AceShowbiz - Ask most people to name a film about toys coming to life, and Toy Story almost always tops the list. The original Pixar movie, released in 1995, was a worldwide phenomenon that spawned multiple sequels, each continuing the beloved adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their friends. Now, in 2026, the franchise is set to return with Toy Story 5, where the toys face a new challenge: the impact of screen time on children’s play.

While Toy Story is the most famous film in its genre, it wasn’t the only ’90s movie exploring the concept of toys coming to life. Three years after Pixar’s hit, the 1998 film Small Soldiers hit theaters, taking a darker and more action-packed approach. This film featured two groups of action figures—the gentle Gorgonites and the militaristic Commando Elite—brought to life by advanced microchips. Unlike Toy Story, which was a family-friendly hit, Small Soldiers didn’t achieve similar critical or commercial success and has been largely forgotten, although it retains a cult following.

Toy Story 5 appears to pay tribute to Small Soldiers in a clever way. A key plot element involves an army of Buzz Lightyear dolls washing ashore and forming their own society before venturing onto the mainland. Trailer footage suggests that Woody and the authentic Buzz will recruit these space ranger figures to help confront a new adversary named Lilypad. One memorable scene shows the Buzz dolls arming themselves with everyday household items—corkscrews, lighters, pocket knives, and cutlery—transforming ordinary objects into weapons. This imagery strongly echoes the tactics of the Commando Elite in Small Soldiers, who similarly scavenged household tools to create their arsenal.

In Small Soldiers, the Commando Elite, led by Major Chip Hazard, methodically collected kitchen gadgets and DIY tools to weaponize them, with Hazard famously declaring, "If it launches, lacerates, or detonates, I want it mobile, and I want it lethal." While the buzz army in Toy Story 5 seems less violent, the parallel is unmistakable, hinting at a respectful nod to the earlier film.

One of the most iconic scenes from Small Soldiers—the garage montage set to Queen’s "Another One Bites the Dust"—shows the Commando Elite preparing their makeshift weapons, welding chainsaws to skateboards and assembling missiles. Toy Story 5 recreates a similar atmosphere, with the Buzz army gearing up with household objects to face their new challenges. This connection will likely resonate with fans of the cult classic, reminding them of the unique spirit and creativity that film captured nearly 30 years ago.

Toy Story 5 is directed by Andrew Stanton and features the voices of Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, and Greta Lee as the new character Lilypad. The movie is set to release on June 19, 2026, continuing the adventures of the beloved characters as they navigate the evolving landscape of childhood play in the digital age.

By blending its own unique story with subtle homages to Small Soldiers, Toy Story 5 not only honors Pixar’s roots but also revives the spirit of a lesser-known ’90s film that explored similar themes with a more intense, action-oriented approach. This blend of nostalgia and innovation promises to enrich the latest chapter in the franchise while inviting audiences to rediscover a forgotten gem.

For those interested in deeper insights, subscribing to newsletters covering Toy Story 5 and its connections to cult films like Small Soldiers offers a chance to explore Easter eggs, thematic parallels, and the broader context of toy-themed storytelling in cinema.

As the franchise returns to theaters, the inclusion of a Buzz Lightyear army arming themselves with household items serves as both a fresh storyline and a respectful homage, making Toy Story 5 a must-watch for fans of both the beloved Pixar series and ’90s cult classics alike.