Toy Story 5 Arrives: A New Chapter in the Beloved Franchise

Toy Story 5 was released in theaters on June 19, 2026, following a world premiere in Los Angeles on June 9, 2026. The film is directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton and co-directed by McKenna Harris, from a story by Stanton. It marks the fifth installment in the computer-animated franchise that began in 1995.

Plot and Themes

The story takes place a few years after the events of Toy Story 4. The narrative centers on eight-year-old Bonnie, who is given a new electronic tablet named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. The device, described as a frog-like tablet with good intentions but flawed execution, consumes much of Bonnie's attention, causing concern among her toys.

The plot follows Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and other toys as they work to reconnect Bonnie with physical play and friendship. The film explores themes of toy obsolescence and the challenge electronic devices pose to traditional playtime. Director Stanton described the tablet as "not a villain" but "the next phase in Bonnie's life."

"Our kid needs to make friends and your screen isn't helping." — Jessie

According to early footage shown at CinemaCon in April 2024, the trailer depicts the toys being set aside by a child focused on a green device called a Lilly Pad. The character Jessie attempts to intervene, stating, "Our kid needs to make friends and your screen isn't helping," to which the device responds by playing back her words in different formats.

Cast

Musical Contribution

Taylor Swift wrote and recorded an original song, "I Knew It, I Knew You," for the film's end credits. Swift co-wrote and co-produced the song with Jack Antonoff.

According to statements from Swift, she wrote the song after viewing an early screening of the film, completing the writing, production, and vocal recording within a single day. The song is described as a country-style ballad inspired by the character Jessie. Swift described the process as "a musical departure and coming home at the same time."

Three CD single variants were made available for pre-order through Swift's website, each containing a different version of the song: original, acoustic, and piano. The song was released on streaming platforms on June 5. A companion music video includes footage from the film.

Premiere Performance

At the world premiere on June 9, 2026, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Swift performed "I Knew It, I Knew You" on piano following the screening. She was later joined by composer Randy Newman for a duet of "You've Got a Friend in Me."

Box Office Performance

In its opening weekend (June 19–21), Toy Story 5 earned an estimated $159.6 million in North America and $150.5 million internationally, for a global opening of $310.1 million. The film is projected to reach $1 billion worldwide.

Based on Disney's typical release patterns, the film is expected to be available on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) approximately two months after its theatrical release.

Early Reception

Initial social media reactions from premiere attendees were positive, with multiple commentators noting the film's focus on the character Jessie. Official critic reviews were held under embargo until June 16. Several reactions described the film as emotionally resonant and a strong installment in the franchise.

Franchise Context

The Toy Story franchise began with its first film in 1995. The first four films have a combined worldwide gross of over $3.3 billion. Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019) each grossed over $1 billion globally. All four previous films were nominated for Academy Awards, with Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.