Toy Story 5 (2026) Movie Review

Toy Story 5 (2026) Movie Review: More Stories to Tell

It’s always the question people ask: "Do we really need another Toy Story movie?" With how the franchise wrapped things up with Andy, continuing the series may feel unnecessary. But what makes Toy Story different is its ability to evolve alongside each generation of kids. Toy Story 5 predictably tackles modern gadgets and the growing influence of screen time on childhood today. Yet instead of resisting change, the film eventually embraces it - and that’s what makes this latest entry worthwhile. It proves this franchise still has meaningful lessons, emotions, and thrills left to offer audiences.

Bonnie is now eight years old and still loves playing with her toys. But not all is well as she struggles to make real friendships beyond her room. Hoping to help her social life, her parents introduce her to a Lilypad - a do-it-all gadget designed for kids. Before long, Bonnie becomes increasingly attached to it and slowly drifts away from playing with her toys. Jessie, now the deputy of Bonnie’s room, decides to take matters into her own hands and tries to prove that play time with toys is better than any gadget out there.

A mix of comedy and heartfelt emotion, Toy Story 5 delivers an experience that works for both longtime fans (who are probably parents now) and younger audiences discovering these characters for the first time. The film strikes a strong balance especially in the aspect of its script as older viewers will appreciate jokes and themes that may go over younger heads while kids will naturally gravitate and be entertained with the film's colorful and vibrant world and characters.

Narratively, Toy Story 5 surprised us with how nuanced its message on technology turned out to be. It would have been easy to make gadgets the ultimate villain but the film instead leans into acceptance, moderation, and the idea that both old and new forms of play have value in shaping childhood. With Jessie taking center stage, the film also gives her story an unexpected emotional weight. Woody in particular takes more of a supporting role and, while his presence becomes more prominent in the second half, it occasionally feels more nostalgic than necessary. On its fifth outing, Toy Story 5 may not reach the heights of the first three films but it maintains the quality and relevance that have kept the franchise alive for decades. More importantly, it proves that this series still has reasons to stay than go away and still has stories worth telling, worth experiencing.

Rating: 4 and a half reels