Toy Story 5 Trailer Lands: Can Woody and Buzz Survive the Screen Age?

Get ready for a clash of generations! The first glimpse of Toy Story 5 shows our favorite classic toys facing off against a formidable, frog-shaped smart tablet, marking a poignant return for the beloved franchise.

TL;DR

• Toy Story 5 drops its first trailer, introducing a new high-tech tablet character, Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee.
• Original stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return, joined by new voices like Conan O'Brien and Ernie Hudson.
• The film explores the timeless conflict between traditional playtime and modern screen time, hitting theaters June 19, 2026.

Remember that feeling of unwrapping a brand new toy? The smell of plastic, the crinkle of the box, the endless possibilities in your imagination? Now, imagine being one of those toys, only to watch a sleek, glowing screen arrive, instantly capturing your child's attention. That's the chilling reality Woody, Buzz, and the gang are about to face in Toy Story 5.

The first teaser trailer for Pixar's highly anticipated sequel just dropped, and it's already sparking conversations about the digital age. Released on November 11, 2025, the brief clip offers a glimpse into Bonnie Anderson's new toy — a high-tech, frog-shaped smart tablet named Lilypad. (Source: Variety, 'Toy Story 5' Trailer: Woody and Buzz Are Terrified of High-Tech Tablet in Pixar’s Sequel, Nov 11, 2025)

Set to the evocative strains of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart," the trailer shows Bonnie's classic toys reacting with a mix of "anticipatory horror" and sheer terror as the package is opened. Lilypad, voiced by Past Lives star Greta Lee, greets Bonnie with a cheerful, yet ominous, "Let's play!" (Source: CNN, Screens are the enemy in new ‘Toy Story 5’ teaser trailer, Nov 11, 2025)

The New Foe: Lilypad and the Screen Invasion Redefine Playtime

Lilypad isn't just any new toy; she's a "high-tech, frog-shaped smart tablet." She represents the digital invasion that many traditional toys, and indeed many parents, grapple with today. Her playful antagonism, as described by the film's directors, promises both humor and heart in this generational clash.

The idea of a smart tablet as a villain is brilliant in its meta-irony. The Toy Story franchise itself, launched in 1995, was a groundbreaking precedent as the first fully-computer animated feature film, forever changing the animation industry. Now, the very technology that brought them to life is their greatest adversary, posing a profound challenge to their purpose. (Source: io9, In the First ‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer, the Age of Toys Is Over, Nov 11, 2025)

Familiar Voices Return, Joined by Intriguing Fresh Faces in Bonnie's World

Fans will be thrilled to hear that the beloved voices are returning to bring the iconic characters to life. Tom Hanks is back as the ever-loyal cowboy Woody, and Tim Allen reprises his role as the intrepid space ranger Buzz Lightyear. Joan Cusack returns as cowgirl Jessie, and Tony Hale will once again voice the endearing Forky. Blake Clark is also set to return as the springy Slinky Dog. (Source: Variety, 'Toy Story 5' Trailer: Woody and Buzz Are Terrified of High-Tech Tablet in Pixar’s Sequel, Nov 11, 2025)

Joining Greta Lee in the new cast additions are Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants, described as a "toilet training tech toy," and Ernie Hudson taking over the role of Combat Carl. The late Carl Weathers previously voiced Combat Carl, making Hudson's casting a poignant passing of the torch. (Source: The Guardian, ‘The age of toys is over’: first Toy Story 5 teaser trailer introduces a new tech foe, Nov 11, 2025)

Directors Promise a Hilarious and Poignant Journey for Beloved Characters

Directors Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris shared their excitement about the film's premise. Stanton, a veteran of the Toy Story franchise who co-wrote all four previous films and solely penned the script for Toy Story 5, will direct alongside co-director Harris, making her directorial debut. Lindsey Collins will produce the film, ensuring a creative team with deep Pixar roots.

They stated, "It’s been a hilarious and poignant journey exploring how our favorite team of legacy toys might respond to today’s world of technology, and we’re thrilled to share this first glimpse with audiences." This sentiment hints at a deeper narrative beyond just toys versus tablets, touching on themes of relevance, adaptation, and finding purpose in a rapidly changing world.

"Had they not come up with a brilliant script, they wouldn’t have done it, and they wouldn’t have called me and Tom [Hanks]. It’s really clever."

— Tim Allen, voice of Buzz Lightyear (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

Addressing Woody's Unexpected Return and Other Lingering Mysteries

One of the big questions looming after Toy Story 4 was Woody's fate. The loyal cowboy notably left his friends to live as a "lost toy" with Bo Peep, embracing a new chapter. The trailer, however, clearly shows him back with Buzz and the gang, cowering alongside them. How he rejoins Bonnie's household is a narrative thread fans are undoubtedly eager to see resolved.

