Toy Story 5 Early Buzz: Woody and Buzz Return to the Spotlight
First whispers about Toy Story 5 are stirring up excitement, with insiders hinting at a top-notch return for Woody and Buzz. Find out what’s got fans and critics talking ahead of the film’s 2026 release.
Word is starting to get around that Disney and Pixar’s next big animated outing, Toy Story 5, could be another winner. The much-loved duo Woody and Buzz Lightyear are set to make their comeback on the big screen, with the film scheduled to hit cinemas on 19 June 2026. This time, the story picks up as Bonnie, now eight, has become more taken with her new electronic gadget—a quirky, frog-shaped tablet called Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee—leaving her old toys gathering dust.
Andrew Stanton, a familiar face at Pixar and the creative mind behind classics like Finding Nemo and WALL-E, is in the director’s chair for this one. Fans will recognise his touch from the earlier Toy Story films, and there’s a fair bit of anticipation about what he’ll bring to the table this time around.
Positive Early Reactions Fuel the Hype
On a recent episode of The Town podcast, host Matt Belloni dropped a bit of a bombshell, sharing what might be the first reactions to the new film.
‘I’ve talked to people who have seen Toy Story 5 and they say it’s excellent.’
Belloni didn’t spill the beans on who these early viewers were—whether they’d caught a test screening or were Disney insiders—but the early word is all positive. For Pixar and Disney, that’s a promising sign as they gear up for another big release.
The Toy Story series has always been a crowd-pleaser, racking up critical praise and box office records. Even the lowest-rated entry, Toy Story 4, still managed a whopping 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. The earlier films scored even higher, with the first two notching perfect 100% ratings and Toy Story 3 close behind at 98%. Toy Story 4 also took the crown as the franchise’s top earner, pulling in $434 million in the US and a massive $1.07 billion worldwide. It’s no wonder expectations are sky-high for the next chapter.
Franchise Bounces Back After Lightyear Misstep
Of course, not every spin-off has been a home run. The 2022 film Lightyear, which imagined the in-universe blockbuster that inspired the Buzz Lightyear toy, didn’t quite land with punters or critics. It managed a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score and struggled at the box office, earning $226.4 million globally against a hefty $200 million budget. That, plus a sense among some fans that the story should’ve wrapped up after Toy Story 3, meant there was a fair bit of scepticism about another sequel.
Still, Pixar has a knack for making sequels work, as seen with Inside Out 2 and The Incredibles 2. The gap between Toy Story films might actually play in the new film’s favour, giving audiences time to get keen for another adventure. With a packed 2026 line-up including Toy Story 5, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and The Mandalorian & Grogu, it’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year reminiscent of 2019’s big releases.
High Hopes for Woody, Buzz, and the Gang
Despite a few bumps along the way, the Toy Story franchise has a track record of winning over both critics and audiences. While some might still be wary, the early buzz suggests the toys’ latest outing could be another hit. If the positive whispers are anything to go by, Woody and Buzz are set to remind everyone why they’re still the heart and soul of Pixar’s most beloved series.