Toy Story 5's Woody Balding Praised for Normalizing Male Hair Loss
The highly anticipated trailer for Toy Story 5 has dropped, sending fans on a nostalgic journey with beloved characters like Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and Forky. While the plot centers on abandoned toys battling tech invasion in children's homes, one detail has captured significant attention: Woody's visible hair loss.
Woody's Aging Reveal Sparks Conversation
In the trailer, pull-string sheriff Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, returns to help the toy group led by Jessie, played by Joan Cusack, confront frog-like tablet Lilypad. However, fans quickly noticed Woody now sports a bald patch at the back of his head, a departure from his once-full brown hair. This aligns with the character's implied age in his late fifties from Toy Story 4's timeline.
The other toys humorously acknowledge Woody's balding, with comments about needing a "brown marker" and Lilypad questioning if he's an "old man toy." Forky mockingly explains, "She thinks you're old because you're bald, Woody." This interaction sets the stage for an epic adventure emphasizing playtime's importance in today's tech-dominated society.
Social Media and Expert Reactions
Viewers have widely praised Pixar's honest portrayal of aging. On social media, users expressed relatability, with one noting, "Woody is bald. we, who watched Toy Story 1 in elementary school, were also bald. We're all getting older, folks." Another highlighted the clever move, stating it visually represents the toys' age compared to modern tablets.
Dr. Anatalia Moore, an NHS GP and cosmetic dermatologist, emphasized the significance of this representation. "Hair loss is incredibly common in men, yet it is still something many struggle to talk about openly," she explained. Dr. Moore detailed that male pattern baldness, largely genetic, affects an estimated seven million men in the UK, with two out of three men experiencing some hair loss by age 35.
She added, "What people often underestimate is the emotional impact of hair loss, since hair is closely tied to identity and confidence." Dr. Moore argued that Woody's balding helps normalize body changes for young audiences, encouraging kinder conversations about appearance and self-worth from an early age.
Broader Themes and Cast Details
Beyond hair loss, the film's commentary on technology's influence on children has garnered praise. Social media users applauded making tech the "villain" to highlight its effects on kids, with one noting it reminds viewers that "kids need toys." Others called the story "progressive" and necessary in today's screen-dominated landscape.
Directed by co-writer Andrew Stanton, Toy Story 5 features returning voice actors like Keanu Reeves, Tim Allen, and Kristen Schaal, alongside new additions such as Conan O'Brien and Craig Robinson. Notably, this marks the first main Toy Story film without involvement from co-creator John Lasseter, who left Pixar in 2018.
Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release on June 19, 2026, promising to blend adventure with meaningful social commentary on aging and technology.
