Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Some peril in thoughtful kids-and-tech animated adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Toy Story 5
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 38 parent reviews
Parents say the movie features surprising dark themes, such as murder and suicidal implications involving toys, which caught many off-guard and were not adequately flagged by reviews. While some found the storyline engaging and appreciated its message about the balance of technology and childhood creativity, others criticized adult humor and inappropriate content, leading to disappointment in what was expected to be a family-friendly film.
- dark themes
- adult humor
- mixed reviews
- technology message
- family friendly concerns
Summarized with AI
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say the latest installment diverges notably from its predecessors, showcasing Jessie as the main character and tackling contemporary issues like cyberbullying and screen time limits, which resonates well with modern audiences. While the film exhibits exceptional animation and delivers a positive message, some viewers found the humor inappropriate for younger audiences and felt that it didn’t quite capture the charm of the earlier films in the franchise.
- new character focus
- humor concerns
- animation praised
- modern themes
- family-friendly message
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
TOY STORY 5 opens on a remote island, where a container ship full of Buzz Lightyear toys (voiced by Tim Allen) has crashed. After powering on, the Buzzes become convinced that they must find Star Command and begin plotting a way off the island. Back in Bonnie's (Scarlett Spears) neighborhood, Jessie (Joan Cusack) serves as the sheriff of the imaginative 8-year-old's toy collection, which includes Buzz, Dolly (Bonnie Hunt), Forky (Tony Hale), and other familiar faces. When Bonnie's parents (Jay Hernandez and Lori Alan) buy her an interactive tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee), Bonnie quickly becomes absorbed in online games and messaging her dance school friends, most of whom have outgrown playing with toys. Concerned by Bonnie's growing attachment to the device, Jessie confronts Lilypad, only to discover that the tablet has its own plans for the toys. After being accidentally dropped, Jessie and Bullseye end up at the home of Emily, Jessie's first owner and the inspiration for the song "When She Loved Me." There, Jessie meets a collection of forgotten tech toys belonging to a young girl named Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris), including digital potty trainer Smarty Pants (Conan O'Brien), digital camera Snappy (Shelby Rabara), and talking hippo head Atlas (Craig Robinson). Despite some initial tension, Jessie and the older gadgets develop a plan to bring Blaze and Bonnie together—not only so Jessie and Bullseye can find their way home, but also so the two girls can become friends. Meanwhile, back at Bonnie's house, Buzz struggles with letting Woody (Tom Hanks) take the lead to help search for his beloved Jessie.
Is It Any Good?
This is a moving, entertaining, and timely story about the tension between offline imaginative play and excessive screen time. In Toy Story 5, Stanton and Harris use Jessie as a vehicle to explore whether the age of toys is truly over because, as one character puts it, "toys are for play, but tech is for everything." That's the central tension of the movie, particularly as it pertains to young Bonnie, who's shy—she still hides behind her mom, much as she did as a preschooler—and loves creating imaginative scenarios with the toys she inherited from Andy. When Lilypad, the cool new tech gadget for early elementary schoolers, arrives, she brings Bonnie more stress, rejection, and obsession than joy and delight. But the filmmakers don't leave the movie (which is, as always, gorgeously animated) with such a simplistic message. Through Smarty Pants, Atlas, and Snappy, the screenplay also points out how technology-based gadgets can be left behind just as easily as old toys, stashed in a junk drawer and forgotten once their batteries die or a newer model comes along.
The movie's focus on Jessie taps into her longstanding fear of abandonment stemming from what happened with her first owner, Emily, allowing the film to weave in a lovely storyline about closure and acceptance that makes effective use of Randy Newman's heart-tugging song. But Toy Story 5 isn't as emotional or frightening as some of its predecessors. There's a funny subplot involving Buzz trying to find the right moment to propose, and a silly one in which the stranded Buzzes interpret Jessie's sheriff badge as a symbol of Star Command and set out to find her. Best of all, O'Brien's Smarty Pants delivers plenty of humorous zingers, while Lilypad and the other tech toys reinforce the idea that technology can be wonderful, as long as it doesn't become all-consuming. Bo Peep has more of a cameo than a supporting role this time around, but most of the familiar toys get a few memorable lines and moments. It's hard to keep a franchise going this long, but Toy Story remains engaging and fun, with thought-provoking messages and one scene that will make parents with kids of all ages tear up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the tension between traditional toys and new technology in Toy Story 5. What do you think the movie is trying to say about technology and screen time Does screen time help you feel closer to your friends or distract you from being together? How can technology help you be creative, have fun, or make memories?
How can being honest about what you like help you make good friends? How can games and online communities become a starting point for real-world connection instead of replacing it?
Do you ever feel like you have to keep up with what everyone else is playing/doing online? Why? What would you do if someone was being mean to you online or in real life? When you're feeling lonely, does using a screen help you feel better? Why, or why not?
How do the characters demonstrate empathy, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Do you consider Jessie a role model? How do her storyline and her personality offer a positive example of gender representation? How have she and the other characters changed since the earlier installments?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 19, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : August 18, 2026
- Cast : Joan Cusack , Tim Allen , Greta Lee , Tom Hanks
- Directors : Andrew Stanton , McKenna Harris
- Studio : Pixar Animation Studios
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Friendship , Adventures , STEM
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some thematic elements and rude humor
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : August 26, 2026
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