Toy Story 5 First Reactions Are In

The first reactions to Toy Story 5 have arrived.

The Pixar sequel features Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack reprising their respective roles of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie. They and their fellow toys now face a new challenge, which is a tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) and the increasing hold that technology has over Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) and other children. This is the animated franchise’s first installment to be rated PG, and it was directed and written by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris.

Now, following the Toy Story 5 premiere in Los Angeles, the first reactions are out. Gizmodo‘s Germain Lussier shared that “Toy Story 5 is a tiny bit disjointed at the start as it builds multiple different story lines, but they end up paying off with a phenomenal third act filled with all the heart and humor you expect from Pixar. Top tier stuff. I laughed, I cried, I loved it.”

Collider‘s Meredith Loftus celebrated how “Toy Story 5 hit me in places I was unprepared for! Exploring the divide between technology and toys through Jessie results in a deeply profound, moving story that had me in a puddle of tears. I put it up there with Toy Story 2 & 3. It’s *that* excellent!”

Daniel Baptista of The Movie Podcast emphasized that “Pixar’s #ToyStory5 is a GENERATION-DEFINING experience and exactly the story we need right now. Pixar once again delivers a meaningful, moving, and masterful must-see movie. Conan as Smarty Pants is an all-time great TS character. This is Jessie’s story, and our sheriff shines.”

LaughingPlace.com highlights that it’s not Woody or Buzz who is at the center of the movie and that this is a positive adjustment for the franchise: “Toy Story 5 is Jessie’s movie, and it’s exactly what the franchise needed. Joan Cusack breaks your heart wide open as the yodeling cowgirl rediscovering her purpose. It’s full of laughs and delivers some emotional, happy tears.”

The Pixar Post Podcast has yet another positive first reaction, taking note of the movie’s substantive themes and the laugh-out-loud humor that comes from a new and established character: “Toy Story 5 is centered around friendship, loyalty, and the feeling of having someone in your corner when the world changes around you. The emotions run deep, but the humor is loud as Smarty Pants and Forky bring some of the film’s biggest laughs. We cannot wait to see it again!”

Film and TV journalist Scott Menzel argues that Toy Story 5 is on par with the first three movies, believes that it will end up being one of 2026’s best movies, and that Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” is worthy of an Academy Award nomination:

Toy Story 5 is a wonderfully heartfelt return to form for Pixar Animation Studios and a reminder of why the Toy Story franchise remains one of the greatest film series ever made.

Toy Story 5 ranks right alongside the first three films, delivering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and that signature Pixar magic.

While the story explores the battle between toys and technology, it never loses sight of what makes these characters so special.

Emotional, hilarious, and genuinely moving, Toy Story 5 may very well end up being one of the best films of 2026.

Also, Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” has to be up for Best Original Song this awards season! Toy Story 5 just like part one, two and three is an animated masterpiece.

Swift not only attended the premiere but performed the song live there alongside Randy Newman. Her involvement in the movie was only officially revealed on June 1, and even the movie’s stars were not aware until recently.

The overwhelmingly positive first reactions bode well for the movie’s critical and commercial performance, especially after fans’ skepticism about extending the franchise further. A recurring note in the reactions is Toy Story 5‘s plot being compelling and having the heart, humor, and timeless lessons of its predecessors. There are also multiple favorable comparisons to the first three movies, which are widely considered to be among the best, although Toy Story 4 still has a near-perfect 97% critics’ score and 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Both Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

Confirmation of Jessie being the movie’s true star aligns with what the movie’s creative team have previously said, along with what has been teased in the marketing. With so many longtime characters in the sequel, it would be easy for newcomers to be overlooked, but Conan O’Brien’s Smarty Pants still manages to be a highlight mentioned in numerous reactions.

Along with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Lilypad, Smarty Pants, and Forky (Tony Hale), the cast of characters includes Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), Bo Peep (Annie Potts), Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), Dolly (Bonnie Hunt), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), Atlas (Craig Robinson), Snappy (Shelby Rabara), Dr. Nutcase (Matty Matheson), Karen Beverly (Melissa Villaseñor), Alan Cumming as an evil version of Bullseye, and Mykal-Michelle Harris as an eight-year-old girl named Blaze.

Toy Story 5 recast Mr. Potato Head with Jeff Bergman, Mrs. Potato Head with Anna Vocino, and Combat Carl with Ernie Hudson due to Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, and Carl Weathers passing away. Bonnie is now voiced by Scarlett Spears due to the amount of time that has passed since the previous movie and John Hopkins now voices Mr. Pricklepants instead of Timothy Dalton.

Toy Story 5 releases in theaters on June 19.