Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 13, 2025 · Entertainment

Toy Story 5: Fans Divided Over Toys vs. Tech Plot!

Major new details have been released for Pixar's Toy Story 5, but longtime fans of the franchise are fiercely divided over the plot of the upcoming movie

TOY STORY 5 EXPOSED: Pixar's Long-Awaited Sequel Stirs Controversy Among Franchise Fans

The wait is finally over for Toy Story enthusiasts, as Pixar has unveiled a sneak peek of their highly anticipated fifth installment at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. However, fans are divided on the plot, with some hailing it as "genius" and others branding it as "too modern" and "generic."

According to Pete Docter, Pixar's chief creative officer, Toy Story 5 will follow the beloved toys as they face a new challenge in the form of an electronic tablet called Lillypad. The premise is simple: when eight-year-old Bonnie gets her hands on this cutting-edge gadget, her toys must adapt to a world where technology reigns supreme.

Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter unveiled a new look at the fifth instalment to the Toy Story series during a presentation on Friday at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival

But don't expect the usual gang to take on this new threat alone. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack will reprise their roles as Woody, Buzz, and Jessie respectively, with some interesting plot twists set to shake things up. In an interview with WIVB, Tim Allen hinted that Woody will reunite with his old friend Buzz, but this time around, the focus will shift to Jessie.

"I can tell you that it's a lot about Jessie," Allen revealed, adding that Woody and he would "realign" in the new film. "And there's an unbelievable opening scene with Buzz Lightyears. I can give you that, but I can't give you much more."

That opening scene was indeed showcased at the festival, with The Hollywood Reporter describing it as a dramatic moment where "a container full of Buzz Lightyears awaken on an isolated desert island and struggling to reconnect with 'star command.'"

He explained that it will follow your favorite group of toys facing a new challenge after their eight-year-old owner Bonnie gets an electronic tablet called Lillypad. A new concept art is seen

Director Andrew Stanton had previously teased that the toys' jobs would become exponentially harder in Toy Story 5, as they face off against the latest kid craze: electronics. And it seems like Pixar is taking this concept to heart, pitting our favorite toys against a villainous force that's more relatable than ever.

The reaction from fans has been mixed, with some praising the idea of "toys meet tech" as a fresh and exciting take on the franchise. Others, however, have expressed disappointment and even outrage at what they perceive as a departure from the classic Toy Story formula.

Some of the harsher comments include:

Pete also showed the opening scene of the film to the audience, and it saw 'a container full of Buzz Lightyears awakening on an isolated desert island.' A concept art is seen

  • "Too modern... I hate it. If computers in Toy Story could come alive we would have seen it already." (Source: @TheScholarlyNote)
  • "It's generic and expected. BUT if executed well, it could be a great message about the dangers of technology exposure for children in early stages of their life" (Source: @TheScholarlyNote)
  • "Thanks for ruining my favorite movie franchise, Disney!" (Source: @TheScholarlyNote)

On the other hand, some fans have shown enthusiasm and support for the new direction:

  • "Lmao, a tablet villain? Toy Story's getting wild, huh." (Source: @TheScholarlyNote)
  • "Cute pun. Really intrigued to see how Pixar handles the topic of modern technology and this character in the film" (Source: @TheScholarlyNote)
  • "This has the potential to be amazing if done correctly" (Source: @TheScholarlyNote)

As for Woody's storyline, fans can rest assured that he will indeed reunite with Buzz. But what about Jessie? With her new focus in Toy Story 5, it's clear that Pixar is trying something different – and daring.

Will this bold move pay off, or will the franchise suffer from its attempt to adapt to modern times? Only time (and the film itself) will tell.

Toy Story 5 is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026. Mark your calendars, folks!

But when Pete's revelations were shared on X, formerly Twitter, many people fiercely slammed the plot, branding it as 'too modern,' 'generic and expected'

Others praised it, calling it a 'genius idea' and 'kind of brilliant,' while pointing out that it adds a 'fresh layer' to the series

Pete also confirmed that beloved Toy Story veterans Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cussack - who played Woody, Buzz, and Jessie respectively in the first four flicks - will all return

Tim previously told WIVB that Woody will reunite with his character, Buzz, in the new film