Toy Story 5 first reactions have arrived

The first reactions to Toy Story 5 has arrived.

The Pixar sequel features Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack reprising their respective roles as Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie. They and their other toys now face a new challenge, which is a tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) and the growing 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, after Toy Story 5 premiere in Los Angeles, the first reactions are out. Gizmodo‘s Germain Lussier shared it “Toy Story 5 is a little disjointed at first as it builds several different storylines, 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 *so* excellent!”

Daniel Baptista by The Movie Podcast emphasized it “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 film. Conan as Smarty Pants is an absolutely fantastic 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 wide open as the yodeling cowgirl rediscovers her purpose. It’s full of laughs and brings some emotional, happy tears.”

The Pixar Post Podcast has another positive initial reaction, noting the film’s substantive themes and the ridiculous humor coming from a new and established character: “Toy Story 5 is centered around friendship, loyalty and the feeling of having someone in your corner as the world changes around you. Emotions run deep, but humor is high as Smarty Pants and Forky bring some of the biggest laughs of the film. We can’t wait to see it again!”

Film and TV journalist Scott Menzel claims it Toy Story 5 is on par with the first three movies, thinks 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 Oscar nomination:

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

Toy Story 5 stands right next to the first three films and delivers a perfect blend of humor, heart and the 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, funny and truly moving, Toy Story 5 could very well end up being one of the best movies of 2026.

Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” is also up for Best Original Song this awards season! Like parts one, two and three, Toy Story 5 is an animated masterpiece.

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

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

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

The confirmation that Jessie is the film’s true star is consistent with what the film’s creative team has said in the past, along with what has been teased in marketing. With so many long-standing 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 includes Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), Bo Peep (Annie Potts), Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), Dolly (Schaxial (Bonnie) C. 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 deaths of Don Rickles, Estelle Harris and Carl Weathers. Bonnie is now voiced by Scarlett Spears due to the time that has passed since the previous film, and John Hopkins now voices Mr. Pricklepants instead of Timothy Dalton.

Toy Story 5 premieres in cinemas on 19 June.