Toy Story 5

3D Movie Review

Written By: Jacob Scarberry

3D

Ladies and gentlemen, Toy Story 5 is another Pixar 3D presentation, so it’s typically nothing special—pretty good, but not great. Depth is the real star here, as it usually is with Pixar films, with beautifully rendered shots of forests, endless fields, tunnels, streets, and the occasional water scene. It’s all stunning, clean, and impressively photorealistic.

Pop-outs are rare, but given the nature of the plot, they aren’t really missed. The standout moment is a POV shot involving Buzz Lightyear and a deer, with its head and antlers reaching toward the viewer. Another notable sequence takes place on a foggy dock, where the 3D creates a genuinely enveloping atmosphere. I do wish there had been more pop-out moments—especially during the climax—but overall I was pleased with the presentation, even if it’s not Pixar’s strongest 3D outing.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

Movie

”…a tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme: technology and antiques.” Toy Story is back, and this time it has its sights set on the digital age.

The age of the digital screen has been upon us for quite some time now, with today’s children increasingly enamored with tablets, phones, and smart devices rather than simple toys like dolls, teddy bears, or slinkies—many of which now sit untouched on store shelves. Even classic imaginative toys like LEGO have begun incorporating technology into their sets.

Don’t get me wrong—technology is, for the most part, fantastic. A smartphone puts the entire world at our fingertips. But is it doing more harm than good for the youngest generation? That question sits at the heart of Toy Story 5.

Jessie and the gang are living with Bonnie and are being lovingly played with, but Bonnie is struggling to make friends. Her parents notice her difficulties while the neighborhood kids are increasingly absorbed in their screens. Despite their hesitation, they buy Bonnie the hottest new “toy” on the market: the Lilypad (basically a kid’s iPad).

Almost immediately, the toys grow uneasy as the Lilypad helps Bonnie connect with kids from her dance class. They fear they’re being replaced—and potentially shelved for good. Jessie manages to contact Woody, and a miscommunication over the walkie-talkie leads Woody to return to Bonnie to help sort things out.

When Bonnie attends a sleepover, Jessie and the gang find themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure that challenges what it means to be a “toy” in the digital age.

I was honestly dreading this film. Toy Story 3 felt like such a perfect emotional conclusion back in 2010 for those of us who grew up with the original trilogy. We watched Andy grow from childhood into young adulthood, and it felt like closure. Then Toy Story 4 arrived—while still very good, it felt like a cash grab to extend a franchise that had already said its goodbye.

So, going into a fifth film in what is now a seven-feature franchise (yes—Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins counts in my eyes), I expected to dislike it, even with Andrew Stanton involved as writer/director.

I’m glad to say this is a return to form for the Toy Story series. The film is funny, emotional, and even managed to make me happy cry—not full tears streaming down my face, but enough to genuinely win me over. The voice acting is excellent, especially Joan Cusack as Jessie, alongside a strong mix of returning and new talent including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger, Conan O’Brien, and others.

The screenplay is strong, the direction from Andrew Stanton and co-director McKenna Harris is solid, and Pixar’s technical work is, as always, top-tier. This would almost be a perfect film, but a side plot involving a shipwrecked Buzz Lightyear “Star Command” storyline and a Taylor Swift song pulled me out slightly—though that part is subjective, and your mileage may vary.

Overall, Toy Story 5 is a winner. It’s easily the best film of Summer 2026, if not the year. I highly recommend it for fans both old and new. Sit in the theater, enjoy the adventure, and maybe have a good cry—I know I did.

Final Movie Score: 9/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://movies.disney.com/toy-story-5

Read our Review for Toy Story 4 via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/Toy-Story-4-3D-3-D-Movie-Review