Toy Story 5: Jessie leads the toys’ fight against tablet addiction in Pixar’s timely sequel

A new challenge for old toys

Bonnie, now 8 years old, receives a tablet called Lilypad that becomes her constant companion, isolating her from her traditional toys and real-life friendships. Jessie, now the sheriff and leader of the toy group, spearheads a plan to regain Bonnie’s attention and find her a human friend. Woody, retired and aging, returns briefly to help, while Buzz Lightyear serves as second-in-command.

Technology’s shadow over childhood

The film depicts how screens can foster social anxiety, cyberbullying, and addiction. One poignant scene shows the toys watching from a rooftop as children in neighboring houses sit alone, bathed in the blue light of their devices. Pixar’s script critiques Silicon Valley’s design of addictive platforms aimed at children, echoing real-world legal battles against Meta and YouTube.

“Toy Story is like the diamond of Pixar. That's why we felt so much pressure making this new sequel, because we couldn't make a film that wasn't wonderful.”

Voices old and new

Joan Cusack returns to voice Jessie after more than a decade away from Hollywood. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprise Woody and Buzz, though their roles are smaller. New voices include Greta Lee as LilyPad, Bad Bunny as Pizza with Sunglasses, Bizarrap as Garden Santa, and Penélope Cruz with a cameo as Flamenco.

Critical and cultural impact

Spanish reviews released on 16 June praise the film's intelligence and emotional punch, though La Razón gives 3 out of 5 stars, noting no truly memorable sequences. Others, like ABC, award 4 stars, calling it a clarivident critique of digital dependency. The film runs 102 minutes.

Franchise milestones

The Toy Story saga has evolved dramatically since 1995, with this fifth entry reflecting a shift in how children play. The timeline below marks key release dates mentioned in reviews.