How crazy is it that the Toy Story franchise is already well into its second generation of characters? While the first batch of three movies focused on Andy of course, the most recent two films have been all about Bonnie. The latest flick heads to streaming this week, and CinemaBlend spoke to the voice actress for the eight-year-old Bonnie. Turns out, she has ideas for what's next, and I'm already emotional thinking about it.

Scarlett Spears is the nine-year-old actress behind the voice of Bonnie (following Emily Ricks Hahn doing the voice in Toy Story 3 and Madeleine McGraw taking on the role in Toy Story 4). Given the franchise is still going strong, making more than 1.1 billion at the global box office before hitting streaming for those with a Disney+ subscription I had to ask the actress what she wanted to see next.

So, yes, she'd love to see Toy Story 6. Spears told me what makes Bonnie such a great successor to Andy, and brought up what she’d like to see from the character if we do get another sequel. I love the Bonnie actress wants the cycle to continue and to close the chapter much like Andy's story did.

We’ve been watching Bonnie slowly grow up in the past 26 years, starting with Toy Story 3 when we met her when she was four. Then in Toy Story 4 she was five, and in Toy Story 5 she’s eight. I guess it depends how long Pixar decides to wait before making a sequel, but it’s not out of the question that at some point we’ll watch the character grow all the way up and continue the cycle toys go through with their kids.

Spears also said this about her own love of voicing Bonnie:

Now, a sixth Toy Story isn't part of the upcoming Disney movie slate right now. Yet, when I talked to Toy Story writer/director Andrew Stanton about if the franchise will ever end he shared his hope for it to continue, telling me, “It's all about the journey of the children and then moving on to another child.” Though I will say toys like Jessie and Woody are feeling pretty vintage at this point.

Toy Story 5 allowed audiences to finally see Jessie front and center along with exploring what happens in households where technology and toys co-exist. The new sequel was warmly received and is currently the No. 3 highest-grossing film among 2026 movie releases so far.

You can check out Bonnie’s latest journey in Toy Story 5, not only now on Disney+, but also available for purchase on digital platforms, physical 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD.

When you’re a theme park fan, it’s always fun to hear from a Disney Imagineer because it feels like we’re getting a peak behind a secret curtain. Recently, Jim Shull, a retired Walt Disney Imagineer after a 33-year career, shared some thoughts about Toy Story Land’s latest addition. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is adding new magic to Alien Swirling Saucers starting on Friday, September 25^th, where they’ll be introducing Lilypad from Toy Story 5.

The frog-shaped smart tablet is on a mission to connect friends and she’s using her tech to bring toys together for an all-new soundtrack to the appropriately titled Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams. This new music line-up will include reimagined Toy Story classics and brand-new songs written just for the attraction, remixed and mashed up by DJ Lilypad. But that’s where the Imagineer who’s worked on projects at Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland has some issues and pointed out that size does, indeed, matter.

For more than eight years, Toy Story Land has operated around the idea that when you step inside, you thereby shrink to the size of a toy inside Andy’s backyard. The oversized toys and various other objects throughout work to establish the scale as they transport you into Andy’s world. That guided and shaped what could and could not be put inside the land, until now.

The first issue that Toy Story Land designer Jim Shull has with the addition of Lilypad is that, at least in the artist concept image, the scale feels wrong. He says that he started with Andy’s shoe print and scaled every toy to that, which means that a Lilypad built to scale should be much larger. It’s hard to know whether that was taken into consideration or not when designing this new overlay, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for any further explanation for how and why the sizing doesn’t seem to match.

The other issue that Shull has with all of this is that Lilypad actually belongs to Bonnie, and was purchased by her parents to help her socialize with other children who prefer electronic devices over traditional toys. As such, she should be in Bonnie’s own backyard and not Andy’s, as they’re a generation apart and each have their own space.

This may seem like a small, nitpicky thing, and in the grander scheme of theme park expansion, it kind of is. But it might play into the larger issue of self-imposed theme park constraints, which Disney has been trying to undo with its changes to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the planet of Batuu. Plus, if the whole point of the park is pure immersion, then why opt for any inaccuracies that could potentially pull park-goers out of the illusion.

This is just a tiny addition among a sea of D23 2026 announcements about Walt Disney World's upcoming lands for Villains, Monsters Inc., Tropical Americas and Piston Peak. But it does pose interesting questions about how strictly theme parks should be following the rules they set up for themselves. General park goers are largely just excited to see their favorite characters and ride the rides in any given land, and Toy Story remains one of Disney’s most popular franchises, with no clear end in sight. We'll know soon enough if the complaints get louder or if fans are just happy to embrace the changes.

Find Toy Story 5 streaming via Disney+ subscription starting on September 23.

Generations of moviegoers have grown up with the Toy Story movies, starting with the 1995 original and continuing to this day with Toy Story 5, which is in theaters now. The franchise (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) is still going strong, although Quentin Tarantino maintains he has no interest in watching after the third movie. And now the director and cast of the new movie have weighed in on this choice.

Tarantino is known for his hot takes, including famously calling Paul Dano weaksauce in There Will Be Blood. Back in 2024 he told Bill Maher he wouldn't watch more Toy Story movies since the third one's ending was "perfect." Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton shared his reaction to Tarantino's opinion during a chat with THR. He offered:

Points were made. While the first three Toy Story films revolved around Andy and his toys as he grew up, the two most recent installments are about the new kid Bonnie, who inherited his toys at the end of the third movie. It's a different era of the franchise, and Tarantino has every right to stick to the originals. Although he's missing out one more delightful adventures from Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang.

Quentin Tarantino might have said he's "done" with the franchise after the expert way Toy Story 3 ended, there are plenty of fans who have caught the two more recent movies (as well as Lightyear). Tony Hale, who has voiced Forky since the fourth film, shared his reaction to the Oscar-winning filmmaker's hot take, saying:

Touché. Pixar is a well-oiled machine at this point, and regardless of each movie's box office take, the quality of their movies doesn't really suffer much. That goes for the Toy Story films, as well as other titles from the studio. And the Veep star seems to think that Tarantino should consider the receipts before writing off the more recent Toy Story movies.

In the Kill Bill director's defense, Toy Story 3 really is top tier. The movie reduced millennials like me to tears when it hit theaters back in 2010, with Andy's journey into adulthood mirroring our own. The scene of the toy holding hands as they prepare for their death was something none of us was expecting, and was overshadowed only by Andy giving them away to Bonnie in its final moments. It was a perfect way for the trilogy to end, and that's what is seemingly holding back Tarantino from seeing any of the newer films.

Toy Story 5 is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see how many movies are produced before the franchise wraps up forever.

Disney and Pixar are currently basking in the box office success of Toy Story 5, which has smashed records and earned critical acclaim like its predecessors. Director Andrew Stanton doesn’t miss a beat, and the same can be said for Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Joan Cusack and the rest of the cast. Of course, now there’s a question as to whether the stars will reunite for a sixth movie. I’m not sure if the cast will have the opportunity to reprise their roles but, for right now, I’m just focused on another idea Allen has for the House of Mouse.

Although Allen has admitted to being shocked by just how long the Toy Story franchise has been going, he still relishes his role as Buzz Lightyear. What’s more is that like so many of us, the Shifting Gears star grew up a fan of Disney’s work himself. He expressed that affection during an interview with Us Weekly and also discussed the impact the TS characters have had on kids. On top of that, though, Allen also shared his desire to see is a “high-end” animated production centered around two beloved characters:

Please, just take my money! I’m a fan of animation in general, but the thought of seeing a major production centered around Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck just sounds like too much fun. Sure, fans of the characters have been satiated in recent years due to the funny TV shorts that have been produced. Yet I’d love to see a full-blown motion picture centered around Mickey and Donald, and it could harken back to the days in which the Odd Couple-type characters headlined their own stories on a more consistent basis.

Of course, selling such a project to execs could be challenging, and even I can admit I’m not sure how much the general public wants a Mickey/Donald movie. Still, in a world where we’ve been graced with the acclaimed The Day the Earth Blew Up (a Looney Tunes movie centered around Porky Pig and Daffy Duck), it feels like Donald and Mickey should have their time in the sun as well.

More immediately, however, I’m also curious as to whether Toy Story 6 will become a reality at some point. Woody voice actor Tom Hanks weighed in on that and said another installment should only happen if there’s a story worth telling. I agree with that assessment and, given the continued reach of this franchise, I could imagine the folks at Pixar kicking around ideas. What I love is that, in the meantime, the cast expresses gratitude for the gigs and, as Allen explains, he and Hanks find ways to delight the fanbase:

It’s great to hear just how much the role of Buzz means to Tim Allen, who penned a sentimental message after he wrapped his work on TS5 near the end of last year. Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Rex and co. are great characters and, if the right idea comes along, I’m open to seeing them in a sixth (and hopefully) final installment. At the same time, I’ll also be keeping hope alive for a polished Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck motion picture because, just like the Toy Story crew, they’re timeless.

See Toy Story 5 in theaters now alongside other 2026 movie schedule releases, and stream the first four installments using a Disney+ subscription. That membership also grants access to the Mickey Mouse shorts, which are also worth checking out.

Toy Story 5 spoilers are ahead, so READ ON WITH CAUTION!

Andy and Bonnie’s famous toys returned this summer by way of the 2026 movie release Toy Story 5. Reviews for the Pixar sequel were very positive, and it smashed box office records during its opening weekend, earning $160 million domestically in three days, which was a new benchmark for the franchise. Considering all of that success, one might be tempted to think that a sixth installment is on the way. That hasn't been announced, though Tom Hanks (the voice of Woody) shared a great take on whether such a film should happen.

Toy Story 5 reveals a previously untold part of Jessie the Cowgirl’s story and, at the same time, it focuses on the toys dealing with the threat of tech. Ultimately, though, the film ends with owner Bonnie embracing her toys alongside her new friend, Blaze. All the while, Woody and Bo Peep continue to help abandoned toys find homes. Overall, the biggest loose ends are tied up, so I could completely understand Tom Hanks' rationale when asked by EW, if another movie should be made:

Hanks makes a lot of sense. After seeing this fifth film, I felt like everything was tied up pretty well. And, believe it or not, the Saving Private Ryan star was initially hesitant to take on another Toy Story movie for fear there’d be no story left to tell. However, he became hooked on the concept of the toys facing the threat of technology. All of that is a testament to the notion that a good story can really draw someone to a project. So, on that note, what could another TS flick entail?

All I can think of is a story that possibly brings characters like Slinky, Rex, Hamm or even Lilypad to further prominence with their own main storylines. It goes without saying that with each film, the ensemble of characters has grown, so there are plenty of stories to mine from any of them. And, of course, major players like Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie would theoretically remain in key roles as well.

It's honestly been interesting to see how Disney and Pixar have continued to expand this franchise following 2010's Toy Story 3, which was thought to be the end of the series. Nevertheless, Pixar figured out how to tell more stories in unique and entertaining ways. It goes without saying that the studios have found success, but they still might want to tread lightly with further installments.

TS5 director Andrew Stanton recently spoke with CinemaBlend about a possible conclusion for the franchise, saying it would have to be told “just right.” The fifth movie’s co-writer, Kenna Harris, also joked it may take 100 movies to get there! (Of course, at that point, I hope kids are still playing with toys.)

I'm definitely down for more, but I'll side with Tom Hanks on the point that there needs to be a story worthy of being told for that film to happen. What we have here is an example of a franchise that arguably keeps getting better as it goes, I definitely wouldn't want to see the quality decline due to lackluster storytelling.

Feel free to watch the new adventures of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of your favorite toys in Toy Story 5, which is playing in theaters now. You can also watch the franchise’s first four movies using a Disney+ subscription.

Did you know that Toy Story 5 almost didn’t include our pal Woody? Since Toy Story 4 ends with his retirement, I can see where the filmmakers were coming from initially. But man, am I happy they found a way to keep him in all while finally giving Jessie the limelight! I was living for all the gags the character has in the latest of 2026 movies, especially after learning more about how it came together during Pixar’s famously collaborative filmmaking process.

Pixar Had The Best Time With Woody's Toy Story 5 Gags

I mean, between Woody rocking a poncho, having a bald spot and taking a leadership role with Bo Peep as a hero to toys, I absolutely adored seeing the cowboy back in action. And during a Q&A with the Toy Story 5 filmmakers that CinemaBlend was in attendance for, writer/director Andrew Stanton shared how they found a way to give Woody these hilarious moments. In his words:

After Toy Story 4 gave Woody such a sweet send off, it definitely makes sense that Pixar would be scratching their heads over what to do with the iconic character next. But, I think they absolutely nailed it. As Stanton added:

Woody playing into some middle-aged / retired men stereotypes was definitely a fun way to show the cowboy doll is aging in a relatable way fans can laugh together about. And as you can imagine, once they had landed on that, a lot more ideas than they knew what to do with started to roll in.

How Woody Being Retired Inspired More Ideas Behind The Scenes

Kenna Harris, who co-wrote Toy Story 5, also revealed the funny extra step they almost took with Woody. In her words:

Yeah, that’s fun. I sort of get why they might have ultimately decided not to, because then Woody would look much different than usual and it’d be more difficult to reverse that coloring. But still, that would have been another great addition to Woody’s Toy Story 5 characterization. Stanton also said this:

So, apparently we can thank Tom Hanks for really playing along with Woody getting older, and leaning into it through the voice work, too, with improved bits. I just love how the creative team behind Toy Story 5 went from not knowing what to do with Woody to giving him some of the most hilarious moments in the whole movie.

And, that's just one reason why I totally agree with the sequel’s critical acclaim! Toy Story 5 is in theaters now.

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t seen Toy Story 5 in its entirety, so be warned if that applies to you, pardner!

By and large, Toy Story 5 is a sequel keenly devoted to Jessie’s biggest fans, and is thus filled with highly emotional moments for the generation-connecting cowgal. But it’s also a story of finding friendship in unexpected places with unfamiliar faces, as our young protagonist Bonnie attempts to broaden her playtime horizons with other human beings. Unfortunately, before she could cross paths with the magnificence that is Blaze, the eight-year-old had to suffer the insincere community of Chelsea, Heidi and Kara.

If you’ve seen the new 2026 movie, you know exactly who I’m speaking of, and why my tone is unmistakably haughty and judgmental. I’m talking about the three girls who are somewhat coerced into welcoming Bonnie to their Lily Pad group chat. Naturally, they’re vapid little monsters who only care about their devices, and they don’t hesitate before making Bonnie feel lesser-than because she plays with toys. So naturally, this grade-school clique has received highly amusing and rage-filled vehemence online.

The best and most brilliantly conceived take concerning Chelsea & Co., however, comes from X user @Thisisntflying, who calls out the ringleader for her self-obsessed pettiness.

I'm sure few among us are totally innocent of accidentally hitting a reactionary emoji on one's own post or comment, but this was no mere accident. This was all on purpose for Chelsea, who invited Bonnie over to her house seemingly without any real impetus for putting her on the same pedestal as Heidi or Kara. No, this seemed to just be about having someone around who serve as a verbal punching bag. Not that I think Chelsea's thought process went so deep, but anyone who intentionally laughs at their own bully posts isn't necessarily thinking deeply.

While the comment above was superbly pointed and drew on a specific behavioral element to draw the claws out, quite a few comments (on that post and elsewhere) were more general in their gleefully malicious opinions about Chelsea and her underlings.

