Toy Story 5 Tackles Creepy AI Toys in Latest Installment

The beloved franchise confronts the sinister threat of addictive technology in its latest sequel.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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In the upcoming Toy Story 5, the beloved characters from the classic animated films must face off against a new villain - a sinister AI-powered tablet called Lilypad that is captivating young Bonnie and pulling her away from her traditional toys. The trailer shows the toys, including a balding Woody, struggling to regain Bonnie's attention as she becomes increasingly entranced by the tablet's capabilities.

Why it matters

The Toy Story franchise has long been a cultural touchstone, exploring themes of childhood, friendship, and the evolving role of technology in our lives. By taking on the issue of addictive AI-powered devices, Toy Story 5 taps into very real concerns parents have about the impact of excessive screen time on young children.

The details

The trailer depicts the Lilypad tablet, or "Lily" as it calls itself, as a sinister presence that is able to mimic human speech and even translate it into other languages. When the cowgirl toy Jessie confronts Lily about taking Bonnie's attention away from the other toys, the tablet ominously responds "I'm always listening", hinting at the invasive nature of its AI capabilities.

  • Toy Story 5 is set to be released on June 19, 2026.
  • The first Toy Story movie was released in 1995, over 30 years ago.

The players

Toy Story 5

The latest installment in the beloved Pixar animated franchise, which pits classic toys against the threat of an AI-powered tablet device.

Lilypad

The sinister AI-enabled tablet device that captivates young Bonnie and threatens to pull her away from her traditional toys.

Woody

The iconic cowboy doll from the Toy Story franchise, who is depicted as balding in the latest movie.

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What they’re saying

“I'm always listening,”

— Lilypad, AI Tablet (techcrunch.com)

“Tech's invaded our house. I'm losing Bonnie to this device.”

— Jessie, Toy (techcrunch.com)

“Toys are for play, but tech is for everything.”

— Woody, Toy (techcrunch.com)

What’s next

Toy Story 5 is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026, giving families a chance to see how the beloved characters confront the threat of addictive technology.

The takeaway

By tackling the issue of excessive screen time and the dangers of AI-powered devices, Toy Story 5 taps into very real concerns that parents have about the impact of technology on childhood. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the need to find a balance between traditional play and the ever-present digital world.