---
title: "Toy Story 4: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/toy-story-4/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/toy-story-4"
critics_score: 84
critics_reviews: 25
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Toy Story 4 (2019): what the critics said

Critics' score 84 from 25 reviews: 25 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative.

The reviews are unanimous in their approval. Most critics are surprised that a fourth film is this good: the humour lands, the emotion is unforced, and the animation is as detailed as anything Pixar has made. Praise clusters around the new toys, with Forky, Duke Caboom and the doll Gabby Gabby singled out again and again, and around the return of Bo Peep as an independent, capable figure who gives Woody something new to want.

The reservations are mild and consistent. A number of critics question whether the film needed to exist after the third one’s ending, and Little White Lies and Empire call it enjoyable but inessential. Empire and Total Film regret how little Buzz has to do. The Wrap and Screen Daily find it less emotionally overwhelming than its predecessor, which The Ringer counts as a relief for parents. The spread is narrow: even the coolest notices are approving.

## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman

Rating 5/5. 18 June 2019. 

The critic praises Pixar for sustaining near-perfection in a fourth film, highlighting the unforced poignancy and existential themes around belonging and purpose, especially in scenes with Forky and Woody. The animation and mix of laughs, action, and emotional depth are singled out as exceptional.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/toy-story-4-review-yet-again-pixar-achieve-something-close-to-perfection-a4170111.html)

## The Telegraph

Rating 5/5. 23 June 2019. 

This outstanding instalment uses the passage of time for a humane exploration of mortality while delivering delightful character animation and frequent laughter. It is a Toy Story film through and through.

[Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/toy-story-4-review-pixar-plays-emotions-one-delightful-blockbusters/)

## The Times — Tom Shone

Rating ★★★★★. 23 June 2019. 

Toy Story 4 is the series' rangiest adventure yet, perhaps its funniest, warmed by old movie memories and exploring the pathos of toys keeping their aliveness secret. It remains pretty cool after the emotional wallop of the third film.

[Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/film-review-toy-story-4-the-captor-v32bn2b8d)

## The Guardian

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 June 2019. 

The film starts hesitantly but finds its spark on a road trip, showcasing Pixar's visual wizardry and exploring what it means for toys to be alive and take control of their destiny. It delivers laughs, tears, and a sense that a treasured memory has been preserved.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jun/23/toy-story-4-review-franchise-still-very-much-alive)

## Variety — Peter Debruge

Rating Critic's Pick. 13 June 2019. 

The review calls it the most cinematic installment yet, offering satisfying emotional closure to the franchise through Buzz and Woody's adjustments after Andy. It singles out the widescreen visuals, lighting and organic storytelling for enriching the characters without feeling like a cash grab.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/toy-story-4-review-1203241658/)

## Los Angeles Times

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2019. 

The critic praises the film for blowing viewers away with new characters and genuine emotion around themes of love and loyalty. It singles out the inventive additions like Giggle McDimples, Ducky and Bunny, and Duke Caboom for keeping the joy of toys alive while growing up the story.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-toy-story-4-pixar-review-20190610-story.html)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2019. 

The critic calls it an entirely wonderful continuation of the series with wit, imagination, and magic, a fresh yet consistent tale of second chances that remains rambunctious, genial, and old-fashioned in the best way.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/toy-story-4-review-1217034/)

## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong

Rating 3/4/3. 19 June 2019. 

The review calls the film a largely enjoyable but unnecessary sequel that retreads old ground while offering charm through new elements like Forky. It singles out the film's weirdness and visual beauty as highlights amid concerns about franchise extension.

[Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/toy-story-4)

## Radio Times — Trevor Johnston

Rating 4/5. 

The review describes it as a brilliantly pacey and visually spectacular entry that adds nuance to the toys' sense of purpose. It singles out the unexpected emotional depth around love and loss as a strength.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0amhxs/toy-story-4/)

## Sight and Sound — Pamela Hutchinson

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2019. 

The critic finds this a satisfying and progressive entry that explores themes of independence and life beyond ownership. They single out the detailed animation textures and the new character Gabby Gabby for particular engagement.

[Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/toy-story-4-review-examining-life-outside-toy-box)

## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 June 2019. 

The review notes that while not the freshest in the series, the film still puts many grown-up Hollywood movies to shame with its consoling story and strong voice work. It singles out Bo Peep's return as a rogue, independent toy for bringing freshness and action to the tale.

[Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/01/toy-story-4-plays-it-again)

## Time Out — Tomris Laffly

Rating 4/5. 13 June 2019. 

The critic praises the film as a witty and emotional continuation that extends the series' themes of purpose and self-worth with humour and warmth. They single out the kinetic set pieces and production design for standing out.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/toy-story-4)

## Total Film

Rating 4/5. 13 June 2019. 

The review calls the film funny, tender and grown-up in true Toy Story style, centering on the love story between Woody and Bo Peep while noting some elements like Buzz's sidelining do not fully land. It highlights the immaculate animation, resonant themes, and emotional ending.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/toy-story-4-review/)

## Screen Daily

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2019. 

The critic views it as reaffirming the franchise's emotional resonance and wit, though slightly less buoyant than before. They single out the commitment to the characters' universal quest for love and belonging as worth treasuring.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/toy-story-4-review/5140256.article)

## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 21 June 2019. 

The critic highlights how the film feels different and unsettling yet delightful, with an unnerving quality that breaks from the usual Pixar mold while still delivering layered emotional payoffs in a messy but generous way.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/toy-story-4-review.html)

## Empire — Dan Jolin

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2019. 

Toy Story 4 is seen as a strong but not essential epilogue that feels distinct from the tighter previous entries, with praise for the new characters like Forky and Duke Caboom, the grown-up love story between Woody and Bo Peep, and the laughs and action sequences. It notes Buzz's reduced role and less emotional coherence overall.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/toy-story-4-review/)

## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2019. 

The critic finds much of the film great-ish, with striking animation, amusing jokes and a sweet yet melancholic story that feels deeper than it is. She singles out the new doll Gabby Gabby as a scary, volatile standout who brings tension and honesty to the narrative.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/movies/toy-story-4-review.html)

## NME — Nick Reilly

Rating 5/5. 19 June 2019. 

Despite no real reason for the film to exist after the perfect ending of Toy Story 3, it is another Pixar masterpiece. The winning combination of humour and heart makes it the most satisfying ending to the greatest franchise of all time.

[Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/toy-story-4-review-a-perfect-ending-to-a-perfect-franchise-2511258)

## Collider — Matt Goldberg

Rating A-. 13 June 2019. 

The critic calls it an unexpected delight and the best Pixar sequel since Toy Story 2, highlighting its potent themes of finding purpose in a new phase of life and its balance of humor and emotion.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/toy-story-4-review/)

## Deadline — Pete Hammond

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 June 2019. 

The critic calls it the best one yet and the most romantic movie of 2019. New additions to the cast enhance the old favorites, with a script that is a hoot and also poignant and human.

[Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/toy-story-4-review-tom-hanks-tim-allen-annie-potts-keanu-reeves-christina-hendricks/)

## Den of Geek — Rosie Fletcher

Rating 4 out of 5. 21 June 2019. 

The film lives up to the franchise's high standards with inventive, surprising, hilarious, warm-hearted and extremely emotional storytelling. It excels as a character piece about love, sacrifice, change and the meaning of life, with Forky singled out as a brilliant scene-stealer.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/toy-story-4-review-a-near-perfect-play-date/)

## Consequence

Rating B+. 17 June 2019. 

The review praises the film's new ideas, humor, and themes around parenting and obsolescence while noting it leaves the viewer smiling and feels like a warm, welcome family film.

[Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/06/film-review-toy-story-4/)

## /Film — Josh Spiegel

Rating 8/10. 13 June 2019. 

The critic calls it an exceptional capper on a near-perfect series, praising the focus on Woody's journey of self-actualization and acceptance after the events of Toy Story 3. They single out the film's exploration of a toy's purpose and the revitalized Bo Peep as highlights.

[Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/567049/toy-story-4-review/)

## The Ringer — Rob Harvilla

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 June 2019. 

The critic notes that kids laughed harder than at other recent films while parents faced less intense emotional devastation than typical Pixar fare, appreciating the lighter pathos balanced with fun new characters like Forky.

[Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/06/21/movies/toy-story-4-pixar-parents-review-forky-existential-crisis)

## The Wrap

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2019. 

It may not reach the emotional heights of the third film, but the franchise remains the gold standard in contemporary American animation. The critic praises the adventure, growth, and subtle messaging that disrupts the status quo without returning characters to square one.

[Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/toy-story-4-film-review-2019-pixar-keanu-reeves/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md