Toy Story 5 may have been unexpected, but this latest movie delivers the pangs of nostalgia and emotion that studio Pixar has become celebrated for in a genuinely moving experience. Millennials who have grown up with this franchise over the past 31 years should prepare to be quietly ruined – although it's a wistful watch for any adult. And yes, the kids who this film is ostensibly aimed at will also find themselves entertained and enchanted, for the franchise's power remains undimmed in terms of its storytelling and employing just the right kind of sentimentality.
A Rare Exception to Uninspired Sequels
While a fifth film would very rarely – if ever – be an event worth celebrating, Toy Story 5 proves an exception to the rule of uninspired and overblown sequels. This remarkably consistent film comes from franchise mainstay Andrew Stanton, this time co-directing and writing with Kenna Harris. The story follows our favourite toys – now in the possession of eight-year-old Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) since she inherited them from a college-bound Andy in 2010's Toy Story 3 – as they tackle the threat of technology after the arrival of a new tablet named Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee).
The Tech Threat Feels Timely
This adversary makes perfect sense given how much our lives have been taken over by phones, social media and wi-fi connectivity in recent years, so much so that it's almost odd they didn't cover it already. Toy Story 4 (2019) was that rare, slightly weaker movie in the series, circling the theme of abandoned toys. But for Toy Story 5, the focus is sharper, returning to a clear story and purpose.
Jessie Takes the Spotlight
Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) steps into the spotlight as the new sheriff of Bonnie's toys in Woody's (Tom Hanks) absence. The film aims to have you cry within minutes thanks to the return of one of the saddest songs in cinema, When She Loved Me, as it delves into Jessie's backstory with her original owner Emily.
Key Details
- Director: Andrew Stanton
- Writers: Andrew Stanton, Kenna Harris
- Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, Conan O'Brien, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears
- Run time: 1 hour and 42 minutes
- Age rating: PG
- Release date: In UK cinemas from June 19, 2026 with preview screenings at select locations from June 18
The Plot: Old Toys vs. New Tech
With Bonnie shy and struggling to make friends, her parents buy her a Lilypad, leading to great panic in the playroom when the tablet's talents appear endless. Woody's gang of abandoned toys sombrely warn Buzz (Tim Allen), Hamm, Slinky Dog, Mr Potato Head and the like that 'the age of toys is over' – and has been for years. Or as Rex (reliably) panics: 'Extinction! Not again!' Lilypad's efficiency is scary, as she can distractedly scroll while you're talking, but still play back your full conversation, translate it into Spanish or even turn it into a rap.
While the toys have existential crises over being useless, Lilypad nabs Bonnie a friend in 15 seconds thanks to the connectivity of 'the Pond' that her classmates' tablets are also linked up to, facilitating her first sleepover. Convinced of her own brilliance, the headstrong Lilypad thinks she knows what is best – and it's this clash between her and the old-fashioned toys powering the movie, as well as Bonnie's tentative first steps online.
Jessie's Adventure and New Characters
In her determination to accompany Bonnie for this first overnight stay, Jessie gets diverted onto an adventure at the home of nine-and-a-half-year-old Blaze, where she meets a trio of more dated tech toys, led by sassy toilet trainer Smarty Pants (Conan O'Brien, comedy gold and a gift to this film). Meanwhile, a retired Woody, embracing his dadbod and bald spot that so stunned fans in the trailer, is roped in to come to the rescue with Buzz – who is keen to both propose and be a good deputy to Jessie – leading to some reliably madcap scenes, including one with a herd of horses.
Multi-Buzz and Cameos
We also follow the Multi-Buzz, a group of 50 high-tech Buzz Lightyear units stuck in demo mode after their cargo container washes ashore. While its own random plot thread for most of the movie, it's nonetheless very endearing and entertaining how they play off each other as their awareness grows from the default setting of finding Star Command. By this stage, the Toy Story universe is so stacked that Keanu Reeves is happy to swing by for a short reappearance as Duke Caboom, while Bad Bunny cameos as Pizza with Sunglasses and Taylor Swift is onboard with a new song I Knew It, I Knew You. And before you ask, you should absolutely stay for the credits.
Verdict
Toy Story 5 is an impressively strong sequel, one of the best seen this far into a franchise. While it earns its existence with smart storytelling around tech, it's the movie's emotional resonance, as with the best Pixar movies, that truly lands. And plenty of its jokes. If inspiration continues to strike, we may be enjoying more Toy Story films to infinity and beyond.
