Tom Hanks: Toy Story 5 tackles children's screen addiction 'terror'

Tom Hanks says the upcoming Toy Story 5 addresses the real-world problem of children's screen addiction. The film sees Woody, Buzz, and their fellow toys competing for children's attention against a tablet. Hanks described the theme as reflecting genuine 'terror' around digital devices.

Hollywood legend Tom Hanks has revealed that Toy Story 5 will take on the very modern challenge of children's screen addiction, describing the issue as a source of genuine 'terror' in today's world. The upcoming Pixar sequel sees beloved characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear facing a new kind of rival — not a villain, but a tablet computer competing for kids' attention.

The premise reflects growing anxieties among parents and educators worldwide about the hold that digital devices have on young children. Rather than a traditional antagonist, the central conflict of Toy Story 5 pits the classic toy box against the seductive glow of a screen — a battle many modern families know all too well.

Hanks, who has voiced Woody since the original Toy Story debuted in 1995, suggested the film taps into something deeply felt by parents today. The choice to address screen time as a narrative theme signals that Pixar is once again looking to reflect real emotional and social concerns through the lens of its animated universe, much as earlier installments explored themes of growing up, loss, and belonging.

No release date for Toy Story 5 has been officially confirmed, but anticipation is already building among fans of the franchise, which has grossed billions of dollars globally across its four previous films.