• Yeah lol what a little dork! - @SuperPowerBread
• On the bright side. At least that means no other kids want to be friend with her to have a group chat that small - @mariosonicfan99
• She should be in prison - @Smallzz3214
• Imagne hating some other kid cus she still plays with toys i hated the f-ck out of those three sh-t heads - @Drawing811
• Just finished watching Toy Story 5…. Chelsea, Heidi and the other girl don’t want it fr. - @Brifrombrooklyn
• Toy story 5 count your days. chelsea heidi and the other one count your f-cking days. - @SWINGINPARONIRIA
• These three gremlins are straight-up running a cyberbullying ring because Bonnie won’t abandon Woody for TikTok dances - @kooktfc

I will always laugh anytime someone authentically uses the word "gremlin" to describe a child, especially when it's most applicable, as it is here. I bet when Chelsea eats a snack after midnight, she just turns into herself with slightly greener skin.

To be fair, a few of the commenters I came across somewhat righfully put the onus of blame on Chelsea's parents (and those of the other girls') for allowing them to be in unmoderated group chats and possibly not keeping track of who is invited into their home. But come on. Bonnie parents are kind of in that same boat, and Bonnie is a peach, so there's something inherently ughhh about Chelsea.

Of course, Bonnie never would have been made fun of in the first place had a certain someone (or thing) not manipulated events to theoretically work in the young girl's favor.

If not for Lily Pad's net-based scheming, Bonnie never would have been jettisoned into such unfamiliar waters that made her the brunt of Chelsea's jokes, both on the app and in real life. So yeah, even if redemption was recognized and achieved by the end of the movie, Lily Pad was always the true antagonist.

I previously wrote about various Toy Story 5 moments that would be terrifying outside of this movie's context, and now I'm thinking it'd be fun to see an animated short where Woody, Jessie and Bo Peep go on a stealth mission (possibly with Leap Frog as the "tech in the chair") to completely ruin Chelsea's life, likely with Heidi and Kara catching shrapnel.

Toy Story 5 is currently still destroying the box office, even though Chelsea is probably waiting until it hits streaming to watch to save money, that monster.

SPOILERS for Toy Story 5 ahead.

We got a monumental moment in Toy Story 5, as Jessie and Buzz shared a kiss! After the sequel explores Jessie’s backstory and develops her character, she plants a big smooch on Buzz Lightyear upon their reunion, who’s been itching to ask her to marry him the whole movie. It’s a sweet scene, but Tim Allen got honest about how awkward it was to record the moment in the newest Disney movie.

The 73-year-old has been playing Buzz Lightyear for over 30 years, but there’s a specific reason why the romance of it all felt odd to him at first. In his words to Us Weekly:

Now, this totally makes sense! Sure, Buzz Lightyear has grown older in a sense across the past five movies, but he still thinks of the character as a little kid on his end. So, it was tough to wrap his head around the maturity of Buzz and Jessie being outwardly romantic this time around, with both a kissing scene and a wedding. As he continued:

You gotta love this reaction. Buzz and Jessie’s big kiss is pretty innocent, but as he recalls, he found himself a bit shocked about it when he first read it on the page.

Tim Allen also couldn't help but think about his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, who is 17 (his other one, Kate, is 36). As he shared, he still distinctly remembers a time when she would have an adverse reaction to kissing. He compared his daughter’s past reactions to that of his own when he learned Buzz and Jessie would be smooching in Toy Story 5.

That being said, obviously, he approves of the scene now. As he added:

Both Tim Allen and Tom Hanks have been candid about their initial hesitancy to be in another Toy Story movie. In Allen’s case, he found the fifth movie’s story “really clever” and got himself excited to go back in the recording booth to play Buzz Lightyear again. He’s also been vocal about how “hysterical” he thinks the 100 Buzz B-plot is.

Buzz and Jessie’s romance in Toy Story 5 is a sweet advancement to their storyline after there’s been a wink to their interest in each other in past movies. They also get a lovely wedding moment staged by Bonnie, her new friend Blaze, and the rest of the toys during playtime. How adorable was it for Toy Story to give these two a Disney-worthy happily ever after?

SPOILERS AHEAD for Toy Story 5.

'If you’re both a fan of Taylor Swift and Pixar, the last couple of months might have been an exhilarating rollercoaster (if you’ve been following what’s been going on, that is). As someone who is terminally online, I’ve been following the rumors of Taylor Swift having a Toy Story 5 song since the first big clue dropped in May. The song, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” is amazing, obviously, but something about it just didn’t hit right with me.

Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 Song Played With My Heart

By the time Taylor Swift confirmed she’d be on the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, there was a month of lead-up, and I started to make it out to be more than it ultimately was. I had hopes that it would play during the movie itself and might coincide with Jessie reuniting with her other kid, Emily – perhaps as a callback and bookend to the Sarah McLachlan song “When She Loved Me”.

I was pretty convinced it wouldn’t be an end credits song too after writer/director Andrew Stanton said when he said he's seen “the song on the end” and it was “not Taylor Swift” after the rumor started spreading. I figured that meant it was definitely during the movie, and Stanton was being cheeky, hinting at that.

Then, in an effort to make the experience of Toy Story 5 a fresh experience for myself, I even decided not to listen to the song in its entirety until I watched the movie on opening night. But then I found myself a bit disappointed when the song ultimately turned out to be a song in the credits rather than coinciding with a pivotal moment in the movie.

Jessie doesn’t reunite with Emily as I imagined the song was suggesting. Instead, the song isn’t really talking necessarily about the events of the movie at all and feels more like Swift was inspired by the sequel to write something that can stand on its own. I know I wasn’t alone in theorizing this because I saw other Swifties/Pixar fans guessing how the song would connect with Toy Story 5, and that’s not how things played out.

Why I’ll Get Over It

“I Knew It, I Knew You” is not what I expected, but in some ways that’s actually a good thing. I really enjoyed Toy Story 5 – especially for its cathartic Jessie story, and it didn’t need a Taylor Swift song in the middle of it in order to be made better. I also didn’t need Jessie to reunite with Emily either. The fact that she found a lunchbox instead that led her to learn Emily had named her own daughter after her made me teary-eyed. I wasn’t expecting the reveal, and it was all the more sweet because of that.

I’m happy there’s a Toy Story 5 song written by one of my favorite artists, even if the rollout had me super confused. I wish I didn’t have to feel like I was a toy being spun around by a five-year-old because Taylor Swift is part of the movie, but I guess I assumed a lot of things, too. Anyways, I absolutely didn’t know it, but the new Toy Story 5 is definitely one of my favorite 2026 movies, so there’s a happy ending to it all, either way.

I've had Toy Story movies on the brain since seeing Toy Story 5 in theaters last weekend. Naturally, this week's movie quiz had to be focused on the iconic Pixar franchise, which has been going strong for decades.

I should mention that you don't need to have seen Toy Story 5 to do the quiz below. Familiarity with the characters and some quotes and plot tidbits from the first four Toy Story movies is all that's required if you want to solve all of the clues in the quiz.

Disney has spent years turning animated classics into live-action movies, and that trend is not slowing down anytime soon. Moana is set to hit the 2026 movie schedule soon, and Tangled is currently in the works, which means plenty of beloved Disney titles are still making the jump from animation to live action. Pixar, however, has mostly avoided that treatment so far. Now, thanks to someone asking the Toy Story creators about that very possibility, we have a pretty clear answer, and their response is hilarious.

During a recent BAFTA interview with Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton and producer Lindsey Collins, the two were asked late in the conversation whether they would ever consider making a live-action Toy Story movie, and their reactions were immediate. After both seemed to groan at the idea, Stanton said:

Collins, meanwhile, sounded like someone trying to stop a spell from being spoken aloud in a haunted attic. She jumped in with:

Stanton then jumped in with a question many Pixar fans were probably thinking. He asked:

Collins quickly shut the whole thing down. The producer added:

Stanton agreed. He echoed her sentiment:

Honestly, I love everything about this exchange. Nobody reached for the careful studio answer. There was no “never say never” or “we’re always open to new storytelling possibilities.” They reacted like someone had suggested the unthinkable. Which, to be fair, sending Woody into the uncanny valley feels pretty "unthinkable."

The funny thing is, we actually joked about this idea before. In the past, Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson said they were ready to star in a live-action Toy Story, if only they could find someone to play Woody. It was an idea the two had joked about after their Jungle Cruise pairing. It was a fun hypothetical, and honestly, if anyone could make that conversation entertaining, it would be those two.

But a live-action Toy Story is a weird idea on a basic conceptual level. The whole premise already exists in a world where toys look like toys, move like toys and interact with human spaces. The animation is doing the job that live action would theoretically be trying to “realize.” So what would the new version be? Actual toys moved around with CGI faces? Humans in toy costumes? A photorealistic Woody with pores? No, thank you, Sheriff.

That does not mean new Disney live-action remakes are automatically bad ideas. Some have connected with huge audiences, and the upcoming live-action Moana at least has the built-in hook of bringing Dwayne Johnson back as Maui while introducing a new actress as Moana. There are ways to rethink an animated story for a different medium.

The original 1995 movie was already revolutionary for the way it used computer animation to make toys feel alive. Its whole identity is tied to Pixar’s form. Taking that into live-action risks sanding away the very thing that made it special in the first place.

Maybe that's the reason why Stanton and Collins’ reactions are so satisfying. They are not making a grand anti-remake argument. They just seem to know, instinctively, that this particular franchise does not need another layer of reality slapped on top of it.

Besides, Toy Story 5 already has enough going on. The franchise is continuing in animation, where it belongs, with the same visual language audiences have loved for decades. Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang do not need to be dragged into the uncanny valley for the sake of novelty. Sometimes the best answer really is the simplest one. That’s gonna be a hard no from me as well, dog.

Toy Story 5 is now playing in theaters, so check your local listings for showtimes. But if you want to revisit the other five movies or the rest of the House of Mouse's back catalog, all you need is a Disney+ subscription.

Toy Story 5 played into the idea that everyone’s favorite cowboy doll Woody is getting older — showcased best by his blindingly reflective bald spot — alongside not only the franchise’s fanbase, but also the iconic actor who’s voiced the role for the past 30 years. But I don’t think we can blame aging on the fact that Tom Hanks was apparently clueless that entire time about Woody having a last name.

The character, who wasn’t originally written into the fifth movie, is as beloved as Pixar and Disney characters get, but I can’t deny how easy it is to totally miss out on the lawman’s moniker amounting to more than just the five letters composing his first name. So I won’t be the first one to judge Hanks for being out of the loop, especially since his reaction to the news is so danged funny to watch, as seen below.

When presented with the new-to-him information that Woody isn’t just a single-named entertainer like Cher or Madonna, he was surprised, and offered up maybe the world’s best guess for what Woody’s surname might be.

Is "The Sheriff" a single last name in the vein of De Niro or Del Toro, or is "The" meant to be Woody's middle name there? Either way, a classic response from the acting legend.

As was this display of incredulity after learning that Woody's last name is actually "Pride." To which he responded with:

While this didn't get addressed within that interview from BBC Radio, Woody's full name was initially revealed by Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich, who stated at the time that the identifier had been a discussed and established detail since the development phases on 1995's Toy Story. So it wasn't just something tacked onto the character years later. (Toy Story 5's most emotional sequence plays into name-based reveals, so this interview clip feels pretty on-point for the sequel.)

More fun was had when the topic came up that Jessie's last name is also Pride, which has sparked plenty of internet fan theories about how closely the two characters are related. That was something that Tim Allen said he'd come across online in the past, noting that he'd seen fans talking about Woody and Jessie being brother and sister.

Turns out Tom Hanks doesn't want the two toys to be that closely linked. As he put it:

If the sibling bit is true, it wouldn’t change anything TOO much, and isn’t nearly as bothersome as it’d be to learn that Buzz and Jessie share the same bloodline. Or that Forky and Karen Beverly are related. Oh wait, that one might track...can plastic utensils be related?

Another more pertinent question: can Toy Story 5 continue its box office dominance into its second week in theaters, or will the upcoming DC movie Supergirl push it down to #2? [Cue Smarty Pants cracking up.]

Spoiler alert! This story reveals plot points in Toy Story 5...Consider yourself warned.

Toy Story has done it again… yes, it's made me ball my eyes out. Toy Story 5 is the latest installment in the Toy Story franchise and there has been a lot of buzz (pun intended) around this highly-anticipated 2026 movie release. In my opinion, it has quickly become one of the best entries in the series. The story is filled with comedy and emotional moments that will have audiences (OK, me) reaching for tissues. However, there is one scene in particular that I cannot stop thinking about: The moment Jessie walks into her original child's bedroom after being donated years prior.

Toy Story 5 follows the beloved yodeling cowgirl Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, as technology threatens to take over Bonnie’s bedroom, and playtime is at risk for her and the other toys. Bonnie has been struggling to make friends, so her parents—one of whom is voiced by ‘Pixar’s Mom’ favorite Lori Alan— buy her a Lilypad device to connect with others. The problem is the device doesn’t know Bonnie the way Jessie does, so Jessie sets out to help Bonnie form a real friendship.

After being ditched by Bonnie in favor of Lilypad at a sleepover, Jessie and Bullseye find themselves, through a series of events, at the home of her original owner, Emily. Suddenly, Jessie is back in the first bedroom she ever called home, where a young girl named Blaze now lives.

Ahead of Toy Story 5, I had the opportunity to speak with Joan Cusack during a recent Walt Disney World event, and I had to ask her what it was like revisiting Jessie’s first bedroom and seeing the tire swing again. The actress admitted the experience was emotional:

We first met Jessie in Toy Story 2, where we learned she was abandoned by Emily, and it was painful. I have to admit, seeing Jessie end up under Blaze’s bed was a bit triggering for me. For a moment, I worried we might never hear our girl “yeehaw” again.

Fortunately, Jessie has a purpose, and that purpose is helping Bonnie make a friend. For Cusack, it was also "moving."

The scene feels sad, cathartic, painful, and hopeful all at once. As Jessie walks back into Emily's bedroom, we're carrying the same fears she is. There's a sense of dread tied to the memories of her abandonment, but also the possibility of closure—and something new waiting on the other side.

Perhaps that's why I can't stop thinking about it. We've spent decades watching Jessie slowly heal from the heartbreak of being left behind. Andy and Bonnie are a part of that journey, but it isn't until she finally confronts her past that she can, in Cusack's own words, begin to truly heal. Toy Story 5 is in theaters now.

Since Toy Story 2 arrived in theaters more than two decades ago, I've had a soft spot for Jessie. I think I'm always going to be drawn to characters who've not only experienced tragedy or trauma, but have found the strength to move forward. Life is harder for those with that kind of baggage, and I find these characters to be inspiring. Yes, that applies to animated characters like those in the Toy Story movies. When it became clear through the promotions that Jessie -- voiced by Joan Cusack, "yeehaw!" -- would be taking center stage for Toy Story 5, I was not only excited, but also a little bit hopeful that this new movie would somehow find a way to set Jessie on the path to healing.

Spoilers for Toy Story 5 ahead! 🛑

Jessie Has Never Fully Gotten Over Losing Emily

We learned in Toy Story 2 that Jessie’s original owner, Emily, grew up, lost interest in her toys, and donated Jessie along with a box of other unwanted stuff. Though Jessie is tough as nails and always willing to stand up for herself and her fellow toys, it clearly took effort for her to move forward and allow herself to be taken in by another kid -- first Andy, then Bonnie.

Even with new friends and new kids to love, the franchise never forgot what she'd been through. In Toy Story of Terror (a TV special that came out in 2013), Jessie's fear of being boxed up resurfaced as part of the story. And before that, in Toy Story 3, we saw Jessie begin to go into full-on panic mode at the thought of being abandoned by Andy when he was going off to college.

