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Critics Applaud 'Toy Story 5' as a Triumphant Return, Praising Emotion and New Antagonist
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Key Points
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Press materials identify “Toy Story 5” as co-directed by Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris (not just Stanton).
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Multiple critics specifically praised Conan O’Brien’s new character, “Smarty Pants,” with Daniel Baptista calling the performance “an all-time great ‘Toy Story’ character.”
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The early reactions describe a named antagonistic force: the toys’ existential crisis and fight to preserve “playtime” is against “the antagonistic Lilypad.”
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At the Los Angeles premiere events, Taylor Swift didn’t just provide the end-credits song “I Knew It, I Knew You”—she also joined Randy Newman for a duet of “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.”
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Critic Scott Menzel singled out Swift’s end-credits song as an awards contender, arguing it “has to be up for Best Original Song this awards season.”
Early reactions to *Toy Story 5* are calling it a "return to form" for Pixar, with critics describing the film as "magical" and "pure perfection" after its world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on June 9, 2026. The film, directed by Andrew Stanton and co-director Kenna Harris, opens wide on June 19 and runs 102 minutes CinemaBlend.
The social media embargo lifted on June 10, unleashing a wave of praise. Critics singled out Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) as the emotional heart of the story, and praised a surprise duet between Taylor Swift and Randy Newman performing "You've Got a Friend In Me" at the premiere Looper.
Jessie Takes Center Stage Against a Digital Villain
Critics say Jessie finally gets the spotlight she deserves. Variety's Jazz Tangcay called the film "magical and pure perfection," adding that "Jessie finally gets the story she deserves." Joan Cusack's voice work was labeled "standout" by multiple reviewers. The film draws on Jessie's history of abandonment, first explored in *Toy Story 2*, to give the story emotional weight.
The villain driving the conflict is Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee. Lilypad belongs to Bonnie and competes with the toys for her attention, arguing that her digital interface is "best for Bonnie." Co-director Kenna Harris said the story draws on "the reality of how today's children live," using parents' real struggles with screen time as fuel for the plot CBR.
Conan O'Brien Steals Scenes as "Smarty Pants"
One of the most praised additions to the franchise is Conan O'Brien's new character, Smarty Pants — a potty-training toy shaped like a toilet paper roll. Critic Daniel Baptista called it "an all-time great 'Toy Story' character." The casting was confirmed in May 2025 Yahoo.
Woody and Buzz, played by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, return in "mentor" roles. Allen joked about the duo's 30-year run, saying, "We're like two older women... we bring little gifts to each other." The film also features Bad Bunny and Alan Cumming among its 23-plus credited voice roles Looper.
Taylor Swift Song Already Tipped for Oscar Nomination
Taylor Swift contributed the end-credits song, "I Knew It, I Knew You," which debuted at #3 on trending music charts on June 5 and hit 4.8 million YouTube views in six days. At the premiere, Swift surprised the crowd by joining Randy Newman for a live duet of "You've Got a Friend In Me" Looper.
Critic Scott Menzel of We Live Entertainment said the song "has to be up for Best Original Song this awards season." Swift called the film a "masterpiece" on the red carpet. Early box office projections suggest the film could break franchise records, going head-to-head with *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* for the summer's #1 spot CBR.
Can It Beat Toy Story 3? The Benchmark Question
Not every early take was flawless. Critic Germain Lussier of Gizmodo flagged that the film is "a tiny bit disjointed at the start" as it juggles storylines, though he conceded it delivers a "phenomenal third act." The pacing concern was the most common note among otherwise glowing reviews.
The bigger question is whether *Toy Story 5* can match *Toy Story 3*, the $1 billion 2010 film many still call Pixar's best-ever sequel CBR. Director Andrew Stanton addressed skeptics directly, saying, "When tech comes in, it wins" — a sign the film does not shy away from the hard truth at its core. A wide release on June 19 will bring the final verdict.
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