Toy Story 5 finally has a first look, and it’s a jolt: a “toys vs. tech” teaser that literally shakes Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie as a bright‑green tablet named Lilypad lands in Bonnie Anderson’s room. The teaser runs 49 seconds, plays INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart,” flashes the line “the age of toys is over,” and ends with the gang staring down a screen. Pixar and Disney have circled June 19, 2026, for the theatrical release—seven years after Toy Story 4—with Andrew Stanton directing and Kenna Harris co‑directing. The studio frames the story as legacy playthings grappling with a modern “all‑new threat to playtime.”

Release date, where the trailer points—and what’s confirmed

The teaser positions Lilypad, a frog‑shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee (Past Lives, Tron: Ares), as the catalyst for the conflict. It arrives by mail for Bonnie, while the toys quake—Mrs. Potato Head even removes her eyes—before the title cards warn that “the age of toys is over.” Pixar’s logline underscores that technology isn’t just background noise; it’s the antagonist. Toy Story 5 opens June 19, 2026, only in theaters.

Cast & characters: every returning favorite and the new tech toys

  • Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks)
  • Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen)
  • Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack)
  • Forky (voiced by Tony Hale)
  • Bonnie (the toys’ caretaker since Toy Story 3) and Bonnie’s mom (heard in the teaser)
  • Mrs. Potato Head (seen reacting in the teaser)
  • Lilypad — a frog‑shaped tablet, voiced by Greta Lee
  • Smarty Pants — a toilet‑training tech toy, voiced by Conan O’Brien

Behind the mic, Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL‑E, Finding Dory) returns to the franchise, with Harris (Ciao Alberto) as co‑director.

Trailer breakdown: “The age of toys is over”

The clip cues up a classic Toy Story set‑piece—an unboxing—then pivots hard into 2026 reality. A package arrives. Bonnie’s mom calls it out. The toys freeze. INXS rises on the soundtrack. The box opens: a sleek, kid‑friendly tablet with a smiling frog face—Lilypad. Buzz, Woody, and Jessie literally shake. A beat later, title cards insist: “The age of toys is over.” It’s a punchy setup that makes the theme impossible to miss.

Related: D23: Disney Unveils Major Reveals at Destination D23 and Sets 2026 Dates

Stanton and Harris summarize their approach this way: “It’s been a hilarious and poignant journey exploring how our favorite team of legacy toys might respond to today’s world of technology… Having the remarkably talented Greta Lee bring Lilypad to life—balancing a playfully antagonistic tone with humor and heart—has been incredible.” Their statement tracks with the footage: old‑school play under pressure from sleek screens.

Toy Story 5 Exclusive Photos

How Toy Story 5 connects to Toy Story 4

The teaser confirms a reunion without yet revealing the “how.” At the end of Toy Story 4 (2019), Woody stayed behind while Bonnie left with Buzz, Forky, and the rest of the gang. The new footage shows them back together in Bonnie’s orbit, implying a story engine that can bring the cowboy and space ranger into the same sandbox again—just as a screen tries to pull kids out of it.

Pixar context: a franchise that still moves the needle

Pixar is leaning on a crown‑jewel brand after a volatile run. Lightyear underperformed, Elio posted a $21 million U.S. opening (a studio low), and the company endured layoffs. On the other side of the ledger, Elemental legged out a surprise hit, while Inside Out 2 soared to about $1.6 billion worldwide. In that climate, sending Woody and Buzz back into theaters in 2026—more than 30 years after the original Toy Story—reads as both creative and commercial alignment.

What the teaser promises (and what’s not confirmed)

  • Confirmed: debut of Lilypad (Greta Lee) and a tech‑vs‑toys conflict; the return of Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and Forky (Tony Hale); the introduction of Smarty Pants (Conan O’Brien); Stanton directing and Harris co‑directing; theatrical release on June 19, 2026.
  • Not confirmed: specific plot mechanics for how Woody reunites with the group; any additional new characters beyond Lilypad and Smarty Pants; whether Bo Peep appears; full soundtrack details beyond INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart.”

Bottom line: classic toys, new rules

The first Toy Story 5 teaser trailer makes its thesis explicit: screens crowd playtime, and the toys know it. With Greta Lee’s Lilypad and Conan O’Brien’s Smarty Pants on the board, Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris are staging a culture clash that’s as contemporary as it gets. If the series can balance “hilarious and poignant” beats with the tactile wonder that made Toy Story timeless, this Toy Story 5 trailer suggests there’s plenty of life left in Pixar’s original icons.

 

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