Tom Hanks has said that the forthcoming Toy Story 5 will address screen addiction among children with a message of “terror”, a warning that has been welcomed by British child safety campaigners. The actor, who voices the cowboy doll Woody in the animated franchise, told reporters that the film’s plot revolves around characters struggling to break free from an all-consuming digital device.
“The new film really explores what happens when you cannot put the screen down. It’s terrifying,” Hanks said during a promotional interview. “It shows the way that technology can take over a child’s life, and the parents’ lives too. It’s a horror story in some ways.”
The fifth instalment of the Pixar series, which began in 1995, is scheduled for release in summer 2026. The Toy Story films have historically tackled complex themes, including existential dread and abandonment, but screen addiction represents a new frontier for the franchise.
British child safety campaigners have been quick to endorse the film’s message. The Children’s Media Foundation, a UK-based charity, said that any mainstream depiction of the harms of excessive screen time would help parents manage digital consumption. “We welcome any move to raise awareness about the dangers of screen addiction,” said a spokesperson. “Children as young as three are now using tablets for hours a day, and it is affecting their sleep, language development, and social skills.”
Data from the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, shows that 71% of children aged three to four use a tablet at home, with an average daily screen time of two hours and 47 minutes among those aged three to seven. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has previously warned that no amount of screen time is “healthy” for infants, though it stopped short of setting fixed limits.
Hanks’s remarks have also drawn attention to the influence of Hollywood on public health discourse. His comments were unusual in their directness; the actor is not known for making political or policy statements. “Tom Hanks is America’s dad. When he speaks, people listen,” said Dr. Angharad Rudkin, a child psychologist and author on screen use. “A Toy Story film that takes screen addiction seriously could have a real impact on parenting behaviour.”
Pixar has not confirmed the specific plot details, but insiders suggest that the film follows the toys as they try to rescue a new child character who is trapped in a virtual reality game. The film’s director, who has not been named, is said to have consulted with child development experts to ensure the portrayal was accurate and not alarmist.
Critics have questioned whether a film franchise owned by Disney, which also benefits from screen-based entertainment, can credibly critique screen use. One analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “There is a clear tension here. Disney is a company that profits from children watching its content. A film telling them to put down the screen is a bit like a fast-food chain selling a salad.”
Nonetheless, the reaction from British campaigners has been largely positive. The ParentZone, a UK-based online safety group, said it would produce resources for parents to accompany the film’s release. “If Toy Story 5 can start a conversation about tech habits, it will have done a service,” said a spokesperson.
Hanks himself acknowledged the irony of delivering the message through a blockbuster film. “We are using a screen to tell people to use screens less,” he said. “But that’s the only way to reach people. We have to meet them where they are.”
