Pixar just announced that Toy Story 5 will hit theaters on June 19, 2026.
Tom Hanks returns to voice the cowboy Woody alongside Tim Allen’s Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack’s Jessie, and the rest of the gang. The film will be directed by Andrew Stanton, who’s been with Toy Story since the very beginning.
The film marks Woody’s return to the main cast but wait… didn’t he leave back in Toy Story 4?
Didn’t Woody Already Say Goodbye?
That film ended on a pretty definitive note. After a tearful goodbye to his friends, Woody chose to stay behind at the carnival with Bo Peep, helping lost toys find new children to love. While the move was controversial for fans, I admire the intention behind it.
Sometimes we’ll splinter off from the people we grew up with. It’s not something to be angry or upset about because it’s a natural part of life. I thought that was a great lesson to teach kids.
The Official Story vs. The Real Reason
According to Pixar, the sequel follows the toys as they face a new threat: Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet toy voiced by Greta Lee. Lilypad forces the toys to adapt to a high-tech world. Jessie, the new leader of the group, reaches out to Woody for help.
That’s not too bad. Woody’s mission is to help toys connect with kids. Coming back to lend a hand is supposed to honor that. It’s not permanent, but the whole point of Woody leaving was so he could find a new purpose in life.
I don’t know how to feel about Woody returning for Toy Story 5. That’s probably because I can see it’s an obvious cash grab.
Pixar’s been struggling lately. Several of its recent films: Lightyear, Elemental, even Turning Red to some degree either underperformed at the box office or garnered mixed reactions. After a string of so-so results, bringing back one of the most recognizable characters is a no-brainer.
When Nostalgia Becomes a Crutch
Pixar needs a win for 2026, but what are they going to do if more sequels are greenlit?
If we do get a toy story 6 or 7, will the plot revolve around bringing Woody back into the fray? That’ll get old after a while.
Pixar used to thrive on taking creative risks: Finding Nemo, The Invincibles, Inside Out, Up, Coco. Those films worked because they trusted audiences to embrace new stories. I can’t help but wonder: if Toy Story 5 becomes a box office hit due to fans’ nostalgia, what does that say about Pixar’s confidence in their storytelling?
Growth Means Letting Go
Toy Story 4 taught kids (and adults) that saying goodbye doesn’t have to be scary or sad. That message had a lot of weight because it was supposed to be the finale. It completed Woody’s arc by letting him grow beyond his loyalty to Andy and Bonnie.
Now, the studio is struggling to evolve while still clinging to what once made it great.
I haven’t decided if I’ll watch Toy Story 5. I’ll probably eventually. I’m hoping that if there’s another sequel, it’ll focus more on the other toys like Jessie or one of the newer characters.By then, Pixar should remember how to tell new stories, instead of recycling the old ones.
