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Toy Story 5 Puts Jessie at Center as Toys Confront a Tablet

Released in Germany on Thursday, the film’s strong U.S. box office has sharpened discussion about how family films portray children’s device use.

Overview

  • Toy Story 5 opened in German cinemas on Thursday, July 23, as Pixar continues an international roll‑out that followed its June launch in the United States.
  • The film frames its central conflict around a frog‑green tablet called Lilypad that draws Bonnie away from traditional play and introduces social‑media dynamics into the story.
  • Jessie is the emotional lead this time while Woody and Buzz appear as visibly aged, supporting figures, reflecting the franchise’s narrative shift.
  • Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton co‑wrote and directed the installment with McKenna Harris, the film features a new song by Taylor Swift, and it has a higher U.S. rating (PG) than Germany’s age‑free release (FSK 0).
  • After a blockbuster U.S. opening reported at over $900 million, critics praise the film’s emotional core and animation but debate its handling of technology, cyberbullying and the franchise’s creative direction.