The Toy Teaser

The Release Of The Toy Story 5 Teaser

Photo from Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

On Nov. 12, Disney shocked many when they released a teaser for Toy Story 5. Although the idea of a fifth installment to the Toy Story franchise had been mentioned, Disney never officially stated anything about its release. However, the teaser announced that the movie would be released on June 19, 2026.

In addition to the release date, the teaser for this movie shows its main cast, featuring previous characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear, as they react to the arrival of a smart tablet named Lily Pad. The movie is set to follow our main characters as they face off against this smart tablet, who currently has been cut out to be the film’s main villain. Producers state that their goal is to make viewers question if toys are relevant or if electronics have taken over as a source for entertainment with younger audiences. 

In addition to this teaser, interviews with producers and voice actors have revealed that the plot will centralize on Jessie, a previous side character who many fans considered to be underutilized. According to many voice actors, fan favorites like Woody and Buzz Lightyear will not be taking the spotlight; however, they will still be a major part of the film.

Although many fans of the Toy Story franchise are excited for this film, some are concerned with its release.

“Why are they making another movie?” an anonymous source said. “It feels like a lazy cash grab that could ruin the legacy of these great movies.”

These concerns do hold validity; it was assumed the franchise would end with Toy Story 4. Many believe the movie is being made purely for financial benefit to Pixar, who recently have begun to have financial issues with many of their movies falling short at the Box Office. In response, directors have put out statements, claiming that they had planned upon the making of this movie before the release of Toy Story 4. In addition, statements have been made that this is not the final installment; rather, directors have claimed Pixar plans to “keep these films coming.”

Although Toy Story 5 is facing criticism for its release, many are still excited to see it. Older fans hope the movie serves as an opportunity to “relive” their childhoods. On the other hand, younger fans simply just want to see a good movie. Currently, these hopes seem to have been met, with early screenings reacting overwhelmingly positively. Many fans who saw these screenings claim the movie will be “...an instant Pixar classic…,” which has helped calm the concerns with the film.

Overall, despite minor concerns, hopes are very high with this addition to the Toy Story franchise.