Pixar Animation Studios and Disney have set the release of "Toy Story 5" for June 19, 2026, bringing a tech-focused storyline where the classic toys confront modern digital devices.
Longtime franchise writer Andrew Stanton returns as co-writer and co-director alongside Kenna Harris, navigating the characters through the modern era of playtime.
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Stanton did not initially plan to helm the fifth installment but joined after developing a script concept.
He previously served as lead writer for the first three films, a script savior on the fourth, and directed major Pixar hits including "A Bug's Life," "Finding Nemo," and "WALL-E."
"It wasn't the plan," Stanton said. "But it wasn't not the plan."
Stanton began thinking about a wider trajectory for the franchise around 2008 when the creative team finalized the college-bound narrative for Andy in the third film.
The upcoming movie represents a continuation of the subsequent Bonnie era, which began in the fourth installment.
"What if it went farther?
What if it was a trilogy with one kid, closed that up, handed it off to another kid and started another one?"
Stanton said. "That seemed really exciting to me because that’s the way life really goes with toys and mementos.
They get passed down as hand-me-downs; they go from one kid to another."
The director expressed that he does not favor numbering the films because it mimics old blockbuster marketing.
He noted that modern audiences understand episodic storytelling due to the rise of media binging over the last 15 years.
"They make it sound like old blockbuster thinking," Stanton said. "The culture’s changed in the last 15 years.
We all understand binging now. We all understand episodic stories.
Not everything’s great for it, but some are and the Toy Story world is meant for that kind of lengthy thinking."
Stanton initially felt hesitant about the project until he could establish a narrative path that aligned with the studio's goals.
He agreed to the role after drafting an initial script to explore the potential direction as a fan of the franchise.
"I was skeptical at first because I didn’t know if where I would want to see it go would match with where the studio would want to see go," he said.
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"I cautiously said, let me write the crappy first draft, because I always write a crappy first draft, but at least I’ll figure out myself where I’d like to see it go just as a fan, let alone somebody that’s been behind the camera with it.
And if we agree on that fundamentally, then can we start working on it and I’ll take the job."
Stanton partnered with Harris to integrate different generational perspectives into the production.
The creative duo focused on identifying the enduring aspects of childhood that remain relevant across different eras.
"It’s really trying to find the things that are timeless, you know? Because childhood is gonna keep happening," Stanton said.
The plot introduces a child-friendly tablet named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee, which distracts Bonnie from her traditional toys.
Stanton ensured the legal department verified that the character name was completely original before moving forward with the concept.
"I feel like we’re kind of late to the party.
I was worried there would be some sort of resolution to it before we finished and there wouldn’t be so much dramatic controversy about it, but it’s a legitimate concern that has no complete, finite answer," Stanton said.
"That’s drama; it’s in the gray. It is like how do you navigate something that you have to deal with?
It’s not just ‘get rid of it.’"
The filmmaker compared the modern technology debate to the historical discussions surrounding children's television during his youth.
He recently completed the audio mix for the project at Marin’s Skywalker Ranch, marking his first opportunity to evaluate the complete production.
"That’s when it kind of breaks my brain. I’m going, ‘Oh my God, there’s all the characters just...'"
Stanton said.
The film also features a digitally enhanced flashback scene originally from "Toy Story 2" showing Jessie and her original owner, Emily.
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The returning voice cast includes Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie, alongside new additions Conan O'Brien, Alan Cumming, and Bad Bunny.
