Critics Love Toy Story 5, but It Just Broke an Unfortunate Pixar Streak

Toy Story 5 just did something no other film in the franchise has ever done, and fans might not love it. The latest Pixar sequel earned strong reviews but still managed to break a long-standing series record.

What critics are saying about Toy Story 5 in reviews

Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, with early reviews now arriving from critics worldwide. The film follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie as they face off against Lilypad, a tablet device. Andrew Stanton directs the sequel, which shifts focus to Jessie as the central character for the first time.

ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim gave the film a 5/10, calling it “a sequel that doesn’t need to exist.” He acknowledged the film offers “some laughs, some emotional moments, and excellent animation.” However, Sim argued the franchise “clearly has no more stories to tell” after previous films provided emotional conclusions.

He praised Joan Cusack’s Jessie, noting the movie “reminds us why she’s one of the most interesting characters in the series.” Sim also highlighted Conan O’Brien’s voice performance as Smarty Pants, calling him “a shining addition.”

Meanwhile, other critics offered more favorable takes on the fifth installment. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman described the film as “a sublime summing up” that reflects the whole series. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney wrote that the movie “does the enduring franchise proud” after 31 years. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich gave the film a B+ grade for its emotional wisdom about childhood.

Despite strong reviews overall, some critics pushed back against the sequel. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave it 2 out of 5 stars, stating that “IP exhaustion has set in.” Rolling Stone’s David Fear questioned the film’s reason for existing beyond keeping stockholders happy.

Slant Magazine’s Jake Cole awarded 2 out of 4 stars, comparing the movie’s tone to “a PSA aimed at convincing parents to monitor their kids’ screen time.

Toy Story 5’s Rotten Tomatoes score is great still the lowest in franchise

Toy Story 5 currently holds a 93% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes from 112 reviews. The original Toy Story and Toy Story 2 both maintain perfect 100% scores on the platform. Toy Story 3 sits at 98%, while Toy Story 4 holds a strong 97% rating.

Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, and newcomers Greta Lee and Conan O’Brien.

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