The Worst Of The Series?
Despite being well-received by critics, Toy Story 5 currently has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score in the Pixar franchise. The long-awaited fifth installment of the Toy Story series is officially almost here.
Boasting a battle for the ages as the franchise's beloved toys take on technology, it's being hyped up as the can't-miss animated event of the summer. Now, critic reviews are finally starting to roll in, and the sequel is being met with high praise. Rotten Tomatoes officially revealed the film's Tomatometer at an impressive 94% as of June 17, 2026.
Given how many years the Toy Story series has been going, it's amazing to see that this series that's often critiqued by fans as going on for too long is still drawing critical praise. Most of the positives surrounding the film champion the turn to Jessie as the film's lead protagonist. This gives her ample time to shine after four films centering on Woody and his existential views as the world shifts around him.
Based on this alone, it seems like Toy Story 5 will be another win for Pixar. However, many fans were quick to point out that despite its high score, Toy Story 5 is now the lowest reviewed film in the mainline Toy Story franchise. This does not include Lightyear, which is a spin-off of the series. The previous record-holder was Toy Story 4, which also held an impressive 97% on the Tomatometer.
When taking a look at critics' thoughts on this fifth installment, it becomes clear that there are some minor issues with the film that make it the new lowest entry in the series. Toy Story 5 Doesn't Quite Reach The Highs Of The Original Trilogy The most common Toy Story 5 critique is something that was frequently heard when Toy Story 4 was originally released.
Given how perfect the original Toy Story trilogy was, this sequel had a high bar to clear in order to reach those highs. Unfortunately, according to critics, it doesn't quite clear that threshold. Of course, it's important to point out that critics state this is still a great film in its own right. There's a fantastic story lying under its premise mixed with charming new characters and the humor that has made the franchise so beloved.
However, compared to the first three films, it still feels like a franchise that would've been better had it left things off with the third movie. However, despite its lower critical rating, many reviewers have highlighted that this film is an improvement over Toy Story 4. This is a major win for the franchise given how many audiences were left disappointed with the last entry.
Toy Story 5 Doesn't Dive Deep Enough Into Its Technological Premise Perhaps the most surprising critique to come from Toy Story 5 is that it doesn't lean into its premise enough. The trailers heavily hint that this will be a film focused on technology becoming the new"toy" for kids in the 21st century. Hearing that the film doesn't dive deep enough into this concept is incredibly disappointing given how this has been the main selling point of the movie.
Of course, this could just be saying that the film doesn't explore technology in a deeper way than other films have. Pixar has been adamant that Toy Story 5 will be a Jessie story, and the return of her owner, Emily, in the trailers is proof of that.
However, the fact it forgoes the primary thesis of the film is a bit of a letdown. Toy Story 5's Story Feels Similar To Other Pixar Films The Toy Story franchise is often well-regarded for having unique plots across every entry to evolve with the times and newer trends in animation.
However, according to Alistair Harkness of Scotsman, this fifth installment doesn't do enough differently to set it apart from other Pixar fare. They point out that Pixar has fallen into a trope called the"quest-and-chase" plot. It's become a fairly common blueprint for modern Pixar films, including in recent films like this year's Hoppers.
The fact that Toy Story 5 feels more like a standard Pixar film than a Toy Story film could end up being disappointing for those wanting to see something new. Despite these issues though, Toy Story 5 is looking to be another successful film in Pixar's lineup. The negatives are minute compared to the glowing reception the film has been receiving.
It's clear to see just why this is the lowest-rated film in the Toy Story franchise, but given how much critics are loving the film, it's certainly a small price to pay for another fantastic entry in the timeless Pixar franchise. Toy Story 5 Like Follow Followed PG Animation Adventure Family Comedy Release Date June 19, 2026 Runtime 102 Minutes Director Andrew Stanton, McKenna Harris Cast See All Writers Andrew Stanton, McKenna Jean Harris Producers Lindsey Collins, Jessica Choi Prequel Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 4 Franchise Toy Story Powered by Expand Collapse
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
– Metro Cars – “fully restored 1000-series train and 8000-series mockup”Thanks to G. for sending Monday afternoon.
Read more »
IDW Dark Expands Horror Universe with Smile and A Quiet Place Spin-Off ComicsIDW Dark has announced new spin-off comic series based on the horror films Smile and A Quiet Place. Smile: For the Camera is already out, and the new limited series Any Given Smile, set in the football world, launches in September 2026. A Quiet Place: Storm Warning debuted in March, and a second series, Rising Tides, arrives in November, set in the Florida Keys. Both series are five-part limited runs with creative teams attached. The news also includes a brief mention of other entertainment headlines but focuses on the comic expansions.
Read more »
Why a Wrath of Man Sequel Could Work (and Why It Might Not)Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie reunite in 'Wrath of Man,' a straightforward action thriller with potential for a sequel. This article explores the film's plot, the possibility of a follow-up, and the busy schedules of its stars.
Read more »
Pixar Staying True to Toy Story Magic with Silence on Spin-offsVeteran Pixar producer Lindsey Collins reveals that discussions about a Toy Story spin-off series have taken place, but nothing materialized due to a fear of not having a solid story. The absence of a TV series is explained by the love for the characters and the desire to keep them in the familiar world of Toy Story. The challenges in fleshing out story ideas and sustaining a series are seen as daunting, making the concept of a Toy Story TV series seem far-fetched in the current context. Despite this, there are hints that a Toy Story movie may be in the works for a future release date of 2026. However, the steps for its production seem to be in motion, hinting at the possibility of a fifth movie in the Toy Story series. The fifth movie is set to release this month and is producing a massive hit at the box office. Various other news articles also discuss important cinema releases and the Netflix price drop in India. Content courtesy: TechWire
Read more »