Toy Story 5 Scores 91%—Lowest in Franchise Yet

With Toy Story 5 set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026, reviews are rolling in and the early Rotten Tomatoes score of 91% lands as the franchise’s lowest. The movie’s reception still runs overwhelmingly positive—offering a new batch of characters and strong emo

For Toy Story fans, it’s not just the calendar that matters—it’s the temperature of the room right before the lights go down.

Toy Story 5 is set to hit theaters this weekend, with a June 19, 2026 release date and a 102-minute runtime. The fifth installment brings back Tom Hanks as Woody. Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear. and Joan Cusack as Jessie. along with John Ratzenberger. Tony Hale. Bonnie Hunt. Keanu Reeves. and more reprising roles from earlier films. Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris are credited as directors. and the voice cast also includes Greta Lee as Lilypad. as well as Tim Allen. Greta Lee. and other previously mentioned performers.

The real jolt came with the review embargo lifting. Although the early Rotten Tomatoes score of 91% is described as wholly positive. it is also the lowest for the Toy Story franchise to date. The numbers still point to a strong crowd-pleasing run rather than a sour response to the new story—more a reminder of how near-flawless the previous four movies have been than a sign that this one is failing.

One review standing out in the early wave is from Collider, where Taylor Gates scored the film 8/10. Gates praised the franchise’s new characters. calling them “instantly beloved additions. ” and added that “even the smaller roles manage to be memorable and impress with their specificity.” She concluded that the movie’s impact goes beyond nostalgia. writing that the fifth installment “not only justifies its existence but feels like a necessary response to how much the world has changed in the past three decades.” Gates finished by saying it is “one of the best films of the year. period.”.

Other early responses also frame the film as both funny and emotionally loaded. ScreenRant called Toy Story 5 the “funniest and most emotional adventure yet.” CBR gave the film a 9/10, saying, “Pixar officially justifies another franchise sequel.”

All of that arrives after a different kind of test for Pixar’s 2025 slate. With its only 2025 release. Elio. Pixar struggled to land both with critics and with audiences. drawing a mixed critical reception and an underwhelming box office haul. Earlier in 2026. Pixar debuted a follow-up original release titled Hoppers—a heartwarming fight against the government—and made up for their 2025 losses. Led by relative newcomer Piper Curda. Hoppers features three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep. Isiah Whitlock Jr. Sam Richardson. Dave Franco. and more. and it earned a positive $388 million worldwide against a production budget of $150 million.

In the Toy Story universe, though, it’s the fifth chapter that’s now carrying the moment. With Toy Story 5 returning Woody. Buzz. Jessie. and the rest of the gang. and with its early reception strongly positive even as the 91% mark sets a new low for the franchise. the question for audiences is simple: is the “lowest” score still high enough to earn the same kind of devotion that came before?.

For now, the reviews say yes—only with a slightly different kind of spotlight, one that lands less on collapse and more on how hard it is to top perfection.

Toy Story 5 Rotten Tomatoes Pixar Tom Hanks Tim Allen Joan Cusack John Ratzenberger Tony Hale Bonnie Hunt Keanu Reeves Greta Lee Andrew Stanton McKenna Harris Collider Taylor Gates