After six long years, the wait is finally over: “Toy Story” is officially coming back to the big screen. On June 19, 2026, the beloved Pixar franchise will return to theaters with “Toy Story 5.” Fans can get excited as Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), and Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) are gearing up for their next adventure, no doubt with plenty of heartwarming moments and hijinks up their sleeves.
With familiar faces and new characters lined up, the movie is already generating a lot of buzz. Here’s everything we know so far about what’s in store for “Toy Story 5.”
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In summer 2024, Disney and Pixar revealed the first details about “Toy Story 5.” The plot will focus on the impact of technology and electronic toys that are so popular with children today. Director Andrew Stanton described the story as “toy meets tech,” and Vulture confirmed that the film will introduce a new character, an electronic tablet named Lily Pad, who captures all of Bonnie’s attention. Jessie, who’s now the leader of Bonnie’s toy collection, struggles to keep the original toys happy as they’re feeling neglected and left behind.
The movie also continues where “Toy Story 4” left off, with Woody and Bo Peep choosing to leave Bonnie and live as “lost toys” in a traveling carnival. A big question in the upcoming film is whether Jessie can convince them to come back and rejoin Bonnie’s collection.
Finally, cast members have teased a significant moment for Buzz Lightyear’s character at the start of the movie, with Allen calling the opening scene “unbelievable.”
Stanton, the original screenwriter of “Toy Story” and a creative force behind Pixar favorites like “Finding Nemo,” “WALL-E,” and “A Bug’s Life,” is returning to write and direct “Toy Story 5.” He’s joined by co-director McKenna Harris, known for her work on “Luca” and “Elemental.” Stanton will reunite with “Toy Story” co-creator Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Up,” “Inside Out”), who is serving as executive producer. Casting associate Lexi Diamond (“Elio,” “Inside Out 2”) and ADR voice casting director Terri Douglas (“Wicked”) are also on board.
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Several of the legendary “Toy Story” cast members are returning to voice their beloved characters. Confirmed so far are:
- Tom Hanks as Woody
- Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear
- Joan Cusack as Jessie
- Tony Hale as Forky
Conan O’Brien (“Conan”) joins the franchise to voice a new character named Smarty Pants, while Anna Faris (“Mom”) has signed on for an undisclosed role, according to FTIA. Ernie Hudson (“Ghostbusters”) will voice the character of Combat Carl, originally voiced by the late Carl Weathers (“Rocky”). There’s no confirmation yet on the return of other “Toy Story” characters, including Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), and Bo Peep (Annie Potts).
The Pixar project is in preproduction now, so we’ll share more casting news and updates as they’re announced. While we wait for more details, you can turn to our main casting call page for immediate opportunities. And for more info about projects that are currently in the works, check out these guides:
- Everything We Know About ‘Wicked: For Good’
- Everything We Know About ‘Coco 2’
- Everything We Know About Netflix’s ‘Scooby-Doo’ Series
- Everything We Know About ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Live-Action Film
- Everything We Know About Netflix’s ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ Adaptation
Plus, follow this advice if you’re hoping to break into voice acting for Disney or other studios:
- How to Audition for Disney
- How to Become a Voice Actor for Disney
- 11 Tips for Voice Acting Beginners
- Voice Actor Requirements: Everything You Need to Get Started
- 13 Tips for Making Your Acting Demo Reel Stand Out