MOVIE OF THE WEEK 96/19/26): TOY STORY 5

"Now you wait a minute you overgrown modem with a better screen!" Jessie (Joan Cusack) gets into an argument with Lily (Greta Lee) as her horse Bullseye watches in a scene from TOY STORY 5. Credit: © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. 

CAST: Joan Cusack | Tom Hanks | Tim Allen | Scarlett Spears | Greta Lee | Conan O'Brien | Craig Robinson | Mykal-Michelle Harris | Tony Hale 

WRITER: McKenna Harris | Andrew Stanton

DIRECTOR: McKenna Harris | Andrew Stanton

TRAILER:

 

THE STORY: Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) enjoys playing with her toys, which is lead by her time with her favorite female sheriff, Jessie (Joan Cusack). But despite her vivid imagination when she does, that doesn't seem to be helping her earn friends to play with. Ever supportive, her parents decide to get Bonnie a new device which she takes to immediately, finding fellow users with whom to hang out with and play games online. But as Jessie and the rest of Bonnie's toys quickly discover, tech is replacing toys left and right, which is how a bunch of upgraded tech Buzz Lightyears (Tim Allen) ended up dumped on a remote island, looking for their Star Commander. Woody (Tom Hanks) inadvertently thinks his conversation with Jessie about the plight of toys in the wild is a cry for help, so he decides to head back to hang out with Jessie, Buzz (the original one audiences have come to know and love) and the rest of the gang to help Bonnie find a real friend. 

But if Lily (Greta Lee) has anything to say about it, Jessie, Woody and the rest of them will be landfill fodder sooner than later ...

THE REVIEW: While many may have thought the franchise peaked with the emotionally gut-wrenching adventure that was Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4 extended its life with the transition of story from the original child Andy to Bonnie, who is now on the verge of turning double digits in age. In turn, that allows it to focus on a new threat to the toys that feels entirely organic and realistic in tech, the tablet in particular. While Lily can do all the things one would think of for a child to enjoy and grow, it ultimately learns that toys – by providing connection, allowing for hands-on, tangible play and a shared experience that cannot be imitated behind a touchscreen – still matters. 

While that message might seem simplistic, the interaction between the different generations of toys – particularly once Jessie ends up meeting SmartyPants (Conan O'Brien), the old tech of a young lady named Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris), another idea – purpose – comes alive. This adds another layer of depth to the story, giving a much-needed fresh (and more importantly, relevant) feel. Also enhancing the story is the switch from relying on Woody and Buzz as much to shifting to Jessie, both with her character's backstory and being able to take the lead for the franchise as a whole. 

So, while tech may reign supreme in the real world, Jessie, Woody and Buzz help bring a level of humanity to childhood once again that is much needed - and helps make Toy Story 5 worthy of a theatrical visit.  

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):