Tom Hanks Warns ‘Toy Story 5’ Tackles the Ultimate Modern Terror: Screen Addiction!

Tom Hanks believes the newest Toy Story movie tackles a topic that many families are dealing with today: children’s growing attachment to screens and digital devices.

The actor, who returns as the voice of Woody in Toy Story 5, spoke about the film’s story during a conversation with BBC journalist David Sillito. This time, the toys are not facing a traditional villain. Instead, they find themselves competing with technology for the attention of the children they care about.

In Toy Story 5, Bonnie has grown older and becomes fascinated with a new tablet-like device called Lilypad. The frog-shaped gadget quickly becomes her favorite companion, leaving Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the other toys struggling to stay part of her world. The storyline explores how technology can change the way children spend their time and interact with the people and things around them.

Hanks said the movie’s message connected with the cast because they have all witnessed similar situations in real life. He explained that many young people today constantly move their attention between the real world and their phones.

“We’ve all met that disinterest,” Hanks said. “They look down at their phone, look up, look down, look up.”

He believes the issue reflects a larger generational shift. “This is a generational thing,” he told the BBC. “One generation has this thing that defines them technologically in society, and they pour everything into it.”

One moment in the film stood out to him in particular. Hanks described a scene showing a city at night filled with the glow of screens coming from children’s bedrooms. He admitted that the image left a strong impression on him.

“It does strike terror into the heart,” he said.

Fellow cast member Tim Allen, who once again voices Buzz Lightyear, shared his own experience with technology and younger audiences. He recalled taking his teenage daughter to the movies and noticing how difficult it was for her to stay engaged throughout an entire film.

Allen explained that many young people are now used to consuming very short pieces of content online. “They are so used to seven-second movies on Instagram,” he said.

According to Allen, his daughter quickly figured out the plot of the movie they were watching and lost interest. “I get it! He’s going to be the villain and they’re going to do this,” she told him.

While Allen laughed about the experience, he admitted that she was not entirely wrong. He believes younger generations have become accustomed to stories being told much faster than they were in the past.

At the same time, Allen pointed out that every generation has faced similar concerns about new forms of entertainment. He remembered his own parents telling him to turn off his music when rock and roll became popular.

“As soon as I said ‘put that phone down,’ I remember my parents going ‘turn the music off,’” Allen said.

Joan Cusack, who returns as Jessie, believes the story will connect strongly with parents. She said the subject of screen time is something many families discuss regularly, making the film’s themes especially relevant today.

Toy Story 5 is produced by Pixar Animation Studios and continues one of Disney’s most successful franchises. Alongside returning stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack, the film introduces new cast members, including Greta Lee as Lilypad.

The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 19, bringing Woody, Buzz, and their friends back for a new adventure that explores the challenges of growing up in a digital world.

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