“You’ve got a friend in me!” But you’ll have to wait a little longer to see that friend again. Toy Story 5 is officially in the works, but Pixar has set the release date for June 19, 2026. The wait may feel long, but the promise of seeing Woody, Buzz, and the gang again will be worth it.
Pixar recently announced some exciting news about Toy Story 5 at Disney’s D23 Expo in August 2024: The film will be directed by series veteran Andrew Stanton along with co-director McKenna Harris.
Harris shared her excitement on Instagram, posting: “YAY…
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This new installment will take the beloved franchise in all sorts of new directions, promising huge changes at breakneck speed, as befits a world undergoing such changes, while also promising another unforgettable adventure with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang. The plot is expected to focus on the challenges facing toys in an age where technology, particularly electronics, dominates children’s attention.
The final installment in the series, Toy Story 4, had an emotional reception with a farewell letter as Woody said goodbye to his old life to be with Bo Peep, setting it apart from the other films where Woody remained loyal to his owner.
In Toy Story 5, the leftover toys Buzz, Jessie and Rex seem to be finding their way in a new world in which classic gaming essentially competes with screens and technological devices for attention.
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Nothing has been confirmed regarding the cast, but an appearance by Tim Allen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon suggests that he and Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody, have both been asked to return for this new chapter.
Given the characters’ continued popularity, it’s likely that Pixar will want to bring in as many familiar voices as possible.
No trailer has been released yet, but fans at D23 were able to watch a teaser that showed Woody, Buzz, and Jessie waving to the audience, supposedly announcing their return in the fifth installment. For those who wanted to see the film sooner, this teaser offers a small but satisfying glimpse of what’s to come.
Although Pixar has announced a new Toy Story movie, it surprised a lot of people, especially since Toy Story 4 wrapped things up pretty definitively. Until 2026, fans can rewatch the previous four films on Disney+ and relive the adventures that made Toy Story a cultural phenomenon. It might be a long wait, but if history is any indication, Toy Story 5 will be well worth it.
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