Seven years after “Toy Story 4,” Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang return in “Toy Story 5,” the next chapter in Pixar’s longest-running franchise. Pixar released the official trailer on Thursday.
The film tees up an all too familiar question. What’s a toy’s purpose when childhood is increasingly dominated by screens? In the trailer, Woody (now balding and wearing a poncho) and Buzz reunite to save Bonnie from her new Lilypad smart tablet. They team up with Jessie, Forky, Slinky Dog, Hamm, Trixie and an army of Buzz Lightyears to stop technology from taking over kids’ lives.
The voice cast largely reunites for the fifth installment, with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning as Woody and Buzz, alongside Joan Cusack, Blake Clark and Tony Hale. New additions to the franchise include Greta Lee and Conan O’Brien, signaling Pixar’s continued effort to refresh the ensemble while keeping its core squad intact.
Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton serves as director and screenwriter. He has described the film less as a traditional good-versus-evil showdown and more as an existential reckoning for toys facing obsolescence. Rather than positioning technology simply as an antagonist, the film aims to explore how digital devices have reshaped childhood and what that inevitable shift will mean.
The new movie follows the events of “Toy Story 4,” which concluded with Woody choosing independence over life in Bonnie’s toy chest, a decision that marked a significant turning point for the franchise. How, or if, that separation is addressed remains one of the sequel’s biggest open questions.
The film arrives at a moment of renewed momentum for Disney and Pixar animation. “Inside Out 2” dominated the global box office in 2024, grossing more than $1.5 billion and becoming the year’s highest-grossing film. Pixar will next release the original feature “Hoppers” in March, positioning “Toy Story 5” as a high-profile follow-up during a critical period for the studio.
“Toy Story 5” opens in theaters June 19.
Watch the trailer below.
