The first reactions to Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 are in, and if Hollywood access media is to be believed, the beloved animated franchise has somehow delivered another masterpiece nearly three decades after the original film debuted in theaters.
Following the film’s premiere, entertainment journalists and critics flooded social media with glowing praise for the sequel, calling it emotional, profound, funny, moving, and even one of the best films of 2026. While the overwhelmingly positive response is unlikely to surprise longtime observers of Hollywood’s red-carpet reaction circuit, the reactions do reveal one significant detail about the movie itself: Toy Story 5 appears to be Jessie-centric, with the cowgirl taking the lead role traditionally occupied by Woody.
Access Media Delivers Wall-to-Wall Praise
Some of the first reactions from critics and entertainment reporters who attended the premiere show virtually every response as overwhelmingly positive.
Toy Story 5 ranks right alongside the first three films, delivering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and that signature Pixar magic,” Film critic Scott Menzel wrote. “Toy Story 5 is a wonderfully heartfelt return to form for Pixar Animation Studios and a reminder of why the Toy Story franchise remains one of the greatest film series ever made. Emotional, hilarious, and genuinely moving, Toy Story 5 may very well end up being one of the best films of 2026.”
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Daniel Baptista of The Movie Podcast was equally enthusiastic, describing the film as a “generation-defining experience.”
“Pixar once again delivers a meaningful, moving, and masterful must-see movie,” he said. “Conan as Smarty Pants is an all-time great ‘TS’ character. This is Jessie’s story, and our sheriff shines.”
That final sentence is particularly noteworthy.
For years, Woody has served as the emotional core of the Toy Story franchise. Even Toy Story 4, which many fans felt provided a natural conclusion to his journey, revolved around his personal growth and eventual separation from the rest of the gang. Now, according to one of the earliest reactions, Toy Story 5 appears to shift the spotlight firmly onto Jessie.
Jessie Takes Center Stage
Several reactions specifically highlight Jessie as the film’s primary focus.
Variety senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay wrote: “Toy Story 5 is magical and pure perfection. It is a fantastic entry into the franchise. Jessie finally gets the story she deserves! It’s emotional, funny, genuinely warm, and perfect in every way.”
Collider editor Meredith Loftus also pointed to Jessie as the emotional centerpiece of the movie.
Jesse in Toy Story 5 -IMAX, YouTube
“Toy Story 5 hit me in places I was unprepared for,” she said. “Exploring the divide between technology and toys through Jessie results in a deeply profound, moving story that had me in a puddle of tears. I put it up there with Toy Story 2 & 3. It’s that excellent!”
The repeated emphasis on Jessie aligns with what Disney and Pixar have previously revealed about the story.
Following the events of Toy Story 4, Woody reunites with Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang after a new threat emerges in Bonnie’s life. This time, however, the challenge isn’t another toy.
Rex and Slinky Dog in the Toy Story 5 Teaser Trailer – YouTube, Pixar
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Instead, the film introduces an iPad-like device named Lilypad, a technology-focused companion that competes with traditional toys for children’s attention.
Director Andrew Stanton recently explained that the film explores the growing divide between physical play and digital entertainment, with Jessie apparently serving as the central character navigating that conflict.
Another Disney Bait-and-Switch?
While Toy Story 5 is being praised by critics, the apparent focus on Jessie stands in stark contrast to how the film was marketed.
Disney’s trailers and promotional materials leaned heavily on Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the two characters who have defined the franchise since 1995. Nearly every major piece of advertising centered on their reunion, their friendship, and the return of the classic Toy Story dynamic that audiences have loved for decades. Jessie appeared throughout the campaign, but largely in a supporting capacity, with little indication that she would be the movie’s primary protagonist.
Woody and Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story 5 Teaser Trailer – YouTube, Pixar
Yet many of the premiere reactions tell a different story. Critics repeatedly describe the film as “Jessie’s story,” with several specifically highlighting her emotional journey as the heart of the movie. If those reactions accurately reflect the finished product, audiences who bought tickets expecting a Woody and Buzz-focused adventure may discover that the spotlight has shifted elsewhere.
That wouldn’t be the first time Disney has faced accusations of using beloved legacy characters as the face of a marketing campaign only for the narrative itself to focus on a different lead. Whether audiences view Toy Story 5 as a natural evolution of the franchise or another example of that increasingly familiar formula will likely become one of the major talking points once the film opens to the public.
A Familiar Pattern Before Release
The reaction cycle surrounding Toy Story 5 follows a pattern audiences have seen many times before.
Social media reactions from major Hollywood premieres are frequently among the most enthusiastic responses a movie receives throughout its entire release cycle. These reactions come from critics, influencers, journalists, and entertainment personalities invited to special advance screenings and premiere events.
That doesn’t mean Toy Story 5 won’t live up to the praise. Pixar remains one of the most successful animation studios in Hollywood history, and the Toy Story franchise has consistently earned both critical acclaim and strong audience reception.
Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 5 – IMAX, YouTube
However, the true test will come when general audiences finally get the opportunity to see the film for themselves.
For now, one thing appears clear: Hollywood critics are all-in on Pixar’s latest sequel, and if these early reactions are any indication, Jessie may have officially inherited the spotlight from Woody as the franchise’s central character.
Whether audiences embrace that shift remains to be seen when Toy Story 5 arrives in theaters on June 19.
How do you feel about these Toy Story 5 reactions? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
