The toys are back for another round, and this time, they’re facing a challenge that feels all too familiar in today’s world: technology. On February 20, 2026, Disney and Pixar released the much-anticipated trailer for Toy Story 5, setting the stage for a new adventure that brings together old friends, introduces fresh faces, and asks whether playtime will ever be the same in a world ruled by screens.
Since its debut in 1995, the Toy Story franchise has been a cultural juggernaut, capturing the imaginations of children and adults alike. The original film was a trailblazer, earning a special achievement Academy Award for pioneering computer-animated filmmaking. Its sequels have only added to its legacy, with Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019) both winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Collectively, the series has grossed over £3 billion worldwide, according to BBC.
But as times change, so do the toys—and their world. The new trailer, released late on Thursday, February 20, 2026, reintroduces audiences to beloved characters like Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Mr. Potato Head (now voiced by Jeff Bergman), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Forky (Tony Hale), Slinky Dog (Blake Clarke), and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves). Fan favorites Bo Peep, Rex, Trixie, Dolly, Mr. Pricklepants, Combat Carl, and Karen Beverly also return, ensuring the gang is all here for the next big journey.
Yet, the heart of Toy Story 5 beats to a distinctly modern rhythm. The toys’ new adversary isn’t a villainous neighbor or a daycare disaster—it’s a frog-like tablet named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. Lilypad, described by Pixar as having “her own disruptive ideas about what is best for their kid, Bonnie,” represents the encroachment of technology into the sacred space of play. As CreativeBloq puts it, “the gang grapples with a new world invaded by tech (a tablet named Lilypad, to be exact).” The trailer makes it clear: Bonnie’s attention is at risk, and the toys’ very purpose is under threat.
“Our mission on this planet is to make a child happy,” Buzz declares in the trailer—a mission now complicated by Lilypad’s arrival. The toys must rally together to restore Bonnie’s joy of play and imagination, challenging the idea that a glowing screen could ever replace the magic of a child’s imagination. The tagline for the new film says it all: “Times may change but friends are forever.”
The trailer also teases a reunion that fans have been waiting for. At the end of Toy Story 4, Woody made the emotional decision to leave the gang and help lost toys find new homes. Now, he’s back, and his first encounter with Buzz is both touching and humorous. “It’s been too long cowboy,” says Buzz, before embracing a now slightly balding Woody. The two are soon seen bickering as in days past, prompting Mr. Potato Head to note, “It’s good to see them fighting again.”
Woody’s new look—specifically, his bald patch—has sparked plenty of conversation online. CreativeBloq’s Natalie Fear wrote, “I was shocked and appalled at how they had massacred my boy, demolishing my childhood in the process. Is nothing sacred? Am I forced to accept that Woody is subject to the plight of male pattern baldness?” For some, the bald patch is more than a visual gag; it’s a symbol of mortality and the passage of time, a reminder that even toys are not immune to change. As the CreativeBloq piece mused, “That bald patch was much more than a cheap gag – to me, it was a symbol of mortality.”
The film’s new cast members are a reflection of the franchise’s enduring appeal and willingness to evolve. In addition to Greta Lee, the voice cast includes Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, Anna Vocino as Mrs. Potato Head, Scarlett Spears as Bonnie, Craig Robinson as Atlas (a cheerful GPS hippo toy), Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl, Shelby Rabara as Snappy (an excitable camera toy), Mykal-Michelle Harris as Blaze (an independent, animal-loving 8-year-old), and Matty Matheson as Dr. Nutcase, a tech-fearing toy. According to Collider, this diverse lineup “feels like a toy chest of comedy and heart.”
Jessie, introduced in the second film with a heartbreaking story of abandonment, seems poised for a central role in this installment. The trailer opens with her officiating a wedding for Forky and Karen Beverly—a moment of joy that may soon be overshadowed by the threat of being abandoned again, this time for an electronic rival. As Den of Geek’s Andrew Sanford points out, “Jessie could be abandoned yet again for a whole new reason, and having to deal with that trauma for a second time could be a solid emotional anchor.”
Conan O’Brien’s Smarty Pants is another intriguing addition. While the trailer leans heavily into Lilypad as the antagonist, Sanford speculates that “they may be waiting because he may be more mischievous than expected.” Whether Smarty Pants turns out to be a friend, foe, or something in between remains to be seen, but his presence adds another layer of uncertainty to the story.
Music has always been a hallmark of the franchise, and Toy Story 5 is no exception. Oscar winner Randy Newman returns to compose the original score, promising another round of memorable tunes that tug at the heartstrings.
As the toys face off against Lilypad and the changing tides of childhood, the film promises not just laughs and adventure, but also a reflection on aging, relevance, and the enduring power of friendship. For parents, children, and lifelong fans alike, Toy Story 5 looks set to deliver the emotional punch that has become the series’ signature.
Mark your calendars: Toy Story 5 lands exclusively in cinemas on June 19, 2026. Whether you’re there for the nostalgia, the new faces, or just to see if Woody’s bald patch gets any bigger, this is one playdate you won’t want to miss.