striking: they transform into artistic visual styles that celebrate the boundless power of a child’s imagination. These moments remind us that, while technology evolves, the human need to dream and create remains timeless.

Emotionally, the film makes a strong impression. Randy Newman’s soundtrack proves once again to be indispensable, weaving familiar themes into new arrangements that instantly transport the audience through the franchise’s history. Several scenes evoking Jessie’s memories are truly moving—not because they manipulate emotions, but because they feel earned after years of storytelling. The film understands that nostalgia alone is never enough; what matters is using that nostalgia to reveal something meaningful about the present. By linking Jessie’s personal journey to Bonnie’s quest to find true friendship, Pixar weaves a story that is both intimate and universal.

Music has always been one of the secret ingredients behind the emotional power of the Toy Story franchise, and Toy Story 5 beautifully continues this tradition. Randy Newman proves once again why his name is inextricably linked to these characters, delivering a soundtrack that effortlessly blends nostalgia with renewal. Throughout the film, familiar musical motifs intertwine with new compositions, subtly reminding the audience of the journey that Woody, Buzz, and especially Jessie have shared over the past three decades. The soundtrack reaches its most powerful moments whenever the film revisits Jessie’s memories of Emily, with delicate references to “When She Loved Me” that emotionally echo one of Pixar’s most iconic scenes.

Rather than simply playing on nostalgia, Randy Newman uses these themes to deepen Jessie’s story and highlight her growth. The emotional impact is extraordinary, transforming already moving scenes into truly tear-jerking moments. Newman’s work is complemented by the original song “I Knew It, I Knew You,” performed by Taylor Swift, which plays during the film’s final moments and seems perfectly suited to the themes of friendship, change, and acceptance explored by the film. Just as “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” has become synonymous with the franchise, Taylor Swift’s contribution captures that bittersweet feeling of holding on to cherished memories while embracing new beginnings. Together, Randy Newman and Taylor Swift deliver a musical conclusion that leaves audiences overwhelmed with emotion long after the credits begin to roll, adding yet another memorable chapter to one of cinema’s most beloved musical legacies.

Ultimately, Toy Story 5 stands as a triumphant reminder of why this franchise remains one of cinema’s greatest successes. It blends humor, emotion, intelligence, and visual mastery with a confidence that few animated films can match. Most importantly, it proves that these characters still have stories worth telling. While the film explores the growing influence of technology, its ultimate message is one of refreshing optimism: genuine connections, imagination, and kindness will always matter, no matter how much the world around us changes. Like the best Pixar films, Toy Story 5 entertains children while speaking directly to the adults they will become. Funny, moving, insightful, and beautifully crafted, it is a worthy sequel to a legendary saga and one of Pixar’s finest achievements in years.

Toy Story 5
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Written by Andrew Stanton, Kenna Harris
Story by Andrew Stanton
Produced by Lindsey Collins, Jessica Choi
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, John Hopkins, Kristen Schaal, Ernie Hudson, Bad Bunny, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Alan Cumming
Cinematography: Matt Aspbury, JC Kalache
Edited by Jennifer Jew
Music by Randy Newman
Production company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates: June 9, 2026 (Los Angeles), June 17, 2026 (France), June 19, 2026 (United States)
Running time: 102 minutes

Viewed on June 12, 2026, at Pathé Beaugrenelle, Dolby Cinema theater

Mulder's Mark: