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Pixar is bringing us back to the world of toys after more than two decades. Toy Story 5 is officially coming, which means we get the nostalgia with a fresh story we have been craving since Woody’s goodbye in Toy Story 4.
Since Pixar confirmed the Toy Story 5 release date 2026, we can finally count down to another heartfelt chapter featuring Woody, Buzz, and a surprising tech-driven twist.
When Is Toy Story 5 Coming Out?
Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, 2026. Pixar and Disney made it clear they want an exclusive theatrical release, so we get to experience it on the big screen where it belongs.
They dropped the announcement with a teaser trailer and a colorful poster introducing a brand-new character. During major animation events in 2025, they revealed the film’s core theme: “Toy meets Tech.” This stands out in Pixar’s lineup of upcoming Disney Pixar movies as a meaningful return to one of their most beloved franchises.
Will Woody and Buzz Reunite in Toy Story 5?
The heart of Toy Story 5 brings Woody and Buzz Lightyear back together, with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning to voice them. Remember how Woody chose a different path at the end of Toy Story 4 and left Bonnie’s room? That moment broke our hearts. Now this film reunites them through a story about what friendship means when the world keeps changing.
Director Andrew Stanton is leading the project. If you know his work on Finding Nemo and WALL-E, you know we’re in for something special. Working alongside him is co-director Kenna Harris, who brings fresh creative energy to that heartwarming storytelling Pixar does so well.
What Is the Plot of Toy Story 5?
The story of Toy Story 5 follows eight-year-old Bonnie when she receives a sleek frog-shaped tablet named Lilypad. Greta Lee voices this character, and Lilypad quickly becomes the companion Bonnie turns to most. This leaves Woody, Buzz, and Jessie scrambling to stay relevant.
The tagline says it all: “The age of toys is over.” When the toys realize smart gadgets are replacing them, they launch a mission to prove that imagination will always beat screens. Pixar describes what they created as both hilarious and poignant.
Meet the Toy Story 5 Cast and Voice Actors
The Toy Story 5 cast brings back voices we love while adding exciting new ones:
Character | Voice Actor | Status |
Woody | Tom Hanks | Returning |
Buzz Lightyear | Tim Allen | Returning |
Jessie | Joan Cusack | Returning |
Forky | Tony Hale | Returning |
Combat Carl | Ernie Hudson | Returning (replacing Carl Weathers) |
Lilypad | Greta Lee | New Character |
Smarty Pants | Conan O’Brien | New Character |
Forky is coming back too since he became a breakout star in Toy Story 4. By mixing legacy voices with fresh comedic talent like Conan O’Brien, Pixar is building an ensemble that honors what we love while keeping things exciting.
Director Andrew Stanton and co-director Kenna Harris have promised they will bring both the familiarity and the innovation we need. Producer Lindsey Collins leads production, known for her work on Turning Red and Finding Dory. This marks the first Toy Story film produced without co-creator John Lasseter, who left Pixar in 2018. Even so, the studio describes this project as “a hilarious and poignant journey.”
Toy Story 5 Trailer: A Glimpse into the Next Adventure
The official Toy Story 5 trailer gives us just enough to tug at our hearts. It opens with Bonnie receiving a mysterious package. We watch alongside Woody, Buzz, and the gang as she unwraps the futuristic Lilypad tablet. Then the smart toy chirps “Let’s play!” and we instantly understand what the toys are up against.
They set the trailer to INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart,” which hits different when you see humor mixed with genuine fear on the toys’ faces. That tagline “The age of toys is over” leaves us wondering how our favorite characters will win back their place in Bonnie’s heart.
Toy Story 5 Budget and Production Scale
Pixar has not shared the Toy Story 5 budget, though analysts estimate around $200 million. That budget goes toward major advancements in animation technology, especially when rendering realistic textures, lighting, and expressions.
Toy Story 5 aims to set a new visual standard while keeping that signature Pixar charm we recognize instantly.
Why Toy Story 5 Matters for Pixar and Fans
The Toy Story series has pulled in over $3.3 billion worldwide. But when you look past the box office numbers, you see emotional storytelling that bridges generations.
Pixar has faced some tough years at the box office recently, so Toy Story 5 arrives as both a comeback and a celebration.
For those who grew up with these characters, this film offers a nostalgic reunion we have been waiting for. For younger viewers, it presents a fresh adventure about friendship that never gets old.
Final Thoughts
Toy Story 5 is shaping up to deliver everything we love about Pixar: heartfelt emotion, clever humor, and groundbreaking animation. The toys are gearing up to prove that friendship never fades and imagination never dies, no matter how advanced our technology becomes.
Mark your calendars for June 19, 2026. Woody, Buzz, and the gang are ready to take us on one more unforgettable ride to infinity and beyond.
Check out our analysis of IT: Welcome to Derry, where HBO is reviving classic horror films in a fresh way, as Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the crew prepare for their upcoming big adventure.
The film introduces Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee, and Smarty Pants, a talking potty-training toy voiced by Conan O’Brien.
Pixar has not confirmed whether this will be the final installment. However, the creative team has hinted that Toy Story 5 offers a satisfying new chapter that could work as both a continuation and a heartfelt conclusion.
Tony Hale returns to voice Forky, which confirms this fan-favorite character will play a significant part in the story.
