The first reactions to Toy Story 5 are here

The first reactions to toy story 5 They 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 called Lilypad (Greta Lee) and the increasing stranglehold that technology has on Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) and other children. This is the first PG-rated installment in the animated franchise and was directed and written by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris.

Now, following the toy story 5 Premiere in Los Angeles, the first reactions are already known. Gizmodo‘s Germain Lussier shared that “Toy Story 5 is a little disjointed at first, as it builds multiple different stories, but they end up paying off with a phenomenal third act filled with all the heart and humor you expect from Pixar. Top-notch stuff. I laughed, I cried, I loved it.”

Collider‘s Meredith Loftus celebrated how “Toy Story 5 hit me in places I wasn’t prepared for! Exploring the divide between technology and toys through Jessie results in a deeply profound and moving story that made me cry. I put it up there with Toy Story 2 and 3. It’s *that* great!”

Daniel Bautista from the movie podcast emphasized that “Pixar’s #ToyStory5 is a GENERATION-DEFINING experience and is exactly the story we need right now. Pixar once again delivers a meaningful, moving, and masterful must-see film. 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 is not Woody or Buzz who are at the center of the film 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 as the yodeling cowgirl rediscovering her purpose. It’s full of laughs and produces some emotional, happy tears.”

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

Film and television journalist. Scott Menzel maintains that toy story 5 is on par with the first three films, he believes it may end up being one of the best films of 2026 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 for Pixar Animation Studios and a reminder of why the Toy Story franchise remains one of the best film series ever made.

Toy Story 5 sits alongside the first three films and offers 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 could very well end up being one of the best movies of 2026.

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

Swift not only attended the premiere but performed “I Knew It, I Knew You” live, as well as “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” alongside Randy Newman. His involvement in the film wasn’t officially revealed until June 1, and even the film’s stars didn’t know about it until recently.

The overwhelmingly positive early reactions bode well for the film’s critical and commercial performance, especially after fan skepticism about extending the franchise further. A recurring note in the reactions is toy story 5the plot be compelling and have the heart, humor and timeless lessons of its predecessors. There are also multiple favorable comparisons to the first three films, which are widely considered among the best, although toy story 4 It still has a near-perfect 97% critic score and 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Both toy story 3 and toy story 4 It grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

The confirmation that Jessie is the true star of the film aligns with what the film’s creative team has previously said, along with what has been hinted at in the marketing. With so many old characters in the sequel, it would be easy to overlook the newcomers, 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 the passing of Don Rickles, Estelle Harris and Carl Weathers. Bonnie is now voiced by Scarlett Spears due to the amount of time that has passed since the previous film and Mr. Pricklepants is now voiced by John Hopkins instead of Timothy Dalton.

toy story 5 opens in theaters on June 19.