Another intriguing detail for hardcore fans: the film's opening scene, previewed at Destination D23, reportedly showed an army of malfunctioning Buzz Lightyears washing up on a deserted island. These rogue Buzzes could potentially serve as additional antagonists alongside Lilypad, adding another layer of challenge and suggesting that the toys' struggles extend beyond just the digital realm. (Source: Mashable, Screens are the enemy in new ‘Toy Story 5’ teaser trailer, Nov 11, 2025)

Example: Imagine a family picnic. Little Maya, usually engrossed in building fantastical worlds with her action figures, now sits quietly, eyes glued to a tablet, swiping at a brightly colored game. Her older, hand-me-down doll, once her constant companion, lies forgotten in the grass, a silent observer of a changing world. This subtle shift in focus, from tangible play to digital engagement, mirrors the predicament Woody and Buzz are about to navigate, struggling to remain a child's most cherished companions.

Some might argue that the 'toys vs. tech' narrative feels a bit on-the-nose, a common trope for stories exploring generational shifts. However, given Toy Story's consistent track record of finding profound emotional depth in simple concepts, there's reason to believe Pixar will elevate this theme beyond a superficial warning about screen time. They've always found the heart in the toys' existential crises, exploring themes like belonging, purpose, and friendship with remarkable nuance.

Another point of concern for some might be the financial performance of recent Pixar films. While Inside Out 2 was a massive success, grossing over $1.5 billion globally in 2024, Elio earlier the same year only managed $152 million at the box office. The spin-off Lightyear also underperformed, losing Disney a reported $106 million. This mixed bag might lead to questions about the studio's consistency when it comes to original concepts. (Source: The Guardian, ‘The age of toys is over’: first Toy Story 5 teaser trailer introduces a new tech foe, Nov 11, 2025)

However, Toy Story stands as Pixar's longest-running and most lucrative franchise, with both Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019) each soaring past the $1 billion mark worldwide and winning Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. This undeniable history of success, combined with the proven appeal of sequels for Pixar, provides a strong foundation for optimism that Toy Story 5 will connect deeply with audiences once again. (Source: Variety, 'Toy Story 5' Trailer: Woody and Buzz Are Terrified of High-Tech Tablet in Pixar’s Sequel, Nov 11, 2025)

Pixar's Franchise Strategy: Balancing Innovation with Proven Blockbuster Success

Toy Story 5 will be Pixar’s 31st feature film, demonstrating a studio that continues to push boundaries while revisiting beloved worlds. Between now and its release, the studio is also planning to drop an original film, Hoppers, in March 2026. This continuous flow of both original content and cherished sequels demonstrates Pixar's strategic approach to balancing artistic innovation with proven audience favorites.

The franchise's incredible longevity and consistent success are undeniable. The original film, a technological marvel, set the stage for a series that has resonated across generations. This rich history sets a high bar for the fifth installment, but also provides a strong foundation for its potential success, tapping into both nostalgia and a timely new narrative.

Practical Takeaways for Toy Story Fans:

• Mark your calendars: Toy Story 5 is officially set for theatrical release on June 19, 2026, offering a summer treat for fans old and new.
• Prepare for a fresh, timely conflict: The film dives headfirst into the modern dilemma of screen time versus traditional play, offering a story that feels both timely and classic to the toy experience.
• Expect familiar faces and exciting newcomers: Your favorite voice actors are back, joined by Greta Lee as Lilypad, Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants, and Ernie Hudson stepping into Combat Carl's boots.
• Catch up on the saga: With Woody's return raising questions after Toy Story 4, now's a great time to rewatch the previous films, all streaming on Disney+, to be ready for the new adventure.
• Anticipate emotional depth: Given Pixar’s history and the directors' comments, expect a film that's not just funny, but also deeply poignant about what it means to be a toy in a changing world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Toy Story 5

When does Toy Story 5 release in theaters? Toy Story 5 is scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on June 19, 2026. Who are the new characters in Toy Story 5? The film introduces Lilypad, a high-tech frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee, and Smarty Pants, a toilet training tech toy voiced by Conan O'Brien. Ernie Hudson also joins the cast, taking over the role of Combat Carl. What is the main conflict in Toy Story 5? The primary conflict revolves around the classic toys, like Woody and Buzz, facing off against the new high-tech tablet, Lilypad. This represents the challenges traditional playtime faces from modern technology and screen time, making their purpose "exponentially harder." Will Woody be back with his friends after Toy Story 4? Yes, despite leaving with Bo Peep at the end of Toy Story 4, the trailer clearly shows Woody reunited with Buzz and the rest of Bonnie's toys, facing the new threat together. The film is expected to explain his return to the group.

Sources

• Variety, 'Toy Story 5' Trailer: Woody and Buzz Are Terrified of High-Tech Tablet in Pixar’s Sequel, Nov 11, 2025.
• CNN, Screens are the enemy in new ‘Toy Story 5’ teaser trailer, Nov 11, 2025.
• Disney (Official Press Release), Toy Story 5 First Teaser Trailer, Nov 11, 2025.
• The Hollywood Reporter, 'Toy Story 5' Teaser Trailer Features Woody, Buzz and New Foe, Nov 11, 2025.
• The Guardian, ‘The age of toys is over’: first Toy Story 5 teaser trailer introduces a new tech foe, Nov 11, 2025.
• Vulture, Toy Story 5 Takes on iPad Kids, Nov 11, 2025.
• Mashable, Screens are the enemy in new ‘Toy Story 5’ teaser trailer, Nov 11, 2025.
• io9, In the First ‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer, the Age of Toys Is Over, Nov 11, 2025.