Disney’s ‘Toy Story 5’ plot revealed—and it’s coming for your heartstrings

Toy Story has always been my emotional support franchise. I mean, these movies have been there through every stage of parenting, like little animated therapy sessions. Seriously, it’s like Pixar reached into my mom brain and pulled out all the feels—growing up, letting go, and all that fun stuff that makes you cry salty tears into your popcorn. So when I heard that Toy Story 5 is going to tackle the toys competing with kids’ love of technology, my heart dropped a little, and not just because I’m still emotionally recovering from Toy Story 3 (I mean, that incinerator scene—come on, Pixar, why do you do this to us?).

The premise of the new #ToyStory is revealed by Andrew Stanton at #D23. pic.twitter.com/lzI0lR9WFo

— Variety (@Variety) August 10, 2024

But Disney’s choice of subject matter is incredibly timely. We’re living in a time where the pace of technological advancement is relentless. Every day, it seems like there’s something new—an app, a smart watch, a way of doing things that we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago. And here I am, sending my kids back to school, wondering what kind of world they’re going to inherit. What will their career paths look like? Will they find themselves competing with machines for relevance? Will the skills they’re learning today be obsolete by the time they’re adults? It’s enough to tug on your heartstrings.

This anxiety isn’t just theoretical for me. As a mom, I want to prepare my kids for whatever the future holds, but how do you do that when the future feels so unpredictable? The news about the Toy Story 5 premise only amplifies these fears, casting a spotlight on the tension between the beloved, familiar world of toys and the cold, ever-evolving world of technology.

The Toy Story franchise has always been about more than just the adventures of a group of toys. It’s about the emotional journey of getting older and finding new ways to fit in—or stay relevant. And now, with this new movie, it seems poised to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: the intersection of human experience and technological advancement.

As much as this new plotline stirs up my anxieties, it also reminds me of an essential truth that I’ve learned from these films: resilience. Woody and Buzz have faced countless challenges, from being replaced by newer toys to nearly being destroyed, and yet they always find a way to adapt, to survive, to continue being loved. This resilience is something I hope to instill in my kids, even as the world around them changes.

I’ve come to realize that the most important traits I can help my kids develop are resilience and creative problem-solving. In a world where technology is constantly evolving, these qualities will be their greatest assets. It’s not about knowing how to use the latest gadget or mastering the newest software; it’s about being able to adapt when things change, to think creatively when faced with challenges, and to find value in their unique contributions.

So yes, the idea of Toy Story 5 focusing on the toys facing obsolescence in the face of technology hurts my heart in more ways than one. It touches on my fears for my children’s future in a world where technology seems to be advancing faster than we can keep up. But it also offers a glimmer of hope. If Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang can face these challenges and come out on the other side, then so can our kids.

P.S.: Toy Story 5 is set for release on June 19, 2026, so we’ve got time to stockpile the tissues.