For years, some fans have theorized that Andy's mom was actually Emily, though I'm not sure how Jessie wouldn't have recognized her, even in adulthood. I never really liked that theory, and I realized as Toy Story 5 approached and I saw some fans theorizing that Emily might return in the movie, that it's because I didn't want to meet Emily in the present.

I don't think she's a villain -- Emily's only crime was outgrowing her toys, a thing we've all done, right? Still, it's hard not to associate Emily with the pain and panic Jessie has experienced in the decades since she was abandoned, and I couldn't see how bringing the character into a present story could fix that. Honestly, I couldn’t think of any way Jessie could be healed from what she went through.

Just like Combat Carl, Toy Story Found A Way

Emily doesn't return in Toy Story 5, but her childhood home is featured when Jessie ends up there (due to being separated from Bonnie and having her original owner's street address printed on the back of her chaps). It's at the old farm that Jessie comes across a lunch box time capsule buried near the rope swing tree. Inside it, Jessie finds some old things -- including one of those knocker-ball hair ties I remember from my own '80s youth (the tops of my fingernails hurt just thinking about the snap of those things) -- and a card from Emily, written to her daughter, whose name is Jessie. Emily named her daughter Jessie.

I have to credit the filmmakers for working this into the story (it's incredible to me that it was a late addition to the plot!). I really couldn't picture Emily returning and somehow conveying to Jessie just how much she really meant to her in a scene that didn't feel forced. Jessie learning that Emily named her own daughter after her was perfect. It showed Jessie just how much she meant to her, and that's all that really matters to a toy. She wasn't unloved, nor was she ever forgotten.

Beyond knowing that Emily always loved her (and wearing her daughter's hair tie as a way to carry that with her), I really appreciated how Jessie came to terms with her purpose as a toy. By the end of Toy Story 5, it's clear that she understands that what's most important is that she's there for Bonnie for as long as she needs her. So not only is Jessie in a better place over what happened with Emily, it seems like she's more prepared for the inevitable day that Bonnie outgrows her toys.

The level of care that Pixar has taken with the Toy Story franchise over the years is why I've had no problem sticking with it for three decades. It's probably also why I'm not even remotely embarrassed to admit my level of investment in these characters and their stories.

Toy Story 5 has finally arrived, and it has quite a bit to offer fans. Not only will franchise devotees get to revisit with the core characters play by most of the OG voice cast, but the Taylor Swift has a new single for the sequel! There was a lot of secrecy surrounding that new track, which is called "I Knew It, I Knew You" and, per Tim Allen, the cast even found out in a unique way. What makes Allen's story about that particularly funny, though, are the humorously endearing cranky old man vibes that accompany it.

To provide some context first, though, Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton initially debunked rumors that Taylor Swift had an end credits song. Swifties were not convinced, though, especially when a “TS” billboard was exposed with a lyric caption from Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Ultimately, the film's original song was confirmed when a Toy Story-themed countdown clock appeared on Swift's official website on June 1st.

It's unclear exactly when Allen and co. learned about the Swift news for himself amid that timeline. The actor and comedian recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (as shared to Instagram), where he recalled the moment someone first attempted to tell him the Grammy winner would be involved with the 2026 movie schedule release, and it's too funny:

I love that! I mean, come on, Tim Allen, TS! The Swifties out there know who that is. I find it absolutely hilarious that the Home Improvement star didn’t catch on to the meaning of the coded initials and came back to Toy Story. But I’ve got to say, it’s a funny coincidence that the “Love Story” singer shares the same initials as the famed Pixar franchise, and that did help maintain a level of ambiguity amid the marketing.

Allen didn't specify exactly who tried to tell him and Hanks about Taylor Swift's involvement, though I'm thinking it was probably a media rep, or maybe it was marketing exec. Regardless, I'm chuckling, because Allen was seemingly thrown for a loop before realizing the truth:

Taylor Swift crafting a song for a Toy Story movie is huge, so I can understand the level of scrutiny. As so many of her songs already sound like they belong in a Toy Story movie, she's the perfect fit for the film. “I Knew It, I Knew You,” is all about reuniting with an old friend, with distance never allowing that person to ever leave their heart. The tune also ties into the film's subplot of Jessie the Cowgirl missing her first owner, Emily. Fan reactions to T. Swift’s song have also been positive.

Someone else who's been high on Swift's involvement is Tom Hanks, and he revealed to Variety at the L.A. premiere of the Disney flick that he didn’t know Taylor Swift recorded the song until hours before it dropped:

I'd say that Tom Hanks was right there with Tim Allen in regard to giving off cranky old man energy, which I love. Still, it's also great that since the two were alerted to Taylor Swift's involvement, they've expressed excitement. There were even gracious enough to sign Swift's VHS copy of the OG film at the premiere. If anything, this seems to prove that the power of Swift knows no bounds, even when it comes to seasoned celebrities who can be cranky at times.

Make sure to catch Toy Story 5 in theaters now, and feel free to check out other movies in the Disney+ subscription.

It’s hard to believe it’s been over 15 years since Toy Story 3 came out and emotionally wrecked audiences. Like so many people, I’ll never forget how the movie perfectly capped off the story of a bunch of toys and their person, Andy, as he officially leaves childhood behind and goes off to college. It was the perfect ending for the franchise, but then a fourth movie came out, and now Toy Story 5 is the latest upcoming Disney movie on the way. Is the franchise officially past calling it quits now?

I decided to ask Andrew Stanton this very question: Will Toy Story ever reach a final conclusion? He's been a creative voice behind the scenes on every Toy Story movie and is the director behind the latest, and he says the nature of toys is that they can be passed along, at least for a good while.

So, as long as audiences turn up for a new Toy Story movie and the creatives over at Pixar continue to be inspired by the property, we’re not going to have to say farewell to this franchise. For how long? As his Toy Story 5 co-writer Kenna Harris added:

Pixar made an all-time great trilogy with the first three Toy Story movies, but as Andrew Stanton has said to haters of future Toy Story sequels: “nobody’s being robbed of their trilogy” and they don’t have to watch more if they don’t want to. Since Toy Story 3, they’ve found a way to continue the storyline through their move to Bonnie's room. I'm also happy to hear this movie in particular is already booming with positive reviews (save one) from critics who are calling it “a smart examination of evolving technology and its effect on children." It's "heart" and "conviction" are also being called out in reviews.

It’s certainly not easy or common for a movie to reach five films, and it's especially surprising to do this many with such high acclaim. Yet,Toy Story keeps proving its capable because the Pixar creatives keep finding new ways to keep these iconic characters around and expand the world of toys they’ve built.

This time around, the movie finally gives Jessie the center stage to explore her origins (and has added a sweet new Taylor Swift track to go along with it). In our interview with Tom Hanks, he got candid about being hesitant about Toy Story 5 before he learned the concept behind the movie. The animated flick tackles how technology is affecting children growing up nowadays.

I’m so curious about how Pixar will go from here after this new installment. Or will this one be the last after all? Either way, I personally find it nice that it's been kicking around for thirty years and new films get to be enjoyed by other generations. I wonder if I'll feel the same way in my old age if Toy Story 24 comes out.

You can see Toy Story 5 for yourself when it hits theaters this Friday, June 19.

Whether or not you were as hesitant as Tom Hanks about another Toy Story, it’s hard to deny the excitement that a new story featuring Buzz, Woody and Jessie brings. Toy Story 5 is hitting the 2026 movie calendar more than 30 years after the original, and I honestly can’t say I’m surprised that critics are giving the newest installment a big thumbs up. There’s always one detractor, though, isn’t there? Let’s take a look at Toy Story 5 reviews and see what people like (and don’t like) about the animated flick.

The newest chapter sees the return of all of our favorite voices — Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, etc. — as well as some exciting new additions including Conan O’Brien, Greta Lee, Craig Robinson, Bad Bunny and Alan Cumming. The new toys are exciting, as our old friends will see competition from Bonnie’s high-tech devices. Germain Lussier of Gizmodo says Toy Story 5 exceeds expectations as a more-than-welcome addition to the franchise:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire grades the movie a B+, boldly calling it the “best Pixar sequel since 1999.” Conan O’Brien’s role voicing the Smarty Pants potty training device is “one of the funniest voice performance roles in Pixar history,” but the movie’s biggest message is one that’s going to affect every parent in the theater. Ehrlich says:

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY rates it 3 stars out of 4, saying Jessie really steps forward into the lead role of this movie, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that’s even more engaging than Woody and Buzz’s battle against the screens back home. This critic also mentions that Conan O’Brien was born to play the role of Smarty Pants, delivering both potty humor and character depth. Overall, it’s another successful outing for Disney/Pixar, Truitt says, writing:

David Rooney of THR says in his Toy Story 5 review that it’s hard to resist the movie’s captivating sweetness as it delivers a message about screentime that can always bear repeating. Rooney writes:

The family friendly film is already Certified Fresh with 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. So if you’re wondering what’s going on with that leftover 6%, I present to you Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian. His review of Toy Story 5 gives it just 2 out of 5 stars, and the issue seems to be with the redemption of some of the tech toys, as mentioned in the previous review. Bradshaw says:

If you want to form your own opinion on the Toy Story universe’s take on screens vs. physical play, you don’t have to wait long now! The upcoming Disney movie is set to hit theaters on Friday, June 19. In the meantime you can also catch up on the previous movies in the franchise, which are available to stream with a Disney+ subscription.

The toys of the Toy Story movies may be there until the end of the line for Andy and Bonnie, but how about the voice actors behind them? Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are Woody and Buzz, but is there a future where they won’t be? Luckily, there isn’t one right now, but Hanks did get honest about asking “why” they should do Toy Story 5.

When CinemaBlend’s own Jeff McCobb sat down with the stars of Toy Story who’ve been voicing these characters since the original movie 30 years ago, Hanks commented on his initial reaction to reprising the role of Woody for the fifth movie. Check out the exchange (also in the video clip above):

Tom Hanks: “In all honesty, when they say, ‘Would you like to do another Toy Story?’ My question was, ‘Well, why? What are you going to talk about?’ And Andrew [Stanton] had the thing of, ‘Well, we're sort of going to take on tech because Bonnie now has a device.’ ‘Got it!’”

Tim Allen: “And really low key. You go wow!”

Tom Hanks: “All the writers and producers are, you know, preoccupied with other stuff that's going on. They just kind of give us the bare bones.”

Very few franchises get to the fifth film and retain the quality of the original movie. And sometimes, it even leads to cast members who started with the leading characters being swapped out because it’s no longer what it used to be. When Hanks was first approached for Toy Story 5, it sounds like he wasn’t totally sure about another one, but then he was quickly grabbed by the concept.

Toy Story 5 follows the toys, previously of Andy’s room, as they navigate Bonnie getting a tablet named Lilypad. When the tech device starts to demand all her attention, the toys start to freak out about an impending doom where they are stored away in a box collecting dust in the garage, and Jessie tries to fix things. You can check out the latest Toy Story 5 trailer below:

The latest of the upcoming Disney movies tackles a timely concept of how screen time is not only affecting young children these days, but everyone. It totally makes sense why Tom Hanks and Tim Allen would instantly be drawn in to return to their iconic characters thanks to some ingenuity by the Pixar filmmakers. They've also clearly built years of trust after all the great Toy Story movies.

In addition to Toy Story 5 tackling technology, it also gives Jessie a central plotline she never got to have before. In a previous interview with the Toy Story 5 filmmakers, director Andrew Stanton told us that the first draft for the sequel didn’t include Woody at all. However, he missed the cowboy in the mix, and he felt like it would make sense for Jessie to ask for help from the toy even if he’s enjoying a retirement elsewhere with Bo.

Toy Story 5 had its world premiere last week, and first reactions to the fifth Toy Story are calling it a “genuine home run”, “deeply profound” and “top tier.” You can see it yourself in theaters starting this Friday, June 19.

There are some celebrity fun facts you expect to hear on a red carpet. Someone kept a costume piece. Someone has a framed poster. Someone’s kid stole a prop from set. What I did not have on my Toy Story 5 bingo card, as the film approaches its release amid the 2026 movie schedule, was Tim Allen apparently owning a profane Buzz Lightyear toy that his wife would very much like to keep hidden away.

Just recently, Entertainment Tonight posted a video from the Toy Story 5 red carpet, where Allen and his wife, Jane Hajduk, were asked whether they had any Toy Story memorabilia around the house that her husband may have taken from set. The answer, it turns out, is yes and no. It's not an item from a set, and it's not exactly the kind of wholesome Pixar keepsake you’d expect from the voice of Buzz Lightyear. In the video below, you can hear Hajduk describe a very NSFW item the long-time Disney collaborator has under lock and key:

When the interviewer brought up memorabilia, Hajduk immediately made it clear that one Buzz item in particular stands out. She said:

The Santa Clause franchise star quickly tried to jump in with, “I didn’t…” but Hajduk kept going. She explained that the toy was not sold to the public, and it definitely is not something you’ll see in the Toy Story 5 trailer. Apparently, one of fans’ favorite characters gets a bit naughty, or, as she put it, “Buzz can get a little” inappropriate. The whole exchange had the unmistakable rhythm of a spouse revealing the exact home detail the other spouse was hoping would stay between them.

Allen then clarified the backstory, saying there are actually only two of these not-so-family-friendly Buzz Lightyear figures in existence. According to him, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has one, and the Galaxy Quest actor made it for Eisner as a birthday joke. The actor explained:

Hajduk’s response was maybe the best part: “And this man loves it.” Of course he does. This is Tim Allen, a comedian whose family-friendly image has always co-existed with a much more adult stand-up sensibility. The man has voiced Buzz Lightyear since the original Toy Story in 1995, but he also made his name at comedy clubs before becoming the star of one of the '90s' biggest sitcoms. The idea of an off-brand, locked-away, cursing Buzz toy living somewhere in the couple's household is both shocking and completely believable.

The Home Improvement veteran seemed to know how weird it sounded, too. He said he loves the toy but keeps it locked up so no one else can hear it, adding that it is “really weird.” Hajduk then shut the whole thing down with a perfect final ruling:

That is probably for the best. Toy Story is still one of Disney and Pixar’s most beloved family franchises, and Buzz Lightyear yelling profanity around the house is not exactly the kind of tie-in merch you’ll find at Target next to the talking Woody dolls. Still, the story is a hilarious reminder that some of the funniest franchise memorabilia is the stuff fans will never get to buy.

The NSFW Buzz story also lands at a funny time because Toy Story 5 is already introducing some delightfully strange new characters. As Conan O’Brien’s Toy Story 5 role goes from a pair of pants to something even weirder, the former late-night host voices Smarty Pants, a potty-training toy that eventually became a toilet paper roll.

Allen, meanwhile, is back on the big screen as Buzz alongside the returning Toy Story crew, with the sequel hitting theaters June 19. The movie is expected to continue the franchise’s mix of childhood nostalgia and existential toy dread. And while I’ll admit I have been anti-Toy Story sequels since Toy Story 3’s perfectly emotional ending, it sounds like Toy Story 5 is bringing the goods. The story focuses more on Jessie and her emotional backstory and, based on early reactions, the movie sounds well worth a trip to the cinema.

But when it comes to Buzz Lightyear memorabilia, Allen’s might go to profanity and beyond. It is absolutely not safe for work or for children.

When we heard Conan O’Brien was joining the cast of Toy Story 5 about a year ago, I perked up at the reveal. I think the former late night host is one of the most amusing people alive right now, and I’ve been so curious about what he would bring to Pixar’s OG franchise. He’s playing a potty training toy called Smarty Pants, and I had to ask the movie’s creative team about how such an outlandish character came to be.

