The animator side of me was having a great time with this film, studying every detail in every frame. The normal film fan in me was thinking sweet, sweet nostalgia, what a powerful drug, and the film critic immediately recognised Toy Story 2 and could not help but wonder, is Disney Pixar just lazy, or is this just good business?
Pixar’s Toy Story has always been dependable, both creatively and financially. It is one of those rare franchises that has consistently delivered stories we adored as children and appreciated as adults, making a lot of money at the same time.
Yet with this fifth entry, I could not shake the feeling that maybe it is time to let these toys rest. Not because I do not love the world, but because I do not want to keep seeing the same story with a new shiny coat of paint.
I am not against sequels. I am genuinely excited for the upcoming Minions film, I would not mind another John Wick movie, and I will be in the theatres on day one for the upcoming Shrek film. Franchises can keep going if they find fresh energy. But with Toy Story 5, it feels like the spark is getting dimmer. Yes, we can still see it, but it does not shine as brightly as it used to.
Another one
Toy Story 5 is a 2026 American animated adventure comedy-drama produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Disney Pictures. Directed by Andrew Stanton, who also conceived the story and co-wrote the screenplay with Kenna Harris, it continues the saga two years after Toy Story 4. The film had a reported budget of $250 million, making it one of Pixar’s most expensive projects to date.
The voice cast brings back familiar favourites: Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie. They are joined by Conan O’Brien, Scarlett Spears, Greta Lee, Shelby Rabara, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Craig Robinson.
The plot centres on Bonnie, now obsessed with a smart tablet called Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee). Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang must navigate what it means to be sidelined by technology, while still trying to matter in Bonnie’s world.
I have to say the attention to details with craft here is fantastic. The animation is unsuprisingly fantastic, the pacing , editing, story structure and the sound design, impeccable. But this is Pixar we are talking about aka the gold standard in animation.
I mean Toy Story was the first fully 3D animated feature film back in 1995. This film does not reinvent the wheel, but it maintains that high standard. The variety of characters and environments are so creatively put together visually that you could easily enjoy it just for the visuals. Children are going to love this.
Story
The story taps into a relevant theme; children’s relationship with technology. Tablets and phones dominate modern parenting. How many times have you passed your phone to your child to keep them still, and many children are already hooked.
The film captures that influence well, showing how toys struggle to compete with screens.
Alongside that, it explores friendship, popularity, and the desire to fit in, themes that have always been central to the series. These ideas are handled with care, and I do not know whether I mentioned it, but children are going to love this.
But sticking to the story still, we have seen this before. Parts of it feel recycled, I just kept thinking of Toy Story 2. The beats are familiar, and while the film tries to shift focus to new characters, it does not feel organic.
I should warn fans of the previous movie, especially the first two movies, this is not Woody and Buzz movie. The spotlight is and has been moving to younger, fresher faces, clearly setting up the franchise for future instalments. That is understandable from a business perspective, but as a viewer, it feels calculated rather than heartfelt and necessary storywise.
The film also leans into Disney’s current trend of reshaping stories to appear modern and inclusive.
I have no issue with diversity or female-led narratives, some of my favourite films embrace those ideas beautifully- Sinners, The Substance- movies that are story-first.
What bothers me is when it feels forced, like a box-ticking exercise. Here, the shift in focus comes across as patronising rather than inspired. Instead of weaving diversity naturally into the world of Toy Story, it feels like the studio is trying too hard to prove a point.
And for my critic side, that creative laziness undermines the sincerity of the story. Adults and jaded film fans who have followed the franchise closely will notice this. Children will not, and I hope I mentioned it, they will love this film. But for those of us who have watched Pixar evolve, it is hard not to see the seams.
The film feels like a retread with a new coat of paint, designed less to tell a fresh story and more to keep the brand alive and make a lot of money, which I would argue is the point of all this.
The numbers
The Toy Story franchise has seen a dramatic escalation in both production costs and box office returns over its three-decade history. The original Toy Story (1995) was produced on a $30 million budget and earned $395 million worldwide, followed by Toy Story 2 (1999) with a $90 million budget and $511 million in revenue.
The series hit a new tier of financial performance starting in 2010, with Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 (2019) each costing $200 million and each grossing over $1.07 billion globally. Most recently, Toy Story 5 (2026) has continued this upward trend with a $250 million production budget and $312 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
Audience and enjoyment
If you are an animation fan, you will appreciate the technical artistry. But if you are a long-time Toy Story devotee, drawn in by the promise to relive your childhood, you might walk out feeling underwhelmed. The film is fun, but it does not push the franchise forward in any meaningful way. It is more of a placeholder, keeping the series alive and setting up the next instalment.
I did not hate Toy Story 5. I enjoyed most of it, especially the animation and the themes about technology. But I left the cinema thinking the franchise has run its course. It is not that I do not want more Toy Story. I just do not want more of the same.
This film feels like a safe, predictable move rather than a bold creative leap. It is entertaining, but it lacks the magic that made the earlier films unforgettable.
What I think will be unforgettable coming this July is the upcoming Minions film, which looks sillier, more ridiculous, and unapologetically fun.
