Toy Story 5

Currently only in theaters

Runtime: 1 Hour and 42 Minutes

Rated PG

“Hi there! I'm Lily Pad. Let's play.”

Early in the film, Woody tells Jessie, “Toys are for play, but tech is for everything,” a line that perfectly captures the central conflict of the latest chapter in the Toy Story franchise.

When Bonnie struggles to make friends, her parents buy her the newest must-have smart toy, the Lily Pad. Before long, Jessie, Buzz, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, and the rest of Bonnie’s beloved toys find themselves boxed up and forgotten in the garage as Bonnie's attention shifts to her new companion and the chat feature that seems to be helping her make friends.

Desperate to help, the gang sends out a distress call to Woody. But when Jessie suddenly goes missing and turns up in a place that is both unexpected and strangely familiar, the mission changes. What begins as an effort to help Bonnie reconnect with her toys becomes a race against time as Woody and the others embark on a daring search-and-rescue adventure.

Themes:‍ ‍

Toys, stories, imagination, make-believe, growing up, friendship, technology, smart devices, connection, family, being replaced, Star Command, search and rescue, batteries, memories, play, helping, usefulness, the web, lost/found, group chats, texting, bullying, children talking to parents about problems, eight-year-olds, digital content, video games, screen time, children, change, and deputies.

Language:

There is no cursing, but characters do say, “what the…” and trail off. One character says, “Well, flush me,” and another one says, “he’ll whip your…” and gets cut off before he can finish.

Stuff to be aware of:

‍ ‍Gross - There is a potty training smart toy that makes a bunch of “potty” jokes throughout the movie. He uses the words “number one” and “number two” and other euphemisms. Ultimately, most of them are actually pretty witty in a dad joke kind of way.

‍ ‍Scary - There is a scene in which Jessie and Bullseye end up in a yard with abandoned toys. It is designed to feel a little freaky, but nowhere near the nightmare fuel that were the toys in Sid’s room.

‍ ‍Sexual - There is a marriage between a fork dressed as a man and a knife dressed as a woman. A woman oversees the ceremony and says, “I now pronounce you husband and knife.”

Buzz gives Rex mouth-to-mouth, and it’s referred to as the “kiss of life.” There is obvious romance between a male and female character who get engaged and share an on-screen kiss.”

During a play wedding, a male and female character are getting married, until another female character shows up and declares the groom is actually married to her! GASP! The male character is walked down the aisle by his father while the girl character stands near the priest doing the ceremony.

A smart tablet wants to meet a Roomba vacuum and says, “Awooga!”

‍ ‍Violence/Gore - Jessie tells a character she is going to “wrestle” her and Jessie gets in a few punches on the character.

Overall:‍ ‍

Seeing It With Your Family

If you're considering taking your family to see Toy Story 5, chances are you've already seen the previous four films, but I've been wrong before. Whether you're a longtime fan or somehow jumping into the series at installment number five, you'll be happy to know that this latest adventure is every bit as family-friendly as its predecessors. In fact, this may be one of the least intense entries in the franchise. There are no creepy toy creations lurking in Sid’s room, no security-camera monkeys with bulging eyes, no unsettling ventriloquist dummies chasing our heroes through the shadows, and no Wayne Knight running around in a chicken costume (CLUCK!). The film certainly has moments of tension and adventure, but they are presented in a way that should be manageable for most children.

As with the rest of the series, the focus remains on heartfelt storytelling, humor, friendship, and growing up rather than frightening imagery. Parents looking for a safe, enjoyable family movie night can feel confident adding Toy Story 5 to the list.

It’s certified “family friendly.”

What I Thought

I felt Toy Story 4 wrapped up the franchise beautifully, giving Woody and Bo Peep a heartfelt and satisfying farewell. We certainly didn’t need a fifth installment, but Disney decided to open the toy box one more time. The real question is: is it worth seeing in theaters? Absolutely.

One of the smartest choices this film makes is shifting the spotlight to Jessie. For the first time in the series, she feels like the true central character, and there isn’t a traditional villain driving the conflict. Those decisions allow the filmmakers to take characters we’ve known and loved for nearly thirty years (which is a little hard to believe) and tell a story that feels both familiar and fresh. As expected, themes like loss, change, growing up, and sacrifice remain at the heart of the movie. However, exploring those ideas through Jessie’s past, the dangers of online friendships, and the challenge of putting down our screens gives this installment its own identity. Jessie, Bonnie, and Buzz carry the emotional weight of the story, and while some of the supporting toys receive less attention than usual, that focus allows these three characters to truly shine.

My only real criticism involves Woody’s return. The jokes about him being an “old cowboy” are fun, and there is a genuine sense of nostalgia whenever he and Buzz fall back into their old rhythms. However, the story itself would have played out almost exactly the same if Woody had never appeared. His presence never hurts the film or distracts from it, but longtime Woody fans may be disappointed to see him playing more of a supporting role this time around.

The Toy Story franchise remains one of animation’s greatest achievements, and Toy Story 5 is a worthy addition to that legacy. Even if this chapter wasn’t necessary, I’m glad it exists. It delivers the heart, humor, and emotional storytelling that have defined the series for decades, while giving Jessie a chance to step into the spotlight and prove why she has always belonged there.