For over thirty years, Toy Story has been one of the most popular franchises with families. The first animated feature film entirely produced in computer-generated images, the film marked the history of cinema and continues to seduce new generations thanks to its emblematic characters and its values of friendship, courage and imagination.
With Toy Story 5, Disney and Pixar present Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and their companions with a new challenge: the arrival of Lilypad, a connected tablet in the shape of a frog which intends to revolutionize Bonnie’s daily life. A plot that directly echoes the growing role of screens in children’s lives.
A story that opposes traditional toys and new technologies
In this fifth opus directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, toys discover that their place is now in competition with electronic devices. Faced with Lilypad and its cutting-edge technologies, Woody, Buzz and their friends will have to defend what makes them strong: imagination and shared play.
This theme particularly resonates with the world of toys. As Franck Mathais, spokesperson for JouéClub, points out, the return of the saga should generate new enthusiasm around these characters who continue to inspire dreams more than thirty years after their creation.
Interactive toys inspired by the new Lilypad character
To accompany the release of the film, VTech unveils a collection of educational toys inspired by the universe of Toy Story 5.
Among the new products is the Lilypad educational tablet, directly inspired by the new character in the film. Intended for children aged 3 to 8, it offers six activities around letters, vocabulary, music, logic and even memory. Children can also exchange predefined messages with characters from the Toy Story universe using an integrated chat mode. Recommended retail price: 35 euros.
The brand is also launching a Buzz Lightyear educational console, which includes six activities around numbers, letters, shapes and calculation, with the voice of the famous space ranger. Recommended retail price: 25 euros.
Another new feature: a Toy Story educational smartphone allowing you to interact with Buzz, Woody and their friends using several character buttons and an integrated microphone. Children can discover numbers, work on their logic and memory while imitating the conversations of their favorite heroes. Recommended retail price: 22 euros.
Finally, Woody and Buzz Lightyear educational game watches complete the range. Customizable with ten dials, they offer mini-games around calculation, observation and coordination, as well as alarm clock, stopwatch and hourglass functions. Recommended retail price: 22 euros.
Talking figurines, UNO and cult characters: Mattel is banking on nostalgia
For its part, Mattel is capitalizing on the return of the film with a wide range of derivative products.
The Toy Story 5 interactive figurines make it possible to reproduce the emblematic exchanges of the film. Some figurines are even able to recognize each other when placed face to face and automatically trigger conversations inspired by the universe of the saga. Recommended retail price: 24.99 euros.
Children can also find the classic articulated figurines representing the essential characters of the franchise, as well as the Toy Story Minis Stars, small collectible figurines sold in surprise bags.
For younger children, Fisher-Price offers a Little People Toy Story box set including six iconic characters: Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Rex, Forky and an Alien. Suitable for little hands, these figurines are intended for children aged 18 months and over.
Mattel also sells large 30 cm talking Woody and Jessie figurines. Faithful to the characters from the film, they include several interactive functions: Woody speaks when his string is pulled while Jessie reproduces her famous yodeling sounds.
Finally, board game fans will be able to find their favorite heroes in a special edition of the famous UNO Toy Story 5, illustrated with the emblematic characters of the franchise.
A saga that continues to bring generations together
Beyond the new products, the success of Toy Story relies on his ability to speak to both parents and children. As Mattel points out, these toys allow adults to reunite with their childhood heroes while younger children in turn discover Woody, Buzz, Jessie and their companions.
With the release of Toy Story 5, Disney and Pixar are banking on a formula that has already proven itself: endearing characters, a contemporary adventure and a universe that continues to fuel the imagination of several generations.