Pixar has released the first trailer for Toy Story 5, seven years after the previous installment. The preview shows Woody and Buzz Lightyear reuniting to confront the rise of technology in children's lives. The film explores themes of obsolescence for toys in a screen-dominated world.
The trailer for Toy Story 5 arrived on Thursday, marking the return of Pixar's beloved franchise. It picks up after the events of Toy Story 4, released in 2019, where Woody opted for independence rather than staying with Bonnie's toys. In the new footage, a balding Woody, now wearing a poncho and voiced by Tom Hanks, joins forces with Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) to rescue Bonnie from her Lilypad smart tablet. The duo assembles with familiar characters including Jessie (Joan Cusack), Forky (Tony Hale), Slinky Dog, Hamm, Trixie, and multiple Buzz figures to challenge the encroachment of digital devices on playtime.
Director and screenwriter Andrew Stanton, a Pixar veteran, frames the story not as a straightforward battle against technology but as an existential examination of toys facing irrelevance. He noted that the film delves into how screens have transformed childhood and the implications for traditional toys. The voice cast includes returning actors like Blake Clark alongside newcomers Greta Lee and Conan O’Brien, refreshing the ensemble while preserving core elements.
Toy Story 5 arrives amid strong momentum for Pixar. The studio's Inside Out 2 grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide in 2024, becoming the year's top film. Following the upcoming original feature Hoppers in March, Toy Story 5 is set for theatrical release on June 19. The trailer raises questions about how the film will address Woody's separation from the group at the end of the fourth movie.
