Thirty-one years after Woody and Buzz first argued over who was Andy’s favorite, the gang is back. Toy Story 5 hit theaters on June 19, 2026, and this time the threat isn’t a jealous space ranger, a daycare, or an antique-store cat — it’s the glowing screen every modern kid already adores. Here’s our spoiler-light review, plus a full rundown of the adorable new characters and the classics returning to Bonnie’s room.

Toy Story 5 at a glance

Toy Story 5 released in theaters on June 19, 2026 and runs a brisk 1 hour 42 minutes. It’s directed by Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL·E), co-directed by McKenna Harris and produced by Lindsey Collins. Randy Newman returns to score his fifth Toy Story film, and Taylor Swift performs an original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The film premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on June 9.

What is Toy Story 5 about?

The pitch is “Toy meets Tech.” Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the rest of Bonnie’s toys have their world upended when Lilypad (Greta Lee), a brand-new tablet device, arrives with very firm ideas about how Bonnie should spend her playtime. Stanton builds the story around a deeply 2026 anxiety: what happens to imaginative, hands-on play when a screen can do everything? Crucially, this is Jessie’s movie — after four Woody-centric chapters, the cowgirl finally leads.

The adorable new characters

Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee)

The film’s antagonist — sort of. Lilypad is a sleek tablet in a frog-themed case who genuinely believes she knows best for Bonnie. The movie pointedly resists turning her into a cartoon villain; she’s a misguided true believer rather than a bad guy, which is both its most interesting idea and, for some critics, a swing it doesn’t fully connect.

Smarty Pants (voiced by Conan O’Brien)

A brand-new toy revealed in the early footage. O’Brien’s deadpan comic timing is a natural fit for the toybox.

Pizza with Sunglasses (voiced by Bad Bunny)

Exactly what it sounds like: a slice of pizza wearing shades. Pure, gleefully silly, merch-ready Pixar charm.

The 50 Buzz Lightyears

An army of commemorative Buzz Lightyear figures, stuck in “toy mode” and convinced they need to find Star Command — and they cause no shortage of chaos. A delightful callback to Buzz’s original 1995 delusion.

The classic characters who return

The core trio — Woody, Buzz and Jessie — anchors everything, with Forky (Tony Hale), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky (Blake Clark) and Bullseye all back in the mix. A few roles have been respectfully recast: Jeff Bergman voices Mr. Potato Head (originated by the late Don Rickles) and Anna Vocino takes over Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris). The result keeps the full ensemble together while honoring the franchise’s history.

Is Toy Story 5 any good? What the critics say

It’s Certified Fresh and sitting in the 90s on Rotten Tomatoes (around 92–94% as reviews rolled in) — excellent by any normal measure, though, notably, the lowest score of the mainline Toy Story films, each of which landed at 97% or higher. The consensus is that Pixar mostly sidesteps “do we really need a fifth one?” fatigue by leaning on characters we love and a timely screen-time theme. Praise centers on Jessie finally getting the spotlight, the gorgeous animation, and the trademark balance of heart and humor. The Daily Beast neatly captured the mixed-but-fond mood, calling it “unnecessary and charming.” The most common criticism: a few reviewers felt the film doesn’t fully commit to its tech premise, and that a subplot or two exist mainly to reunite the gang.

The verdict

If you want a tearjerker that takes a four-year-old’s emotional life as seriously as any prestige drama, Toy Story 5 delivers. It’s funny, beautiful, and — yes — it will probably get you again over the inner lives of plastic toys. It doesn’t topple the untouchable original trilogy, and it doesn’t have to: as a Jessie showcase and a gentle, kid-friendly reckoning with screens, it’s a genuinely sweet, worthy addition to the series. Bring tissues.

Toy Story 5 FAQ

When did Toy Story 5 come out? June 19, 2026, in theaters. How long is Toy Story 5? About 1 hour 42 minutes. Who directed it? Andrew Stanton, co-directed by McKenna Harris. Who sings the new song? Taylor Swift performs “I Knew It, I Knew You.” Who is the new villain? Lilypad, a tablet device voiced by Greta Lee.