After years of speculation, Toy Story 5 is finally just weeks away from arriving in cinemas, and Disney and Pixar have revealed a huge amount about the next chapter in one of the most beloved animated franchises of all time.
From the return of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie, to a brand-new villain in the form of a smart tablet, the film looks set to tackle one of the biggest issues facing modern families: children's relationship with technology.
(L-R): Bullseye, Jessie, and Lilypad in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Adding even more excitement, Taylor Swift has officially joined the project with an original song written specifically for the film.
The fifth instalment arrives in cinemas on June 19 and will see the gang face perhaps their most relatable challenge yet.
Unlike previous villains such as Lotso, Sid, Al McWhiggin and Gabby Gabby, the new threat isn't another toy.
Instead, it's technology.
At the centre of the story is Lilypad, a tablet device voiced by Greta Lee, which quickly becomes the focus of young owner Bonnie's attention.
The official synopsis explains that the toys' purpose is challenged when they come face-to-face with what children are obsessed with today: electronics.
Recent trailers have shown Bonnie becoming increasingly captivated by Lilypad while her traditional toys struggle to remain relevant.
The theme of technology versus traditional play has resonated strongly with the film's cast.
(L to R) Woody, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack, Jessie and Greta Lee attend the UK Launch Event of Disney and Pixar's 'Toy Story 5' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London on May 28th, 2026.
Tom Hanks, who returns as Woody for the fifth time, said the story highlights a problem affecting families worldwide.
"I don't think there's anything more important than connection with another human being. Alas, screens and whatnot can seem as though that's not necessary."
"All the characters in our movie come to realise that, look, these things are fun. With a screen, there's an awful lot that you can do."
"But what it cannot do is give you the molecular connection with another human being, and life is not worth living alone."
Speaking about the film's imagery, Hanks said: "There is a moment in the movie where we look out on the cityscape and we see that blue glow of a phone in bedrooms and whatnot, and it does strike terror into the heart."
He also admitted he didn't hesitate when Pixar approached him about another sequel.
"I trust the folks at Pixar so much that when they say, 'Hey, we have an idea for the next Toy Story movie', I don't ask any questions."
"I just show up and say, 'What do you need from Woody, and I will try to bring it forth for you'."
Hanks added: "I think everybody was surprised – us and the folks at Pixar as well – but here it is."
Asked whether another sequel could follow, he replied: "We don't know what's coming down the pike, so I am not going to be surprised if it happens."
"If it does, I predict I will be delighted by what these folks come up with."
Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) in TOY STORY 5. Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5" releases in theaters June 19, 2026. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Tim Allen, who once again voices Buzz Lightyear, believes the film's message will resonate with audiences.
He revealed that even his own teenage daughter struggles to sit through movies because of social media.
"Children are so used to seven-second movies on Instagram."
Recalling a trip to the cinema, Allen said: "She actually looked at a motion picture and went, 'I get it! He's going to be the villain and they're going to do this'."
"We had a little argument, I said, 'from now on, if we go to movie theatres, we watch the movie, and you can [complain] about it afterwards'. But she wasn't wrong."
Allen argued that younger generations have become accustomed to consuming stories much faster.
"They're so used to a beginning, middle and end arc in seven seconds."
However, he also acknowledged that every generation has had concerns about new technology.
"As soon as I said 'put that phone down', I remember my parents going 'turn the music off'."
"Once FM radio came to the United States, and we started getting rock'n'roll, we listened to music all the time, my parents were saying 'turn that off'."
"So there's some memory of this, and then once we got TV we wanted to watch TV all the time. So it's been around, the evolution of this has been around."
Allen also praised Pixar for tackling the issue head-on.
"I find it courageous that they did it."
"What they did, is they looked at themselves and said, let's not forget what engagement with other human beings is like. They went out there and they really hit it hard."
(L-R): Bullseye, Jessie, Atlas, Smarty Pants, and Snappy in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
The actor also reflected on the original Toy Story, which revolutionised animation in 1995 as the world's first fully computer-animated feature film.
"Anybody who saw the first one, compared to cell animation, thought it looked weird. It looked like, 'what are we watching?' But the story was really clever and they put it together with the two of us."
Allen recalled that early versions of the film didn't work.
"They shot one that didn't come out so good."
"The two characters were fighting the whole time, it wasn't very interesting."
"But then they made Woody be a little more understanding and Buzz a little, forgive the word, dumber."
"He was self-delusional, he didn't realise that he was a toy. And it was really quite interesting. And that was new. They'd never done this before."
Joan Cusack, returning as Jessie, believes parents will strongly identify with the story.
She said the film will "resonate" with families who are trying to balance screen time and real-world interaction.
(L-R): Bullseye and Jessie with Lilypad in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
One of the biggest surprises surrounding the film is the involvement of Taylor Swift.
The singer has confirmed she has written and recorded an original song titled I Knew It, I Knew You for the movie.
The track, inspired by Jessie, was written and produced alongside longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff and will be released ahead of the film.
Swift described the opportunity as a dream come true.
"I always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I've adored since I was a five-year-old kid."
Director Andrew Stanton praised her contribution.
"It's incredible just how meaningful it's been having Taylor write and perform this song. Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable."
He added: "The song is so deeply connected to 'Toy Story.' So much so that on first listen, it instantly felt like it had always belonged there, like a long-lost family member. It was kismet."
Fans will also be able to purchase three exclusive CD versions of the single, including acoustic and piano editions.
Stanton directs the film alongside co-director Kenna Harris, while legendary composer Randy Newman returns for his fifth Toy Story soundtrack.
(L to R) Woody, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack, Jessie and Greta Lee attend the UK Launch Event of Disney and Pixar's 'Toy Story 5' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London on May 28th, 2026. (Photo by StillMoving.Net for The Walt Disney Company Limited)
Alongside returning stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack, the film boasts a huge voice cast including Greta Lee, Conan O'Brien, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Keanu Reeves, Kristen Schaal, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Bonnie Hunt, Alan Cumming and Bad Bunny.
Bad Bunny will voice a character named Pizza With Sunglasses, while Alan Cumming joins as a villainous alter ego of Bullseye.
Toy Story 5 comes out in cinemas June 19.
