“Toy Story 5” trailer arrives as Woody returns for a toy-meets-tech showdown
The first trailer for “Toy Story 5” debuted on Thursday, February 19, 2026 (ET), confirming a familiar emotional hook in a new fight: toys vs. technology. The footage shows Woody rejoining Buzz and the rest of the gang as their place in a child’s world is threatened not by another toy, but by a smart device that can talk back, entertain nonstop, and demand constant attention.
The film is set for a wide theatrical release on Friday, June 19, 2026 (ET), positioning the franchise for a major summer run nearly seven years after “Toy Story 4.”
Trailer highlights: Woody, Buzz, and a new “villain”
The trailer leans into time and wear in a playful way, including a quick gag that visually signals Woody has been through a lot since his last goodbye. But the bigger reveal is the new threat: a tablet-like device named Lilypad that becomes the center of Bonnie’s attention.
The central tension is immediate and modern: if playtime becomes screen time, the toys aren’t just competing with a new favorite—they’re competing with an always-on world that can replace imagination with endless content.
The story setup: Bonnie, now older, and the toys’ new reality
“Toy Story 5” picks up after the events of “Toy Story 4,” with Bonnie now 8. In the new status quo, Jessie is positioned as the day-to-day leader in Bonnie’s room, with Buzz Lightyear as her key partner. Woody, meanwhile, has been living a different kind of purpose—helping lost toys find their way.
That separation is tested when the toys realize Bonnie’s attention is shifting sharply toward Lilypad. The trailer frames it as an “extinction-level” problem for traditional play: the toys’ jobs don’t disappear all at once, they fade—one ignored moment at a time.
Why “toy meets tech” fits the franchise’s bigger theme
Every main “Toy Story” installment has asked a version of the same question: What happens to love and identity when you’re no longer needed the way you once were? This time, the answer is filtered through a distinctly current anxiety—how quickly a device can become a child’s default companion.
The trailer suggests the film won’t treat technology as a simple villain. Instead, it’s setting up a conflict about attention and habit: the toys can’t out-feature a screen, so they’ll have to out-heart it. That’s classic “Toy Story” logic—feelings, friendship, and play are the only real superpowers they’ve got.
Who’s back, and what’s new in the cast
The core voice cast returns, including Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz), and Joan Cusack (Jessie), along with familiar supporting characters such as Forky and other favorites from across the series. The new character Lilypad is voiced by Greta Lee, and the trailer hints at additional new toys designed around modern “kid tech,” expanding the world beyond the bedroom floor.
The mix signals a balancing act: keep the emotional continuity for longtime fans while introducing enough new energy to make a fifth entry feel like more than a reunion tour.
Key dates and what to watch next
Here’s the timeline viewers are tracking now that the first look is out:
| Milestone | Date (ET) |
|---|---|
| First trailer release | Feb. 19, 2026 |
| Theatrical release | June 19, 2026 |
Next, expect a second marketing wave that clarifies the stakes and the structure—how long Woody stays, whether Buzz and Jessie split on strategy, and how Lilypad’s role evolves from “new favorite” to true antagonist (or uneasy ally).
The road to June: expectations and pressure on a fifth chapter
A “Toy Story 5” release isn’t just another animated sequel; it’s a cultural event with built-in scrutiny. The trailer is already signaling the movie’s main defense against sequel fatigue: it’s trying to tell a story that feels specific to the moment rather than repeating an old one.
The most practical question for the months ahead is whether the film can land the emotional ending. “Toy Story 4” closed on a major life change for Woody. A fifth film has to justify reopening that door—and the trailer’s approach is clear: the world has changed fast, and the toys’ purpose is being tested in a new way.
If the film delivers on that premise, June’s box office story could be less about nostalgia and more about relevance—exactly the battle the toys are fighting onscreen.
