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Credit: PixarIt’s not about Buzz and Woody this time around.
In 1995, Disney and Pixar forever changed the landscape of animated films with the release of Toy Story, the first feature-length movie created entirely with computer animation. The groundbreaking film became a box office phenomenon, earning just over $400 million worldwide since its release 30 years ago, and ranked as the second-highest-grossing movie of 1995. What started as a technical milestone quickly evolved into one of the most successful franchises in modern film history.
So far, the Toy Story legacy includes four main films, two spinoffs, four short films, three animated series, and two television specials. Beyond the screen, the franchise has inspired full-fledged lands in Disney theme parks across the globe, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland.
The original Toy Story trilogy premiered in 1995, 1999, and 2010, with Toy Story 4 arriving in 2019—nine years after the third film. Each installment received widespread acclaim, making the announcement of Toy Story 5 in 2023 both surprising and exciting for fans. Many were taken aback, as Tom Hanks, the voice of Sheriff Woody, had previously said the fourth movie would close out the beloved series. Still, Disney confirmed that both Hanks and Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) would reprise their roles.
Reactions to the fifth entry have been mixed. Some fans expressed concern that the series might be stretched too far, preferring the saga to end gracefully rather than risk overextending its storylines. Yet, curiosity remains high about what direction the next chapter will take.
Following the events of Toy Story 4, Woody leaves Bonnie and the other toys behind to help lost toys find new homes. Jessie–who first appeared in 1999’s Toy Story 2 and is voiced by Joan Cusack–becomes the leader of Bonnie’s room, with Buzz serving as her second-in-command.
According to Disney and Pixar, the upcoming sequel will explore a fresh theme—technology and how it has reshaped childhood play. The film will introduce a new character: a tablet toy named Lilypad.
Back in May, Buzz Lightyear star Tim Allen told Entertainment Tonight that the new movie is “a story about Jessie” and is very “clever.” The long-serving voice actor also said the story will be “worth it.” Now, Allen has doubled down on the plot of Toy Story 5, focusing on Jessie, who seemingly replaces Buzz and Woody as the central character in this fifth installment.
Speaking earlier this week on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Tim Allen addressed Toy Story 5‘s main idea.
“They reboot everything. It’s all about Jessie, which is really cool,” Allen told the recently reinstated talk show host. “She’s in trouble, and she needs help. We’re all over, so she has to gather everybody.”
He also explained the opening scene of the film, which featured hundreds of Buzz action figures.
“We’re [in] a FedEx plane [when] a hundred Buzz dolls land, and they’re all lost. They’re hysterical. They’re trying to find their way back, and there are a hundred of them. I hope they have it in there,” Allen said on the show.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are obviously entirely on board for this sequel. Still, earlier released promotional images sparked online discourse, which is only likely to continue through to the movie’s release next year.
The released promotional image caused some online controversy. The picture shows Jessie standing on Bonnie’s bed surrounded by familiar faces like Rex, Hamm, Dolly, Buttercup, Mr. Pricklepants, Trixie, and the aliens. Noticeably absent, however, were Slinky Dog and the Potato Heads.
Fans on social media shared new renderings of Buzz, Woody, and Lilypad, sparking heated debate. Some speculated that Disney had cut the Potato Head characters for political reasons. Comments such as “NO POTATO HEADS THIS IS TERRIBLE” and “Woke incoming” quickly circulated.
These claims were soon dismissed when fans reminded others that Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head) passed away in 2017 and Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head) in 2022. Pixar had already gone to great lengths in Toy Story 4 to include Rickles’ voice by assembling unused recordings from decades of material.
While not every toy appeared in the recent promotional shot, Disney and Pixar have confirmed that Slinky Dog, Forky, and Bullseye will indeed return. Additionally, Ernie Hudson is set to voice Combat Carl, taking over for the late Carl Weathers, while Conan O’Brien joins the cast as a new character named Smarty Pants. Anna Faris has also been cast, seemingly as Lilypad.
Toy Story 5 is slated for release on June 19, 2026.
How do you feel about Toy Story 5‘s direction? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!