Toy Story 5 Release Date, Cast, Director And More Details
"Toy Story" made history when it hit theaters back in 1995, becoming the first-ever computer-animated feature film. Since then, it's spawned three sequels, multiple shorts, video games, a TV show, and a spinoff with "Lightyear."
In other words, Pixar's flagship franchise just never stops growing ... even if the endings of "Toy Story 3" and "4" seemed like they were meant to send the series off on a high note. After all, the fourth film ended with Sheriff Woody saying goodbye to his friends and staying behind with Bo Peep. Even so, it looks like more "Toy Story" adventures are headed our way.
That's right, partner. There's a snake in our boot and a fifth "Toy Story" film on the horizon. It just goes to show that — seemingly like the dolls, dinosaurs, and space rangers we all know and love — "Toy Story" will never die. However, what exactly do we know about the fifth movie? Where will it take the characters, and which actors will be reprising their iconic roles? Well, let's go to infinity and beyond and discuss what we know so far about "Toy Story 5."
When will Toy Story 5 be released?
In February 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger made some pretty big announcements during the company's Q1 earnings call. On the negative side of things, Iger announced Disney was cutting 7,000 employees ... so yeah, not great. However, Iger also had some positive news — for audiences anyway. The CEO announced that Disney would be releasing several sequels to some of their most popular films, including "Zootopia 2," "Frozen 3," and yep, "Toy Story 5."
So when will we see Rex, Hamm, and Mr. Potato Head back in action? Well, in April 2024, Disney revealed that "Toy Story 5" would be flying into theaters on June 19, 2026. That year promises to be a huge one for Disney, as the Pixar film will be joined by 2026 titles such as the fifth "Avengers" movie, "The Mandalorian & Grogu," and the live-action "Moana" movie.
What is the plot of Toy Story 5?
The fourth "Toy Story" film ended with Buzz and Woody going their separate ways. The space ranger and most of the "Toy Story" crew went back to Bonnie's room while Woody pulled a Captain America and after years of being a loyal, selfless sheriff, he decided to reunite with Bo Peep and start a new life with his old flame.
Honestly, it seemed like the perfect place to end the franchise. (For that matter, so did "Toy Story 3," with the toys leaving Andy and bringing joy to Bonnie's life.) So where will the fifth film go? Well, Woody will have to reunite with his old friends somehow, as he and Bo Peep are currently roaming around with a traveling carnival. How that happens, we're not exactly sure, but we do know what the big threat of the movie will be: technology.
At 2024's D23 convention, director Andrew Stanton revealed the plot will involve the toys finding themselves displaced in a world of electronics. How are they going to compete against the allure of an iPad? It was also announced that they'll also be facing a much more physical threat — an army of programmable Buzz Lightyear toys that are none too friendly. It sounds like "Toy Story 5" has got some big ideas on its mind, and we're very interested to see how it will tie all these threads together.
Who is starring in Toy Story 5?
You can't have a "Toy Story" movie without Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. As any Pixar fan knows, Hanks provides the voice for the heroic if high-strung Sheriff Woody, while Allen plays the goofy, gung-ho space ranger Buzz Lightyear.
But will they return for part five? Well, in February 2023, Tim Allen tweeted, "See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man, and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond!" A few months later, he went on "The Tonight Show" and confirmed that both he and Hanks had been approached by Disney. It will definitely be nice to hear Allen voicing Buzz again. In the spinoff film "Lightyear," Chris Evans played the titular character. Granted, that Lightyear was a different version of the beloved space ranger, but even though Evans did a fine job, there's only one true Buzz, and we're glad he's back. Of course, since playing in "Toy Story 4," Allen has remained in the Disney fold, starring as Kris Kringle in Disney+'s "The Santa Clauses.
As for Hanks, he's been busy since "Toy Story 4," earning an Oscar nod for "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" and impressing audiences as "A Man Called Otto." However, some of his recent performances have been criticized by critics, such as Geppetto in "Pinocchio" and Col. Tom Parker in "Elvis." But everybody loves Sheriff Woody, and we can't wait to hear Hanks' big return. We're also expecting Joan Cusack to come back as everybody's favorite yodeling cowgirl, especially since Pixar announced that we'll be seeing Buzz, Woody, and Jessie in the upcoming movie.
Who is directing Toy Story 5?
It's hard for a franchise to keep the quality strong when it's five films deep, and so we totally get it if you're worried about "Toy Story 5." Will it live up to its predecessors? Can it recapture that Pixar magic we all know and love? Well, we're thinking the fifth "Toy Story" installment will be something pretty special thanks to its incredibly qualified director.
"Toy Story 5" will be helmed by Andrew Stanton, who's been involved with the series since day one. He co-wrote the scripts for the first three "Toy Story" movies, and he was even an executive producer on "Lightyear." In addition to his involvement in the world of Buzz and Woody, Stanton has directed two of Pixar's very best movies — "WALL-E" and "Finding Nemo," as well as "Finding Dory." In other words, many of our fondest Pixar memories are thanks to Stanton, and we're sure he'll deliver even more animated joy with "Toy Story 5."
Where to watch the previous Toy Story movies
While we're waiting for "Toy Story 5," it might be a good time to go back and relive all of Woody, Buzz, and Jessie's Pixar adventures.
The first film in the series is the one that kicked off the franchise, Pixar as a company, and CG-animated movies as a whole. If you want to revisit Andy's room and see Buzz Lightyear when he still thought he was a space ranger, you can check out the original "Toy Story" on Disney+ or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.
Released in a banner year for movies, 1999's "Toy Story 2" happens to be one of the best sequels ever made while also introducing Jessie the Cowgirl and Bullseye the Horse to the "Toy Story" crew. You can stream the sequel on Disney+ or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.
"Toy Story 3" might just be the biggest tear-jerker of the franchise — with a fiery climax and a heartfelt ending that'll break even the most cynical moviegoers. The threequel is available to stream on Disney+ or rent on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.
And then, we've got "Toy Story 4," which is just as awesome as every film before it. It also introduces us to the adorable Forky while setting Woody off on a brand new path. And if you're a fan of "Key & Peele," then you're going to love this one. You can stream the fourth film on Disney+ or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube