Toy Story Franchise Dominance: Why Critics Call It “Some of the Greatest Movies Ever Made About Childhood”

Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman recently praised Pixar’s Toy Story franchise on the Daily Variety podcast, celebrating the series as exceptional cinema about childhood ahead of the fifth installment’s June 19 theatrical release.

Toy Story franchise: The Details

Owen Gleiberman, Variety’s chief film critic, took to the Daily Variety podcast to articulate why the Toy Story franchise has achieved such enduring cultural significance. His analysis positioning the Toy Story franchise among cinema’s greatest achievements regarding childhood storytelling reflects the critical consensus that Pixar’s series transcends typical animated entertainment.

Since 1995, when the original Toy Story premiered, the franchise has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Gleiberman’s commentary highlights how the Toy Story franchise succeeds not merely as children’s entertainment but as profound examinations of friendship, loss, identity, and growing up. Each installment deepens thematic exploration while maintaining emotional authenticity that resonates across age groups.

The timing of Gleiberman’s remarks coincides with significant anticipation for the fifth installment, arriving June 19, 2025. His podcast appearance demonstrates that critical reassessment of the Toy Story franchise continues to validate Pixar’s artistic ambitions. The discussion underscores how animation, particularly through the Toy Story franchise, legitimizes animated storytelling as serious artistic cinema worthy of deep cultural analysis.

What This Means for Cinema

Gleiberman’s assessment of the Toy Story franchise carries substantial implications for animated cinema’s critical recognition. When a chief film critic at Variety—a publication setting industry standards—explicitly ranks the Toy Story franchise among cinema’s greatest achievements, it reshapes conversation about animation’s legitimacy in serious film discourse.

The Toy Story franchise’s elevation validates Pixar’s pioneering approach to computer-generated animation as a serious artistic medium rather than purely commercial entertainment. This critical positioning impacts how studios, critics, and audiences evaluate animated films moving forward. The Toy Story franchise success story demonstrates that animated narratives exploring complex emotional landscapes deserve equal critical consideration as live-action cinema.

Furthermore, the cultural resonance of the Toy Story franchise illustrates how deeply personal, character-driven storytelling transcends medium boundaries. Its sustained critical appreciation suggests that future animated projects prioritizing emotional authenticity and thematic depth over spectacle will receive serious artistic consideration within mainstream film criticism.

What We Know So Far

• Variety’s Owen Gleiberman describes the Toy Story franchise as “some of the greatest movies ever made about childhood”
• Pixar’s Toy Story franchise began in 1995 with the original film, pioneering computer-generated animated storytelling
• Toy Story 5 arrives in theaters on June 19, 2025, representing the franchise’s fifth major theatrical installment
• Gleiberman’s commentary aired on the Daily Variety podcast, amplifying critical discussion of the Toy Story franchise’s artistic significance
• The Toy Story franchise maintains sustained critical and commercial success across three decades of filmmaking

What’s Still Unknown

• Whether Toy Story 5 will introduce new characters or continue exploring existing character arcs within the franchise
• Critical reception and commercial performance predictions for the fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise
• How the Toy Story franchise will evolve thematically in future installments beyond the fifth film

For more information about this story, visit Variety’s official website and explore Toy Story on IMDb for comprehensive filmography details.

META_DESCRIPTION: Variety’s Owen Gleiberman explains why the Toy Story franchise resonates with audiences, calling it ‘some of the greatest movies ever made about childhood’ as the fifth installment arrives.

FOCUS_KEYWORD: Toy Story franchise

TAGS: Pixar, Toy Story 5, Film Criticism, Animation Industry, Owen Gleiberman