Toy Story 5 Hits Theaters Tomorrow June 19

Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie are heading back to the big screen. This time, their biggest rival isn’t a villain. Instead, it’s a tablet. Toy Story 5 opens in theaters June 19. The animated sequel follows 2019’s Toy Story 4. In this installment, Bonnie’s toys face a new challenge: competing against modern electronics for her attention. As a result, the franchise enters fresh territory after six years away. Here are five things to know before the movie arrives.

The plot centers on toys versus tech

The story follows Bonnie, who is now 8 years old. She grows attached to a frog-shaped tablet named Lilypad. As a result, Lilypad steers Bonnie toward new friendships and digital distractions. Meanwhile, Jessie struggles to keep the toys relevant. She inherited the sheriff’s badge from Woody in the last film. Because of this shift, Woody returns to Bonnie’s room. The plot also includes a quiet romantic subplot involving Buzz. Overall, the film leans into themes about childhood and changing technology.

Familiar voices return alongside new arrivals

Tom Hanks reprises his role as Woody. Tim Allen also returns as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack reprises Jessie. In addition, the cast welcomes several new actors. Greta Lee voices Lilypad, the tablet at the center of the story. Conan O’Brien joins as a new character named Smarty Pants. Meanwhile, Craig Robinson voices Atlas, a GPS-equipped toy hippo. Ernie Hudson steps into the role of Combat Carl. He takes over for the late Carl Weathers. Tony Hale returns as Forky, and Scarlett Spears voices Bonnie. Jeff Bergman and Anna Vocino also join as the new voices behind the Potato Heads. Altogether, the ensemble blends longtime favorites with fresh talent.

The creative team includes franchise veterans

Andrew Stanton directs the film. He previously helmed Finding Nemo and WALL-E. Kenna Harris serves as co-director, marking her feature directorial debut. Lindsey Collins produces the movie. Together, Stanton and Harris co-wrote the screenplay from a story by Stanton. Composer Randy Newman also returns to score the franchise. This marks his fifth Toy Story film. Additionally, pop star Taylor Swift contributed an original song. The track, titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” was written for Jessie’s arc. Therefore, longtime fans can expect a familiar musical thread alongside something new.

The film already had its big premiere

Toy Story 5 held its world premiere on June 9. The event took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Before that, a red-carpet launch event was held in London on May 28. The film also carries a notable distinction. It’s only the second Toy Story movie rated PG. The MPA cited thematic material and some rude humor. Marketing for the film rolled out gradually. First, a teaser trailer arrived in November 2025. It reportedly drew 142 million views within 24 hours. Then, a full trailer followed in February. Finally, the complete cast was confirmed in late May.

Expectations are high at the box office

Industry estimates point to a strong opening. Variety reported the film could debut around $150 million domestically. That projection covers roughly 4,400 locations. If accurate, the number would rank among the franchise’s biggest openings. The same report estimated the production budget at $250 million. This reflects the scale of Disney and Pixar’s investment. After all, the studio is reviving the franchise six years after its last release. Therefore, expectations remain high heading into opening weekend.

Some audiences may embrace the toys’ new digital rival. Others may simply show up for nostalgia. Either way, Toy Story 5 carries the weight of an enduring franchise. With returning favorites and new faces, the film aims to prove there’s still room for old-fashioned playtime in a screen-obsessed world. Ultimately, the box office will decide if the gang’s latest adventure resonates with a new generation of fans.

Source; Disney, Pixar, Variety, Deadline