Toy Story 5 has finally been released to the movie press, and it looks like Pixar’s long-running animated series is still in great shape 30 years later. Initial reactions to the latest sequel are calling it “emotional, funny, genuinely warm, and perfect in every way.”
Film critic Scott Menzel gave a glowing review of X, writing that the fifth Toy Story movie “stands on par with the first three, a perfect blend of humor, heart and Pixar’s signature magic.”
“Toy Story 5 is a wonderfully heartfelt return to form for Pixar Animation Studios, and a reminder of why the Toy Story series remains one of the greatest film franchises of all time,” Menzel’s review reads. “Emotional, hilarious and genuinely moving, Toy Story 5 has a very good chance of being one of the best movies of 2026.”
Daniel Baptista, host of The Movie Podcast, also loved the movie. He wrote in X that watching Toy Story 5 was a “generation-defining experience,” adding that the film delivered “exactly the story we need right now.”
“Pixar once again delivers a must-see masterpiece that is meaningful and moving,” he continued. “Conan as Smarty Pants is the best ‘TS’ character of all time. This is Jesse’s story, and our sheriff shines.”
Variety Senior Artisan Editor Jazz Tankay wrote in his X review, “Toy Story 5 is magical and pure perfection. A great entry into the series. Jesse finally gets the story he deserves! Emotional, funny, heartwarming, and perfect in every way. I loved the new character additions. I laughed and cried at how great Toy Story 5 was.”
Collider editor Meredith Loftus offered similar praise. She wrote to X, “Toy Story 5 hit me in ways I wasn’t prepared for! Exploring the gulf between technology and toys through Jesse creates a deep and moving story that brought me to tears. I put it alongside Toy Story 2 and 3. It’s so great!”
Toy Story 5 sees Woody reunite with Buzz Lightyear and the gang after the events of Toy Story 4, when Woody leaves the group and teams up with Bo Peep to help abandoned toys find new homes. In Woody’s absence, Buzz and Jesse become the new leaders of Bonnie’s playroom, but the arrival of an iPad-like tablet named Lilypad forces the gang to reunite for a new adventure. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack return to their beloved roles opposite newcomers like Greta Lee and Conan O’Brien.
Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton spoke to Variety about bringing Apple-inspired technology to the series.
“It’s natural for the toys to be scared of (the bad guy), but it’s just the next phase of Bonnie’s life,” Stanton said. “Lilypad is made like a toy in the sense that she wants to help the child move forward, but she has completely different skills and zero experience, whereas Jesse has only experience and is probably unprepared for what to do.”
Stanton, a Pixar legend and Oscar-winning director of Wall-E and Finding Nemo, steps behind the camera for the first time in this fifth Toy Story movie. Stanton previously wrote the story and screenplay for all four Toy Story movies.
Disney’s “Toy Story 5” will be released in theaters on June 19th. Check out more first reactions below.
