--- title: "Toy Story 5: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/toy-story-5/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/toy-story-5" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 12 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 5 (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 12 reviews: 8 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics come away warm, and the praise clusters in the same two places: Jessie moving into the lead, which several reviews find gives the film more emotional weight than the fourth, and a screen-time theme handled in the traditional Pixar manner, with the new Buzz Lightyear toys supplying much of the humour. The reservations are consistent too. The plot is called overbusy or overstuffed by admirers and doubters alike, and a run of reviews think the critique of tech loses its nerve before the end. The spread is wide. At one end the film is read as a possible summing up of the whole series; at the other The Guardian finds it slick but short on heart and jeopardy, The Ringer calls the Big Tech critique half-hearted, and both The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times suggest it is time to let these toys go. Almost nobody faults the animation. ## The AV Club — Jesse Hassenger Rating B+. 16 June 2026. The review finds the emotional core and big laughs remain even if the plotting gets overbusy, with the continuation of Jessie’s story giving the film more emotional immediacy than its predecessor. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/toy-story-5-review) ## Empire — Helen O’Hara Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2026. The critic praises the film as a welcome return to the series' philosophical roots, dealing with existential themes around technology and play. They single out the humor from the new Buzz Lightyear toys subplot and Jessie's emotional arc for praise, while noting a somewhat mild conclusion on screen time. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/toy-story-5/) ## The Telegraph Rating 4/5. 16 June 2026. A warm and wry update that tackles toys versus screens in a traditional Pixar manner, with sharp observations on screen-obsessed childhoods. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/06/16/toy-story-5-review/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 16 June 2026. The film leans into the franchise's core tensions around being outgrown while adding timely commentary on technology, leaving the critic feeling giddy with original-trilogy wonder and joy at returning to this world. Jessie takes the lead in a vibrant installment full of big emotions and fresh bonds. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/toy-story-5-review-2026) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2026. Pixar’s flagship franchise enters the toxic tech debate in an audacious take on smartphone-free childhood. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/toy-story-5-review-k6qt33hkc) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 June 2026. The critic calls it the best thing Pixar has done since Turning Red but disappointing overall, as it chickens out on its tech critique and runs through familiar beats despite a terrific tear-jerking sequence. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-toy-story-5-chickens-out-on-its-tech-critique.html) ## The Observer — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2026. Excessive screen time creates an existential crisis for the toys and childhood itself in this polished but mid-tier entry that asks pertinent questions about technology. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/toy-story-5-the-kids-are-not-all-right) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating 3/5. 16 June 2026. The film is still beautifully animated and well-executed with a pertinent theme about devices and imagination, but it feels like the well is running dry with an overstuffed cast and overfamiliar emotional journey for Jessie. It remains a cut above most animated fare thanks to the love and detail poured into it. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/toy-story-5-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2026. The film is slick but lacks heart, jeopardy and passion, with its take on addictive tech feeling compromised and underpowered. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/16/toy-story-5-review-pixar-franchise-needs-new-batteries) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson 18 June 2026. The critic sees the fifth entry as pulling the same old heartstrings, with the toys and franchise feeling obsolete amid AI and tech threats to play; Jessie and the gang confront irrelevance while the plot feels repetitive and dull despite some inspired gags. It ends by suggesting it is time to let go of these weary toys. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-06-18/toy-story-5-review-tom-hanks-tim-allen-joan-cusack-greta-lee-andrew-stanton) ## Screen Daily 16 June 2026. Pixar reaffirms what makes the franchise beloved with inventive storytelling and fresh emotional terrain, as Jessie takes center stage confronting the influence of a smart tablet on young Bonnie while producing hearty laughs. Stanton crafts a vital sequel that mines new ground without simply repeating prior beats. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/toy-story-5-review-pixar-successfully-updates-its-hit-animated-franchise-for-a-new-digital-age/5217666.article) ## Sight and Sound 18 June 2026. Despite an overstuffed plot, the film maintains the franchise's high standards while updating its themes of obsolescence to address screen time overtaking creative play. It centers Jessie poignantly and delivers emotional resonance that is hard to resist. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/toy-story-5-screen-time-overtakes-creative-play-pixars-imaginative-tear-jerker) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney 16 June 2026. The critic notes that the film gives Jessie the lead role and imparts a sweet lesson about the rewards of physical play over screen time. It does the enduring franchise proud despite coming 31 years after the original. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/toy-story-5-review-joan-cusack-tom-hanks-tim-allen-pixar-1236618848/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 18 June 2026. The critic views it as Pixar’s latest but far from greatest adventure about toys, revisiting themes of play, obsolescence and technocapitalism in a story focused on Bonnie and her playthings facing a new tablet toy. It is fine, pretty and amusing, but lacks heart and suggests it may be time to make way for other toys. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/movies/toy-story-5-review-the-machines-have-come-for-the-children.html) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Rating Critic's Pick. 16 June 2026. The critic praises it as a nimble, moving and irresistible sequel that takes on the threat of tech toys with ambitious density, centering Jessie’s story and the disappearance of imaginative play while delivering delight, gut punches and a profound message to slow down and play. It feels like a sublime summing up of the series, possibly a perfect ending. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/toy-story-5-review-tom-hanks-joan-cusack-tim-allen-1236779443/) ## Collider — Taylor Gates Rating 8/10. 16 June 2026. The critic finds Toy Story 5 exceptional for blending nostalgia with timely themes like technology, social anxiety, and PTSD, calling it one of the best films of the year. New characters and nuanced exploration of modern issues stand out for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/toy-story-5-review/) ## Polygon — Brian VanHooker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 June 2026. The critic is relieved and enthusiastic, calling it a thoughtful, funny, and emotional improvement over Toy Story 4 that restores faith in the franchise. The shift to Jessie as lead and deeper emotional arcs are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/toy-story-5-review/) ## The Ringer — Adam Nayman Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2026. The critic sees the film as technically strong with great visuals and performances but ultimately half-hearted and unconvincing in its Big Tech critique, feeling like franchise fatigue despite quality control. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/19/movies/toy-story-5-review-pixar) ## Deadline — Damon Wise 16 June 2026. The critic calls it a tech-savvy return to form and the biggest family movie of the year, praising its modern comedy and deep melancholy. Stanton is credited with balancing appeal to younger audiences with adult themes around AI and obsolescence, centering Jessie in a fresh take on the franchise's metaphysical questions. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2026/06/toy-story-5-review-pixar-andrew-stanton-joan-cusack-tom-hanks-time-allen-1236956965/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4 out of 5. 16 June 2026. The critic finds Toy Story 5 delightful and a winning addition to the franchise, praising its thoughtful expansion on modern parenting challenges with technology through Jessie's story. They single out the emotional depth tied to Jessie's past and the balance of humor and heart. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/toy-story-5-review-jessie-classic-pixar/) --- © 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-5.md