When CinemaBlend sat down with Toy Story 5 production designer Bob Pauley about Smarty Pants ahead of the upcoming Disney movie release, he talked to us about the evolution of the character before it became a toilet paper roll voiced by Conan O’Brien. In Pauley’s words:

Smarty Pants comes into the picture when Jessie goes off on her own adventure to another household outside of Bonnie’s. He’s one of those toys that’s been lying around in some drawer for years since his kid has all the toilet training skills she could ever need. As Pauley shared, the animators knocked around a lot of ideas for the character’s visual design, and it took a few tries to get right.

As it turned out, one of Pixar’s interns ended up being the person to crack the design for Smarty Pants. Here he is in all his glory:

It’s a pretty fun design, isn't it? Now wait until you hear Conan O’Brien’s voice come out of him in Toy Story 5. Pauley also said this about the process:

I always find it interesting how character designs change over the years when a Pixar movie is coming together, because these movies take a long time. Pauley also told me this fun tidbit about a Toy Story regular who nearly had the role instead of O'Brien.

I absolutely cannot wait to see Smarty Pants in action. As Pauley also told us, Toy Story 5 is very much Jessie’s movie since it explores her backstory. The Pixar sequel hits theaters on June 19. You can check out what critics are saying about it following its world premiere earlier this week. Until then, may you remember that even a roll of toilet paper can serve as inspiration on a big movie!

Toy Story 5 is easily one of the most anticipated titles on the 2026 movie schedule and, thankfully, its release date is just around the corner! Between more of Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the gang, a tech-centric story and a fresh song from Taylor Swift, fans have a lot to look forward to with this one. Now, members of the press have finally screened the film in its entirety, and they’re sharing their reactions on social media. Their sentiments aren’t exactly the same, but there’s one thing they all have in common.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, Toy Story 5 sees the gang dealing with an existential crisis due to the rise of tech usage amongst youngsters. With that, the toys make their stand against the antagonistic Lilypad and those who’d seek to end playtime. The creative team really had to thread a needle when it came to crafting such a story containing timely themes but, so far, reactions from critics seem to suggest they pulled it off. Variety’s Jazz Tangcay shared these glowing thoughts about the movie X:

Obviously, that’s some seriously high praise, and the comments from Andrew Salazar of DiscussingFilm seem to align with that general vibe. In his own reaction, Salazar praised the decision to make Joan Cusack’s Jessie the lead character, and he also lauded the filmmakers for taking a “hard stance” in one particular regard:

Early on, trailers for Toy Story 5 teased that Jessie (and her origins) would be taking center stage and, per the responses to her role in the film, fans of the character are sure to be pleased. That sentiment about Cusack’s yeehaw-spouting protagonist was shared by Collider’s Meredith Loftus:

It probably shouldn’t be all that surprising that another Toy Story movie is being well-received, especially considering the critical responses to the first four (which are streamable with a Disney+ subscription). On Rotten Tomatoes, the first and second films both hold a 100% critic rating, while the third film sits at 98%. As for the fourth film, that one has a 97% score.

Of course, not every movie is totally perfect, and that also seems to be the case here. Germain Lussier of Gizmodo used the word “disjointed” to describe the first part of the film, yet it seems it smooths out as it goes:

And if that weren’t enough, film critic Scott Menzel also had plenty of praise for Pixar’s latest film. Not only that, but he’s already predicted it could become one of the year’s best films:

I was already excited to see Toy Story 5 but, after seeing this first round of reactions, I’m even more hyped. All in all, it would seem that the creative team has managed to craft a movie that’s not only good but also stands firmly alongside the previous installments in terms of quality. That’s certainly the best a fan like myself could hope for. Check out the film when it opens in theaters on June 19.

Obviously, the core toys of Toy Story make these movies so incredibly special. However, the world is also so wonderful because of all the other unique toys that pop up during Buzz, Woody and co.’s adventures. For example, there’s one G.I. Joe-like doll who has shown up a few times, and he has become quite an iconic character. To make him even more legendary, Tom Hanks recalled a story that revealed how he was involved with the naming of this toy.

In the first Toy Story (which you can stream with a Disney+ subscription), the toys all gather around the window and see Sid explode a G.I. Joe-like doll. His name is “Combat Carl,” which Woody states as they look out the window. Since they couldn’t use the name of the real military doll in the movie, they had to come up with something new, and it turns out Tom Hanks was the one to coin the name “Combat Carl,” as he explained to Disney Studios UK ahead of Toy Story 5’s release on the 2026 movie schedule:

Considering Toy Story came out over 30 years ago, and Combat Carl has continued to pop up in projects across the franchise, Hanks should be proud of himself.

After his brief appearance (and explosion) in Toy Story, Combat Carl returned in a big way for the special Toy Story OF TERROR! That’s when the late great Carl Weathers took over the character (and the character of Combat Carl Jr.).

Following that special, Weathers returned to voice the Combat Carls in Toy Story 4. In that movie (which I thought was a great idea, by the way), Woody and Bo Peep run into a trio of Combat Carls dressed for different military functions. They give a lot of high-fives and are very thrilled about a party happening at the park, because it means there will be kids there who will play with them.

It was a fun way to have the character come back, and it was an awesome reference back to both Toy Story OF TERROR! and the original Toy Story. I bet it also made Tom Hanks happy to see the character he helped name back in the story.

Now, in Toy Story 5, we’ll get to see Combat Carl once again. However, this time, Ernie Hudson will be voicing the iconic toy.

Overall, I love that this character keeps coming back. It makes sense too; he’s so gosh-darn fun. Personally, I love this character who always talks in the third-person and loves to give a high-five. And I’m so excited to see how he is incorporated into the next adventure.

So, everyone say thank you to Tom Hanks for his hand in helping Combat Carl come to life. Now, to see both Woody and Combat Carl in action, you can catch Toy Story 5 in theaters starting June 19.

Toy Story 5 is one of the most highly-anticipated upcoming 2026 movies. The franchise has been around for over three decades, and Joan Cusack has been voicing Jessie for more than two of those. At this point, she’s spent plenty of time with her fiery cowgirl counterpart—likely delivering some of Jessie’s most iconic lines more times than I could count. One of the most memorable, of course, is the rootin’est-tootin’est cowgirl in the west’s signature “Yeehaw!”—though, as it turns out, it wasn’t something Cusack immediately warmed up, which she told CinemaBlend about.

Cusack first started voicing Jessie in Toy Story 2, when the character was introduced alongside Woody’s Roundup gang. Since then, she has voiced Jessie in all of the franchise’s feature films, as well as numerous TV shorts, video games, specials and promotional appearances. The cowgirl has yodeled and “yeehawed” her way through a lot of material, and with what we know about Toy Story 5, Jessie is set to take on a more central role—likely meaning even more of those signature exclamations from our favorite cowgirl.

Ahead of Toy Story 5, I had the opportunity to speak with Cusack during a recent Walt Disney World event, and I couldn't resist asking about Jessie's signature catchphrase. The veteran actress admitted that her relationship with "Yeehaw!" has changed over the years:

CinemaBlend was on hand at Walt Disney World for a preview of Disney’s Cool Kids' Summer celebration, where guests can also experience Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-A-Roarin’ Revue at Magic Kingdom. It was there that Joan Cusack shared this juicy Jessie tidbit, and I have to admit: It’s really fun to say “yeehaw” out loud. Still, after saying it repeatedly for over 20 years, I can see how it might have started as a bit of a love-hate relationship before it just became part of the rhythm of the character.

Given that Cusack has fully embraced Jessie’s signature catchphrase, I can imagine her using it more than a few times in Toy Story 5. With Jessie taking Bullseye's reins and stepping into a larger role, she’s teaming up with some old friends—like Woody, complete with a new bald spot—to help save Bonnie’s toys from Lily Pad, voiced by Greta Lee, as technology threatens to take over playtime for good.

With this larger role, however, I do have one lingering worry: that Bonnie could become another Emily. The Toy Story 5 trailer seems to nod back to Jessie’s past, and fans can only hope she isn’t forgotten again. I doubt it’s a line Cusack would sign off with in an email, but it’s one that still sticks: “You never forget kids like Emily or Andy, but they forget you.” All we can hope is that Bonnie never lets Jessie end up gathering dust under a bed again.

Whether Cusack is tugging at our heartstrings or leading the charge in the franchise’s latest adventure, it sounds like she’s fully embraced one of Jessie’s most recognizable traits. And, with Toy Story 5 giving the cowgirl the spotlight she deserves, I’m sure we’ll hear a few “yodel-ay-hee-hoos” and plenty of “yeehaws” along the way. Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19.

Like many other Swifties around the world, I'm bracing myself for whatever Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff have in store for us with the new single they wrote for Toy Story 5. While we wait for "I Knew It, I Knew You" to drop on Friday, I've been thinking about other Taylor Swift songs that kind of sound like they belong in a Toy Story movie... at least, by their titles, anyway.

To be clear, I don't think any of the titles below will end up on the new movie's soundtrack, nor do I believe any of them were inspired by past Toy Story movies. Lyrically speaking, it just wouldn't make sense. But if we're looking at the titles alone, it's kind of fun to imagine a Toy Story connection. And it's a way to pass the time while we wait for Toy Story 5 to arrive on the 2026 movie schedule on June 19.

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

This one may seem obvious, but I also need to credit Pixar directly for the connection. Back when The Tortured Poets Department was just coming out (and was chock full of heartbreaking lyrics), the studio shared an amazing thread of images tying track titles from Taylor's album to some of their movies. Naturally, they dedicated "My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys" to Toy Story's Sid. Let's face it, Andy would never break his favorite toys, but Sid took a disturbing amount of pleasure in the act.

Cowboy Like Me

I mean, come on, "Cowboy Like Me" is only one of Taylor's best and most underappreciated songs, and I will hear no arguments against that opinion. The Evermore track fits perfectly with Woody and Jessie, whose paths cross in Toy Story 2. It takes one to know one, and on sight, Jessie knew without a doubt that Woody was a cowboy like her.

It's Nice To Have A Friend

As innocent as "It's Nice To Have A Friend" is, especially if we were to pair the Lover track with Randy Newman's iconic "You've Got A Friend In Me," I decided to take a more ironic approach for this one and dedicate it to Toy Story 3's Lotso, who may be lotso things, but the kind of friend it's nice to have isn't one of them.

Invisible String

Wait... Woody has a string! Ok, but that's not the only reason I like "Invisible String" for the cowboy character. Let's not forget that it was Woody's pull-string that caused him to dangle from that tree in Toy Story 3, putting him directly into Bonnie's path. Almost as if there was something cosmically tying him to her.

I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

We're going back to the original Toy Story for this TTPD track, as there are no toys that give "I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) better than the very non-cannibalistic, very misunderstood misfit toys at Sid's house, who manage to get Buzz's arm reattached for him.

Right Where You Left Me

Perhaps the most literal pick of the bunch, I think this Evermore bonus track fits perfectly with the life of any toy featured in the Toy Story movies. After all, while they're able to talk and move about when humans aren't around, they always have to end up right where their person left them.

Mine

I saved "Mine" for last because it made me smile the most. One of the things Woody makes clear from the first movie on is that he's proud to belong to Andy. Being a kid's toy is his ultimate purpose and a point of pride. And nothing says "mine" better than the sight of Andy or Bonnie's name written on his boot.

With less than a day until "I Knew It, I Knew You" drops, and just a matter of weeks before Toy Story 5 arrives in theaters (watch the trailer!), we have a lot to look forward to!

If you saw Toy Story 5 on the 2026 movie schedule and wondered why we’re getting yet another Toy Story sequel, there’s actually a good reason for it. Jessie the Cowgirl has been a beloved character in the franchise ever since she was introduced in Toy Story 2, but she’s never quite been center stage before. Writer/director Andrew Stanton wanted to change all that when writing the upcoming Pixar movie, and he told us why.

I had the chance to see half of Toy Story 5 on behalf of CinemaBlend and then sit down with Stanton and some of the movie’s other key filmmakers. What struck me the most about what I’ve seen from the movie so far is how instrumental Jessie is to the storyline. During the film, she even finds herself back in her previous bedroom from before she met Woody and co. Here’s what Stanton said about making the character central to the new release:

Since the end of Toy Story 4 has Woody leaving Bonnie’s room and giving Jessie the sheriff’s badge, it certainly feels like a natural transition for these movies. Actually, during our conversation, Stanton also told us that when he first wrote Toy Story 5 without Woody before deciding to bring the character back.

Jessie ends up going on a grand adventure that leads her to meet a new cast of characters, including Bad Bunny’s toy and Conan O’Brien’s potty training toy. She’ll also meet a new human child named Blaze. As his co-writer Kenna Harris added:

We won’t go too much into detail about Jessie’s backstory and the Toy Story 5 adventure. However, since there've been so many sequels, I know I was curious what Pixar had up their sleeves this time around, and I love that they’re finally giving some more love to Jessie the Cowgirl.

Toy Story 5’s production designer, Bob Pauley, who’s had a hand in every Toy Story movie just like Stanton, also gushed about the role Jessie gets to play this time around in our interview with him. In his words:

This week, we also learned that Taylor Swift has written a song for Toy Story 5 that will appear in the film after theories started forming among Swifties. We have to wonder if the song called “I Knew It, I Knew You” will be another emotional song for Jessie after Sarah McLachlan’s tune from Toy Story 2, “When She Loved Me”. When I asked Pauley about the end, the production designer said this:

Well, I know I’m officially convinced why Toy Story 5 needed to exist. You can see the movie only in theaters starting on June 19.

It's time to wipe off the clown makeup for this one, Swifties. Theories have been on the rise about Taylor Swift's possible involvement in the upcoming Toy Story movie for weeks, and today, after much speculation, she and Disney confirmed that a new single is on the way! Swift has a new original song for Toy Story 5, and it's coming out in a matter of days.

Swift shared the following Instagram story, posing in an outfit I have no doubt Jessie would approve of (she's a cowgirl like her, after all!) and announcing the sale of the CD singles for the song, titled "I Knew It, I Knew You."

Three different versions of the single are on sale for a very limited time (48 hours!) at Taylor Swift's store. Disney has confirmed that the song will officially be released on June 5th, ahead of Toy Story 5's June 19th arrival on the 2026 movie schedule.

In addition to the story about the singles, Swift also posted on X her thoughts about getting to be a part of the soundtrack.

Fans have been speculating about Taylor Swift's potential involvement in Toy Story 5 for weeks, after a countdown briefly appeared on her site. There was speculation about an outfit she wore, and eagle-eyed fans noticed the very Toy Story-like cloud backdrop that appeared in the "Opalite" video, which may have been a very early clue that something was up. Just last week, Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton seemed to debunk the rumor, and yet, here we are!

I Don't Think I'm Ready For It

The Toy Story films aren't musicals, but music has always been a key part of the franchise. Randy Newman's "You've Got A Friend In Me" is a classic. I'm also a big fan of "Strange Things." But can we talk about Toy Story 2 for a second? Because it's been more than two decades, and I still haven't fully recovered from the "When She Loved Me" Jessie montage. Written by Randy Newman and performed by him and Sarah McLachlan, the song and the scene absolutely wrecked me, the way it tapped into the heartbreak and abandonment Jessie experienced after her first owner left her behind.

My point is, the bar for a great Toy Story song has been set high with past films. With that said, if there's a songwriter and singer who can meet that standard, it's Taylor Swift. She teamed up to write this one with frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff. I'm torn between not being able to wait for this single, and not being at all ready for whatever kind of emotional punch "I Knew It, I Knew You" packs.

As Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are allegedly planning to get married this summer, it makes all the sense in the world that the pop singer would take a break from releasing music for a while. Then again, this is Taylor Swift we’re talking about. She always seems to be writing and recording music. And the latest theory about what’s next for her has to do with Toy Story 5, and the rumor mill is really starting to heat up (even though the director debunked part of it).

What Toy Story 5's Director Said About The Taylor Swift Theories

Back in May, Swifties started to talk about Taylor Swift possibly being on the Toy Story 5 soundtrack when a countdown briefly appeared on her website with a background of blue skies and white fluffy clouds just like Andy’s room. Then, fans looked at her recent wardrobe and noticed she’s been wearing the colors associated with the Toy Story movies recently.

Once the rumor really started to spread around, Khoslaa asked co-director/writer Andrew Stanton and his fellow filmmakers about what’s going on with Taylor Swift. Here’s what he said:

While many took this as a debunking of the Taylor Swift/Toy Story 5 theories, tons of Swifties held tight to the possibilities, with the interviewer commenting on her own video, “He never said a song won't be in the middle …” Did Stanton use the interview to derail fans, or are they really just clowning about more Swift music?

Then, Pixar Got Fans Going Even More

Since then, a billboard for Toy Story 5 with simply “TS” on the poster and the same clouds in the background appeared. Pixar even posted it with an animation of Jessie the Cowgirl dancing on it and the caption “She’s making those moves up as she goes!” Check it out:

Since the caption is definitely a reference to Swift’s song “Shake It Off,” the evidence for a Taylor Swift collaboration in this 2026 movie release is starting to look a lot more possible. Check out some of the comments:

• “WHAT THE ACTUAL SWIFTIENESS IS GOING AWN” - @francisdominiic
• “TAYLOR SWIFT? ☁️💙” - @leoealisson
• “It’s a Toy Story, baby just say yes!!❤️” - @kristarose143
• “jessie those dance moves are pretty ENCHANTED 💜” - @emilynels8
• “Life of a Showgirl? More like Life of a Cowgirl 🤠” - @zachpincince

So, despite the debunking, Swifties are still convinced that Swift is involved with this movie.

Toy Story 5 already has quite a few big celebrity names as is. Conan O’Brien has a hilarious potty training toy character, and Bad Bunny is playing Pizza With Sunglasses alongside the movie’s usual suspects. And yes, Tom Hanks is playing Woody again, even though the director told us they initially wrote the movie without the cowboy. So, it seems totally possible that one of the world's biggest pop stars has written an original song for this film that could play anywhere other than the end credits.

We’ll officially find out when Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19.

Tim Allen revealed he had an uncomfortable conversation with Toy Story 5's crew when they began sessions and came to understand that Buzz sounded "a little old." The actor confessed he feared he was going to lose out on the role he's voiced for decades. However, the staff found a way to help him get his classic voice back again.

As we wait for the Pixar movie's release on the 2026 movie schedule, Tim Allen spoke to Deadline about how he found out his voice sounded a little weathered, and how troubling the situation got once he was made aware of it:

Toy Story 5 originally didn't feature Woody, but now it seems as though it'll address the toy's "age" with a few jokes. As for Buzz, he still looks pretty good for a '90s toy, but again, he was manufactured way later than Woody. In that sense, it makes sense that Buzz would still have a young voice, especially if Tom Hanks didn't sound older when bringing back his character.

Being older presumably hasn't come back to bite Tim Allen thus far. His series Shifting Gears, which was recently renewed for Season 3, even leans into it. He didn't want to sound old for Toy Story 5; however, fortunately, the crew brought in an expert to get his voice back in shape:

At first, I didn't see this as a big deal. Personally, I think Toy Story 5 is being made for the generations that grew up with the franchise, many of whom are well aware that the voice actors are getting older. I think that's evident enough in the slightly darker tone being pitched for the movie, with the understanding that some of these viewers are bringing their kids with them.

On the other side of the coin, I think back to when I caught up with more recent seasons of The Simpsons with my Disney+ subscription. As someone who grew up watching these characters, it's impossible to ignore how distinctly different they sound decades down the road. Given that, I can understand why Tim Allen feared he'd be replaced and they'd find a soundalike to take over for Buzz.

It's ironic that Allen feared being replaced, given that Toy Story 5's plot is centered around a new tablet that may replace them as Bonnie's primary source of entertainment. Worried, the toys radio in Woody, which was a surprise considering many thought he was gone after the previous movie. I'm eager to see how the rest of this story plays out and what big message we're meant to take away at the end of it.

Toy Story 5 is in theaters on June 19th, and I'm thrilled to take my child to see it. I'm also thrilled that Tim Allen was able to get his voice to where he wanted it for this.

Based on the Toy Story 5 trailers, the latest Pixar movie boasts beautiful animation as well as a timely story about how technology is impacting playtime for kids. What the film also has, of course, is a robust roster of voice actors, including franchise veterans like Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack. Unsurprisingly, there are some newcomers in the mix, too, as even Conan O’Brien has been cast. Now, in a delightfully surprising turn of events, Bad Bunny has been announced as a cast member, and the singer/rapper’s funny role involves sunglasses.

The last few years have seen Bad Bunny – whose real name is Benito Ocasio – dipping his toes in the acting profession. However, despite the fact that Ocasio landed roles in films like Bullet Train and Caught Stealing, I wasn’t expecting him to join a Toy Story flick. Pixar revealed his casting this week, and he’s playing a character named Pizza with Sunglasses. Yes, you read that correctly and, if for some reason you think I’m making this up, get a quick look at the diminutive toy in the TikTok post below:

On the one hand, I’m trying to wrap my head around the concept of Ocasio lending his voice to a small, plastic piece of pizza. But, on the other hand, this feels like an oddly fitting role for the “Mónaco” performer, who’s known for his sometimes quirky, creative sensibilities. The sunglasses, of course, are also a nice touch due to the fact that BB is also known for sporting sweet shades during some of his concerts.

Disney and Pixar also released an official character description for Pizza, who’s apparently a “mysterious,” yet “cool,” member of a forgotten colony of toys. The sunglasses-wearing slice and his fellow playthings live in an abandoned, backyard shed, which makes me wonder how they’ll cross paths with the core group of characters.

What I want to know now is how writer/director AndrewStanton pitched the role to Bad Bunny, as I can imagine any actor being surprised upon being offered the chance to play a dancing pizza slice. I’m also prompted to wonder about this due to having previously heard about how O’Brien’s role was pitched to him. The former talk show host is playing a toilet-training toy known as Smarty Pants, and Stanton offered O’Brien the role via a pun-filled letter.

However the Grammy winner was convinced to join this 2026 movie schedule offering, I’m just delighted that he’s a part of it in some way. And he and O’Brien aren’t the only newbies who’ll be joining the Toy Story franchise this time around. Greta Lee is playing the role of Lilypad, and it was just announced this week that Alan Cumming would voice Evil Bullseye, which is a playtime persona for Woody and Jesse’s faithful (and usually non-speaking) horse. Also, part of the cast is Krys Marshall, who’s playing a non-toy character, though further details have not been revealed on that front.

The legacy sequel’s general premise has been revealed, though, and it sees Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the toys in Bonnie’s room banding together against the technological threat of Lilypad. All signs point to this being a somewhat darker Toy Story installment, which intrigues me. Still, there will surely be moments of levity, and I could definitely see Pizza with Sunglasses contributing to that fun. So here’s hoping Bad Bunny crushes whatever slices (sorry) of the film his character appears in.

Fans can see Toy Story 5 when it opens in theaters on June 19. In the meantime, catch up by streaming the first four movies with a Disney+ subscription.

Since the Toy Story movies have been coming out now for over three decades, it wouldn’t necessarily be surprising if Woody and Buzz turned things over to a new generation of toys – especially Woody after he literally left Bonnie’s room at the end of Toy Story 4. But thankfully, both characters are back in action for Toy Story 5, which is among 2026 movies hitting theaters this summer. But, I recently found out from the movie’s writer/director Andrew Stanton that this wasn’t always the case for Woody.

Toy Story 5 has Woody reuniting with our favorite toys, bald spot and all, and of course, is once again voiced by Tom Hanks. During CinemaBlend's interview with the Toy Story 5 filmmakers, Stanton said this about the return of Woody:

Toy Story 5 follows the toys of Bonnie’s room, who were given to her by Andy during the emotional ending of Toy Story 3, as they face a new problem among them. Bonnie is given a tablet named Lilypad that steals all of her attention away, and the rest of the toys are stressed about it. Jessie, who has assumed the leadership position of Bonnie’s room, gets in contact with her buddy Woody to talk out the problem, and it leads to him joining in on another thrilling and fun animated adventure.

An emergency in Bonnie’s room totally makes sense as a way for the audience to see Woody again, but as Stanton told us, at first, he wrote Toy Story 5 without the cowboy at all. However, as he continued to work on additional drafts, he decided he missed Woody and found a way to add him to the upcoming sequel. As he continued:

While Woody definitely plays a big part in Toy Story 5, there’s a lot more focus on Jessie (still played by Joan Cusack as well) than we’ve ever seen of her before, too. The movie even involves the cowgirl riding on a real horse and getting to visit her previous room. There she meets Conan O’Brien’s hilarious potty training toy, among many other fun surprises I’ll keep to myself for now. Producer Lindsay Collins added this:

The first look at Toy Story 5 did feature Woody briefly, but the latest look definitely gives fans a much better look at how the dynamics in the movie look, and Tom Hanks’ iconic character is definitely a big part of it. You can check out the Toy Story 5 trailer below:

I don’t know about you, but I’m so curious how Toy Story 5 will tackle the issue of toys vs. tech, and forward these characters we know and love. You can see it in theaters on June 19.

For generations, kids have grown up with the Toy Story movies, and many can likely quickly tell you that Tom Hanks is the voice of Woody. The Castaway actor first lent his voice to this character back in 1995. Now, he’s set to reprise the role a fifth time, when Toy Story 5 is released in theaters this summer as part of the 2026 movie schedule. However, I just found out that Tom Hanks was not the only sheriff in town. His brother Jim Hanks occasionally voiced Woody for Disney, and his first time doing it was for an iconic moment.

Several of Tom Hanks’ best films came out in the ‘90s alongside Toy Story, like Saving Private Ryan, Sleepless in Seattle, and Forrest Gump. So while Toy Story was a smash hit, he didn’t always have the time to do extra voice work for the series. Luckily, the Big actor had the perfect built-in voice-double. His younger brother Jim Hanks is also an actor and filmmaker, and the two look and sound nearly identical, even more so back in the day. Jim told Love-It Film he’s been voicing the iconic cowboy alongside his brother since the early days, revealing how he's able to match the You’ve Got Mail actor's performance:

For the actual Toy Story movies, the voice of Woody is Tom Hanks. The Sully actor has been in the recording booth for all four installments of the franchise thus far, and teased he’s once again back in Disney Pixar’s Studio B, laying down lines for Toy Story 5.

I can’t believe the Toy Story series has been going for 31 years and counting, and neither can its cast. The original Toy Story was a hit when it came out in 1995, and became the first feature film to be made entirely with computer animation. As much as it was a big deal for Disney, it was also right smack in the middle of the most successful stretch of Tom Hanks' career. His only two Oscars happened in the same years they were making Toy Story, one in 1994 for Philadelphia, and one in 1995 for Forrest Gump.

Needless to say, Tom Hanks was booked and busy, but Disney was desperate to capitalize on the success of Woody. Jim Hanks revealed that most of his work as Andy’s favorite toy is for commercial efforts, and that the first time he ever put on the cowboy hat was to voice Woody’s signature catchphrases for the physical doll to be sold on shelves:

Wow, I can’t believe one of the most iconic uses of Woody’s voice is actually Jim Hanks. Basically, anything that’s not a part of the feature-length Toy Story films, Woody is voiced by the youngest Hanks brother. Hear Woody on an attraction at Disneyland? Jim Hanks. Woody appears in a commercial on TV? Jim Hanks! He even voices Woody in all of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story Shorts, including 2020’s Lamp Life.

I honestly have never noticed the difference, and I bet most fans haven’t either, which just goes to show how fantastic an actor Jim Hanks is. At the end of the day, he actually has more credits as Woody than the Apollo 13 actor. Go figure! However, the younger Hanks doesn’t seem to mind that Tom Hanks gets all the cred for the sheriff–he just seems happy to be a part of the journey.

What a journey it has been, too. Many fans thought Toy Story 4 brought a perfect end to Woody’s story, as he rode off into the sunset with Bo Peep and the lost toys. Yet Tom Hanks has been confirmed to return with his buddy Tim Allen for the upcoming sequel. Be sure to catch Toy Story 5 when it hits theaters on June 19 to see all your favorite toys back in action.

Toy Story 5 is only weeks away from making its debut as part of the 2026 movie schedule, which means fans are close to reuniting with the franchise’s lovable characters. At least one of those famous toys will look a bit different when they show up again, however, as Woody will have gone through a few changes. In the Andrew Stanton-helmed film, the famous cowboy will not only have a bald spot but a gut as well. Now, Tom Hanks – who voices the beloved pull-string doll – is answering a question I’d had about the design.

I actually had the opportunity to speak with Stanton about the response to Woody’s bald spot but wasn’t able to ask about the more practical reason for it. What I’ve specifically wanted to know is exactly what causes the top of Woody’s head to become faded in-universe and, after his gut was revealed, I had the same question. Well, Hanks talked about his character’s new look as part of a piece for EW. During the chat, the fan-favorite actor shared his take on what exactly has caused the cowboy’s dome to fade:

This seems so obvious in hindsight but, to be completely honest, I never really considered the notion of the constant removal of Woody’s hat being the reason for his bald spot. A part of me wondered if it was just fading on its own over time due to other factors. That aside, the gut aspect of all of this may have seemed like an even bigger mystery to some fans. Well, Hanks and co. have thought of that as well and, again, the answer is quite practical:

Ever since I read that latter quote, I’ve been trying to recall whether I had any stuffed toys as a kid that settled in such ways. Nothing comes to mind right now, though the rationale here definitely makes sense. On the surface, these cosmetic changes to Woody can definitely be played for laughs, but they also represent the passage of time. That notion really hits hard for someone like, who’s old enough to have seen Toy Story 2 in theaters during their childhood. On that note, what this franchise continues to prove is that it can grow with its audience and remain timely at the same time.

Speaking of timely, Toy Story 5 sees Bonnie’s toys facing the rise of technological devices, which are beginning to permeate playtime. That prospect is seemingly what causes Woody to reunite with Buzz, Jessie, Bullseye and the gang. Based on the footage that’s been revealed thus far, this could be a somewhat darker entry in the franchise. At the same time, though, there still seems to be plenty of comedy, and the TS5 trailer also teased some sweet nods to the earlier films.

We’ll have to wait and see whether the toys end up thriving within the age of tech. Aside from watching the story play out, though, I’ll admittedly also remain focused on Woody’s bald spot and gut. I’m curious as to whether the character just keeps those imperfections or fixes them using a magic marker and some stuffing shuffling techniques.

Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19 and, in the meantime, fans can watch the first four movies using a Disney+ subscription.

Toy Story 5 is set to expand the mythos of Disney and Pixar's beloved franchise and, with that, we have some new characters voiced by some A+ talent. One of those newcomers is Conan O’Brien, whose toy role in the sequel is that of a potty-training tech toy named Smarty Pants. The notion of O'Brien voicing such a character is funny on it's own. However, I have to say, what really has me laughing is the way in which the beloved comedian and host was offered the role.

