Discover how Toy Story 5 reunites the classic cast with new characters like Lilypad while Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris steer Pixar back into familiar, emotionally resonant territory
Pixar will return to Andy’s—and now grown-up fans’—world with Toy Story 5, arriving in theaters June 19, 2026. The new chapter reconnects Woody, Buzz and the familiar playroom gang with a wave of modern gadgets, promising a mix of laugh-out-loud set pieces and the bittersweet emotion the franchise is known for.
What we know so far
– Directors and production: Andrew Stanton directs, joined by co-director Kenna Harris, with Lindsey Collins producing. The creative team is deliberately keeping the franchise’s emotional heart intact while steering the story toward contemporary concerns.
– Core cast: Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) are back, alongside Joan Cusack and Tony Hale, maintaining the continuity longtime fans expect.
– New voices: Greta Lee will voice Lilypad, a frog-shaped, multifunctional tablet at the center of the film’s conflict. Conan O’Brien is reported to play a potty-training tech toy called Smarty Pants; Ernie Hudson and Blake Clark are also among the new additions.
– New toys and imagery: Promotional assets introduce characters such as Lilypad, Atlas and Snappy, and even show Forky and Knifey in wedding attire—hints at both comic subplots and unexpected character beats.
Premise and themes
Toy Story 5 frames a cultural collision between handmade toys and attention-grabbing electronics. Lilypad—the bright, multifunctional tablet—draws children’s focus away from traditional play, forcing Woody, Buzz and their friends to reckon with questions of relevance, memory and identity. Early trailers and posters blend culture-clash comedy with intimate moments, suggesting the film will probe how old attachments survive in a screen-first world.
Tone and marketing
From the teasers released so far, Pixar appears to aim for balance: broad set-piece humor when analogue toys meet digital gizmos; quieter scenes that explore belonging and loss. The international poster pairs the original ensemble with the newcomers in a way that teases both rivalry and possible reconciliation. Pixar and Disney are planning further marketing drops and casting details ahead of the June rollout.
Why it matters
The sequel arrives at a time when the studio has tightened its focus on proven franchises. Bringing back original voices helps preserve the emotional continuity that made earlier Toy Story films resonate, while new characters and tech-driven themes update the story for today’s families. If Lilypad lands emotionally, the film could become another successful expansion of the franchise; if not, critics may question whether the gadget angle upends the series’ tonal balance. Either way, merchandising and box office prospects will likely hinge on how audiences respond to the new ensemble. Keep an eye out for more trailers and cast announcements as Pixar leads up to the June 19, 2026 release.