The Toy Story 5 release window has been confirmed, revealing when Woody and Buzz Lightyear will return to theaters. Released in 2019, Toy Story 4 was originally believed to be the final film in Pixar’s long-running animated franchise that has collectively grossed more than $3.3 billion at the box office. However, one year ago, it was announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger that a fifth film had received the green light and was in early development at Disney.
Now, during Disney’s quarterly earnings call, Iger confirmed that the Toy Story 5 release date will be in 2026, along with Frozen 3. While the sequel will be released in 2026, an exact release date was not announced. Plot details and cast members remain under wraps.
What To Expect From Toy Story 5
Though Toy Story 5 cast haven’t officially been confirmed, it would be difficult to imagine the sequel without Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear. Shortly after the sequel was announced, Allen hinted at Buzz and Woody’s returns, tweeting “See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond!” Pixar’s chief creative officer Pete Docter also insisted they would return, saying “We have another Toy Story, so Woody and Buzz are back.”
The announcement of Toy Story 5 was controversial and left fans questioning its necessity, considering the perfect Toy Story 4 ending which received much acclaim from critics and audiences alike for seemingly concluding Buzz and Woody’s stories. In response to this controversy, Docter defended the development of a fifth film, saying the sequel could head in unexpected directions and end up surprising audiences. While much about Toy Story 5 remains unknown, it appears audiences will be able to experience the sequel sometime in 2026.