Toy Story 5 has a lot going on. Woody is away from home helping discarded toys. Jessie is in charge. Buzz is in love. Buzz is multiplying. There are so many Buzzes! And there are many new characters to meet, each with their own backstories. As I said, there’s a lot going on and a lot of stories to follow.
The big idea that’s driven Toy Story over the years is: You’ve got a friend in me. Your toys are there for you, even after you forget them. But things are changing as technology evolves. Screens have invaded playtime. The toys are freaking out. And the writers are taking aim at us. Yes, us, the parents who let screentime dominate our family’s lives.
The child in this film, Bonnie, plays with passion and creativity. But she struggles making friends because she doesn’t have a screen. When her parents get her one, her sense of self starts to fall apart. She’s at risk of growing up too fast. Jessie, afraid of losing another kid, sets out on a journey to save her. It’s a familiar, but cozy adventure. Fits like an old sweatshirt.
Parents, you’re going to love this movie because it shows our kids what happens when they get too much screen time. It’s hard for kids to understand that creative play is important for development. It’s even harder to make them understand that when they think back to their childhood, they won’t have the same kind of nostalgic wonder if they’re jamming away in devices instead of battling boredom with creativity.
Don’t worry. The story isn’t just “Devices are bad” and “Die devices die.” We meet devices along the way who want what Jessie wants, which is for her child to be happy. We see how these characters we’ve come to love over the years are growing old like the children they care for. They’re changing. They’re learning to adapt. Toy Story 5 is probably the fifth best Toy Story film. But that’s still worthy of your family film night.
Where to watch
Rating: PG (Me: 5+)
Director: Andrew Stanton & McKenna Harris
Starring: Joan Cusack, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Anna Faris
Run time: 1h 43m
Post-credits scenes: Yes (mid-credits and post-credits)
Sequel? Do you have any idea how much money this made? I’d be shocked if there isn’t a sequel.
If you liked Toy Story 5, check out these films:
- Toy Story (1995) (5+)
- The Imaginary (2024) (5+)
- The Brave Little Toaster (1987) (5+)
- The Velveteen Rabbit (2023) (5+)
- Ron’s Gone Wrong (2021) (6+)
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Find this title on the Family Film Recommendations list