One of the best things to look forward to in each Toy Story movie (streaming with are Disney+ subscription) is meeting fresh, new toys that shake up the story. In the case of Conan O’Brien, director Andrew Stanton told EW that the former Late Night headliner “said yes right away” when offered the “roll” of a potty-training toy. The message Stanton sent O'Brien to pitch him the character was also shared with the news outlet, and I can totally see why O'Brien signed on so quickly:

No, “roll” is not a typo there. Instead, it's just a hilariously clever nod to the toilet-training tech tool with a heart “beneath all that crap.” Honestly, shout out to Stanton for filling that letter with so much potty humor and being able to convince the Emmy winner to join his latest Pixar flick.

While O’Brien jokingly spoke about being “self-taught” in toilet-training, he also recalled being a toy aficionado, thanks to his childhood love of G.I. Joe and Smokey the Bear. I'd say O'Brien is the perfect person to voice a glorified toilet-training toy. But don't think that this character is only around to be the butt of toilet jokes (no pun intended).

Based on what we know about Toy Story 5, our favorite toys are facing the threat of being replaced by A.I. technology. Per EW, Smarty Pants’ introduction will serve as an emotional story for Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, who meets the forgotten toy in the house she used to live in with her first little girl, Emily, who previously abandoned her. Considering Conan O'Brien's strong acting chops (which he expertly displays in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You), he'll generate some laughs and maybe some tears as part of this subplot.

I'm hoping Toy Story 5, as a whole, will make for an entertaining experience. The details and footage that have surfaced at this point suggests we're in for a darker installment in the franchise. Additionally, the trailer teases sweet nods to the OG films in the franchise. Smarty Pants won't be the only source of comedy either, as fans are already talking about Woody's viral bald spot.

Still, after reading Andrew Stanton's offer letter, I'm definitely going to be keeping a close eye on Conan O'Brien's Smarty Pants when I see the movie. I'm confident that O'Brien will crush it and, if all goes well, this could end up becoming a signature "roll" for him. (Sorry, I just couldn't help myself.)

Make sure to check outToy Story 5, which hits theaters on June 19th as part of the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, read up on other upcoming Disney movies headed to theaters this year.

It's no surprise that Pixar's first five-film franchise follows up on the movie that started it all, and it sounds likeToy Story 5 will be reflective of the 31 years that have passed between it and the acclaimed first movie. (A span that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen joke about.) When the sequel joins other 2026 movie releases in June, audiences will apparently be watching Buzz, Woody and Bo Peep's darkest adventure yet.

That assumption stems from this week's news about the MPA slapping a PG rating onto Toy Story 5, making it the first of the flagship Toy Story movies to be rated anything beyond the all-inclusive G. (Chris Evans' live-action LIghtyear also got the PG branding, but I don't think that can be blamed for its lacking box office.) The MPA clearly things at least one element in the movie is worthy of making sure child viewers have a parent or guardian nearby for comfort, akin to Finding Dory's getting a different rating from Finding Nemo.

Obviously, it's not known just yet why Pixar's latest effort was branded differently from the first four features, so wouldn't it be fun to speculate about why this almost definitely end up being the darkest Toy Story movie yet? I'm going to assume everyone reading just hollered "Heck yeah, and I have my thinking hat that looks like a cowboy hat just a finger's length away," and all at the same time.

Theory 1: The Toys WIll Be Corrupted By The Internet

On the opposite end of the plaything spectrum from Forky's simplistic handmade glory is the Toy Story franchise's newest must-have: the frog-shaped Lily Pad tablet. Obviously any new toy sapping Bonnie's attention from her longtime collection is going to feel threatening, but Lily Pad brings a completely different kind of threat into the playroom: a WiFi connection.

Certainly, director Andrew Stanton & Co. won't be giving Trixie an OnlyFans page, and nor will they be putting any focus on the myriad adult entertainment sites out there. That would send the rating all the way up to an R instead of a PG, so no worries there.

Instead, I'm talking about things that might not seem soul-crushing to the uninitiated, like reading horrifying comments on YouTube and X, or going down any number of social media rabbit holes filled with disingenuous content. I mean, even going to WebMD would be debilitating for these toys. Or streaming services. Can you imagine what watching a full season of The Boys would do to Rex?

Theory 2: We'll See "Evil" AI Versions Of Woody, Buzz, And/Or Bo Peep Doing Terrible-ish Things

There's something very Black Mirror-esque about the Toy Story 5 poster where our protagonist trio are shown in the reflection of Lily Pad's screen. Which made me think: if Lily Pad has a camera installed, she might be able to take pictures of the other toys, and could use those images for any number of nefarious acts that would get them into hot water with Bonnie and other humans.

Honestly, just showing adults proof that toys can talk would change everything, but assuming that doesn't happen, I think it's feasible that Lily Pad could create AI versions of Woody, Buzz and/or Bo Peep that would be employed for devious schemes. For instance, Lily Pad could sew distrust within the playroom by creating a video of AI Woody badmouthing other friends and claiming it was made while he was still on his toy-saving pilgrimmage. Or showing Woody a manufactured video of Bo Peep kissing Buzz. (Bring out the PG-13 stickers!)

Plenty of other conceivable examples exist for how Lily Pad could use AI to turn the main characters' lives (so to speak) upside-down, with much potential for other yet-to-be-introduced characters to be involved, such as Krys Marshall's potentially worrisome new entry. And if Bonnie's parents buy a 3D printer that Lily Pad can connect to? Cooked.

Theory 3: The Evolution Of Toy Technology Will Be An Existential Nightmare

Surely, the Toy Story franchise is among the most adept at emotional arcs that audiences of literally any age can be moved by, and all without talking down to viewers or tiptoing around umcomfortable beats. Still, this world of make-believe doesn't dwell much on philosophical topics that could send characters (and younger viewers) spiraling. Like, Buzz suffering a complete personality change in Toy Story 3 due an on-body switch could have easily set up a feature-length conversation about the ramifications of having such a vulnerability, and having it go public.

Maybe Toy Story 5 will lean more into those unspoken concerns that are generally above children's heads, which I think could easily tie into the "corrupted by Internet" theory higher up. What if Slinky Dog stumbles across the information that the Earth is going to be destroyed when our sun goes supernova? There's nothing salacious about that info, but the anxiety it could inspire isn't so G-rated.

That's an extreme example, but having an extremely advanced toy like Lily Pad around could easily cause other toys to question their arguably less-than existence. It's in the same ballpark as thinking about what life is like for toys packed away in storage containers, or on constant public display without a means of getting free. The tablet could easily make other toys feel inferior without even having that intention. At least at first.

Which could then lead to narrative beats that dig more into truly dark subjects like abandonment, abuse, grief or death. Toy Story movies often feature characters who worry about being replaced, but we all know that phones and tablets absolutely become the ultimate substitution for imagination-based toys. Which is the scariest thing of all. It'd make me want to seek a parent's embrace, but much like many Disney protagonists, my parents are dead.

That feels like a great note to cap off this story about — [checks notes] — Toy Story 5, and it's one of those rare instances where I kind of hope none of my movie theories end up coming true. Maybe the PG rating is just because one of the toys poops on the floor. Which is a different kind of death.

Toy Story 5 will hit theaters for children and guardians everywhere on June 19.

As we look forward to Toy Story 5's premiere on the 2026 movie schedule, it’s wild to think about how long the Pixar franchise has been going on. And, when Tom Hanks and Tim Allen turned up together at Las Vegas’ CinemaCon on Thursday to talk about the latest animated sequel, they hilariously pointed out how long they’ve been making these movies with a funny little interaction.

The first Toy Story movie came out back in November 1995, making these movies freshly 30 years old as of a few months ago. Hanks brought this up during the recent appearance with Allen, leading to this exchange:

• Tim Allen: "I don't think we look any different. We looked at video of us doing it, and we looked like our grandchildren in the video."
• Tom Hanks: "I thought, did I make the first one when I was in junior high school?"
• Tim Allen: "Horrible."
• Tom Hanks: "We have both had this experience where we've been somewhere in public, and an adult with a little kid has said, 'Oh my gosh, it's Buzz Lightyear! It's Buzz Lightyear! It's Buzz Lightyear! Honey, this is Buzz Lightyear!' And the kid looks up and sees that."

These two probably had no idea that they’d be playing Woody and Buzz Lightyear well into their sixties and seventies (Hanks is 69, and Allen is 72), but they are, and remain beloved for their roles, of course. The actors joked around about looking like their “grandchildren” and like middle school kids when they first made Toy Story three decades earlier, by comparison to today.

Hanks threw the best shade, though, when he told an anecdote about what happens when parents point out to their kids that the actors are Woody and Buzz. He said they are met with a couple of grey-haired guys. Pixar itself kind of has its own wink at how old Woody is getting with the cowboy having a bald spot in one gag in the movie. You can check out the latest Toy Story 5 trailer here:

From what we know about Toy Story 5, this time around, the toys in Bonnie’s room (previously of Andy’s room) will have to fight for attention from a tablet that comes into the kid’s life called Lilypad. All our original favorites are back, including Jessie, Hamm, Rex, Slinky Dog, Mr & Mrs. Potato Head, along with a couple of favorites from Toy Story 4: Forky and Duke Caboom. The movie is helmed by Andrew Stanton, who has been involved in all the previous Toy Story movies. We can look forward to Toy Story 5 hitting theaters on June 19.

Doing the Toy Story movies together has made Tom Hanks and Tim Allen good friends since first starring in the roles back in the '90s. The pair apparently meet for lunch a few times a year to keep things going, and this fun exchange between them definitely is evidence of their fun-loving relationship.

If you’re like me and grew up in the 1990s, then there’s a good chance that Toy Story was played at least once in your household, if not many, many times. Pixar’s first feature-length film opened to critical acclaim in 1995 and spawned a franchise that’s still going strong 31 years later. Ahead of Toy Story 5’s release on the 2026 movies schedule, even Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, is astounded by how the Toy Story property is still so popular after all this time.

The star of ABC’s Shifting Gears voiced this thought directly on X. With the Toy Story 5 press tour having kicked off ahead of its arrival in June, Allen shared this moment he recently had with his co-star Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody:

Same, man. While I know Toy Story wasn’t the first movie I ever saw in a theater (I’m pretty sure that was The Lion King in 1994), it’s definitely one of the earliest ones I saw. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t familiar with Woody, Buzz, Hamm, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex, Bo Peep and the rest of the gang of playthings that originally lived at Andy’s house. The fact that it’s still so pop culturally relevant after all this time amidst so many shakeups in the film industry is astounding!

While Toy Story could have easily been a one-and-done movie, Disney and Pixar officially announced Toy Story 2 in March 1997. It was originally intended to be direct-to-video, but the Mouse House upgraded the sequel to a theatrical release upon being impressed by the story reels. There’s actually a world where we never got to see Toy Story 2, as it was accidentally deleted from Pixar’s internal servers by one of the animators, and was only saved because technical director Galyn Susman had a backup copy on her home computer. So Toy Story 2 came out in 1999, and its own positive critical reception cemented the public’s interest in following along with these toys across multiple adventures.

Toy Story 3 followed in 2010, then Toy Story 4 in 2019. The franchise also encompasses the Lightyear spinoff, the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command TV series, numerous animated shorts, video games, comic books, theme park attractions, the list goes on. As far as the movies go, Tim Allen and Tom Hanks have stuck with Woody and Buzz for this entire time, which is a testament to how much they care about their characters. I never thought as a kid I’d still be thinking about Toy Story as regularly as I am 30+ years later, but I’m definitely not mad about it!

Toy Story 5 will see eight-year-old Bonnie, who Andy gave his toys to at the end of Toy Story 3, becoming obsessed with a frog-themed tablet named Lilypad. This throws Buzz and the gang for a loop and paves the way for a reunion with Woody, who left with Bo Peep to help abandoned toys at the end of Toy Story 4. Catch the fifth movie in theaters starting on June 19.

Ever since it was officially announced, Toy Story 5 has been a movie that has generated a lot of questions and no small amount of concern. As much as people love the Toy Story franchise, there are many who still feel the movies should have ended after the third one. A fifth movie in the franchise just feels like going back to the well too often for some. And so far, nothing that’s been revealed about the film has put fans entirely at ease.

The latest detail about Toy Story 5 is the latest piece of casting information. Deadline has confirmed that Krys Marshall, most recently of the hit series Paradise (available with a Hulu subscription) will play a role in the new movie. But the most interesting thing about her part is that she’s not playing a toy.

Could We Get A Significant Human Character In Toy Story Who Isn’t A Villain?

While humans have always been part of the Toy Story world, they’ve never been particularly important to it. Even Andy and Bonnie, the humans who own the toys, have never really factored into the plots of the stories they are in.

The most significant human character in any Toy Story movie has been Al, the owner of Al’s Toy Barn, who steals Woody away in Toy Story 2. He’s the movie’s villain, at least until the Prospector is revealed. Beyond him, humans have never played much of a role.

Little is known about Krys Marshall’s character. The character is set to be a human adult, one who “has to contend” with her child’s new hobby. That hobby, one assumes, is a brand new tablet. We know that Toys vs. Tech is the overarching story of Toy Story 5, as Bonnie will get a tablet and will start to use it more than her toys. The Toy Story 5 trailer has also shown us other kids with tablets. Marshall’s character may be a parent to one of them.

It would be cool, and at least something different, if we got a human character who was a significant role and ostensibly one of the “good guys.” In this case, somebody who is fighting for the same thing as the rest of the toys. Based on little we know, this could be the case, but it could also be something far more mundane.

Or Will Krys Marshall’s Character Simply Tell Us “Screentime Is Bad”

It’s unclear right now even how significant Krys Marshall’s role is. It could just be a small part, a little more than a cameo, though the implication is certainly that this is at least a role on par with other adult humans, like Bonnie’s parents, who are never a focus but are always around.

If that’s the role this is, then it could end up being something far less exciting. The implication of the plot of Toy Story 5 is that it will be something of a statement against screentime in favor of playing with actual toys, or at the very least, a plea for moderation in screentime. If that’s the case, Marshall’s character could end up being little more than a mouthpiece for this argument, and might not be much more than that.

Still, Krys Marshall is arguably the biggest name to voice a human in the Toy Story movies, so it seems unlikely she would only get a cameo or a generic role. Toy Story 5 certainly may surprise us. There could be more going on under the hood than it appears. I, for one, hope so. A simple Toys vs. Tech narrative seems far less creative than previous films in the franchise, and it would be an unfortunate use of talent.

Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is one of the biggest titles set to grace the 2026 movie schedule and, while it doesn’t debut for another few months, fans are already talking about it. The legacy sequel’s latest trailer, which features references to the original film, has really been sparking discussions. One big point of discussion has been the reveal that Woody will have a bald spot in the film. CinemaBlend had to ask director Andrew Stanton for his take on the visceral responses to that, and I really loved his thoughtful take.

In the heavily-discussed Toy Story trailer, the bald spot is revealed after Woody takes off his hat upon reuniting with Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and co. in Bonnie's room. The shine from Woody’s thinning area briefly blinds his friends, with triceratops Trixie even quipping, “Someone needs a brown marker.” Plenty of fans were amused and also in their feelings about the funny reveal, as some commenters online said it made them feel old. When asked about the response to Woody’s hair loss, Stanton provided a great perspective:

In the Blink of an Eye is Andrew Stanton’s latest film, which tracks the history of the world using three interconnected stories set within different time periods. While the sci-fi drama is clearly very different from Stanton’s newest Pixar romp, I love how he links them together, and it makes sense. Blink truly does commit to the concept of time and how events in different time periods can have an impact on the future. And, with Toy Story, Stanton and co. aren’t shying away from the fact that a considerable amount of time has passed in-universe.

