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.
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Toy Story 5
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Parents say the latest installment in the beloved franchise delivers a wholesome, family-friendly experience focusing on the importance of balancing technology with real-life interactions, resulting in an entertaining narrative for viewers of all ages. However, some critiques highlight the presence of adult humor and slightly aggressive scenes, which could detract from its suitability for younger audiences.
- family-friendly message
- technology balance
- humor concerns
- aggressive scenes
- suitable for all ages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 9 kid reviews
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 previously 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?
Discuss how the various characters have changed since the earlier installments. Have they grown? How so?
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 19, 2026
- Cast : Joan Cusack , Tim Allen , Greta Lee , Tom Hanks
- Directors : Andrew Stanton , McKenna Harris
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- 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 : June 22, 2026
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