Parents have been warned about the emotional impact of Toy Story 5 as the first reviews for the Pixar sequel land, with critics calling it 'phenomenal,' 'a masterpiece,' and 'deeply profound.' The film is already generating considerable Oscar buzz across multiple categories, an unusual feat for the fifth entry in a 31-year-old franchise.
Jessie Takes Center Stage
In Toy Story 5, cowgirl Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) becomes the new sheriff after Woody (Tom Hanks) leaves the playroom. She leads Bonnie's other toys, including Buzz (Tim Allen), Bullseye, Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), and Forky (Tony Hale), as they confront a new threat: technology. The arrival of a tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) sparks a battle between traditional toys and digital devices.
Rave Reviews and Emotional Warnings
Collider's Meredith Loftus wrote on X: 'Toy Story 5 hit me in places I was unprepared for! Exploring the divide between technology and toys through Jessie results in a deeply profound, moving story that had me in a puddle of tears.' She added, 'I put it up there with Toy Story 2 and 3. It's *that* excellent!'
Variety's Clayton Davis agreed, praising Cusack's 'standout' performance and noting that the film proves the franchise has 'plenty of emotional territory left to explore.' However, he warned: 'Fair warning that you'll want to break your kid's tablets.'
Critic Scott Menzel highlighted how the film 'explores the battle between toys and technology [but] never loses sight of what makes these characters so special.' He declared, 'Toy Story remains one of the greatest film series ever made. Emotional, hilarious, and genuinely moving, Toy Story 5 may very well end up being one of the best films of 2026.'
Germain Lussier of Gizmodo tweeted: 'Toy Story 5 is a tiny bit disjointed at the start as it builds multiple different story lines, but they end up paying off with a phenomenal third act filled with all the heart and humour you expect from Pixar. Top tier stuff. I laughed, I cried, I loved it.'
The Wrap's Drew Taylor called it 'an absolute homerun and further proof that this is the greatest animated film franchise ever.' Daniel Baptista, co-host of The Movie Podcast, described it as 'a generation-defining experience and exactly the story we need right now.'
Taylor Swift's New Song and Oscar Predictions
At the Los Angeles premiere, Taylor Swift's new song I Knew It, I Knew You was unveiled over the credits, with a live performance. Industry insiders reportedly 'gushed' over the film and Swift's song. Predictions suggest Toy Story 5 will be 'hard to stop in all races for best animated feature and best original song, and could also factor into best picture and best adapted screenplay competitions' at next year's Oscars.
Voice Cast and Release
The voice cast includes Conan O'Brien, Craig Robinson, and Shelby Rabara as new tech toys, with Alan Cumming and Bad Bunny in cameo roles as an evil version of Bullseye and Pizza with Sunglasses, respectively.
Toy Story 5 releases in cinemas on Friday, June 19.
