Toy Story 5 Early Buzz Hints at a Triumphant Return for Pixar
Early reactions to Toy Story 5 are overwhelmingly positive, fueling excitement for Pixar’s latest sequel. Woody and Buzz reunite as Bonnie’s attention shifts to a new tech gadget, setting the stage for a fresh adventure.
Word is spreading fast that Disney and Pixar may have another blockbuster on their hands with Toy Story 5. The highly anticipated sequel is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026, and will bring back the beloved duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. This time, the story takes a modern twist as Bonnie, now eight years old, becomes captivated by her new electronic companion—a frog-inspired tablet called Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. The film is helmed by Andrew Stanton, a Pixar veteran known for his work on the original Toy Story films and acclaimed hits like Finding Nemo and WALL-E.
On a recent episode of The Town podcast, host Matt Belloni shared what could be the first hints of audience feedback for the upcoming movie.
“I’ve talked to people who have seen Toy Story 5 and they say it ’s excellent.”
While Belloni didn’t specify whether these early viewers attended a test screening or were insiders at Disney and Pixar, this marks the first public word of mouth about the sequel—and it’s a promising sign for fans and the studio alike.
Franchise Legacy and Box Office Expectations
The Toy Story series has long been a crown jewel for Pixar, earning both critical praise and massive box office returns. Even the lowest-rated entry, Toy Story 4, boasts a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the first two films hold perfect 100% ratings and Toy Story 3 sits at 98%. Toy Story 4 also became the franchise’s top earner, pulling in $434 million domestically and $1.07 billion worldwide. Both Toy Story 3 and 4 rank among Pixar’s five highest-grossing films, and there’s every reason to believe the new installment could join their ranks.
However, the franchise did face a setback with Lightyear, the 2022 spin-off that explored the origin story of the Buzz Lightyear toy. Despite being Pixar’s first theatrical release after the pandemic, Lightyear struggled to connect with audiences and critics, earning a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score and grossing just $226.4 million globally against a $200 million budget. Combined with some fans’ belief that the series should have ended with Toy Story 3, there was plenty of skepticism surrounding the announcement of a fifth film.
Timing and the Summer Movie Lineup
Yet, the gap between sequels may actually work in Toy Story 5’s favor. Other Pixar follow-ups like Inside Out 2 and The Incredibles 2 have shown that a little time away can build anticipation and lead to big box office results. The 2026 summer movie season is shaping up to be a blockbuster, with Toy Story 5 sharing the spotlight alongside major releases like Spider- Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and The Mandalorian & Grogu. The lineup echoes the packed summer of 2019, which featured Toy Story 4, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Avengers: Endgame, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
While some moviegoers remain cautious about sequels, the Toy Story franchise has consistently proven its staying power. With early reactions pointing to another hit, Pixar’s latest chapter looks set to capture the hearts of both longtime fans and a new generation.