Pixar’s biggest and most popular franchise, Toy Story, has just gotten a whole lot better with the confirmation of its fifth installment. The movie that started it all, Toy Story, kicked off Pixar’s reign in the world of animation, and its success has led to four movies, one spinoff, and various short films, animated TV shows, and TV specials. The franchise has built a solid fanbase that continues to welcome new stories from this one-of-a-kind world.
With the confirmation of Toy Story 5, the most controversial movie in the franchise, Toy Story 4, can now be reevaluated without the baggage of being seen as the “unnecessary” conclusion to the saga. Toy Story 4, directed by Josh Cooley, received a mixed response, with some praising its heartwarming and visually stunning elements, while others felt it was a weird and unnecessary continuation of the franchise.
However, the controversy surrounding Toy Story 4 was largely fueled by the perception that it did not respect the ending of Toy Story 3, which provided a perfect conclusion to the saga. However, with the confirmation of Toy Story 5, the fourth installment can be seen as its own unique story, rather than a failed attempt to revive the franchise.
Furthermore, the expansion of the franchise will only continue to age Toy Story 4 better, especially after Toy Story 5 is released. Even if the fifth movie performs below expectations, the nostalgia for Toy Story 4 will prompt audiences to reevaluate the franchise in a new light, viewing it as a necessary step towards the next chapter in the franchise’s story.