To that point, Woody’s bald spot is a further indicator of just how much time has passed and how much he, in particular, has been through. So, from a narrative standpoint, it definitely makes sense for some of Woody’s brown hair to have faded with time. At the same time, it serves as a funny gag, and I’m curious as to how often it comes up in the upcoming Pixar movie.

Based on the comments he shared about his new animated film thus far, Stanton – whose Pixar directorial credits include Finding Nemo and WALL-E – seems to have put a lot of thought into this latest Toy Story film. In the movie, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the gang are fearing extinction, as technology begins to take over kids’ playtimes. Their concerns are seemingly realized when Bonnie receives a new tablet named Lillypad. While fans have had their questions about the merits of a fifth film in this franchise, it’s hard to argue that the plot does hold relevance pertaining to our society today.

Andrew Stanton isn’t an Oscar-winning filmmaker for nothing, as he truly knows how to tell stories. So, as a life-long fan, I’m definitely curious to see what he does with this latest Toy Story film. Chances are that, in time, he’ll also shed light on the rationale behind many of his creative decisions on the film. More immediately, though, I’m also wondering if someone like the Cleaner (from the second film) will indeed address that bald spot or if Woody will decide to keep it by the end of the movie.

Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19 and, in the meantime, prep for the film by streaming the first four installments on Disney+. Also, check out Stanton’s In the Blink of an Eye, which is now streamable with a Hulu subscription.

There are plenty of upcoming 2026 movies to get hyped for this March, and Pixar’s new flick, Hoppers, is definitely one of them. The voice cast of this original animated feature is stacked. Jon Hamm is playing Mayor Jerry, Meryl Streep is the Insect Queen, Dave Franco is voicing her son, Titus, and we'll also hear Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan, and Piper Curdo, to name a few. Still, one voice in particular will stand out to longtime Pixar fans. There's a moment that practically begs you to shout at the screen, “I know that voice!” It’s Mabel’s mom, voiced by none other than Lori Alan.

Disney Pixar’s new original animated film Hoppers is about a tenacious young woman named Mabel Tanaka who hijacks “hopping” technology that was invented to let humans communicate with wildlife and transfers her consciousness into an animatronic beaver. Determined to save the animals’ homes from human development led by Jon Hamm's Mayor Jerry, Mabel uses the technology to befriend beavers like King George and rally other creatures against the threat to their habitat.

In the film, Mabel has a strong bond with her family, especially her grandmother. While she and her mom do not share much screen time, if you are anything like me, the moment you hear the voice will drive you crazy. I sat there and tried and failed to figure out who was playing Mabel's mom, and even the Internet was not helpful in my pursuit.

So when CinemaBlend had the chance to speak with Hoppers director Daniel Chong during our visit to Pixar Studios, I had to ask him directly who voiced Mabel’s mom. As it turns out, in the world of Pixar, Lori Alan is practically a household name.

The moment Chong said her name, a lightbulb went off in my head. Of course—that’s the voice of Bonnie’s mom from the Toy Story franchise. You can even catch a snippet of her voice in the recently dropped Toy Story 5 trailer (it already has me tearing up). However, that’s not the only Pixar mom Alan has portrayed. She also voices Riley’s mom’s sadness character in Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Producer Nicole Grindle jumped in:

I bet it's kind of fun to be labeled as ‘Pixar’s mom.’ It immediately had me thinking about how many other moms in Pixar that Lori Alan has voiced. Now, excuse me while I go on an Easter egg hunt, and see if I'm missing any other mom's she's played.

To note, Alan is not just known for her voice work in Pixar films. She is probably best recognized as the voice of Pearl Krabs from SpongeBob SquarePants or as Diane Simmons from Family Guy. Gaming fans may also know her as the voice of the Boss in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.

Hopefully, now, when you sit down to watch Hoppers on March 6, you won’t be distracted trying to place Lori Alan’s voice. Instead, you'll be ready to dive into Mabel’s adventure—hopping into beavers, rallying the forest creatures, and taking on Mayor Jerry. This film is full of heart, humor, and surprises that deserve your full attention. Tickets are on sale now at AMC and other theaters.

Picture this: It’s 1995, and I’m 12-years-old. Sure, I kind of “grew out of” watching animated movies since I thought I was TOO COOL for “kids’ stuff.” But, my dad, who took me to see every movie in the Disney Renaissance, wanted to watch this new flick called Toy Story because he thought it would be fun.

And, it was! Like everybody else, I fell in love with Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy’s toys, and I’ve seen every Toy Story movie ever since. I even took my own children to see Toy Story 4, which is quite possibly the best Toy Story movie ever made.

However, here’s what’s weird. Even though I love Toy Story, my students don’t. In fact, most of them have never seen any of the movies in their entire lives. But, why is this? Well, I think I may have an answer…

Only A VERY Small Percentage Of My Middle School Students Have Ever Watched A Toy Story Movie

You know, it used to be that when I’d start a unit on writing narratives, I’d always use the first Toy Story movie as a model. That’s because its plot structure is perfect, so I can easily instruct my seventh graders to put the story beats on a plot outline, with the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution being clear as day.

But, as the years have gone by, I’ve found that fewer and fewer of my students have ever seen A SINGLE one of these movies, let alone the original. In fact, when I bring up any Pixar movie in general, I’ll get a few who’ve seen Cars, or Finding Nemo, but Monsters Inc.? Nope. The Incredibles? What’s that? WALL-E? WALL-Wha? I mean, even the more modern Pixar movies, like Inside Out 2, which was a box office behemoth, draws blank stares from my kids.

I think, "What’s going on?" I mean, I do work in an inner city school, so maybe they’re not into those kinds of films? But no. Almost every single one of my students has seen movies like Moana, Encanto, and Frozen. And, a lot of my students have seen movies from the MCU, with a small smattering even watching something Star Wars-related. But, when it comes to that Pixar icon on Disney+, I guess most of them don’t even bother hitting that one, which perplexes me. Why DON’T my students watch Pixar movies, and most notably Toy Story, which is the company’s mainstay?

Well, it came to me suddenly when one of my students DID tell me that he’d seen it....

Toy Story Has Always Kind Of Been For Adults

“My dad likes that movie,” the aforementioned student said, but then followed it up with, “But I didn’t.” And, when I asked him why not, he just shrugged and said, “It looked like it was for old people.”

Fair. The first movie, though visually impressive at the time, does look ROUGH by today’s standards. But, I don’t think he just meant visually speaking. I think he meant that the movie itself felt like it was for old people. For example, when I was a kid, I did think that it was kind of strange that the main character was a cowboy. I mean, I love westerns now, but as a kid, I wished Buzz Lightyear was the main character, because spacemen, I dig.

However, the older I get, the more I realize that a lot of Toy Story’s whole schtick is harkening back to an older, simpler time. And, I don’t just mean childhood in general. I mean the childhoods of the people who made the first movie. Stuff like cowboys, retro spacemen, and even many of the classic toys that populate Andy’s room were definitely way before my era. There weren’t any Thundercats, or Ninja Turtles, or any of the toys that I grew up with. No. What made the movie interesting to me at the time was the IDEA of toys, not the toys themselves, which were the kinds that my dad might have played with when he was younger.

But, these days, with so many children having cell phones and tablets practically out of the womb, the idea of playing with toys likely doesn’t hit with today’s children anymore. After seeing the new trailer for Toy Story 5, I don’t even think Pixar cares anymore about catering to kids.

The New Movie Is Clearly Aimed At Adults

I’ve always viewed Disney’s animation department being for kids first, and parents second, and Pixar being something that both kids and adults could enjoy in equal measure. That’s why it USED to seem like Pixar was always the shoe-in to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards (to date, they’ve won 11).

However, I think things really changed with Soul, which I always felt was specifically for grown-ups (it’s the only Pixar film that my kids have zero interest in finishing). After seeing this new trailer for Toy Story 5, I get the feeling that this movie isn’t even trying to be aimed at kids anymore. It’s aimed squarely at adults.

What makes me say that? Well, for one thing, it has a bald spot joke. Yes, I know kids find bald men funny (I should know. My students always get a kick when I poke fun at my baldpate), but I feel like the reaction to Woody’s bald spot is more aimed toward adults who might be balding themselves if they were kids when they watched the first movie. Or, what about the plot dealing with Bonnie now growing bored with toys and being all-consumed by her new tablet, Lilypad, which feels like a story geared exclusively toward the parents who are witnessing their children’s obsession with smart devices firsthand.

I mean, does anybody else think it’s weird that Pixar doesn’t even look to be trying to reach kids with their latest Toy Story movie? This is the series, mind you, that has always had its heart centered on the childhood experience, and now it looks to be speaking to adults in particular. I just think that’s strange. But, do you know what? I don’t particularly hate that idea.

In The End, I Kind Of Like That Toy Story Has Grown Up With Its Audience

One thing I love about the Harry Potter series is that it seemed to grow up with its audience. Similar to Toy Story 3 featuring a plot where a college-aged Andy was leaving behind his old life, The Goblet of Fire felt like the turning point that was definitely more for an older audience.

I kind of like that about Toy Story 5, which seems like it’s geared toward the longtime fans who first encountered the franchise as children. We see references to the first movie in the film, and it feels like the plot is directed toward the kids who grew up to be parents, and are now having to deal with tech intruding into our children’s lives.

Plus, as weird as I think it is that this new Toy Story seems like it’s geared toward adults, I also think it’s a good call. My kids don’t even want to see movies in theaters anymore. My 9-year-daughter is perfectly fine with just watching The Simpsons on Disney+. But, I don’t care if my kids don’t want to see Toy Story 5. I DO, and they’re coming with me, whether they want to or not.

Toy Story is the movie that put Pixar on the map. Its success led to a sequel that was meant for home video becoming another theatrical hit. Since then, Toy Story has become one of Pixar’s key IPs. Its entries are among the best Pixar movies so far, and it is certainly its most prolific franchise with a fifth entry on the 2026 movie schedule.

Yesterday, we got the trailer for Toy Story 5, and it elicited a lot of response online. Much of that response said the same thing, which was the same response we got to Toy Story 4. However, there's another reaction some fans are having that I really identify with.

Fans Are Still Arguing That Toy Story “Ended” With The Third Film

Fans were more than a little surprised when Toy Story 4 was announced because Toy Story 3 seemingly left things with a note of closure. Andy grew up, passed on his toys, and became an adult. A lot of responses on Twitter to the Toy Story 5 trailer are echoing the identical sentiment…

• I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE WHEN I SAY TOY STORY ENDED AT TOY STORY 3 - @justlucash
• Looks better than 4 but still should’ve ended at 3. - @_andrizzy_
• this has like 0 heart. it doesn’t look or sound like toy story at all - @ridewith8
• "They're ruining Toy Story 3 perfect ending, yet again." - @LayOnbedL

People have had a problem with Toy Story 5 since the film was first announced, just as there was more than a little “why does Toy Story 4 exist?” happening when the last movie came out. The filmmakers certainly tried to justify that film’s existence, but many have continued to feel that the franchise should have ended once Andy walked away,

I’m Not Sure I Need Toy Story 5, But I Know I’m Going To See Toy Story 5

My major issue with Toy Story 5 isn’t so much that I thought the franchise should have ended with the third film, but I thought it reached a nice conclusion in the fourth. What part three did for Andy, part four did for Woody, giving him a reason to ride off into the sunset. Seeing him return in the trailer bugged me.

And then I saw one comment on the trailer that I couldn't ignore. It started out making the same argument as everybody else, but then ended with a point that is very true, probably for a lot of people...

I mean, this is going to be a lot of us, right? People spent two years complaining that Toy Story 4 shouldn’t exist, and then the movie made a billion dollars. When Pixar makes a new Toy Story movie, people go to see it.

Certainly, the fact that people will go see it is a big part of the reason that Toy Story 5 exists. There’s a very good chance the movie is going to make a boatload of money. And it’s Pixar. There’s a good chance that the movie will still be good. It might even be great. I’ll certainly be sitting in the theater on June 19 to find out.

Making movies can be a physically grueling experience, and while every precaution is taken to make sure that actors are kept safe, injuries happen. Just ask Tom Cruise. Chris Pratt apparently sustained an injury while filming his newest movie, Mercy, and he showed it off on social media. One hopes it looks worse than it is.

This is because, honestly, it looks pretty terrible. Pratt’s foot and ankle are incredibly swollen to the point that his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, is clearly having trouble even looking at it. Pratt is having fun with it, though, posting it to Instagram, referring to his foot as “The Claw” and doing his best impression of the little green aliens from Toy Story.

I’m not squeamish, but this is kinda gross. Human limbs aren’t supposed to look like that. It took me a moment for my eyes to adjust to what’s actually wrong with Chris Pratt’s foot, but once I realized what I was seeing, I freaked out a little bit.

Solid Toy Story reference aside, I have some serious questions about just how in the world Chris Pratt did this to himself while filming Mercy. The man spends 90% of the movie literally sitting in a chair and not moving. Did he fall out of the chair at the end of a take? How do you do this to yourself in a movie where you barely stand up?

In Mercy, Pratt stars as a police detective accused of murdering his wife. It takes place in a future world where his crime is judged by an AI, and the defendant has 90 minutes to prove his own innocence. As such, Pratt’s character is strapped to a chair and must defend himself by combing the internet for evidence.

There are some scenes in the film that have Pratt out of the chair, mostly in the form of surveillance footage or dash cams that captured his character in the period before the crime. So there are certainly some more action-oriented scenes, but an injury this ugly is just less likely considering how often Pratt doesn’t move in this movie.

Honestly, the best part of this video is Katherine Schwarzenegger's reaction. She’s laughing at the whole thing, but is clearly also grossed out by it all. She doesn’t understand why Pratt is posting the video to Instagram and not sending it to a doctor. He doesn’t even have ice on it or anything.

If this happened while filming Mercy, then the actual injury was sustained a while back, and if it was really anything serious, we’d probably have known about it. Chris Pratt is probably fine now. We certainly hope his wife doesn’t have to look at that disgusting foot anymore.

What do Toy Story, the popular Pixar franchise that’s been going strong for over 30 years, and Game of Thrones, the prestige HBO fantasy series that’s spawned multiple spinoffs, have in common? On the surface, basically nothing considering… well, that should be obvious. However, Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton shared a fascinating reason for why he thinks the family-friendly franchise is similar to the ultra-violent and sexual Game of Thrones are similar, though only in one specific way.

Stanton goes back to the beginning with Toy Story, having co-written all of the movies except for Toy Story 3, for which he solely crafted the story. However, Toy Story 5, which arrives to the 2026 movies schedule this summer, marks his first time directing an entry in this franchise as well. When DiscussingFilm asked Stanton what excites him most about returning to the world of Toy Story, he answered:

I’ll never be fully comfortable thinking of Toy Story and Game of Thrones together, but I get what Andrew Stanton is saying. This isn’t something like The Simpsons where time stays stagnant and the characters essentially never evolve. For Toy Story, it’s important to show the progression of time, affecting both the animate toys themselves, their multiple owners and the world around them. It’s just like how we saw the political landscape of Westeros change over Game of Thrones’ eight seasons… ok, not just like that, but in the loosest terms, Stanton’s comparison makes sense.

I will say that Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang have held up remarkably well for being around well over three decades. In real life, toys that have been around that long are usually in much rougher shape. But to go back to the Game of Thrones comparison, one way Toy Story could have even more in common with that series is if it got the prequel treatment too. Just like how House of the Dragon is following the goings-on in the Seven Kingdoms nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones, what would a period piece Toy Story movie or TV show look like? I’d welcome seeing one specifically set in either the 1940s or ‘50s.

