Disney and Pixar enthusiasts are in for an exciting treat with the confirmation of the official release date for Toy Story 5. Pixar's creative head announced last summer that beloved characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear would be making a return for the fifth installment of the Toy Story series. Scheduled for a 2026 release, Toy Story 5 comes almost seven years after its predecessor, Toy Story 4, which premiered in 2019.
While plot details have been kept under wraps, Tom Hanks is set to reprise his role as Woody, and Tim Allen will return as Buzz Lightyear. Disney's calendar for 2026 is packed, with the announcement of Lucasfilm's next Star Wars installment, directed by Jon Favreau, titled The Mandalorian & Grogu, slated to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. Additionally, Dwayne Johnson's Moana is set for release on July 10, 2026, and Tron: Ares will debut on October 10, 2025. Over the next couple of years, Pixar has plans for two sequels to grace the silver screen. Inside Out 2 is set to premiere this summer, featuring returning voice talents Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black as Joy, Sadness, and Anger, respectively. The sequel also introduces new cast members, including Tony Hale as Fear, Liza Lapira as Disgust, Maya Hawke as Anxiety, Ayo Edebiri as Envy, Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui, and Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment. Mark your calendars for June 19, 2026, as Toy Story 5 promises to bring back the beloved characters for another thrilling adventure.
Trivia
- Buzz Lightyear Almost Had a Different Name: Our favorite space ranger wasn't always Buzz Lightyear! His name went through many revisions, including Tempête from Morph and Lunar Larry. You can even spot a leftover "LL" insignia on some of his early concept art.
- Toy Story Was Originally a TV Special: Believe it or not, the story of Woody and Buzz wasn't always destined for the big screen. After the success of their short film Tin Toy, Pixar initially planned a Toy Story TV special. However, with Disney's backing, they set their sights on a full-length feature film.
- Andy's Last Name is a Mystery: Though we know plenty about Andy, his last name is never revealed in the movies. This isn't uncommon in animation, but it does add a little extra mystery to our main character.
- Woody Wasn't Always the Hero: Early drafts of Toy Story had Woody in a much less friendly role. He was originally conceived as a jerk, threatened by the arrival of the new favorite toy. Thankfully, the character we know and love eventually emerged.
- Pixar Put a Lot of Work into Making the Toys Move Realistically: The animators behind Toy Story went above and beyond to capture realistic movement for their characters. For instance, to perfect the way the toy soldiers marched, they nailed a pair of sneakers to a board and practiced walking around!
