After a string of box office disappointments, Disney has set out to return to what works with its theatrical releases. That means sequels and more sequels, with Toy Story 5 heading to theaters next year.
Returning to what works has proven to be a beneficial move for Pixar—just look at how much more successful Inside Out 2 was compared to Elio—especially after former Disney CEO Bob Chapek decided to make many of its COVID-era releases streaming exclusives, hurting the brand and its ability to sell audiences on original stories.
Today, some new promo art from the next Toy Story movie has found its way online, thanks to several t-shirt designs. In terms of reveals, we see that Woody will add a poncho to his classic cowboy look (that's one way to sell a new wave of Woody dolls to kids and adult collectors alike).
There's also a proper first look at three new additions to the franchise: Atlas, Smarty Pants, and Snappy. Not much is known about this trio, though they'll likely be part of Bonnie's room.
During a recent interview, Buzz Lightyear actor Tim Allen shared some of the first Toy Story 5 plot details. The actor confirmed that Joan Cusack's Jessie will serve as the movie's lead. Interestingly, he also referred to the sequel as a "reboot" for the long-running series.
"This thing [Toy Story 5], they reboot everything," he stated. "It’s all about Jesse, which is really cool. She’s in trouble, and she needs help. We’re all over, so she has to gather everybody."
"The funniest thing to me is that there's a plane crash like that [Tom] Hanks movie [Castaway]," Allen added. "On the island where a FedEx plane or something with 100 Buzz dolls lands, and they’re all lost. It’s hysterical. They’re trying to find their way back, and there are a hundred of them. I hope they have it in there. I ad-lib."
Toy Story 5 will pit the toys against technology; Jessie will be in charge of Bonnie's room when the movie begins, with the battle against a frog-like tablet named Lilypad bringing Woody back into the mix. Concept art, meanwhile, has revealed that an army of 50 Buzz Lightyears stuck in play mode will cause problems for our heroes (that's the scene Allen is referring to above).
Written and directed by Andrew Stanton, Toy Story 5 stars Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl, Tony Hale as Forky, Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants, and Anna Faris as Lilypad.
Toy Story 5 is set to be released in theaters on June 19, 2026.