31 years later, Toy Story 5 director reveals why the saga isn't over

Strap in, because Toy Story is back — again — and honestly, even die-hard fans are wondering: does this series actually need another go-round? I get it. After Toy Story 3, with its near-perfect send-off (Andy handing his toys over to Bonnie, everyone teary-eyed… you know the bit), it felt like we'd reached an ending. Then Pixar dropped Toy Story 4 on us nearly a decade later, and now, Toy Story 5 is barrelling down the track, with co-director Kenna Harris steering the ship and very aware of all that franchise baggage.

Another Sequel? Really?

So Harris has been fielding the obvious question from nostalgic fans: are we really doing this? Is there actually anything left to say? According to Harris, the answer is yes — and apparently this time, the nostalgia isn't just a marketing ploy. It's actually central to the story, not just for us grown-ups watching, but for the actual characters.

'These movies are all very good. But if you're nostalgic for Toy Story in any way, this movie really delivers, because it's talking about nostalgia and how the characters are experiencing that feeling too,' Harris told MovieWeb.

Harris also promised that the film dives into new territory with the toys: 'The devices in the film are explored in a way that might surprise you. And the playtime sequences especially — it's a blast.' One can only hope.

What Makes Toy Story 5 Different?

Here's the set-up: it's been sixteen years since Toy Story 3 turned us all into emotional wrecks, and the world of toys has changed a lot since then. Toy Story 4 took nine years to emerge after its predecessor, and now, another seven years later, Toy Story 5 is coming around. In the time it took Pixar to knock out these sequels, real-life toys have basically gone from classic favourites to tech-driven ‘collectibles’ fuelled by YouTubers and TikTok teens. The film leans into all that.

At the end of Toy Story 3, Andy (presumably off to uni somewhere) leaves Woody, Buzz and crew with Bonnie. But now, Bonnie's growing up, glued to social media, and her toys are feeling left out. You don't have to be a toy yourself to relate to that. Lindsey Collins, one of the producers, reckons this mix of very current dilemmas with old-school Toy Story vibes is what makes the film tick — and she's not wrong, that is a juggling act. Barbie managed it by blending nostalgia with hot-topic social commentary, Masters of the Universe gave it a shot (with mixed results), and now Toy Story is giving it a whirl.

The Collectibles Angle

There's a pretty amusing subplot here about how rare toys are now a kind of social currency. In one scene, someone mentions to Bonnie that her toys 'might be worth something', referencing that old collecting craze we saw in Toy Story 2. But let's be honest, the collectors' scene now is a completely different beast. Blind boxes, 'limited editions', people queueing outside shops for a new Funko Pop — it's all gone mainstream.

Harris says the whole collectibles mania could be ripe for further exploration in future films, but for now, everyone's just too shattered from finishing this one. Still, they admit it's a tempting "what if?" for any potential Toy Story 6.

'Nowadays, it's completely popular culture to have these awesome collectibles, to decorate your room, to do blind boxes and things… There are no initial plans on exploring past this [film] because we're so exhausted from finishing. But everyone loves to talk about the "what ifs," and collectibles have been a fun "what if?"'

So if you ever wondered whether Pixar is willing to end this franchise? Co-director Andrew Stanton, who's co-written every single Toy Story film, said as far back as 2016 that he doesn't plan to put the brakes on things any time soon. That was before Toy Story 4 was even out, mind you. If Toy Story 5 rakes it in at the box office — and projections suggest it just might — you can probably expect the toys to stick around for a while yet.

What's New For The Toys?

• Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest are all back for Toy Story 5.
• This time round, the main threat comes not from other toys, but from modern tech, with all the playtime complications that brings.
• The dynamic has shifted, thanks to Bonnie growing up and getting absorbed in screens, leaving her toys having to find their place in a digital-first world.