When the trailers for Toy Story 5 first appeared, many parents assumed the movie was going to be a simple story about technology replacing traditional toys.
In fact, the movie opens with exactly that fear.
Jessie visits the toys across the street and finds them abandoned and in a state of panic, sitting outside and feeling forgotten. They are convinced the age of toys is over. Kids do not play anymore. Screens have taken over. Technology has won.
As parents, it is easy to relate to that panic.
Many of us worry about screen time. We worry about tablets replacing imaginative play. We worry about our children spending more time staring at devices than building forts, creating stories, and playing with toys.
But what surprised me about Toy Story 5 was that it did not turn into a simple “technology is bad” story.
Instead, it delivered a much more thoughtful message about friendship, belonging, and helping children find their people.
Bonnie’s Real Problem Was Never the Tablet
At first, it seems like technology is the problem.
Bonnie is one of the few children still deeply invested in imaginative play. While other kids are moving toward screens and digital entertainment, she is still creating adventures with her toys.
But as Jessie watches Bonnie struggle, it becomes clear that the issue goes deeper.
Bonnie is lonely.
She does not quite fit in with the other children around her.
She is shy, hesitant, and often holds herself back.
When Bonnie’s parents notice she is struggling socially, they do what many modern parents might do. They buy her a Lily Pad tablet, hoping it will help her connect with other kids and fit in a little more easily.
It is a decision that feels very realistic.
Most parents today are trying to find the balance between protecting childhood and helping children navigate a world where technology is part of everyday life.
Fitting In Isn’t the Same as Belonging
One of the most powerful parts of the movie comes when Bonnie gets invited to a sleepover.
At first, it seems like exactly what she needs.
An invitation.
A chance to make friends.
An opportunity to fit in.
But the sleepover turns out to be miserable.
Many parents will instantly recognize that feeling.
Sometimes we become so focused on helping our children fit in that we forget to ask whether the people they are trying to fit in with are actually right for them.
The girls at the sleepover are not really Bonnie’s people.
She comes home unhappy, discouraged, and feeling worse than before.
It is a moment that will hit home for many parents who have watched their child struggle socially.
We want friendships for our children so badly that sometimes we celebrate any friendship opportunity without stopping to consider whether it is actually a healthy one.
The Best Message in the Movie: Find Your People
For me, this is where Toy Story 5 really shines.
The story is not about changing yourself to fit in.
It is about finding people who appreciate you exactly as you are.
When Jessie ends up at Blaze’s house, she discovers something important.
Blaze is a lot like Bonnie.
They enjoy similar things.
They play in similar ways.
They see the world through a similar lens.
The problem was never that Bonnie needed to become more like the other kids.
The problem was that she had not found the right friend yet.
As parents, this is such an important reminder.
Not every child is outgoing.
Not every child will have a huge friendship group.
Not every child will fit naturally into every social circle.
And that is okay.
Sometimes all it takes is one genuine friendship.
One person who gets them.
One person who makes them feel accepted.
Real Friends Don’t Make You Feel Bad About What You Love
Another message that stood out throughout the movie was the importance of authenticity.
Bonnie’s struggle is something many children experience.
They start to wonder whether they should change themselves to fit in.
Maybe they should stop liking certain things.
Maybe they should act differently.
Maybe they should hide parts of their personality.
Toy Story 5 pushes back against that idea.
A real friend does not make you feel embarrassed about your interests.
A real friend does not make you feel like you have to pretend to be someone else.
A real friend likes you for who you are.
That is a lesson many adults are still learning.
Taylor Swift being a part of the movie and creating the credits song ties in so perfectly with this message too, as Taylor has often spoken about this, saying
“I don’t think you should ever have to apologize for your excitement. Just because something’s cliche doesn’t mean it’s not awesome. The worst kind of person is someone who makes someone feel bad, dumb or stupid for being excited about something.”
Related: We matched Taylor Swift songs to Toy Story Characters and now we’re emotional
A Timely Conversation About Online Bullying
The movie also touches on something that feels incredibly relevant for families today.
Group chats.
Online interactions.
Social exclusion.
The subtle ways children can be made to feel left out.
While previous Toy Story movies focused largely on physical adventures, this story reflects the realities many children face today.
Technology can connect people, but it can also amplify social pressures.
The movie does not shy away from showing how difficult these experiences can be for children.
The scene where Bonnie is in the car and receives some messages via the group chat is so power. Instantly her whole demeanour changes – she’s no longer excited, she doubts herself, and her light goes out.
For parents, it opens the door to important conversations about kindness, inclusion, and how we treat others online. It’s also a great chance to talk about removing yourself from groups or people who make you feel this way.
Related: Toy Story Jessie Quotes about Feeling Left Behind
Technology Is a Tool, Not the Villain
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the movie never fully blames technology.
Going in, we might have expected a stronger anti-screen message.
Instead, the story eventually takes a more balanced approach.
The Lily Pad is not really evil.
Technology itself is not the enemy.
In fact, technology helps create connections in some parts of the story.
The problem is not the existence of screens.
The problem is when technology replaces meaningful relationships rather than supporting them.
That feels like a much more realistic message for modern families.
Technology is not going away.
The challenge is helping children use it in ways that enhance their lives rather than dominate them.
Parents Will Be Cheering for Bonnie
As a parent, I found myself rooting for Bonnie throughout the entire movie.
Her struggles feel real.
Her shyness feels real.
Her loneliness feels real.
Watching her hesitate, second-guess herself, and hold herself back is heartbreaking because so many parents have seen their own child do the same thing.
That is why the ending feels so satisfying.
When Bonnie finally finds the courage to approach Blaze and make that connection, it feels like a genuine victory.
Not because she suddenly becomes popular.
Not because she changes who she is.
But because she learns that being herself is enough.
The Value of Old-School Play Still Matters
While Toy Story 5 is not anti-technology, it does remind us why imaginative play remains so important.
The toys are not just toys.
They represent creativity.
Storytelling.
Problem-solving.
Connection.
Pretend play allows children to explore emotions, friendships, and ideas in ways screens can never replicate.
The movie makes a strong case that there is still tremendous value in giving children space to imagine, create, and play.
More Relevant Than Any Previous Toy Story
What makes Toy Story 5 stand out is how closely it reflects the challenges many families are facing right now.
Children are navigating technology earlier than ever before.
Parents are trying to balance screen time with real-world experiences.
Friendships increasingly exist both online and offline.
Group chats, social pressure, bullying, belonging, and loneliness are all part of modern childhood.
Yet the movie leaves us with a hopeful message.
Your child does not need to change who they are to fit in.
They do not need to give up the things they love.
They simply need to find the people who appreciate them for exactly who they are.
And when they do, everything changes.
What Parents Can Talk About After Watching Toy Story 5
Family movies become even more meaningful when they spark conversations.
After watching Toy Story 5, consider asking your child:
- Which character did you relate to most?
- What was the biggest lesson you learned?
- Did anyone show bravery in the movie?
- What makes a good friend?
- Have you ever been nervous about a change?
- What makes you unique?
These simple discussions can help children connect the story to their own lives and reinforce the positive messages they have seen on screen.
More Family Movie Recommendations
The best family movies give us something to talk about long after the credits roll. Toy Story 5 opens the door to conversations about friendship, technology, kindness, confidence, and finding where you belong. These are topics that matter to children today, and discussing them together can help kids feel understood and supported.
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