Toy Story 5 Knows It’s Repeating The Same Plot Again

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With three amazing films and a solid fourth, many people have debated whether a fifth Toy Story movie is necessary. The emotional ending of Toy Story 3 seemed to perfectly wrap up the story as Andy passed his toys on to Bonnie. Then, Toy Story 4 continued the series by changing the relationship between Woody and Buzz and giving Woody a fresh direction. The question is, was there really room for another film after that?

It’s no surprise that the plot of Toy Story 5 feels familiar. The way Lilypad disrupts Bonnie’s playtime and draws her attention away from the toys echoes a common theme throughout the series – the toys questioning their purpose. We saw this in the first Toy Story with the arrival of new, high-tech toys, in Toy Story 2 when Woody got damaged, and again in Toy Story 3 when Andy grew up and went to college.

But while Toy Story 5 is undeniably like its predecessors, the film itself appears to realize this.

Toy Story 5’s Trailer Acknowledges Its Parallels With Past Movies

In the trailer for Toy Story 5, when the new character Lilypad appears, Rex reacts with a resigned, “Extinction… not again!” While it’s a funny dinosaur joke on the surface, it’s also a clever nod to the toys’ history. This isn’t the first time they’ve faced a potential end – they went through a similar crisis when Buzz Lightyear arrived, when they were almost relegated to the attic in Toy Story 3, and when they nearly ended up in an incinerator at the end of that film.

You know, what Rex said in the movie really hit me hard. It’s not just about the dinosaurs facing extinction – it feels true for the Toy Story films themselves. It makes you think about how everything, even beloved franchises, eventually comes to an end.

Towards the end of the trailer, Hamm says he’s glad to see Woody and Buzz arguing again. Like Rex’s earlier comment, this shows that Toy Story 5 isn’t trying to be radically different. The playful bickering between Tom Hanks and Tim Allen has always been a key part of the Toy Story movies, and fans, like Hamm, clearly enjoy seeing these beloved Pixar characters playfully insult each other.

The trailer for Toy Story 5 is full of references to past movies in the series. Like previous films, it features a playful fantasy sequence – this time with Forky getting married. There’s a moment where Jessie challenges Lilypad, which is similar to the famous confrontation between Woody and Buzz in the first Toy Story. Lilypad speaking Spanish also reminds viewers of the Spanish-speaking Buzz Lightyear. The trailer includes classic lines like “Halt, who goes there?” and “I come in peace,” harking back to the original 1995 film. And, of course, the song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” is featured, while Woody and Buzz once again find themselves clinging to the back of a moving car.

In stark contrast to Toy Story 4, Toy Story 5 isn’t hiding its nostalgia.

Does It Matter If Toy Story 5 Repeats The Same Plot?

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Despite many other film series losing their spark, Toy Story has consistently remained excellent. Audiences generally trust that Toy Story 5 can work, even with a similar storyline, as long as it offers something new. Hints about Jessie’s past with Emily, the many Buzz Lightyears, and Woody facing the realities of aging are all promising ideas that could add depth and resonance to the next film.

Okay, let’s talk Toy Story 4. Honestly, it felt like the first Pixar film in a long time that wasn’t absolutely must-see. And that worries me, because it might signal a shift. Pixar used to be a guarantee – every movie was a hit. But films like Elio and Lightyear have shown that the magic isn’t quite as automatic as it used to be. That incredible 20-year run of flawless films? It feels like that aura of invincibility is starting to fade, and that’s something Pixar really needs to address.

While there’s optimism about Toy Story 5, it’s understandable why some people worry it might not live up to expectations, coming so long after the original films.

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2026-02-20 13:18