Toy Story 5 had its world premiere on June 9 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and the early reactions are flooding in. Critics and journalists who attended are calling it one of Pixar’s very best, with many placing it alongside Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3. The night also included a memorable surprise: Taylor Swift performed “I Knew It, I Knew You” live and then joined Randy Newman for “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.”
The film does not officially open in theaters until June 19, but the premiere screenings have given early attendees their first look at what many are describing as a triumphant return to form for the studio.
What Critics Are Saying
Early reactions on social media paint a vivid picture. Critics described the film as emotionally powerful and unexpectedly profound, with the story’s exploration of the divide between technology and toys providing a contemporary emotional anchor. Several reviewers noted that the film centers on Jessie in a way that surprised them, with her journey from Toy Story 2 onward providing the emotional spine of the new chapter.
One critic wrote that Toy Story 5 ranks right alongside the first three films, delivering humor, heart, and Pixar magic in equal measure. Another said it hit them in ways they were completely unprepared for, calling it “deeply profound” and noting it left them in tears. Multiple reviewers flagged Taylor Swift’s original song “I Knew It, I Knew You” as a likely Best Original Song contender at awards season, and Tom Hanks reportedly compared hearing Swift’s contribution to hearing “Over the Rainbow” for the first time.
Taylor Swift Performs At The Premiere
The night’s biggest moment may have come after the credits rolled. Once the film wrapped in front of more than 3,000 attendees, the screen lifted to reveal Swift in a butter-yellow gown at a piano, live-debuting “I Knew It, I Knew You” for the crowd, according to Billboard. She then joined Randy Newman, whom she called “the architect of the Toy Story Musical Universe,” for a duet of “You’ve Got A Friend In Me,” with Newman on piano. When Swift sang the line about other folks being a little bit smarter, Newman ad-libbed, “No one’s smarter than you!”
The song already carries a special piece of Disney history: Swift wrote and produced it with Jack Antonoff after attending an advance screening of the film, then played it that same night for then-CEO Bob Iger and Walt Disney Music president Tom MacDougall. Iger, who stepped down in March, later described that evening as coming on one of his last days as Disney CEO and called it “truly memorable.”
A Big Summer For Pixar
Toy Story 5 arrives at a significant moment for Pixar Animation Studios, which has faced questions in recent years about its theatrical output following a string of Disney+ releases during the pandemic era. A strong reception for Toy Story 5 would mark a major statement of intent heading into the back half of the decade.
The film opens nationwide on June 19.
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