Toy Story 5 Early Buzz Hints at Pixar’s Next Triumph
First whispers from behind the scenes suggest Toy Story 5 could be a standout in Pixar’s line-up, as Woody and Buzz return while Bonnie’s attention shifts to a new digital companion.
Word is quietly spreading that Disney and Pixar may be on the verge of another major success with the upcoming Toy Story 5, due to hit cinemas on 19 June 2026. This time, the much-loved duo Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) are set to reunite, but the world around them has changed. Bonnie, now eight, seems far more taken with her latest gadget—a frog-shaped tablet called Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee—than with her old toys. The film is helmed by Andrew Stanton, a familiar name at Pixar, who previously contributed to the original Toy Story scripts and directed both Finding Nemo and WALL-E.
On a recent episode of The Town podcast, host Matt Belloni dropped what might be the first hint of audience reaction to the new film.
‘I’ve talked to people who have seen Toy Story 5 and they say it’s excellent.’
Belloni didn’t elaborate on who these early viewers were—whether they’d attended a test screening or were insiders at Disney and Pixar remains unclear. Still, this marks the first bit of feedback to surface about the sequel, and it’s a promising sign for the studio.
Franchise Fortunes and Past Wobbles
For a series that’s become a staple of animated cinema, any positive murmur is bound to raise expectations. The Toy Story films have long enjoyed critical praise and box office success. Even the lowest-rated entry, Toy Story 4, boasts a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the first two instalments each hold a perfect 100%, and Toy Story 3 sits at 98%. Toy Story 4 also managed to outdo its predecessors financially, pulling in $434 million domestically and a staggering $1.07 billion worldwide. Both Toy Story 3 and 4 rank among Pixar’s top five earners, a club the new film could well join if early reactions are anything to go by.
Yet, not every spin-off has landed so smoothly. Lightyear, the 2022 offshoot imagining the ‘real’ film that inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy, failed to strike a chord. Despite being Pixar’s first theatrical release post-pandemic, its meta approach didn’t quite connect, earning a 74% Rotten Tomatoes rating and taking just $226.4 million globally against a hefty $200 million budget. That, coupled with a sense among some viewers that the series might have ended with Toy Story 3, meant Toy Story 5 faced its share of scepticism from the outset.
Timing, Trends, and the Summer Line-Up
Still, the gap between sequels may work in the film’s favour. Pixar’s track record with follow-ups—think Inside Out 2 or The Incredibles 2—suggests that a bit of breathing room can reignite interest. Toy Story 5 is shaping up to be a major draw, not just for the summer but for the entire year. The 2026 release calendar is packed, with titles like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and The Mandalorian & Grogu all vying for attention. It’s reminiscent of 2019, when Toy Story 4 shared the spotlight with Spider-Man: Far From Home, Avengers: Endgame, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. While some may question the need for more sequels, the enduring appeal of these characters seems to keep audiences coming back for more.