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Is there anyone who doesn’t love the Toy Story franchise? Pixar’s beloved animated series has captivated audiences since the original film debuted in 1995. The story follows a group of living toys, including Tom Hanks‘ Sheriff Woody and Tim Allen‘s Buzz Lightyear, who first belonged to Andy Davis (John Morris) before embarking on countless adventures over the years. Created by filmmakers including John Lasseter, Pete Doctor, Andrew Stanton, and Joe Ranft, the franchise has expanded to include Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019), with a fifth installment now arriving in theaters. The first four films were both critical and commercial successes, earning multiple Academy Award nominations and wins while becoming some of Pixar’s most beloved movies.
Now, Woody, Buzz and the gang are back for Toy Story 5. This time, the toys face a challenge that reflects modern childhood: technology. Pixar has teased a “Toy meets Tech” story in which a tablet-like device called Lilypad competes with the toys for Bonnie’s attention, forcing them to adapt to a changing world.
Much of the franchise’s success comes from its iconic lineup of characters. Alongside Woody and Buzz, the films feature Mr. Potato Head (originally voiced by Don Rickles), Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney and later Blake Clark), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Bo Peep (Annie Potts), and Jessie (Joan Cusack), among many others. In Toy Story 5, the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head have been recast following the deaths of Rickles and Harris, with new actors stepping in to continue their legacy.
Beyond the main films, the Toy Story universe has expanded with spinoffs, including the Disney+ series Forky Asks a Question and the 2022 film Lightyear, which featured Chris Evans as the voice of Buzz. Still, fans are most excited for Toy Story 5! Here’s everything to know about the sequel below.
What Do We Know About ‘Toy Story 5’?
On February 8, 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that a fifth Toy Story movie was in development during an investor call, per Deadline. At the time, few details were revealed about the cast, plot, or release date.
Since then, Pixar has shared significantly more about the film. The story will take a more modern turn, focusing on how toys struggle to stay relevant in a world dominated by technology. This time, the central conflict involves a smart device called Lilypad, which begins to pull Bonnie’s attention away from her toys.
The film will also shift focus toward Jessie, who plays a larger leadership role, while Woody—who left at the end of Toy Story 4—is brought back into the story. Buzz Lightyear also returns, including multiple versions of the character, adding a new twist to the plot. New characters are being introduced as well, including Blaze, a confident new child character, and several tech-inspired toys. Conan O’Brien joins the cast as Smarty Pants, a quirky and outdated device, while Greta Lee voices Lilypad.
The film will also mark a transition for some classic characters. Following the deaths of Don Rickles and Estelle Harris, Toy Story 5 recasts Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head with new voice actors, with the approval of their families.
Before the fourth film came out in 2019, Tom Hanks said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that it would be his last time voicing Woody. “We were saying goodbye to Woody and Buzz…and it was emotional,” he said. That obviously saddened fans — but producer Mark Nielsen first hinted at a fifth movie during Pixar’s press day for Toy Story 4. He said, “Every film we make, we treat it like it’s the first and the last film we’re ever going to make, so you force yourself to make it hold up. You don’t get in over your skis. Whether there’s another one? I don’t know. If there is, it’s tomorrow’s problem.” Tim Allen then gave fans even more hope for Toy Story 5 when he confirmed in an interview in 2019 that he’d voice Buzz again for round 5. “Once you’ve gotten to four, you’re passed that trilogy [point], so I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t do it, certainly. If you ask me, I’d say do five,” he said, according to Cinemablend.
‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer
When Does ‘Toy Story 5’ Come Out? Release Date
Toy Story 5 arrives in U.S. theaters on June 19, 2026. The film has already begun rolling out internationally, opening in countries including France and South Korea on June 17 and Australia and Germany on June 18, ahead of its U.S. debut.
Is Taylor Swift in ‘Toy Story 5’?
Taylor Swift is not a part of the Toy Story 5 cast, but she wrote a song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
