Release Date, Cast, Story & Everything We Know

Though fans thought they said goodbye to Woody and Buzz for good with 2019’s Toy Story 4, Toy Story 5 has been confirmed. Released in 1995, the first Toy Story movie was Pixar’s debut feature-length film. Toy Story revolutionized animated films, and since then, Pixar has become the gold standard of animation, telling emotionally resonant stories that adults enjoy as much as children. Unlike most animated franchises, the Toy Story series has never dipped in quality, and each one of them has introduced new beloved characters.

Woody and Buzz said goodbye in Toy Story 4, the last entry in the series (excluding the spin-off Lightyear), for the final time as they went their separate ways. Woody went on to lead a new life with Bo Peep as a lost toy, and Buzz continued to belong to Bonnie, living comfortably with Jessie, Rex, and new additions such as Forky. However, regardless of Toy Story 4‘s perfect ending, some of the toys will be getting new adventures in Toy Story 5. Though details are scant, Pixar’s classic franchise isn’t over yet.

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The Latest Toy Story 5 News

Voice Recording Begins & A New Cast Member Joins

With the movie already on the calendar for 2026, the latest news confirms that voice recording is underway for Toy Story 5. The update was provided by Woody actor Tom Hanks, who took to Instagram to announce that he has begun recording his lines for the upcoming fifth movie. Earlier reports from Hanks’ co-star, Tim Allen, also involved voice recordings, and it’s clear that animated films don’t follow the same production schedule as their live-action counterparts.

Along with Hanks’ announcement, it has also been confirmed that a new cast member has joined the ranks of Toy Story 5. Stepping in to replace the late Carl Weathers who passed away in 2024, Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson will assume the role of Combat Carl. It’s unclear exactly how large of a role Hudson will be playing in Toy Story 5, but the decision to recast the character with a recognizable name implies he’ll be more important than a mere cameo appearance.

Toy Story 5 Release Date

The Fifth Installment Is Coming In 2026

Though little is currently known about the fifth movie in the beloved Toy Story franchise, Disney has established a 2026 release date. This means the actual animation is probably underway, with the performance aspects also happening simultaneously. Both Tim Allen and Tom Hanks have each given separate voice recording updates in recent months, and animated films don’t follow the same production schedule as live-action films.

While release dates so far in the future are always tentative, Disney is not one to miss expected deadlines, and fans can expect to see Toy Story 5 on June 19, 2026.

The Toy Story franchise includes:

Toy Story 5 Cast Details

Are Woody, Buzz & The Rest Of The Gang Returning?

Not much has been confirmed when it comes to the Toy Story 5 cast, though Pete Docter has confirmed Buzz and Woody’s return. That announcement isn’t particularly surprising, since Buzz and Woody have always been the heart and soul of the franchise since the first installment. This means Tim Allen will return as Buzz Lightyear and Tom Hanks as Woody. The franchise has always introduced new and exciting characters in each sequel, and Toy Story 5 won’t be any different.

Disney released a concept art still at D23 in 2024, and the picture featured a slew of returning characters from previous installments. Besides Buzz and Woody, the still also showed Jessie, Slinky Dog, Forky, Rex, and Hamm, and it’s highly likely that those characters will appear. However, even if the characters do return, there’s no guarantee that their original actors will reprise their roles. One recast has already taken place, with Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson replacing the late Carl Weathers as Combat Carl.

The presumptive cast of Toy Story 5 includes:

Actor	Toy Story 5 Role
Tim Allen	Buzz Lightyear
Tom Hanks	Woody
Joan Cusack	Jessie
Tony Hale	Forky
Wallace Shawn	Rex
John Ratzenberger	Hamm
Blake Clark	Slinky Dog
Annie Potts	Bo Peep
Ernie Hudson	Combat Carl

Toy Story 5 Story Details

Endless Possibilities For The Next Toy Story Movie

Though the story of Toy Story 5 was shrouded in mystery, Disney’s presentation at the 2024 D23 fan expo cleared a lot of things up. The ending of Toy Story 4 was somewhat conclusive, but the new sequel is set to present a challenge never before faced by the toys before. Director Andrew Stanton has confirmed that the toys will now try to stay relevant as their owner becomes infatuated with technology instead of analog playthings. This will likely only be one aspect of Toy Story 5‘s plot, but Pixar films often shine when their theme is resonant with audiences.

Pete Docter (Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer) has promised that Toy Story 5 will be different from previous installments, though he hasn’t offered much by way of specifics. Ironically, Docter did mention that movies have sped up in recent years and that modern audiences don’t want slower-paced movies. This need to speed things up will impact the movie’s story, but it’s unclear exactly how. Tim Allen also mentioned that Jessie will be a primary focus in the fifth movie, perhaps taking center stage as Woody and Buzz play supporting roles.

This change would be an interesting evolution for the franchise, especially after the conclusive ending of Toy Story 4. To undo the choices made by the toys that have anchored the franchise for decades would undermine the brilliant storytelling, and would also become quite stale. Toy Story 5 potentially putting Jessie in focus could change the franchise’s perspective for the first time in 30 years, while also propelling it forward.

Toy Story 5

Release Date

June 19, 2026

Director

Andrew Stanton, McKenna Harris

Writers

Andrew Stanton