Toy Story 5

TOY STORY 5 🧸 (2026)

“The Age of Toys is Over.”

That’s the tagline for TOY STORY 5, and after Toy Story 4, it felt painfully appropriate.

That previous installment came across as a capitalistic, money-hungry attempt to squeeze every last dollar out of characters who had already been given the perfect send-off. It felt like a self-inflicted wound to a franchise that had crafted one of the greatest trilogies ever made.

I’ve rarely walked out of a movie more disappointed than I did with Toy Story 4. It left such a bitter taste in my mouth that I genuinely thought I was done with this series. To me, it felt like a complete betrayal of an ending that never needed to be touched.

I was pretty close to writing this movie off. I had clearly soured on the franchise, but the trailer sold me on the genuinely brilliant idea at the heart of this film: introducing technology into the fray, the true enemy of all toys—other than children eventually aging out of the imaginative magic of playing with them, of course.

One of my favourite feelings as a moviegoer is expecting to hate something and ending up eating my words.

That was exactly what happened here.

TOY STORY 5 is everything Toy Story 4 should’ve been, and then some.

This feels like Golden Age Pixar at its most heartfelt. Multiple characters receive satisfying emotional payoffs, the story explores meaningful lessons about technology in the hands of children, and the animation—which, alone is always worth the price of admission.

Kids growing up attached to phones and tablets isn’t some distant future, it’s the reality we’re already living in. Rather than pretending technology is inherently evil, the film argues that it’s all about how it’s used. Teaching healthy habits and proper use is more important than ever, and the film's cyberbullying storyline perfectly highlights why parents can't let these devices become babysitters, even if it's in the name of helping their kids fit in.

But the movie doesn't stop there. It also celebrates what technology can be at its best. Bonnie forms a genuine friendship through a shared interest, reminding us that the internet isn't just a place for division, it's also where people find community.

There's also a clever layer running underneath it all. Just as traditional toys are being replaced by technology, yesterday's "cutting-edge" tech toys are now becoming obsolete themselves.

It's a humbling reminder that nothing stays new forever, and every generation eventually gives way to the next.

I still believe this franchise had the perfect ending with Toy Story 3, nothing will change that—but if you're going to reopen the toy chest, this is how you do it.

TOY STORY 5 doesn't justify Toy Story 4's existence, it just proves there were still worthwhile stories left to tell. 

Enjoy!

7.6/10 🍿 🎥

Runtime: 1hr42mins

Where: In Theatres
Mid & Post Credit Scenes: ✅

The Richmond Reviewer Toy Story Review - July 3rd, 2026.