Toy Story 6 – let’s play with the idea of another sequel in this franchise for a moment. It’s basically confirmed, and with a decent box office, I expect Disney and Pixar will want to finish Bonnie’s story at the very least. It’s understandable. However, as someone who has loved all five films, and even the thought-provoking ending of Toy Story 5, I’m now in the other camp: it needs to end.
I appreciate that money plays a factor, and Toy Story now spans multiple generations. It was ahead of its time when I was a child. I didn’t really understand the complaints when films 3 and 4 came out, and I drowned out the noise when it came to the fifth. Toy Story 5 is actually important, and I’m glad it was created because it provided a glimpse into the challenges of modern parenting – specifically, how toys are used less, and how technology drives children’s day-to-day lives over actual playtime and imagination.
It’s no secret that globally, especially in the West, governments are concerned about device usage and screen time and the impact on our kids. Coupled with the dangers of social media, children of today’s generation are living in completely different, wildly unprecedented times. “Playing out” is dying out; connecting online in group chats and gaming is the absolute default. With that, Toy Story 5 provides a distinct perspective that none of the previous films could give. The warnings presented are far too late, of course, but it was a way for Pixar and Disney to justify a film with a wholesome but salient story.
What could Toy Story 6 possibly be about, apart from Bonnie growing older and the toys becoming disillusioned with being abandoned again? We’ve already seen that with Andy. Woody, Buzz, and Jessie have already had their heartbreaks. Apart from recycling the same plot beats, I don’t see how a sixth film can venture any further unless it goes outside the usual confines of the story and themes. To put things into perspective, Toy Story 5 indicated that the window for “playtime” and “toys” is smaller than ever – ironically making the toys in the film obsolete for entertainment.
Toy Story 6 could venture toward artificial intelligence, but the fifth film already alluded to the fact that machine learning algorithms and automation are increasing anxiety in our kids. AI is the ultimate buzzword, but apart from reiterating that toys are becoming less relevant, I’m not sure what the story is here. That we are more screwed? That our dopamine-riddled brains are suffering a drop in IQ? No matter the warning, we cannot pretend that Pixar and Disney care. The bottom line is the bottom line. Merchandise and sales are all they really care about. Of course, “Smart Toys” are now a thing – basically, toys embedded with AI that talk back to kids – the story could be about how the characters react to a toy that does not need a child’s imagination because it has its own “digital brain.” But again, I feel that point has already been beaten to death.
I don’t want the franchise to be muddied by overextending itself. At present, I don’t think it has been. While sniffy critics complain about the number of films we’ve received, I’ve always been of the view that as long as the story makes sense, why not provide more experiences for families? It’s not a hard sell to convince kids to go to the cinema to watch Toy Story. But the themes have to be important – I think that’s… important. And then I worry about how we’ve lost the emotional weight of Woody and Buzz constantly saying goodbye to each other, but maybe that’s the fan in me worrying more about story arcs than logistics of storytelling.
I may come across as a grumpy 30-something man who’s trying to end the fun, but I’ve always been an advocate for this franchise. Who knows? Maybe when the trailer comes out for Toy Story 6, I’ll be all-in on it again, and I’ll soon be questioning whether there needs to be a Toy Story 7. Unfortunately, the debate will only end when Pixar and Disney decide it does. I do find it ironic that both these companies keep making movies about kids not using physical toys anymore, for the purpose of selling more plastic toys. Maybe I’ll save that for another article while they enjoy their money.