As far as Toy Story 5 goes, its story is very much in keeping with the times, as our main characters grappling with Bonnie, now eight years old, spending as much time as she can playing with a frog-like tablet called Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. Other newcomers include Craig Robinson as Atlas and Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, while the events of this movie will somehow reunite Buzz, Jessie and the others with Woody, who left at the end of Toy Story 4. The new movie hits theaters on June 19.

Tim Allen has had three successful sitcoms, with Shifting Gears airing on the 2026 TV schedule, and starred in the fan-favorite holiday trilogy The Santa Clause. However, one of his most successful roles has to be Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise. Not surprisingly, there is one sweet Toy Story favor he will do for his former TV co-stars, including Last Man Standing’s Kaitlyn Dever.

Toy Story is still such a big deal that a fifth Toy Story is on the 2026 movie schedule. As the franchise remains a massive hit, Allen is making sure to spread the Buzz Lightyear love while keeping in touch with his former TV co-stars. The actor admitted to Us Weekly that he’s made his on-screen TV kids' kids happy by doing something very sweet related to Toy Story:

Between Home Improvement, Last Man Standing, and Shifting Gears, Allen is certainly keeping himself busy when it comes to the family reunions. The fact that he’s so willing to do the Buzz voice for the kids of his former TV kids, basically his fake grandchildren, is pretty great. Of course, it can be assumed that Allen has done the Buzz voice for a lot of people over the years and a lot of fans, but it’s just sweet that his former co-stars are on the list.

That being said, the Buzz voice is not all that Allen has given to his co-stars. Having been in the business for decades, the actor has quite a lot of wisdom to impart on the people he works with, especially the kids, who don’t have the experience he does. Allen has stepped into a mentor role, and he noted that while reflecting on working with Dever on Last Man Standing. He said:

Considering Dever recently surprised Allen on the Shifting Gears set, it’s not surprising to know that they were mentor and mentee during the Last Man Standing days. It just shows how close Allen was to her and a lot of his former TV co-stars, and it can be assumed that once Shifting Gears ends, hopefully in the very distant future, that closeness will continue.

If one thing is clear, it’s that Allen will never let go of the Buzz Lightyear voice for his co-stars, and he'll continue to serve as a mentor to them and give them advice. It’s also clear that Allen is still close to a lot of his former co-stars, as evidenced by the Home Improvement reunion at the beginning of Shifting Gears Season 2, and hopefully, there will be many more on the way.

Now, if you want to hear Tim Allen do the Buzz Lightyear voice, you can catch Toy Story 5 in theaters on June 16. To see him working alongside his sitcom co-stars, new episodes of Shifting Gears air on Wednesdays on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. You can also stream both the Toy Story movies and the aforementioned sitcom with a Hulu and Disney+ subscription.

We’ll never know whether or not Tom Hanks and John Candy might have gone on to become an all-time great comedy duo like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, but at least we have a pair of movies to look to in Ron Howard’s 1984 classic Splash and Nicholas Meyer’s 1985 not-so-classic Volunteers. John Candy’s career was tragically cut short by his untimely death in 1994, but his influence lives on, as evidenced in the affirmational and heartbreaking documentary John Candy: I Like Me.

The doc was directed by Colin Hanks, who recently journeyed to New York’s American Museum of Natural History with fellow celebrity offspring Chris Candy to reflect on one of Splash’s most classic sequences: the hectic rescue chase. While there, via The New Yorker, Hanks recalled the first time the Candys and the Hankses took part in a family dinner that occurred around the time of Splash's theatrical premiere. According to Hanks:

I suppose it should surprise no one that Tom Hanks was already showcasing some of Woody Pride’s key hero aspects displayed in the Toy Story franchise — that’s right: Woody has a last name — more than a decade before that beloved feature put Pixar on the map. There’s no one better suited for saving action figures and making life better for lost toys, even at the expense of presumably hilarious dinner conversation between the Hanks and Candy families. And for what it's worth: yeah, he found the toy.

Also, though, why isn’t it a more talked-about oddity that Toy Story only came out 11 years after Splash? That just feels wrong in literally all the ways.

It's interesting to think about what kind of toy John Candy might have voiced if he'd still have been alive when that universe sprang to life. I like to think Andy would have had an action figure of the actor's Spaceballs character Barf, allowing Candy to dig into a role he's already familiar with.

For all that the Uncle Buck star could leave audiences rolling in the aisles, Colin Hanks' documentary doesn't shy away from addressing how much of John Candy's happiness and good nature stemmed from darker sources. As he put it:

Colin Hanks and Chris Candy probably have all kinds of amazing and singular family dinner stories between them, with any number of famous faces potentially having shared meals with both fams. Eugene Levy and Dan Levy had to have spent time at the Candys house, right?

John Candy: I Like Me is currently available to stream via Amazon Prime subscription.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will forever be linked via Toy Story, and with each sequel, it feels like people cherish that bond a lot more. On that note, they've interacted more than just their latest collaboration on Toy Story 5, as Allen recently made an appearance at Hanks' off-Broadway play, This World of Tomorrow.

The Woody actor recently spoke about linking up with his Buzz Lightyear buddy during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers. Tom Hanks explained how things usually go after the curtain drops on This World of Tomorrow, and how the cast reacted after learning that Tim Allen was backstage and available for photos:

It's funny to think about, because I'm assuming that all the cast have worked with Tom Hanks a good deal at this point. Of course, throw Tim Allen in the mix, and suddenly it's the duo that recently wrapped on Toy Story 5, and a completely different story.

That said, I can hardly fault the entire cast for staying behind for a photo, because suddenly any picture I had with Tom Hanks solo wouldn't feel quite as special afterward. I can't say I'd do the same thing for the stars of other upcoming Disney movies, but then again, I'm not sure any of those stars in movies to come are nearly as iconic as these two going back to 1995.

I also appreciate the continued relationship that Tim Allen and Tom Hanks have, and the fact that they're so willing to talk about it even though I'm sure they're both constantly asked. Perhaps that's Allen sticking to the advice Hanks gave him years ago, that it's all over faster to just answer the question than say they've already talked about it elsewhere.

Tom Hanks has plenty of time to wrap on his play, as Toy Story 5 won't be in theaters until June 19th. The story will feature the toys coming face to face with a tablet, a device many parents today have mixed opinions on when it comes to children.

Until that movie is out, I'll continue to listen to any stories that Tom Hanks has about running into Tim Allen at events, and how the world reacted to it. I'm sure I can also fill my time with upcoming movies in 2026, since there are already a lot I want to see!

If you’re anything like me, you have dozens of reasons to have a Disney+ subscription. I’m not just talking about all the MCU movies, though that’s a big reason why. It’s also all the amazing Disney content, like Frozen, Moana, and my all-time favorite Disney animated feature, Aladdin. It’s never a bad time to sign up for Disney+, and now, by bundling it with Hulu this week, you can get an amazing Black Friday streaming deal.

Get Hulu And Disney+ For Just $4.99 A Month!

Now through December 1, new and existing subscribers can get both Hulu and Disney+ for just $4.99 for the next 12 months. Just click here to subscribe and save a ton of money over the next year. This really is one of the best deals to be had this year for Black Friday, and there are so many reasons for bundling the two streamers. Not only do you get all the fantastic content Hulu has, like Only Murders In The Building, Paradise, Shogun, and more, but you also get the entire Disney streaming library.

Do I really need to sell you on how great that Disney library is? From beloved classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, The Little Mermaid, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, to more modern-day classics like Frozen, Lilo & Stitch, and Finding Nemo, Disney+ has it all.

Plus, you get the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe, from the first Iron Man to the most recent hit, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. An entire universe of the world’s greatest superheroes is at your fingertips. Of course, it also includes all the Marvel TV shows, and while we’re going to have to wait until next summer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, there is plenty to rewatch or catch up on in the MCU with all the shows like Loki, WandaVision, and the upcoming Wonder Man, which will drop in January.

Disney Has A Lot Going On In The Next Year

As usual, 2026 will be a big year for Disney. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release next December, but before that, we’ll be getting the long-awaited return of the Toy Story franchise next summer. Disney+ has all of the previous movies, of course, if you want to get caught up or do a rewatch before Toy Story 5 hits theaters in June.

There is an almost endless list of stuff to watch on both Hulu and Disney+, and at $4.99 a month, there really isn’t a better deal to be had this Black Friday.

Tim Allen is so excited that Buzz Lightyear and co. are going on another adventure. His response after Disney officially announced a fifth Toy Story proved that, as it was nothing short of ecstatic. Now, the sitcom actor has shown his enthusiasm for the project again as he penned a heartfelt message to celebrate wrapping Toy Story 5.

Considering how excited Tim Allen was to be able to voice our favorite space toy, you can probably imagine how he felt when the final cut was called. Now, the Home Improvement actor has shared his thoughts about finishing his work on Toy Story 5 on X, and his statement is very sweet. Give it a read:

Now, I’m even more excited for Toy Story 5 after reading Tim Allen’s message. With every Toy Story movie, I've never been disappointed thanks to the moving stories, adventure, comedy, and heartfelt moments that always keep me along for the ride.

We know Toy Story 5 will be about technology threatening the existence of toys when their owner, Bonnie, gets a Lilypad tablet. It’s a plot that’s incredibly relatable to the techno-centric world we live in, and the new movie already has a fan in me!

There may have been initial backlash to a fifth Toy Story movie, with fans feeling like the new movies “robbed” them of their trilogy. However, Tim Allen had faith in the new project with his reason to return as Buzz Lightyear being that he found the upcoming sequel “a clever, clever story.”

I’m already looking forward to a scene Allen teased for the new Disney flick that looks to be parodying his co-star Tom Hanks’ classic movie, Cast Away. According to the actor, about 100 Buzz dolls wind up lost on an island, and their trying to find their way back is "hysterical." It certainly sounds funny, and if it's anything like the storyline where Buzz's settings got messed up, I'm sure it'll be both hilarious and action-packed.

With Tim Allen being “affected” playing Buzz Lightyear again for Toy Story 5 and his passion for the project, I already want to reserve my seat. Given the success of each movie that has come from the franchise, I'm sure this next outing will bring audiences out to the theaters so they can see what Woody, Buzz and the toys get up to as they navigate the challenges of technology.

To see what Allen is talking about, you can catch Toy Story 5 when it premieres on the 2026 movie schedule on June 19th. Until then, you can see Woody, Buzz, and all of your favorite toys by streaming the first four movies with a Disney+ subscription.

A little over 15 years ago, audiences around the world walked out of theaters thinking that they had just watched the finale in the beloved Toy Story series... but they turned out to be wrong. In addition to Pixar continuing to produce short films featuring the characters from the franchise, we saw the release of Toy Story 4 in 2019, Lightyear in 2022, and Toy Story 5 is coming in 2026. In that time, some fans have opined the further expansion of the canon, wishing on social media that the conclusion of Toy Story 3 had been a firm ending – and if you're a part of that collection, the helmer of the next installment has some helpful advice for you.

Andrew Stanton, a Pixar legend, is writing and directing Toy Story 5 (which is penciled on the 2026 movie release calendar for June), and in a recent interview with Empire, he explained why he feels as though any Toy Story trilogy purists really shouldn't worry about the series continuing to expand past the third chapter. He argues that the existence of the three movies as an arc isn't actually impacted by more stories being told and that people who aren't interested in seeing new sequels simply don't have to pay attention to them. Said Stanton,

It's really a philosophy that can be properly applied to all active franchises and remakes: nobody is forcing you to watch movies that you don't want to watch, and it's not as though studios are in a habit of hiding older canon titles while promoting new ones (in fact, it's frequently the case in the streaming age that those older titles get a little extra bump in promotion as well).

In the case of Toy Story 5, Andrew Stanton explains that there was motivation to make the movie because there is a specific story he wanted to tell about modern childhood. The way that kids played and had fun in 1995 (when the original Toy Story was released) was infinitely different than the way that kids play and have fun today – principally because of technology – and the filmmaker wanted to explore that through the lens of Woody, Buzz, and all their friends.

Stanton has been a part of every installment of the Toy Story series, co-writing the screenplays for the first, second and fourth movies while getting a story credit on the third. He hasn't been director of a film since 2016's Finding Dory, but in addition to having Toy Story 5 set to come out next year, he has also completed on the sci-fi feature In The Blink Of An Eye, which is set up to be released by Hulu.

The first trailer for Toy Story 5 arrived earlier this month, and it has fans asking big questions about what's going on in the upcoming sequel. It's one of the most anticipated titles of the coming year, and we'll definitely be writing a lot more about it here on CinemaBlend in the months to come.

The first trailer for Toy Story 5 has arrived and, while there are certainly going to be a lot of fans excited for the fifth film in this toy-centric franchise to hit theaters next summer, some already have a lot of questions based on that simple teaser. Many questions surround Lilypad, who's voiced by Greta Lee and will seemingly play the chief antagonist to the toys. However, a lot of fans are also asking a different question regarding one of the series' most iconic characters.

The teaser trailer for Toy Story 5 doesn’t show much, but it does show all of Bonnie’s toys recoiling in horror at the sight of Lilypad, Bonnie’s new tablet. Most of the characters we see are to be expected, but then at the end, we get a look at the franchise's dynamic duo of both Buzz and Woody. Fans responding to Pixar’s Twitter post of the teaser are widely responding with confusion over Woody's presence:

• I don't understand. The plot is nice, but Woody stayed with Bo because Bonnie didn't love him and never played with him. Now, he'll come back to experience the same scenario. Why does he come back, knowing he won't be loved and won't be played with? - @rayo130433
• How did Woody get back here so fast. Isn’t he on the carnival with Bo in the previous one - @LengkeyLucius
• I don't get it. At the end of Toy Story 4 movie, Woody stays with Bo Peep at that amusement park, literally leaving the rest of the toys. And, now in Toy Story 5 movie, he is back with them? - @asoiaf_266AC
• All the toys looked so horrified. I do question though: what’s Woody doing here? - @inkboy24
• So is it ever gonna be explained how Woody is back with the toys, and doesn’t him being back make Toy Story 4 completely useless? - @turduken21
• Bro, Woody like left. - @DMM_03xx

The fact that Woody would be returning in Toy Story 5 hasn’t been kept a secret. It’s been known since the film was announced that he would be the in the mix and that voice actor Tom Hanks would be returning. That said, certainly not everybody on social media keeps up on the latest movie news so, apparently, not everyone would become aware of Woody's return until seeing the trailer, which can be viewed below:

But, even among those who clearly knew Woody would be back, there's still confusion. Right now, it's assumeed that Bonnie will receive her Lilypad tablet very early in the film if that’s going to be the story’s main conflict. However, this scene would seem to indicate that Woody has already returned to Bonnie's room before that happened. This would seem to imply that either Woody is already back when the film starts, or his return is dealt with within the first few scenes of the movie.

Of course, there are other possibilities. The scenes of characters looking on in horror, or at least the scene of Woody himself doing that, might not actually be part of the Lilypad reveal. It’s even possible these shots aren’t even in the final film and were just made for the trailer as a way to quickly reveal the basic premise of the film, and include Woody’s appearance.

Even if that’s the case, there's still the big question of how Woody will return. In much the same way, fans of the ending of Toy Story 3 felt the existence of Toy Story 4 was unnecessary; fans who appreciated Woody’s ending in the fourth installment are wondering if bringing him back this time around will somehow sully that ending.

We’ll find out what's going on when Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19 amid the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, stream the previous installments and more using a Disney+ subscription.