Toy Story 5 Is Coming: Disney Brings the Beloved Toys Back to Life Again
In August 2024, Disney announced some exciting news for fans of the Toy Story series: Toy Story 5 is officially happening, and it’s set to hit theaters in June 2026. The announcement was made during the D23 Expo, Disney’s big fan event in California.
Pixar shared a sneak peek showing Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the rest of the crew watching a child staring at a tablet. This image hints that the new movie might explore how modern technology is changing the way kids play. Disney also confirmed that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will return to voice Woody and Buzz, bringing back two of the most loved characters in animation history.
The Toy Story movies began back in 1995, and the first film made history as the first full-length movie made completely with computer animation. Since then, Pixar has released four Toy Story movies, with Toy Story 4 coming out in 2019. Many people thought that movie was the end of the story. But in 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that Toy Story 5 was in the works. At the 2024 D23 event, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter shared that the new movie will look at how toys deal with kids spending more time on screens than playing with real toys. He explained, “We’re diving into how toys find meaning when kids seem more interested in tech than toys.”
Toy Story 5 will be directed by Andrew Stanton, who also worked on hits like Finding Nemo and WALL-E. He said, “This is a story we couldn’t ignore, how the world has changed for toys, and what that means for their place in a child’s life.” The teaser image of the toys watching a child glued to a tablet sets the stage for a deeper, more emotional story. Pixar also revealed a brand-new character named Smarty Pants, who will be voiced by Conan O’Brien. He’s expected to be a tech-smart toy that represents modern digital play. Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, posted on social media, “See ya soon Woody, you are a sad, strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5!”
Over the last 30 years, Toy Story has become one of the most important animated franchises in movie history. The original movie earned over $370 million worldwide and even got an honorary Oscar for its amazing animation. Each new film has added more to the story and helped audiences connect with the characters. Toy Story 5 could be especially meaningful for today’s kids, who spend a lot of time on phones, tablets, and video games. This movie might help remind people, both kids and adults, about the importance of imagination and playing with real toys.
In the end, Toy Story 5 promises to bring back everything fans love: unforgettable characters, heartwarming moments, and fun adventures. At the same time, it will explore how toys can still matter in a world filled with technology. With the original cast returning and a talented team behind the scenes, the next Toy Story film is sure to make audiences laugh, cry, and cheer once again. The toys are back, and they’ve got a brand-new story to tell.
Sources:
https://people.com/pixar-commemorates-toy-story-30th-anniversary-with-emotional-tribute-video-11703160
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c2kqkey78x9o
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/movies/toy-story-5-disney-pixar.html
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/toy-story-5-release-date-pixar-1235693210/