'Toy Story 5' marks the return of the main characters from the previous films. Directed by Andrew Stanton, the sequel is scheduled to release on June 19, 2026.
Toy Story 5 is scheduled to arrive in theatres on June 19, 2026. The sequel is releasing seven years after Toy Story 4, which came out in 2019. Following the release of Toy Story 4, the possibilities of a fifth film were uncertain for various reasons, including Pixar’s priority for original stories instead of depending on follow-ups. Notably, the fifth movie was announced in February 2023, which was followed by the casting of the characters, including Tim Allen as ‘Buzz Lightyear.’
For the unversed, the world premiere of the new animated movie was held in Los Angeles on June 9, 2026. Early reactions from the premiere are out now. Keep reading to know more!
The main premise of Toy Story 5 addresses the impact of technology and electronic toys, which are common among children nowadays. The sequel has a new character this time. It is a tablet called ‘Lily Pad’. ‘Bonnie’ develops an attraction towards the tablet. On the other hand, the leader of the toy collection, ‘Jessie,’ attempts to keep everyone satisfied while they deal with ignorance and other problems.
The previous film featured a moment where ‘Woody’ and 'Bob Peep' decided to leave ‘Bonnie’ and continue their lives as lost toys in a carnival. However, it remains to be seen if ‘Jessie’ will be able to bring the duo back into ‘Bonnie’s’ toy collection. The opening scene of the movie is reported to be one of the biggest highlights of the upcoming sequel.
The sequel marks the return of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as ‘Woody’ and ‘Buzz Lightyear’, respectively. Greta Lee has given her voice to ‘Lily Pad’. Other cast members include Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, and more.
As mentioned, the world premiere of Toy Story 5 was organised in Los Angeles, and critics are giving positive responses to the film. Most of them have praised it for maintaining the funny moments that made the previous entries so successful at the box office. Sharing a lengthy review on X (formerly Twitter), Scott Menzel appreciated the addition of Taylor Swift’s song, I Knew It, I Knew You. Scott also wrote:
“Toy Story 5 ranks right alongside the first three films, delivering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and that signature Pixar magic. While the story explores the battle between toys and technology, it never loses sight of what makes these characters so special.”
A similar review was shared by Daniel Baptista, who described the movie as a “generation-defining experience.” He wrote that Pixar has brought a film that must be watched by everyone. Senior Artisans Editor for Variety, Jazz Tangcay, said that the movie is emotional and funny at the same time. She praised the addition of new characters and that it was a “fantastic entry” into the franchise. Meredith Lofus, editor for Collider, reacted on X (formerly Twitter), by writing:
“Toy Story 5 hit me in places I was unprepared for! Exploring the divide between technology and toys through Jessie results in a deeply profound, moving story that had me in a puddle of tears. I put it up there with Toy Story 2 & 3. It’s *that* excellent! #ToyStory5.”
Are you excited to watch Toy Story 5 in theatres from June 19, 2026? Let us know.
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