Did Ron’s Gone Wrong Tell the Technology Story Better Than Toy Story 5?
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Katelyn Mathis 
Toy Story 5 isn’t the first animated film to explore the impact of technology on childhood. Katelyn takes a closer look at how Ron’s Gone Wrong tackled similar themes—and asks whether it ultimately told the story better.
When Pixar announced that Toy Story 5 would explore the conflict between traditional toys and modern technology, many fans immediately understood what the film was trying to say. Children today spend more time with tablets, smartphones, and digital entertainment than ever before. The question of whether technology is replacing imagination is absolutely worth exploring.
The problem is that another animated movie already tackled the subject, and arguably did it better. Released in 2021, Ron’s Gone Wrong wasn’t the box office phenomenon that many Pixar films become, but it quietly delivered one of the smartest commentaries on technology in recent family entertainment. Instead of simply asking whether kids play with too many screens, it examined why those screens have become so important in the first place.
Technology Isn’t the Villain
One of the biggest strengths of Ron’s Gone Wrong is that it refuses to make technology itself the enemy. The B-Bots are incredible inventions that help children connect, learn, and communicate. The real problem isn’t the hardware; it’s the software, the algorithms, and the corporation behind them. The film explores how social validation, data collection, and popularity metrics influence friendships in ways that feel surprisingly authentic. Rather than saying, “Phones are bad,” the movie asks a much more interesting question: What happens when technology becomes the gatekeeper to friendship?
That’s a far more relevant concern in today’s world than simply wondering whether kids still play with action figures.
Friendship Can’t Be Downloaded
The heart of Ron’s Gone Wrong is Barney and Ron’s imperfect friendship. (Ron is the robot.) Ron is broken. He glitches. He makes mistakes. He embarrasses Barney constantly. Ironically, that’s exactly why their friendship becomes genuine. While every other B-Bot is programmed to maximize popularity and social approval, Ron forces Barney to experience something algorithms can’t manufacture: authentic human connection. It’s a lesson that resonates with children growing up in an era of curated social media feeds and AI-generated recommendations.
What Toy Story 5 Appears to Be Exploring
Based on the film’s announced premise and promotional material, Toy Story 5 seems less interested in social media or digital relationships and more concerned with changing how children play. The toys aren’t simply competing with another toy. They’re competing with an entire digital ecosystem. That’s a compelling setup, but it also feels more familiar. Parents, teachers, and grandparents have been having the “screens versus toys” conversation for years. The film doesn’t dig deeper into why children gravitate toward technology or what role it should play in their lives. It tells a story audiences have already heard.
And, in the end, technology is what brings Bonnie and Blaze together. If it weren’t for their tech caring about them, they never would have found each other. Personally, Toy Story was less about “technology bad, toys good” and more about recognizing that there are limits and the importance of parents being clued in on what their kids are doing online.
The Bigger Conversation
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two films lies in the question each asks. Toy Story 5 asks whether technology is replacing toys. Ron’s Gone Wrong asks whether technology is replacing relationships. Those aren’t the same conversation. One focuses on how children spend their time. The other focuses on how they form their identities and self-views. That makes Ron’s Gone Wrong feel surprisingly mature for a family film. It recognizes that children don’t just use technology for entertainment; they use it to belong.
Why Both Stories Matter
This isn’t to say Toy Story 5 can’t offer something valuable. The Toy Story franchise has always been about change. Every film explores what happens when growing up forces characters to redefine their purpose. Technology is simply the latest challenge for Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang.
If the movie ultimately argues that imagination, creativity, and physical play still matter in a digital age, that’s a worthwhile message. But if the goal is to understand the greater dangers of technology itself, social pressure, algorithm-driven relationships, corporate influence, and the loss of authentic connection, Ron’s Gone Wrong already made that case with remarkable clarity.
Final Thoughts
Animated films often succeed because they simplify complicated ideas without talking down to their audience. Ron’s Gone Wrong didn’t just warn kids about spending too much time with technology. It challenged adults to think about the systems we’ve built around technology and how they shape children’s lives. Toy Story 5 may remind audiences why traditional play still matters, but Ron’s Gone Wrong asks a harder question: What happens when technology starts defining friendship itself? For many viewers, that’s the more important conversation, and it’s one that Ron’s Gone Wrong began years earlier.
You can watch Ron’s Gone Wrong on Disney+, fuboTV, and SlingTV.
Katelyn Mathis is a Senior Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. She is a passionate Star Wars fan and is the go-to source for Force Knowledge. Follow her on Twitter where she uses the force frequently!
